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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard
+
+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: The Spectacle Man
+       A Story of the Missing Bridge
+
+Author: Mary F. Leonard
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2010 [EBook #30993]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPECTACLE MAN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Annie McGuire
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SPECTACLE MAN
+
+
+  Out of a song the story grew;
+  Just how it happened nobody knew,
+  But, song and story, it all came true.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS BY MARY F. LEONARD.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+=THE SPECTACLE MAN=. A STORY OF THE MISSING BRIDGE. 266 pages. Cloth.
+$1.00.
+
+=MR. PAT'S LITTLE GIRL=. A STORY OF THE ARDEN FORESTERS. 322 pages.
+Cloth. $1.50.
+
+=THE PLEASANT STREET PARTNERSHIP=. A NEIGHBORHOOD STORY. 269 pages.
+Cloth. $.75, _net_.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the
+show-case"]
+
+
+
+
+The Spectacle Man
+
+_A Story of the Missing Bridge_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+By
+Mary F. Leonard
+
+AUTHOR OF
+"THE BIG FRONT DOOR"
+
+
+_Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill_
+
+
+W. A. WILDE COMPANY
+BOSTON AND CHICAGO
+
+
+_Copyright, 1901,_
+BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY.
+_All rights reserved_.
+
+
+
+
+_TO THE ONE
+Whose Love has been from Childhood
+An Unfailing Inspiration
+Whose Friendship has made Dark Paths Light
+This Little Book is Dedicated
+In Memory of "Remembered Hours"_
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+  CHAPTER FIRST.                                                    Page
+
+    Frances meets the Spectacle Man                                   11
+
+  CHAPTER SECOND.
+
+    A Certain Person                                                  22
+
+  CHAPTER THIRD.
+
+    Gladys                                                            32
+
+  CHAPTER FOURTH.
+
+    They look at a Flat                                               40
+
+  CHAPTER FIFTH.
+
+    Some New Acquaintances                                            50
+
+  CHAPTER SIXTH.
+
+    An Informal Affair                                                61
+
+  CHAPTER SEVENTH.
+
+    A Portrait                                                        77
+
+  CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+    The Story of the Bridge                                           86
+
+  CHAPTER NINTH.
+
+    Finding a Moral                                                  106
+
+  CHAPTER TENTH.
+
+    The Portrait Again                                               118
+
+  CHAPTER ELEVENTH.
+
+    Mrs. Marvin is perplexed                                         128
+
+  CHAPTER TWELFTH.
+
+    At Christmas Time                                                134
+
+  CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
+
+    One Sunday Afternoon                                             151
+
+  CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
+
+    Three of a Name                                                  164
+
+  CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
+
+    A Confidence                                                     177
+
+  CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.
+
+    Hard Times                                                       186
+
+  CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
+
+    At the Loan Exhibit                                              198
+
+  CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
+
+    The March Number of _The Young People's Journal_                 207
+
+  CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
+
+    Surprises                                                        215
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
+
+    Caroline's Story                                                 231
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
+
+    Overheard by Peterkin                                            240
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND.
+
+    The Little Girl in the Golden Doorway                            249
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD.
+
+    "The Ducks and the Geese they All swim over"                     257
+
+
+
+
+Illustrations.
+
+
+                                                                    Page
+
+  "The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the
+  show-case" _Frontispiece_                                           11
+
+  "'What is your name, baby?'"                                        54
+
+  "'Little girl, I wish I knew you'"                                 120
+
+  "She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds"                       200
+
+
+
+
+The Spectacle Man.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+CHAPTER FIRST.
+
+FRANCES MEETS THE SPECTACLE MAN.
+
+  "The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--"
+
+
+sang the Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case, with his
+hands outspread, and the glasses between a thumb and finger, as he
+nodded merrily at Frances.
+
+Such an odd-looking person as he was! Instead of an ordinary coat he
+wore a velvet smoking-jacket; the top of his bald head was protected by
+a Scotch cap, and his fringe of hair, white like his pointed beard, was
+parted behind and brushed into a tuft over each ear, the ribbon ends of
+his cap hanging down between in the jauntiest way. It was really
+difficult to decide whether the back or front view of him was most
+cheerful.
+
+"Will it take long?" Frances asked, with dignity, although a certain
+dimple refused to be repressed.
+
+"Well, at least half an hour, if I am not interrupted; but as my clerk
+is out, I may have to stop to wait on a customer. Perhaps if you have
+other shopping to do you might call for them on your way home." If there
+was a twinkle in the eye of the Spectacle Man, nobody saw it except the
+gray cat who sat near by on the directory.
+
+"Thank you, I think I'd better wait," replied Frances, politely, much
+pleased to have it supposed she was out shopping.
+
+At this the optician hastened to give her a chair at the window,
+motioning her to it with a wave of the hand and a funny little bow; then
+he trotted into the next room and returned with a _St. Nicholas_, which
+he presented with another bow, and retired to his table in the corner.
+As he set to work he hummed his tune, glancing now and then over his
+shoulder in the direction of his small customer.
+
+Perched on the high-backed chair, in her scarlet coat and cap, her hands
+clasped over the book, her bright eyes fixed on the busy street, it was
+as if a stray red bird had fluttered in, bringing a touch of color to
+the gray-tinted room. From her waving brown locks to the tips of her
+toes she was a dainty little maid, and carried herself with the air of a
+person of some importance.
+
+If the Spectacle Man was interested in Frances, she was no less
+interested in him; neither the street nor the magazine attracted her
+half so much as the queer shop and its proprietor. It had once been the
+front parlor of the old dwelling which, with its veranda and grass-plat,
+still held its own in the midst of the tall business houses that closed
+it in on either side. Here were the show-cases, queer instruments, and
+cabalistic looking charts for trying the sight; over the high mantel
+hung a large clock, and in the grate below a coal fire nickered and
+purred in a lazy fashion; and through the half-open folding doors
+Francis had a glimpse into what seemed to be a study or library.
+
+At least a dozen questions were on the tip of her tongue, but didn't get
+any further. For instance, she longed to ask if those cunning little
+spectacles on the doll's head in the case near her, were for sale, and
+if the Spectacle Man had any children who read the _St. Nicholas_ and
+what the gray cat's name was, for that he had a name she didn't doubt,
+he was so evidently an important part of the establishment.
+
+He had descended from the directory, which was rather circumscribed for
+one of his size, and curled himself comfortably on the counter; but
+instead of going to sleep he gently fanned his nose with the tip of his
+tail, and kept his yellow eyes fixed on Frances as if he too felt some
+curiosity about her. She was thinking how much she would like to have
+him in her lap when the Spectacle Man looked around and said, "The next
+time your grandmother breaks these frames she will have to have some new
+ones."
+
+"They aren't my grandmother's, they are Mrs. Gray's. I haven't any
+grandmother," she answered.
+
+"You haven't? Why, that's a coincidence; neither have I!"
+
+Frances laughed but didn't think of anything else to say, so the
+conversation dropped, and the optician fell to humming:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke."
+
+They might never have become really acquainted if, just as he was giving
+a final polish to the glasses, it had not begun to rain.
+
+"What shall I do?" Frances exclaimed, rising hurriedly. "I haven't any
+umbrella."
+
+The Spectacle Man walked to the window, the glasses in one hand, a piece
+of chamois in the other. "It may be only a shower," he said, peering
+out; "but it is time for the equinoctial." Then, seeing the little girl
+was worried, he asked how far she had to go.
+
+"Only two blocks; we are staying at the Wentworth, but mother and father
+were out when I left and won't know where I am."
+
+"Well, now, don't you worry; Dick will be in presently and I'll send him
+right over to the hotel to let them know where you are, and get a
+waterproof for you."
+
+This made Frances feel more comfortable; and when, after putting the
+glasses in their case and giving her the change from Mrs. Gray's dollar,
+he lit the gas in the back parlor and invited her in, she almost forgot
+the storm.
+
+The room was quite different from any she had ever been in, and she at
+once decided she liked it. Around the walls were low cases, some filled
+with books and papers, others with china and pottery; from the top of an
+ancient looking chest in one corner a large stuffed owl gazed solemnly
+at her; the mantel-shelf was full of books, and above it hung a portrait
+of Washington. There were some plaster casts and a few engravings, and
+beside the study table in the middle of the room was an arm-chair which,
+judging from its worn cover, was a favorite resting-place of the
+Spectacle Man.
+
+"I have a little writing to do before Dick comes in; can't I give you a
+book while I am busy? I have a number of story-books," her host asked.
+
+Frances thanked him, but thought she'd rather look about. "You seem to
+have so many interesting things," she said.
+
+While she walked slowly around the room the optician sat down at the
+table and wrote rapidly. "How does this sound," he presently asked.
+
+"'WANTED: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
+conveniences; rent reasonable. Apply 432 Walnut Street.' You don't
+happen to know any one who wants a flat, I suppose?"
+
+Frances said she did not.
+
+"The lady who had my second story rooms was called away by her mother's
+death, and now she is not coming back. With Mark away at school it is
+really very important to have them rented." The Spectacle Man tapped the
+end of his nose with his pen and began to hum absent-mindedly:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
+
+At this moment a boy with a dripping umbrella appeared at the door. He
+proved to be Dick, and was at once despatched to the Wentworth with
+instructions to ask for Mr. John Morrison, and let him know his daughter
+was safe and only waiting till the storm was over; and on his way back
+to stop at the newspaper office and leave the advertisement.
+
+"Dear me!" said Frances, after he had gone, "we might have sent Mrs.
+Gray's glasses; I am afraid she will be tired waiting for them. She
+can't see to do anything without them, and she is lame too."
+
+"Well, she is fortunate in having a friend to get them mended for her.
+And now I wonder if you wouldn't like to see old Toby," said the
+optician, taking down a funny looking jug in the shape of a very fat old
+gentleman. "When my grandfather died he left me this jug and the song
+about the bridge. Did you ever hear it before?"
+
+Frances said she never had.
+
+"Grandfather used to sing it to me when I was a little boy, and I find
+it still a very good song. When I get into a tight place and can't see
+how I am to get through, why--" here he waved his hands and nodded his
+head--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,'
+
+"and I go to work and try. Sometimes it is for other people, sometimes
+for myself. Bridges are always getting broken,--'tisn't only
+spectacles."
+
+Frances smiled, for though she did not quite understand, it sounded
+interesting; but before she had time to ask any questions a tall young
+man entered. "Why, Wink! what in the world are you doing here?" he
+exclaimed.
+
+"Oh, daddy dear, I hope you haven't worried!" she cried, running to him;
+"Mrs. Gray broke her glasses and couldn't read or sew, and I thought I
+ought to have them mended for her,--it wasn't far you know--and then it
+began to rain so I couldn't get back."
+
+"And this is Mr. Clark, I suppose," said Mr. Morrison; "let me thank you
+for taking care of my little daughter. And now, Wink, put on this coat
+and your rubbers, and let us hurry before mother quite loses her mind."
+
+When she was enveloped in the waterproof, Frances held out her hand.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Clark," she said; "I hope you will find some nice person
+to rent your flat. Good-by."
+
+The Spectacle Man stood in his door and watched the two figures till
+they disappeared in the misty twilight, then he returned to the shop.
+"Peterkin," he said, addressing the cat, "I like that little girl, and I
+suppose I'll never see her again."
+
+Peterkin uncurled himself, stood up on the counter, arched his back, and
+yawned three times.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SECOND.
+
+A CERTAIN PERSON.
+
+
+A day or two after her visit to the optician's, Frances lay curled up on
+the broad window-sill, a thoughtful little pucker between her eyes.
+About fifteen minutes earlier she had entered the room where her father
+and mother were talking, just as the former said, "As a certain person
+is abroad I see no objection to your spending the winter here if you
+wish."
+
+Before she could ask a single question a caller was announced, and she
+had taken refuge behind the curtains.
+
+It was quite by accident that they happened to be staying for a few
+weeks in this pleasant town where the Spectacle Man lived. They were
+returning from North Carolina, where they had spent the summer, when a
+slight illness of Mrs. Morrison's made it seem wise to stop for a while
+on the way; and before she was quite well, Mr. Morrison was summoned to
+New York on business, so his wife and daughter stayed where they were,
+waiting for him, and enjoying the lovely fall weather.
+
+They liked it so well they were beginning to think with regret of the
+time when they must leave, for though really a city in size, the place
+had many of the attractions of a village. The gardens around the houses,
+the flowers and vines, the wide shady streets, combined to make an
+atmosphere of homelikeness; but to Frances' mind its greatest charm lay
+in the fact that once, long ago, her father had lived here. At least she
+felt sure it must have been long ago, for it was in that strange time
+before there was any Frances Morrison.
+
+She had never heard as much as she wanted to hear about these years,
+although she had heard a good deal. There were some things her father
+evidently did not care to talk about, and one of these was a mysterious
+individual known as a Certain Person. The first time she had heard this
+Certain Person mentioned she had questioned her mother, who had replied,
+"It is some one who was once a friend of father's, but is not now. I
+think he does not care to mention the name, dear."
+
+After this Frances asked no more questions, but she thought a great
+deal, and her imagination began to picture a tall, fierce looking man
+who lurked in dark corners ready to spring out at her. Sometimes when
+she was on the street at night she would see him skulking along in the
+shadows, and would clasp her father's hand more closely. Altogether this
+person had grown and flourished in her mind in a wonderful way.
+
+And, she couldn't tell how, a Certain Person was connected in her
+thoughts with "The Girl in the Golden Doorway." This was a story in her
+very own story-book, a collection of tales known only to her father and
+herself, which had all been told in the firelight on winter evenings and
+afterward written out in Mr. Morrison's clear hand in a book bought for
+the purpose, so that not even a printer knew anything about them.
+
+This particular story, which she had heard many times, was of a boy who
+lived in a great old-fashioned house in the country, where there were
+beautiful things all about, both indoors and out. The only other child
+in the house was a little girl who looked down from a heavy gilt frame
+above the library mantel. The boy, who was just six years old, used to
+lie on the hearth rug, gazing up at her, and sometimes she would smile
+and beckon to him as if she wanted to be friends.
+
+This happened only at nightfall when the shadows lay dark in the corners
+of the room and the fire blazed brightly; at such times things that had
+before been a puzzle to him became quite clear. For instance, he
+discovered one evening that what looked like the frame of a picture was
+really a doorway belonging to the house where the little girl lived, and
+it was plain that if he could only get up there he could find out all
+about her. Once there, he felt sure she would take him by the hand and
+together they would go away--away--somewhere! But the mantel was very
+high, and polished like glass.
+
+One afternoon when he had come in from a long drive, and feeling tired
+was lying very still in his usual place, looking up at the little girl
+and the long passage that seemed to stretch away behind her, a strange
+thing happened. So unexpectedly it sent his heart into his mouth, the
+girl stepped out of the doorway; and then, wonder of wonders! he saw a
+stairway at one side of the chimney-piece where he had never noticed one
+before.
+
+Daintily holding up her silken skirt, the little maid descended and
+stood beside him. Astonished and bewildered, he put out his hand to
+touch her, but with a laugh she flitted across the room.
+
+Seized with the fear that she would escape him altogether, the boy
+started in pursuit. In and out among the massive chairs and tables they
+ran, the girl always just out of reach, the boy breathless with anxiety.
+His heart quite failed him when she darted toward the mantel. Then he
+remembered he could follow; and indeed she seemed to expect it, for she
+stood still at the top of what had grown to be a very long flight of
+steps, and beckoned. He hurried on, but the steps were very steep and
+slippery, and try as he would he could not reach the top.
+
+Suddenly some one opened the library door, there was a crash and a
+clatter, the girl disappeared, and the boy heard his mother's voice
+asking, "Jack, what in the world are you doing?"
+
+"I fell down the steps," he replied, picking himself up from among the
+fire irons that had tumbled in a heap on the hearth.
+
+"What steps?" asked his mother.
+
+He rubbed his eyes: they were not to be seen, and the little girl--yes,
+there she was, looking out of the golden doorway, and he was sure she
+shook her finger and laughed. He gave up trying to explain--grown people
+are hopelessly stupid at times--but he always felt certain that if the
+library door had not opened just when it did, he could have caught the
+little girl.
+
+"Wasn't it a pity!" Frances always exclaimed at this point.
+
+"Yes," her father would reply, "the little boy lost the chance of a
+lifetime, for there is no knowing what he might not have discovered in
+the house of the golden doorway."
+
+"And she never came down again?"
+
+"No, for the boy went away to live not long after this, and everything
+was changed."
+
+"And is the little girl still over the library mantel?"
+
+"No, Wink, she was taken away long ago."
+
+When the caller left, Frances came out of her hiding-place behind the
+curtains. "Are we going to stay here all winter?" she asked.
+
+Mrs. Morrison drew her daughter down beside her on the couch where she
+sat. It was hard to believe such a small person the mother of this great
+girl. "You shall hear all about it, dearie, and then help us to decide,"
+she said. "Father has had an offer from the _Eastern Review_. They want
+him to go to Hawaii, and besides paying him well it will be an
+advantage to him in other ways."
+
+"But can't we go with you, father?"
+
+"No, Wink, I am afraid not, for several reasons."
+
+"Of course it will be hard for us all, but if it seems to be the best
+thing I am sure you and I will be brave and let him go;" Mrs. Morrison's
+voice trembled a little, and for a moment she hid her face on Frances'
+shoulder.
+
+"Will you be gone very long?" asked the little girl.
+
+"Several months, if I go. The matter is not decided by any means. I do
+not see how I can leave you," answered Mr. Morrison.
+
+"You must go, Jack; it will be the very thing for you. It isn't only the
+money, dear, or even the opportunity for getting on in your work, but
+you need a change, for you haven't been yourself lately. Frances and I
+will stay here and be very comfortable, and when you come home we'll
+have a jubilee."
+
+"And not go back to Chicago?" Frances asked.
+
+"The winters there are too cold for you. No, I think we'd better stay
+here, but not in this house," said her mother.
+
+"It will be difficult to find the kind of place I shall be willing to
+leave you in," replied Mr. Morrison. "What is it you are always singing,
+Frances?" he added, for as she turned the leaves of a magazine she was
+humming softly to herself.
+
+"I don't know," she answered laughing, then--"Why, yes, I do--it is the
+song of the Spectacle Man,
+
+  "'The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,'
+
+"that is all I know of it. He was telling me about it when you came for
+me. I wish I could go to see him again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRD.
+
+GLADYS.
+
+
+While they were still talking matters over, Gladys Bowen, a little girl
+who lived in the house, came to ask if Frances might play with her; and
+Frances, who had not had a playmate of her own age for some time, was
+very ready to go. They had once or twice spoken rather shyly to each
+other, and she thought Gladys's golden curls perfectly beautiful.
+
+"Would you like to come upstairs and see my dolls, or shall we go down
+to the reception room?" Gladys asked, adding, "My Uncle Jo owns this
+house, and he lets me go where I please."
+
+"I'd like to see the dolls," Frances said, much impressed by the uncle
+who owned a hotel.
+
+Her companion led the way to a room where a lady in an elaborate
+house-gown sat in an arm-chair reading. "Mamma, I have brought Frances
+to see my dolls," she announced.
+
+"How do you do, Frances.-- Very well, Gladys, but I don't want you to
+worry me. You must play in the other room." Mrs. Bowen spoke in a
+languid tone, and returned to her book, but she looked up again to say,
+"That is a pretty dress you have on, Frances."
+
+The child looked down at the red challis she wore, not knowing what
+reply to make.
+
+"But you are stylish, as Gladys is, I am thankful to say," the lady
+continued. "You look well together, you are dark and she so fair."
+
+"Come on," Gladys called impatiently from the door, and Frances
+followed, feeling that she ought to have said something to Mrs. Bowen.
+
+"I'll show you Marguerite first; she's my handsomest doll. Uncle Jo gave
+her to me, and she cost twenty-five dollars."
+
+Frances caught her breath at the idea of such a doll, but was a little
+disappointed when her hostess took from a drawer a fine lady, whose hair
+was done up in a French twist, and whose silk gown was made with a
+train. She was certainly very elegant, however, and her muff and collar
+were _sure enough_ sealskin, as Gladys explained.
+
+"She is beautiful, but I believe I like little girl dolls best," Frances
+said.
+
+Gladys brought out others of all varieties and sizes, and while her
+visitor examined them, she herself talked on without a pause.
+
+"Where did you get your name?" she asked.
+
+Frances, who was adjusting a baby's cap, replied that she was named for
+her great-grandmother.
+
+"Are you? How funny! Mamma named me for a lady in a book--Gladys
+Isabel. She doesn't like common names."
+
+Frances wondered if Gladys thought her name common, and for a moment she
+wished she had been called something more romantic.
+
+"There is a girl who lives here in the winter," continued the
+chatterbox, "whose name is Mathilde. Isn't that funny? It's French--and
+she has the loveliest clothes! I wish you could see her--she hasn't come
+yet. And just think! she has diamond earrings. Have you any diamonds?"
+
+Frances shook her head, feeling very insignificant beside a girl with a
+French name and diamond earrings.
+
+"I have a diamond ring, but mamma won't let me wear it all the time for
+fear I'll lose it," said Gladys. "Haven't you any rings?" and she
+glanced at the plump little hands of her guest.
+
+"I have one, but it is too small for me now. I don't care very much for
+rings," was the reply.
+
+"Don't you? I do. Mamma has ever so many. If you won't tell I'll tell
+you something," Gladys went on; "Uncle Jo is going to give me a party at
+Christmas, and if you are here I'll invite you. It is to be just like a
+grown-up party."
+
+"Do you go to school?" Frances asked.
+
+"Everyday school? Yes; but I don't like it. I haven't started yet."
+
+"I think I'll have to go now," said Frances, rising; "I hope you will
+come to see me, Gladys. I have only one doll with me, but I have some
+games and books."
+
+"I don't care for books, but I'll come; and if Mathilde is here maybe
+I'll bring her."
+
+Frances went downstairs with a sober face. She had intended to tell
+Gladys the story of The Golden Doorway, and about the Spectacle Man, but
+she had not had a chance, and now she felt that these things would
+probably seem tame and uninteresting to a young person of such varied
+experience.
+
+"Has my little girl had a good time?" Mrs. Morrison asked.
+
+"Y-es, mother, Gladys has some of the prettiest dolls you ever saw, but
+they are too dressed up to have much fun with, and she didn't seem to
+want to play."
+
+"Perhaps she doesn't know how to have a really good time, Wink; some
+persons don't."
+
+"I know one thing; she hasn't a darling mother like you!" and Frances
+emphasized her words with an ardent hug.
+
+"Very few have, Wink," remarked her father, coming in with his hands
+full of papers.
+
+"Thank you both for your kind appreciation," said Mrs. Morrison,
+laughing. "What do you expect to find in those papers, Jack?"
+
+"I am going to look up advertisements."
+
+"What for, daddy?" Frances asked, dancing about on tiptoe.
+
+"A place for you and mother while I run off and leave you. Listen to
+this: 'Wanted: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
+conveniences, terms reasonable. Apply at 432 Walnut Street.'"
+
+"The Spectacle Man's! the Spectacle Man's!" cried Frances, clapping her
+hands. "Let's go there, it's lovely!"
+
+"How do you know?" asked her father and mother in the same breath, and
+then she explained how he had written the advertisement while she was
+waiting for the storm to be over.
+
+"Partially furnished--it might do. I mean, of course, if it is nice,"
+said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"It is too far down town," objected her husband.
+
+"Oh, father, no, it isn't! It is just a beautiful place, and the
+Spectacle Man will show me his Toby jugs and things, and there's the
+cat,--please let's go!"
+
+"Of course if there is a Toby jug and a cat, there's nothing else to be
+desired," said Mr. Morrison, gravely, pinching the cheek of his
+enthusiastic daughter. However, he promised that bright and early next
+day they would go to look at this flat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTH
+
+THEY LOOK AT A FLAT.
+
+
+The house occupied by Mr. Clark the optician was old-fashioned and
+roomy; built in the days when ground was cheap and space need not be
+economized. It belonged to his nephew, whose guardian he was, and some
+day, when the hard times were over, it was likely to be a valuable piece
+of property. At present it could be rented for little or nothing as a
+residence, and for this reason he had decided to live in it himself,
+taking the first floor and turning the second and third into flats.
+
+The dignified old mansion had the air of having stepped back in disdain
+from the hurry and bustle of the street, preserving in its seclusion
+between the tall buildings on either side something of the leisurely
+atmosphere of other days.
+
+The optician himself was quite in keeping with the house. He loved old
+things and old ways; his business methods were those of thirty years
+ago, and so perhaps were most of his patrons. There were still many
+persons who could remember the time when he had been joint proprietor of
+the largest jewellery store in the city, but times had changed. In some
+way he had been crowded out and half forgotten, much as the old house
+had been.
+
+He kept the place in the best of order; the bit of lawn that lay between
+the house and the street was as thrifty and green as care could make it,
+and was a pleasant surprise when one came upon it unexpectedly, an oasis
+in the desert of brick pavement.
+
+Frances' bright eyes had noticed, in passing, the mammoth pair of
+spectacles swinging above the veranda, and so when she found Mrs. Gray,
+an old lady who had a room near theirs in the hotel, lamenting over her
+broken glasses, she had known where to take them.
+
+The clock struck eleven as the Morrisons entered the shop next morning.
+The sun shone cheerily in on the Spectacle Man, who was waiting upon a
+customer; and Peterkin, who had selected the brightest spot to be found,
+was making his toilet in an absorbed manner.
+
+Mr. Clark bowed and smiled and asked them to be seated for a few
+minutes; but Frances, all impatience, could not think of keeping still,
+and, seeing the cat, was presently down on the floor beside him.
+
+"Do you know, puss," she whispered, stroking him gently, "that maybe we
+are coming here to live?"
+
+The news evidently tickled him, so much so that he sneezed and shook
+his head vigorously; then, as if fearing to be misunderstood, he began
+to purr softly.
+
+"Come, Frances, Mr. Clark is ready to show us the rooms," her father
+called; and it is to be hoped Peterkin was not hurt by the sudden manner
+in which he was dropped.
+
+"This is a nice old place, Jack," whispered Mrs. Morrison as they
+followed Frances and the Spectacle Man up the stairs. The former was
+explaining with great animation how they had seen the advertisement in
+the paper and she had recognized it. "You see, father is going away and
+can't take us, and mother and I think we'd like to come here, perhaps,"
+she said.
+
+"Well, I had a presentiment I was going to find a good tenant, but I did
+not think it would be you," was his reply.
+
+The rooms proved to be large and light; the paper and paint were fresh
+and clean, and what furniture there was was simple and new.
+
+"I believe it is the very place for us," Mrs. Morrison said, her
+housewifely eyes taking in all the possibilities of cosey comfort. "It
+will be a new and charming experience; and as for the Spectacle Man, he
+is simply delightful!"
+
+After showing them through, Mr. Clark had left them, and they could hear
+him singing as he went,
+
+  "The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it."
+
+"Yes, this will be a nice sitting room, with its windows where,--to
+quote Frances--'The little sun comes peeping in at morn!'" said Mr.
+Morrison.
+
+"And this bedchamber is lovely, and the little kitchen--"
+
+"We can make candy sometimes, can't we, mother?" Frances interrupted,
+dancing wildly about.
+
+"O Jack! if only you were going to be here;" Mrs. Morrison turned
+suddenly to the sunny window.
+
+"You know I'll not go one step unless you are willing, Kate," her
+husband said, coming to her side.
+
+"Don't be a goose, dear, of course you are going." Her face was hidden
+against his shoulder for a moment, then she turned brightly to Frances,
+who was anxiously inquiring where she was to sleep.
+
+"And mother," she exclaimed, "such a pretty young lady passed through
+the hall just now."
+
+"That is something we must ask about,--what other persons are in the
+house," said her father.
+
+Frances was not a little surprised and indignant when, after carrying on
+what seemed to her a long conversation with Mr. Clark upon various
+unimportant subjects, her father left with nothing more definite than
+that they were pleased with the rooms and would let him know their
+decision next day.
+
+"Aren't we going to take them? I thought it was all settled; I don't
+understand," she said when they were on the street.
+
+"Now, Wink, let me ask you something. Don't you honestly think that two
+persons who have lived more than thirty years ought to have a little
+better judgment about some things than one who has lived only ten?"
+
+"But I'll be eleven in February, and--well, father, I suppose so, but
+grown people do take so long to think!"
+
+"It is an interesting old house, and do you know, I think that is a
+Gilbert Stuart over the mantel in the back room," remarked Mr. Morrison.
+
+"Why, father, it is a George Washington! I'm sure it is," cried Frances,
+and couldn't understand why they laughed, till her mother explained that
+they were probably both right, as Gilbert Stuart had painted a number
+of portraits of Washington.
+
+It spoke well for the Spectacle Man's flat that they looked no farther
+that day, but there were many things to be taken into consideration that
+Frances did not dream of. After she was snugly tucked in bed that night,
+her father and mother sat long talking over their plans.
+
+"I do not like the idea of leaving you here without looking up any of my
+old friends," said Mr. Morrison.
+
+"But that is just what we want to avoid. I don't care to meet your
+friends till you are with me. We shall be perfectly comfortable, and
+shall enjoy the experience, and Mr. Clark, I know, will be kindness
+itself," replied his wife.
+
+"You are as infatuated as Frances; you are just two little girls with a
+new playhouse. But if anything should happen--I don't know what--it
+might be awkward."
+
+"I suppose I know what you mean, Jack; but we could not be suspected of
+any motive in coming here, a certain person being abroad, and nothing is
+going to happen. Who is likely to find us out? Morrison is a
+sufficiently common name, and the Spectacle Man's apartment house is, to
+say the least, not conspicuous. You forget we are not so important to
+other people as we are to you. The months will soon pass, and we shall
+be together again in some delightful place, and you will write your
+novel and become famous, and then--"
+
+Her husband lifted to his lips the hand he held, just as he used to do
+when he was her gallant young lover, a dozen years ago. "For your sake I
+wish I might. If only I had half your cheerful courage," he said,
+adding, "I hope Frances will grow up to be exactly like you."
+
+"She is exactly like you, Jack, I am happy to say."
+
+As they sat in silence the song of the Spectacle Man kept repeating
+itself in Mrs. Morrison's mind, and it suggested to her the broken
+bridge which separated Jack from so much that might have been his. Would
+it ever be mended?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTH.
+
+SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES.
+
+
+"I am as sorry as I can be that you are going away, I shall miss you so
+much;" said Mrs. Gray to Frances and her mother when they came in to
+tell her about their plans for the winter.
+
+Their rooms were across the hall from hers, and the acquaintance had
+begun in the elevator, where they often met on the way to the dining
+room. The old lady was somewhat crippled with rheumatism and moved about
+with difficulty, so her life was rather a lonely one; and it had given
+her a great deal of pleasure to have Mrs. Morrison and her little girl
+drop in every now and then to chat with her and bring her books and
+papers. Then she could never sufficiently express her gratitude to
+Frances for taking her glasses to be mended.
+
+"If I hadn't, I might never have known the Spectacle Man, and we
+shouldn't have found our flat, so I am much obliged to _you_," Frances
+said, laughing, when Mrs. Gray went over it all for the tenth time, more
+or less.
+
+"Then perhaps you would have stayed here for the winter. I am sorry I
+let you go," was her answer.
+
+"We'll often run in to see you, Mrs. Gray, and sometime you may be able
+to come to see us," said Mrs. Morrison; adding, "we haven't many
+friends, you know."
+
+Mrs. Gray shook her head. "I can't get out any more; but as for friends,
+you'll find them wherever you go."
+
+Gladys did not approve of the move, and frankly expressed her opinion.
+"It is such a funny old house, in between the stores. I shouldn't think
+you would want to live there," she said.
+
+"But you don't know how nice it is inside," Frances urged. "It is going
+to be such fun; and Mr. Clark has some lovely things and the dearest
+cat!"
+
+"It seems to me you like very funny things," Gladys remarked. She
+announced, however, that she intended to call.
+
+What with getting the traveller ready to start and moving into their new
+quarters, those were busy days. They were all three very cheerful
+indeed, making a great many jokes and talking about next summer, when
+they should be together again, saying nothing of the long winter that
+stretched between.
+
+It was a mistake to think of Hawaii as so far away. Had it not been
+annexed? Two thousand miles from California was simply no distance at
+all in these days. When it came to saying good-by it was hard indeed to
+remember all this, but it was gone through with somehow, and one bright
+October day Frances and her mother found themselves alone in their new
+sitting room.
+
+"Oh, mother, I wish you wouldn't cry!" sobbed Frances.
+
+"But you are crying yourself," said Mrs. Morrison, half laughing. At
+this tearful moment there came a knock at the door, and a long heavy
+package was handed in.
+
+"There must be some mistake," Mrs. Morrison said, drying her eyes and
+reading the address, which was, however, unmistakable.
+
+They made haste to cut the twine, and behold, a beautiful rug! "Isn't
+this like that dear, extravagant Jack?" she cried. "Isn't it pretty,
+Wink? He thought we'd need cheering up!"
+
+Chairs and tables must be pushed aside at once and the rug put in place.
+Frances had just sat down in the middle of it with great satisfaction,
+when through the half-open door walked the fattest, rosiest baby
+imaginable, wearing a very clean blue check apron and an affable smile.
+
+"Why, where did you come from?" they both exclaimed.
+
+This was evidently something he did not care to reveal, for, although he
+continued to smile and gaze about him with interest, he made no reply.
+
+[Illustration: "'What is your name, baby?'"]
+
+"What is your name, baby?" Frances asked, holding out her hands.
+"Dennyleebon,"--or so it sounded.
+
+"Do you suppose that is intended for English?" said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I don't know. Make him say something else. Baby, can you talk?"
+
+"Tock," repeated the infant, pointing to the mantel.
+
+"Yes," cried Frances, delighted, "it is a clock. You see, mother, he
+thought I said clock. That is English."
+
+"You don't mean it! But let him alone, Wink, and see what he will do."
+
+The visitor showed plainly that he had a mind of his own. He did not
+wish to be petted and kissed, but preferred to walk around the room on a
+tour of investigation. Presently he paused before a table and remarked
+earnestly, "Book."
+
+"Can't you find a picture-book for him?" asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+There happened to be an old animal book in the box they were unpacking,
+and, getting it out, Frances and the baby sat together on the new rug
+and turned the leaves, the latter never failing to say, "ion," "effunt,"
+"tiger," as the case might be, with unvarying correctness and great
+enthusiasm.
+
+In the midst of this there came a modest little tap at the door, and
+when Mrs. Morrison opened it, there stood a girl of about Frances' age.
+Her red calico dress was very fresh, her cheeks as rosy as the
+infant's, and her flaxen hair was drawn tightly back and braided in a
+long tail.
+
+"Is the baby here?" she asked.
+
+"No, no," came in decided tones from the visitor.
+
+This made them all laugh, even the baby himself seeming to think it a
+good joke.
+
+"Can't he stay for a while? He is good, and we like to have him," said
+Mrs. Morrison.
+
+The girl hesitated; plainly the baby had no thought of leaving. "The
+lady who used to have these rooms made a pet of him, and he is always
+running off up here," she explained.
+
+"I am glad he came, for my daughter and I were feeling lonely. Won't you
+come in and sit down? Do you live in the house?"
+
+The newcomer accepted Mrs. Morrison's invitation rather shyly, looking
+as if she had a mind to carry the baby off by main force. Her name, she
+said, was Emma Bond, and she and her two-year-old brother lived in the
+back part of the house with their mother, who took care of Mr. Clark's
+rooms. The baby's name was Robert Lee, but he was commonly known as the
+General, a nickname given him by the Spectacle Man, and evidently well
+bestowed.
+
+After the picture-book had been examined from beginning to end twice
+over, the General was, with the aid of some candy and much diplomacy,
+induced to accompany his sister downstairs, calling "By-by," and kissing
+his hand with great affability to Frances.
+
+"Aren't they the cleanest looking children you ever saw?" said the
+latter, coming back from the hall, where she had gone with their
+guests.
+
+"Aren't they! I think I shall like Emma, she is a nice, sensible,
+old-fashioned little girl, and the General is great fun. I hope they
+will come again," replied Mrs. Morrison.
+
+In the course of the next few days they began to feel at home in their
+new quarters, and they also made the acquaintance of Mrs. Bond, a small
+woman with a pleasant but firm face, and such an air of energy that no
+lazy person could exist comfortably in her presence.
+
+She was never known to waste any time. With the assistance of a colored
+boy,--a theological student,--who came in twice a day and in the time he
+could spare from his Latin and Greek cleaned for her, she kept Mr.
+Clark's rooms and the halls in beautiful order. Her children were always
+as neat as wax, and her busy fingers found time for a little fine sewing
+occasionally, which, as a girl, she had learned in the convent school
+where she was educated.
+
+Mrs. Bond was trying to train her daughter in the same industrious ways,
+and one Saturday morning Frances discovered Emma dusting the show-cases
+in the shop. Stopping to speak to her, she learned that this was her
+daily task, and that on Saturdays she dusted the study also. It must be
+very interesting work, Frances thought, and the two children found so
+much to talk about that Mrs. Bond presently came in search of Emma and
+reproved her for idling. She did not positively object to play after
+lessons were learned and other duties attended to, but she conveyed the
+impression to Frances that in her opinion a really exemplary little girl
+would care more for her tasks than for amusement.
+
+"I am so sorry, but I have to go," Emma whispered, as her mother left
+the room.
+
+"Won't your mother let you come to see me some time?" Frances asked.
+
+"I guess so, when I haven't anything to do," answered Emma, who thought
+Frances the most charming little girl she had ever seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTH.
+
+AN INFORMAL AFFAIR.
+
+
+It was not long before the Morrisons' apartment blossomed into a
+charmingly homelike place. Even Mrs. Bond, who on one of her tours of
+inspection in the wake of Wilson Barnes, the student, had been enticed
+in for a moment, agreed that the rooms were very fine, though she
+herself would not care to have so many things to keep clean.
+
+Their sitting room was the greatest achievement. There was the new rug,
+which really was a beauty, and the couch, with its plump cushions all
+covered in a marvellous fifteen-cent stuff that looked like a costly
+Oriental fabric, together with the books and pictures, which had been
+left packed and ready to be sent to them whenever they should settle
+down, and last of all, in the sunniest corner was a beautiful sword
+fern, a rubber plant, and a jar of ivy.
+
+"Transients can't afford many plants, but a little greenness is
+essential to happiness," Mrs. Morrison declared.
+
+The cosey kitchen was presided over by Zenobia Jackson, who exactly
+suited her surroundings, being small and neat and quick, combining in a
+most satisfactory way the duties of a parlor maid and cook.
+
+She was a friend of Wilson's, to whom Mrs. Morrison had applied. When
+asked if he knew any one she could get to do the work of their small
+flat, he replied, "Yes, ma'm; I know a young girl who would suit you,
+but she is going to school at present."
+
+"If that is the case, she wouldn't suit at all," said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"Well, she's thinking of leaving school. Her ma she's sick, and her
+pa's out of work, and their insurance is getting in the rear, so Zenobia
+'lows she'll have to get a place."
+
+"Can she cook?" asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"Yes, ma'm; her ma's one of the best cooks in town."
+
+"Her mother has taught her, then, I suppose."
+
+"No, ma'm; the best ones ain't taught. It comes by nature, and Zenobia
+is a naturalist." Wilson spoke with ministerial gravity.
+
+Mrs. Morrison smiled. "I'd like to have her come to see me," she said.
+
+Wilson promised to let her know, and added, "If you take her, Mrs.
+Morrison, she'll do her best, and angels can't do any better."
+
+The result was that a few days later Zenobia was installed and proved
+herself worthy of her recommendation.
+
+"She does beautifully," Mrs. Morrison wrote to her husband, "and while I
+am not in a position to assert that angels couldn't do better, I am
+inclined to believe it."
+
+"Frances, I wish we knew those girls upstairs. I meet them so often in
+the hall. One of them--Miss Moore, I think she is--is exceedingly
+pretty." Mrs. Morrison was washing the glossy leaves of the rubber
+plant.
+
+"I know them," her daughter replied, as she carefully measured the long
+bud that was about to open. "The pretty one is Miss Sherwin," she
+added. "I know, because when Emma and I went up to their room with a
+package that had been left downstairs by mistake, Miss Moore opened the
+door, and I heard her say, 'Here is your dress, Lillian.'"
+
+"I can't see how that proves anything. How did you know that the one who
+opened the door was Miss Moore?"
+
+Frances thought for a moment, "I know now! The package had Miss
+Sherwin's name on it. Doesn't that prove it?"
+
+"Perhaps it does, Wink, though it seems something of a puzzle," replied
+her mother. "At any rate, I wish I knew them. I must remember to ask Mr.
+Clark about them; they look lonely."
+
+"Let's go to see them," Frances suggested.
+
+"They were here before we came; they may not wish to know us."
+
+"I should think they would," Frances exclaimed, so earnestly her mother
+laughed.
+
+"So should I, Winkie, but we don't know. Perhaps something will happen
+to make us acquainted."
+
+Something did happen, and it was the General who brought it to pass.
+
+Mrs. Bond often remarked that Emma's head never saved her heels, and it
+was quite true; for, although she went about her tasks willingly
+enough, her thoughts had a way of travelling off into a world of their
+own. She had long ago discovered this way of escape from the rather dull
+routine of her daily life, but her mother declared since the Morrisons
+came she had been worse than ever. And, indeed, the life upstairs in
+those bright rooms seemed very strange and delightful to Emma, so much
+so that in thinking about it she would forget the sugar bowl, or the
+tea-cups when she set the table, and do all sorts of absent-minded
+things.
+
+One afternoon, soon after Frances and her mother had the conversation
+about their neighbors overhead, the former went down to see Emma.
+
+She found her in the kitchen that was as usual tidy to the last degree;
+the General, however, true to the influence of his environment, was busy
+with a tiny broom and dustpan. Emma sat in the window reading, and on
+the stove something simmered and bubbled gently.
+
+"This is a very nice kitchen," Frances remarked, as she walked in.
+
+Emma closed her book. "Do you think so? I don't like kitchens, but your
+sitting room is beautiful. It reminds me of a house where I go sometimes
+for mother; oh, such a lovely place!"
+
+"Don't get down; let me sit beside you," Frances begged, and quickly
+established herself in the other corner of the window-sill.
+
+"Mother doesn't care for pretty things; she says she is thankful if she
+can be clean," Emma continued, with a sigh.
+
+"I think you are very clean," said the visitor, looking around her; "but
+tell me about that beautiful house, won't you?"
+
+Emma obediently began an animated description of it. It was just like a
+palace, she said, with a beautiful garden and conservatory, and rooms
+and rooms full of lovely things. "Mother sews sometimes for the lady who
+lives there, and I take the work home. I wonder, Frances, if you
+couldn't go with me next time."
+
+"Look at the General!" cried Frances, suddenly, jumping down.
+
+All unnoticed by the girls he had contrived to set his broom on fire and
+was now waving it aloft in great delight. He had no mind to give it up
+either, and frightened by the excited manner in which they rushed upon
+him, he clung to it for dear life, filling the house with his shrieks.
+In the struggle a roller towel caught fire and some damage might have
+been done, but for the appearance of Miss Moore and Miss Sherwin.
+
+The former seized the baby with a practised hand while her companion
+unfastened the roller and let the towel fall to the floor, where the
+fire was easily put out. It was all over when Mrs. Morrison, who had
+heard the screams as she was dressing, came hurrying in, followed by Mr.
+Clark. The General sat quiet in Miss Moore's lap, a finger in his mouth,
+tears still on his cheek; Emma with a dazed expression was holding on to
+all that remained of the broom; and Frances danced around excitedly
+trying to explain how it happened.
+
+When Mrs. Bond walked in, everything quieted down as if by magic.
+Explanations were needless, her quick eyes took it all in: "Emma wasn't
+minding what she was about," she said decidedly.
+
+The Spectacle Man chuckled to himself as they all filed out, leaving her
+restoring order. "The General is too much for Emma," he remarked; "it is
+odd to see how like his mother that baby is already--as alert and
+determined in the pursuit of mischief as she is in her more important
+affairs."
+
+"I have a dozen erratic infants not more than a year older than the
+General, at my table in kindergarten, so I know something about it,"
+said Miss Moore.
+
+The excitement had broken the ice, and the Morrisons and their
+third-floor neighbors went upstairs together chatting sociably. Miss
+Sherwin, indeed, had not much to say; but her companion made up for her
+silence, and accepted without hesitation Mrs. Morrison's invitation to
+come in and make her and Frances a call.
+
+"I have been wanting to come, but Lillian wouldn't let me," she said.
+
+"It is not fair to say that without giving my reason," put in Miss
+Sherwin, coloring in a way that was most becoming.
+
+"I believe she thought you wouldn't care to know us," said Miss Moore,
+laughing.
+
+"That was a great mistake," answered Mrs. Morrison. "Frances and I are
+sociable persons, and besides, we are strangers here."
+
+"So are we, and we came here because Mr. Clark is an old friend of my
+father's." As she spoke, Miss Moore looked about her with frankly
+admiring eyes. "I am taking the kindergarten course; and my friend is
+keeping house and amusing herself, and keeping me from dying of
+home-sickness."
+
+Mrs. Morrison thought Miss Sherwin, with her rather melancholy dark
+eyes, looked much more like a subject for home-sickness than her merry
+companion. In the course of the conversation she discovered that their
+home was in a Southern town, and that Miss Moore, who was the oldest
+daughter in a large family, was studying kindergarten in order to
+support herself. What Miss Sherwin was doing was not so clear. She had
+no home ties and was free to go where she pleased, and it was evident
+that her friend looked up to her with deep admiration.
+
+While Mrs. Morrison and Miss Moore were talking, Frances and Miss
+Sherwin were making friends over their favorite story-books, and before
+the call was over they all had the pleasant feeling of being old
+acquaintances; and the acquaintance was not allowed to languish.
+
+The very next evening Frances and Emma in great glee knocked at the door
+of what Miss Moore called their sky parlor, with an invitation to a
+candy pulling. It was just the night for a little fun, being Friday and
+stormy, and the young ladies promptly accepted.
+
+Delicious odors were finding their way into the sitting room when the
+guests entered, Miss Sherwin looking pretty and pensive in her big
+apron, Miss Moore as flyaway and merry as usual.
+
+Mrs. Morrison met them at the door and led the way to the kitchen, where
+the children were watching the kettle that gave forth the pleasant
+fragrance. "Frances wanted something to do, and as Friday evening is a
+sort of holiday, I thought perhaps our neighbors would join us in
+pulling candy," she said.
+
+They made molasses candy first, and while this was being pulled Mrs.
+Morrison made some chocolate caramels; and even Miss Sherwin was unable
+to resist the laughing and nonsense that went on, and was presently
+taking part in it as merrily as anybody.
+
+They were sitting around the fire in a sociable group enjoying the
+fruits of their labor, when the Spectacle Man knocked at the door. He
+had to come to see Mrs. Morrison on business, but when Frances invited
+him in to have some candy he did not decline.
+
+"This looks very pleasant," he said, surveying the company, a piece of
+chocolate in his hand.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Clark; I want to ask you something," said Mrs. Morrison.
+"It is about the song Frances is always singing,--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke--'"
+
+"What is the rest of it?"
+
+"I will tell you all I know, but that isn't much," he replied, crossing
+his legs and looking into the fire. "I used to like to hear it from my
+grandfather when I was a child, and I found it interested Mark, my
+nephew, when he was a little chap. This is the way it goes.
+
+"A man was once taking a long journey on foot. After walking several
+hours he came to a deep, swift stream over which there had once been a
+bridge, but now it was not to be seen. On the opposite side of the river
+a man was chopping wood, and the traveller called to him to know what
+had become of the bridge. The reply--and this is always sung--was:--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
+  The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri.'
+
+"'How deep is the river?' the traveller then asked.
+
+  "'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri--' etc.
+
+"'How can I get across?' was the next question.
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do--' etc.
+
+"And that is all."
+
+"Doesn't the poor man ever get across?" asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I have told you all I know, madam," the Spectacle Man answered, with a
+little wave of his hand.
+
+"I think there is a story hidden in it, and that is perhaps why children
+enjoy it; it is like having a picture to look at." It was Miss Sherwin
+who spoke.
+
+"That is a bright idea," said Mr. Clark; "but who will find the hidden
+story for us?"
+
+"I believe Miss Sherwin herself can find it," suggested Mrs. Morrison.
+"Suppose we give her two weeks to hunt for it, and then have a meeting
+to hear it."
+
+"Oh, please--" began Miss Sherwin.
+
+"Don't say a word, Lil, you know you can," urged Miss Moore, as her
+friend tried to make herself heard above the chorus of approval.
+
+"The meeting to be held in my study," added the Spectacle Man.
+
+"But suppose I can't do it," cried Miss Sherwin.
+
+"Father could, if he were here," put in Frances; "he is splendid for
+stories!"
+
+"Is he the John Chauncey Morrison who writes so charmingly?" asked Miss
+Sherwin.
+
+"Why, do you know him?" exclaimed Frances.
+
+"No, but I have read his stories."
+
+"I think he writes the nicest ones in the world," said the little girl.
+
+"But we don't expect everybody else to think so, Wink," her mother
+added, laughing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTH.
+
+A PORTRAIT.
+
+
+One pleasant afternoon Emma came to ask if Frances might go with her to
+carry home some sewing her mother had finished.
+
+Mrs. Morrison looked a little doubtful, but, before she could speak,
+Frances exclaimed: "Do please say yes, mother. It is a great lovely
+house, and I do so want to see it."
+
+"What do you know about it?" asked her mother.
+
+"Emma has told me. May I go? It is such a lovely day."
+
+"I am not sure that it is quite the thing for two little girls to go so
+far alone."
+
+"But we'll take care of each other, and--it seems to me that what you
+want to do is never the thing!" Frances said impatiently.
+
+Her mother laughed; "I have known other persons who thought that. Who
+lives in this wonderful house?" she asked.
+
+"Mrs. Marvin, but she is not at home now; there is no one there but the
+housekeeper," replied Emma.
+
+"If I let you go you must promise not to stay any longer than is
+necessary for Emma's errand."
+
+They both agreed eagerly to this, and Emma ran down to get ready.
+
+"You mustn't turn into a little Bohemian, Wink," Mrs. Morrison said,
+kissing the rosy face under the big hat.
+
+"I don't know what it is, so I guess I couldn't turn into it," laughed
+Frances, as she followed Emma.
+
+The two children were in a gale of delight over their expedition, and,
+although they meant to be very dignified, found it impossible to walk
+more than a few steps without breaking into a skip.
+
+"I wish my hair was like yours," Emma said, looking admiringly at her
+companion's waving brown locks.
+
+"But braids aren't half so much bother. I have to wear mine this way
+because daddy likes it; and if you want to, you know, you can put your
+hair up on kids. That is what Gladys Bowen does; hers doesn't curl one
+bit."
+
+"Gladys goes to our school, and I don't like her," remarked Emma.
+
+"Why not? Don't you think she is pretty?"
+
+"Yes; but she is so proud of herself. She doesn't like to go with me
+because my clothes aren't as nice as hers,--I know."
+
+"She gets that from her mother," Frances said sagely. "Whenever I go
+there Mrs. Bowen asks me who made my dress or something."
+
+"I know I don't have very pretty dresses, but my mother hasn't time,"
+said Emma, rather sorrowfully.
+
+"I think you always look nice, Emma, and I like you better than I do
+Gladys."
+
+"Oh, Frances! do you really? Then I shan't mind," cried Emma.
+
+She was supremely happy at having Frances for a companion on her walk,
+and at the prospect of showing her this wonderful house; but when at
+length they paused before the tall iron gate, she was seized with the
+fear that it might not seem very grand to one who had seen so much of
+the world.
+
+Frances' critical eye was pleased, however; "I really think it does look
+like a palace," she said, with the air of having lived among palaces.
+
+It was a somewhat imposing mansion, with a row of graceful columns
+across the front, and a broad flight of steps leading to the entrance.
+It stood in the midst of a beautiful green lawn on which were a few fine
+old trees and shrubs.
+
+"Just wait till you see the inside," said Emma, delightedly, as they
+stood before the stately door; but alas! when it was opened the hall was
+seen all dismantled; evidently house-cleaning was going on.
+
+After some hesitation the servant showed them into a room which was,
+like the hall, in disorder. It seemed to be a library, but the furniture
+was all covered, the floor was bare, and the sun streamed in through
+uncurtained windows. The most prominent object in the room was a picture
+which hung over the mantel, and this at once caught Frances' attention.
+
+It was the portrait of a girl apparently about her own age, whose sunny
+eyes smiled down in the friendliest way. Her brown hair curled loosely
+over her shoulders; her dress, of some soft, silken brocade of warm,
+rich colors, was quaintly made and fell almost to her feet; her neck and
+arms were bare, and her dimpled hands clasped lightly before her. There
+was a grace and buoyancy in the pose which was very charming; Frances
+was enchanted.
+
+"Isn't she lovely! Who is she, do you suppose?" she asked; but Emma
+could tell her nothing about it, she had never been in this room before.
+
+"I believe she is like you, Frances," she said, looking critically at
+the picture.
+
+"I am sure I am not half so pretty as that! She makes me think of
+something-- I don't know exactly what," and Frances wrinkled her brow in
+a puzzled way. She was completely fascinated, and continued to gaze at
+the portrait all the while Emma was talking to the woman who came to see
+her about the work, hearing nothing till her own name caught her ear.
+
+"It is some relative of Miss Frances," was what she heard, evidently in
+reply to a question from Emma.
+
+As soon as they were on the street she inquired who Miss Frances was,
+and Emma said she thought she was Mrs. Marvin, the lady who owned the
+house. "She is coming home before long, and they are getting ready for
+her," she added.
+
+"I should like to have that picture," said Frances, with a sigh. "Emma,
+do you know what a Bohemian is?"
+
+"I know what the 'Bohemian Girl' is; it is music."
+
+"It can't be that, for mother said father wouldn't like it if I turned
+into one."
+
+As Frances was unbuttoning her shoes that night she suddenly exclaimed,
+"Why, it is the little girl in the golden doorway!
+
+"What is?" her mother asked.
+
+"I mean that is what the portrait reminded me of. It has just come into
+my head. Isn't it funny?"
+
+"Almost any portrait of a little girl might suggest it, I should think,"
+said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I wish you could see her, mother. Do you think I can go again with Emma
+sometime? I do want to see her once more."
+
+"I don't know, dear."
+
+"Mother, is it being a Bohemian to want to go?"
+
+Mrs. Morrison laughed. "Not exactly, Wink. It is difficult to explain,
+but a Bohemian is perhaps a person who habitually does what is not 'the
+thing.'"
+
+"That must be fun," said Frances.
+
+There was silence for a long time, then she asked, "Mother, aren't you
+glad a certain person is abroad?"
+
+Mrs. Morrison looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?" she said.
+
+"Oh, I was just thinking!"
+
+"But what put it into your head to think of a certain person?"
+
+"Well, the girl in the golden doorway always makes me think of him; and
+you know, mother, father said he didn't mind leaving us here because he
+was abroad."
+
+"You have been drawing on your imagination, Wink, you can't have
+understood father; but now you must go to bed and not talk any more."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+THE STORY OF THE BRIDGE.
+
+
+An atmosphere of great sociability pervaded the quaint room that the
+Spectacle Man called his study, when on Friday evening, two weeks after
+the candy pulling, his expected guests arrived.
+
+He had closed his shop an hour earlier than usual, and spent the time in
+getting out certain treasures of china and silver, and placing them
+where they could be seen to the best advantage. When the lamps were
+lighted, the hearth brushed, and the big Japanese bowl heaped up with
+apples and grapes, he paused and looked around him with satisfaction.
+
+He was reflecting how pleasant it was to be giving a party, when the
+hall door opened to let in Peterkin and closed again in what might have
+seemed a mysterious manner but for the sound of stifled laughter on the
+outside. On the inside Peterkin stood looking cross-eyed in a vain
+endeavor to see the frill that adorned his neck.
+
+"So they have dressed you for the occasion, my friend," remarked his
+master; "it must recall the days when Mark was at home."
+
+A few minutes later Emma and Frances appeared, looking very demure and
+bringing with them Gladys, who, happening in in the afternoon, had been
+invited to stay and hear the story. The rest of the party soon followed,
+and Mr. Clark's face beamed with pleasure as he stepped briskly about
+getting every one seated. The children chose the sofa at the side of the
+fireplace, where they sat, three in a row with Frances in the middle,
+until Miss Moore begged to know if there was not room for her, and of
+course there was.
+
+"I am afraid you are trying to excite our envy, Mr. Clark," Mrs.
+Morrison said, touching a little dish of old Wedgwood.
+
+"I have a few odds and ends of things," was his reply; "but most of what
+you see belongs to my nephew, Mark Osborne. A great-aunt left him her
+property when she died, this house, and a good deal of what Mark himself
+disrespectfully calls plunder."
+
+"You have never told us about the Toby jug," put in Frances. "Does that
+belong to Mark?"
+
+"No, that is my own, and sometime I'll tell you all I know about it; but
+now we want to hear Miss Sherwin's story. That is the first business of
+the evening;" and, his guests being seated to his satisfaction, the
+Spectacle Man crossed his knees and prepared to listen.
+
+"I am not sure that it is at all interesting," said the young lady, as
+all eyes turned toward her. "Shall I read it or tell it?"
+
+"Tell it, please," cried the children in a chorus.
+
+So she began, at first a little timidly, and with a glance now and then
+at her paper, but gaining courage as she went on.
+
+"I have called it," she said, "'The Story of the Missing Bridge.'
+
+"Once upon a time a young man set out on a journey. The tender beauty of
+the springtime was upon the grass and trees, the wheat fields were
+turning from gold to rose, and the sky was a soft, deep blue.
+
+"He was a sturdy young fellow and carried a light heart, as one could
+tell from the smile in his eyes and the merry tune he whistled as he
+strode along. And he had reason to be happy, for on the next day at
+sunset he was to be married to the fairest girl in all the country
+round.
+
+"After a time the path he followed left the open fields and entered the
+cool, dim forest, where all was so still and peaceful that
+involuntarily he changed his tune to one more grave.
+
+"A truly happy heart is certain to be a kind one, and, eager though he
+was to reach his journey's end, he paused once and again to lend a
+helping hand. Now it was to a peddler who was vainly trying to piece
+together the broken strap that had held his pack, again to restore a
+young bird to its nest, and then to release a white rabbit which had
+caught its foot in a trap and was moaning piteously.
+
+"These incidents delayed him somewhat, and it was late in the afternoon
+when he reached the river several miles beyond which lay his
+destination. It was a wild and treacherous stream that rushed down from
+the hills, boiling and bubbling over rocks and between high, precipitous
+banks. Many years before a strong bridge had been thrown across it at
+the point where the path emerged from the forest, but to-day, to his
+utter surprise and bewilderment, there was no bridge to be seen. His
+journey was brought to a sudden stop.
+
+"He looked about him; could he have missed his way? This was impossible,
+he had travelled it too often. On the other side of the river he saw a
+man chopping wood, and presently called to him to know what had become
+of the bridge.
+
+  "'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
+  The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri.'
+
+"This was the man's reply, sung in a merry rollicking tune as he
+continued his work.
+
+"'How deep is the stream?' asked the traveller.
+
+  "'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--'
+
+"'How can I get across?'
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--'
+
+"came across the stream in the same mocking tune.
+
+"Angry and almost in despair, the young farmer sat down beneath a tree
+to consider what was to be done.
+
+"The secret of all his trouble was this. In an old red stone castle, the
+turrets of which were just visible above the trees on the other side of
+the stream, there lived a magician who had long had his eye upon the
+beautiful maiden who was the young man's promised bride. To win her he
+appeared as a wealthy middle-aged suitor, ready to lay all his riches at
+her feet, his real character being carefully concealed; but all his arts
+had been plied in vain; no gold or gems or promises of future splendor
+could turn her heart from her young lover. Her parents, however, were
+inclined to look with favor upon the magician's suit, and their daughter
+was made most unhappy by their reproaches.
+
+"The last resort of the magician was to insinuate doubts of her lover's
+faithfulness; and after long and careful scheming, with her father and
+mother as allies, a promise was wrung from the maiden that, if the
+bridegroom failed by so much as an hour to appear at the appointed time,
+she would wed his rival. So sure was she of her lover, so ignorant of
+the magician's power.
+
+"It now only remained to hinder the coming of the bridegroom. This the
+magician wished to contrive in such a way that the young farmer should
+arrive upon the scene just too late, and that he himself might have the
+exquisite pleasure of witnessing his despair. This was not without its
+difficulties, for the forest that extended almost to the water's edge
+was inhabited by fairies who were well disposed toward mortals, and took
+frequent delight in frustrating the schemes of the evil-minded
+magician.
+
+"He therefore set himself to work to win their good will, and after
+establishing friendly relations went to the queen with what seemed an
+innocent request. An enemy of his was about to pass through the wood,
+and it was all-important that he should be hindered from crossing the
+river until after a certain hour. All he asked of the fairies was the
+promise that they would not reveal the plan by which he meant to
+accomplish this. The promise was readily given, for what possible harm
+could come to any one through being detained on the bank of the river
+for a few hours?
+
+"The fairies often amused themselves by trying the temper of those who
+passed through the forest, and the peddler, the bird, and the rabbit had
+all been contrived to test the kindliness of the chance traveller; and
+by his quick response to these calls for help the young farmer had won
+their favor. So now, as he sat at the foot of the oak tree almost ready
+to weep in his despair, he heard a tiny voice singing:--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke and you'll have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do.'
+
+"'If some kind friend would only tell me how!' he exclaimed.
+
+"'Is it then so necessary to your happiness?' asked the voice; and
+looking all about, he at length discovered a little creature sitting on
+a toadstool just at his feet. In her hand she held a large leaf which
+till now had served to hide her from his view.
+
+"Having heard that the wood was the abode of fairies, he was not
+surprised; and in the hope that they would be able and willing to help
+him, he told his story. The fairy listened intently, marvelling at the
+magician's craftiness.
+
+"'And when must you be there?' she asked.
+
+"'Not one minute later than sunset to-morrow. I set out a day sooner
+than needful because of a mysteriously worded message I received,
+warning me to make all haste lest I lose my bride,' was the reply.
+
+"'You have an enemy,' said the fairy, 'but we may be able to help you.
+You must wait the hour of audience, which is on the stroke of midnight;'
+with this she disappeared.
+
+"The young man, left alone, seemed to hear all about him mocking voices
+singing:--
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over--'
+
+"and again and again he went to the water's edge, resolved to attempt to
+cross on the rocks, but the sight of the wild torrent told him it would
+be certain death.
+
+"As night came on he at length fell into a troubled sleep with his head
+against the trunk of the oak tree. He was aroused by soft music and
+twinkling lights, and beheld before him, ranged in a semicircle, the
+fairy queen and her attendants. The queen addressed him:--
+
+"'Mortal, we have heard your story from Sadonia, one of our ladies, and,
+as you have proved yourself kind and true-hearted, we would help you;
+but we are bound by a sacred vow not to reveal the secret of the bridge
+until sunset to-morrow.'
+
+"'Ah, then it will be too late!' cried the young man.
+
+"One of the attendant fairies now stepped out and knelt before the
+queen. It was the one called Sadonia, with whom he had spoken.
+
+"'Your Majesty remembers,' she said, 'that for a certain fault I was
+condemned to take the form of a white rabbit, and with my foot in a trap
+wait to be released by some kind traveller. When I was in despair, this
+mortal freed me, and I ask that I may show my gratitude now by aiding
+him.'
+
+"'Can this be done without breaking the vow which binds us all?' asked
+the queen.
+
+"'Your Majesty, I promise neither by word or sign to reveal the secret
+of the bridge. I shall only ask him to obey me in a single command. The
+result rests with himself.'
+
+"The queen was silent for a moment, then she said, 'Is this mortal
+courageous enough, is his love deep enough, to keep him unfaltering in
+the face of death?'
+
+"'Death met in trying to reach the one I love will be far better than
+life without her!' cried the young man.
+
+"'Then,' said the queen, 'Sadonia is permitted to use all her powers to
+aid you, but without revealing by word or sign the secret of the
+bridge.' She waved her wand, and in a breath lights and fairies
+disappeared and he was left alone. Not alone, for he heard Sadonia
+singing:--
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over--'
+
+"and there, dimly seen in the moonlight, she sat on a toadstool, wrapped
+in a mantle of green.
+
+"'It is time, mortal, for you to be up and away. In yonder red castle
+lives a magician; it was he you saw cutting wood--this is the hour when
+he sleeps. Is your courage strong? Are you ready to do the impossible?'
+While she spoke the young man sprang to his feet.
+
+"'Do you see the star straight before us in the heavens?' she asked.
+'Keep your eyes fixed upon it, and think of her who is now dreaming of
+you; then if you obey me, all will be well.'
+
+"She led him to the edge of the cliff, below him was the rushing stream;
+'Look at the star and go on,' she cried.
+
+"For one instant he hesitated. Go on? Where would the next step take
+him? Beneath were the rocks and the foaming torrent, but above him was
+the glowing star. He stepped bravely out. Louder and louder roared the
+torrent, brighter and brighter burned the star, firm and solid was the
+mysterious path. Confidence grew as he went on, his heart full of a
+great joy, and presently he felt the turf under his feet; the stream was
+crossed!
+
+"As he paused to look back the truth flashed upon him: the bridge was
+where it had always been, but some strange spell had made it invisible!
+
+"He went on his way, and all around him he seemed to hear fairy voices
+singing:--
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de ri do--'
+
+"He stopped and, lifting his hat, said softly, 'Thank you, Sadonia!' and
+hoped she heard.
+
+"On the next day the maiden and her lover had a joyous wedding, and the
+evil-minded magician slunk away in a rage to his castle, having
+discovered that love is stronger than magic; for no evil power can
+destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts, and faith and courage
+can always find the way."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Clark, as Miss Sherwin paused, with a very
+becoming color in her cheeks, "who would have thought there was such a
+story hidden away in my old song."
+
+"I am so pleased that we asked her to do it," said Mrs. Morrison,
+smiling across the table at the story-teller. "I had my suspicions
+before, and now they are confirmed," she added.
+
+"I am just proud of you, Lil," said Miss Moore, beaming on her friend.
+
+"I think it is a lovely story, but couldn't you have more about the
+fairies, Miss Sherwin?" Frances asked.
+
+"And about the wedding and what the bride had on," suggested Gladys.
+
+"But did you really make it all up?" inquired Emma.
+
+The young lady laughed. "No, I only found it between the lines of the
+song, and I certainly think it can be improved."
+
+"The moral is such a fine one," remarked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"That faith and courage can always find a way--yes, isn't it, if one
+could only live up to it," said Miss Moore.
+
+"It has given me a great deal to think about," added the Spectacle Man.
+"The bridge is broke--but faith and courage will find the way; yes, I
+like it," and he nodded his head emphatically.
+
+"I thought morals weren't interesting," said Frances, at which they all
+laughed, and Miss Sherwin said she hoped she had not made hers too
+prominent. "I feel very grateful to you for liking it," she added.
+
+"I want you to elaborate it a little and send it to _The Young People's
+Journal_," Mrs. Morrison said.
+
+Miss Sherwin shook her head, but Miss Moore declared she would see that
+it was done.
+
+Peterkin, who had been completely forgotten in the interest of the
+story, created a sensation just here by catching one of his sharp lower
+teeth in his frill, thereby causing temporary lockjaw. He was promptly
+released by Miss Moore, who declared he should not be dressed up again.
+
+After he had gone into seclusion under the sofa, and the rest of the
+company were eating grapes and apples, Mr. Clark took down the Toby jug
+from the mantel shelf.
+
+"It seems hardly right to tell another story to-night after the
+beautiful one we have listened to," he said, "but this is a very short
+one, and I promised Frances. This brown ware is called Rockingham, and
+you see how the likeness of a very fat old gentleman is embossed upon
+it. It is said that there once lived a jolly toper named Toby Fillpot.
+In the course of time he died and was buried, and then, according to an
+old drinking song:--
+
+  "'His body when long in the ground it had lain,
+  And time into clay had resolved it again,
+  A potter found out in its covert so snug,
+  And from part of fat Toby he formed this brown jug.'
+
+"In fact, I believe he made a number of them, and dedicated them to
+friendship, mirth, and mild ale."
+
+"It seems to suggest Dickens; doesn't he somewhere mention a Toby jug?"
+asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I don't remember, but it is likely," answered Mr. Clark.
+
+"Was your grandfather an Englishman?" Miss Sherwin asked.
+
+"Yes, he was English and my mother was French."
+
+"I was sure there was French somewhere," said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+The children thought the jug very funny and interesting, but Frances did
+not want to touch it after she had heard the story.
+
+"It might really be true," she said, putting her hands behind her.
+
+"Is this supposed to be one of the originals?" asked Miss Moore.
+
+"Well, that is as you choose to believe. It is over one hundred years
+old, at any rate," was Mr. Clark's reply.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINTH.
+
+FINDING A MORAL.
+
+
+In spite of her disapproval of the place where the Morrisons had gone to
+live, Gladys was very often there. She liked Frances, and at the house
+of the Spectacle Man there seemed never to be any lack of something to
+do. There were glorious games of "I spy" in the halls when Emma was off
+duty, or visits to the studio where Miss Sherwin illustrated her stories
+and was delighted to have them pose for her, or if it were a rainy
+afternoon Mr. Clark did not object to their coming into the shop. He
+kept some glasses especially to lend to them on these occasions, and if
+business happened to be very dull he would entertain them with stories
+of his childhood, of which they never tired. Any chance customer must
+have been amused at the sight of three little girls in spectacles,
+seated in a row listening to the old man.
+
+Gladys tyrannized over Emma and patronized her by turns, the latter
+being too timid to resent it openly; and Frances enjoyed playing the
+part of protector and defender. Naturally this state of affairs
+sometimes led to war, for Frances was quick-tempered and impulsive, and
+Gladys very stubborn.
+
+One afternoon Mrs. Morrison went out, leaving the three children deeply
+interested in a new game. Everything went smoothly until Emma, who was
+sometimes rather slow in understanding things, made a wrong play that
+resulted in Gladys's defeat. When this was discovered Gladys in the
+excitement of the moment accused her of cheating, whereupon Emma began
+to cry and Frances became very angry.
+
+"She didn't cheat, Gladys Bowen, you know she didn't; and you haven't
+any right to say so!" she exclaimed, with blazing eyes.
+
+"She did," asserted Gladys, with a dogged conviction in her tone that
+infuriated Frances, and sweeping the dominoes from the table she
+cried:--
+
+"I'll never play with you again, never!"
+
+"No, you will never have a chance," was the cool reply. "I won't play
+with either of you; and I'd be ashamed of myself if I were you,
+Frances."
+
+"Oh, never mind!" urged Emma, aghast at the scene.
+
+"I will mind. She knows it is a story--and--" Frances could get no
+further, her tears choked her, and rushing from the room she shut the
+door behind her.
+
+Mrs. Morrison, coming in, found Gladys putting on her things with an air
+of injured innocence quite impressive, while Emma stood helplessly
+looking at her. The dominoes lay scattered on the floor.
+
+"Where is Frances?" she asked.
+
+"In the other room; she's mad," Gladys explained briefly.
+
+Mrs. Morrison knew it would be useless to ask questions at this stage,
+so she only said she was sorry, and waited till Gladys left, then went
+to find her daughter.
+
+Frances was lying on the bed crying convulsively.
+
+"What is the matter?" her mother asked gently.
+
+The child sat up, exclaiming between her sobs, "Gladys is so hateful.
+She said Emma cheated--and it's a story--and I'll never play with her
+again!"
+
+"Oh, my little girl! I am so sorry," was all Mrs. Morrison said, as she
+left the room.
+
+Sorry about what? Frances wondered as her anger cooled. Because Gladys
+had been so hateful? or was it because she had been in a passion?--but
+then she had a right to be angry. As she lay quiet for a while, feeling
+languid, now the storm had passed, a sense of shame stole over her.
+
+Presently she went softly into the sitting room. It was growing dark,
+and her mother sat alone among the cushions of the couch; Frances
+nestled down beside her, and there in the firelight and the stillness
+she couldn't help feeling sorry, even though she still felt sure she had
+a right to be angry.
+
+She wished her mother would speak, but as she did not, Frances asked,
+"Don't you think Gladys was very unkind?"
+
+"She ought to have been very certain of the truth of what she said,
+before she accused any one of cheating."
+
+"I think so too; and I had a right to be angry." She began to feel quite
+certain of this.
+
+"I have been talking it over with Emma," said Mrs. Morrison, "and I find
+she did not understand the game. She really played as Gladys said, but
+she did it by mistake."
+
+"Did she? But Gladys ought to have known Emma wouldn't cheat."
+
+"And of course there was nothing for you to do, but throw down the
+dominoes and accuse Gladys of telling a story?"
+
+"But, mother--" Frances hesitated.
+
+"Suppose you had told Gladys that there must be some mistake, and then
+had tried to find out what it was."
+
+"But I was so provoked."
+
+"Yes, and you lost your self-control. You let yourself be ruled by your
+temper. It is sometimes right to be angry, but it is never right to be
+in a passion."
+
+"Don't you think I am getting better of my temper?" Frances asked
+meekly.
+
+"Yes, dear; I have thought so lately, and it was right for you to want
+to defend Emma; but to throw the dominoes on the floor, to be in such a
+fury--my darling, it makes me afraid for you! You might sometime do
+something that all your life would be a sorrow to you. God meant you to
+rule your feelings and passions, not be ruled by them. You are like a
+soldier who has surrendered to the enemy he might have conquered."
+
+"I'll ask him to forgive me," Frances whispered.
+
+"You know father and I want our little girl to grow into a sweet,
+gracious woman--"
+
+"Just like you," Frances interrupted, with her arms around her mother's
+neck.
+
+"No, not just like me," answered Mrs. Morrison, smiling; "you must be
+your own self, Wink. I have tried not to spoil you, but of course I have
+made mistakes, and now you are getting old enough to share the
+responsibility with me."
+
+"Do you think you ought to punish me, mother?"
+
+"Dear, I think the punishment will be the trying to set things right
+again."
+
+Nothing more was said on the subject that evening, but the next day
+Frances came to her mother with a bright face; "I have found out what it
+means," she said.
+
+"What what means?" Mrs. Morrison asked.
+
+"The story of the bridge. You know Gladys is mad with me and won't come
+here any more-- Emma says she said she would never speak to me
+again--and that is a broken bridge and I have to mend it; but I don't
+know how," she added.
+
+"Perhaps you can find a way if you try," replied her mother, thinking it
+best to let her solve her own problems.
+
+All day Frances' thoughts kept going back to the unfortunate quarrel,
+and even when she was not thinking about it she was not happy. The storm
+clouds hung low and made the atmosphere heavy.
+
+At twilight she slipped downstairs and peeped into the study where Dick
+had just lit the lamp and Peterkin lay stretched at his ease before the
+bright fire. She stole in and sat beside him on the rug and stroked him
+softly. He purred gently, looking up in her face with so much wisdom in
+his yellow eyes she felt like telling him about the trouble.
+
+Presently the Spectacle Man came with the evening paper, and was
+surprised and pleased to see her.
+
+"Mr. Clark," she began, "I have a broken bridge to mend."
+
+"Is that so? I hope it will not give you much trouble."
+
+Frances sighed and put her face down on Peterkin's soft coat for a
+moment. "I am afraid it will," she said, and then she told the story.
+
+The Spectacle Man listened gravely. "I don't believe the bridge is
+really broken," he said; "it is only invisible beneath the clouds of
+anger and unkindness."
+
+Frances drew a very deep breath. "Then what can I do?" she asked.
+
+"How was it in the story?"
+
+"But the young man had a fairy to help him.
+
+"I don't think you need one; love and courage can find a way," said Mr.
+Clark.
+
+Frances went upstairs very soberly. "Mother, I believe I'll write to
+Gladys," she said, going at once to her desk. It took a good deal of
+time and thought, but it was finished at last, and she felt a weight
+lifted from her heart as she put it in the envelope. This is what she
+wrote:--
+
+     "DEAR GLADYS: I am sorry I behaved so the other day. I was mad
+     because you said Emma cheated, and I thought I had a right to be;
+     but I know now I ought not to have been in a passion. It was a
+     mistake; Emma did play wrong, but she didn't know any better.
+     Gladys, I have found the moral of the story. The bridge between
+     you and me is invisible because of the clouds of anger. I want to
+     find it again, don't you?
+
+  "Your friend,
+  "FRANCES MORRISON."
+
+This note was despatched by Wilson, and bright and early next day Gladys
+answered it in person. She went to Frances and kissed her. "I am not mad
+with you any more," she said; "it was nice of you to write that note,
+and I am sorry I said Emma cheated."
+
+After this, Frances was as merry as a cricket, and went about singing:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,"
+
+till her mother was forced to beg for a little variety.
+
+Meanwhile the story of "The Missing Bridge," with some changes and
+additions, and accompanied by two charming illustrations, had gone to
+seek its fortune in the office of _The Young People's Journal_, and it
+was no longer a secret that Miss Sherwin was in the habit of writing
+stories and had already met with considerable success.
+
+Frances thought this a strong bond between them, "For father writes
+stories too, you know," she would often say.
+
+It was about this time that the first letters, so long waited for,
+arrived from Honolulu, giving such glowing accounts of the voyage and
+the climate, and written in such evident good spirits, and so full of
+love for the two left behind, that they had to be read at least once a
+day for a week.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TENTH.
+
+THE PORTRAIT AGAIN.
+
+
+Frances wished very much to go to school, but for several reasons her
+mother did not think it wise, so she studied at home every morning,
+going upstairs at twelve o'clock to Miss Sherwin for a drawing lesson.
+
+Emma thought this a delightful arrangement, but Frances looked with envy
+upon the children who passed, swinging their school bags. "It is because
+I wasn't strong last winter and mother thinks it wouldn't be good for me
+to be shut up in a schoolroom, but I shall go next year," she explained.
+
+As the fall weather was beautiful they spent a great deal of time out of
+doors, and when Mrs. Morrison did not care to go herself she would send
+Frances with Zenobia for a walk or a ride on the cars, to the delight of
+the latter, who adored her young charge.
+
+These two were returning from a long walk one cold day, when they met
+Emma Bond, who said she was going to Mrs. Marvin's with some work, and
+asked them to go back with her.
+
+"I don't know whether mother would like me to; do you think she would
+care, Zenobia?" Frances asked.
+
+It was only a short distance, and Zenobia couldn't see any harm in
+stopping a moment; so they went in with Emma and sat in the hall while
+she ran upstairs to speak to the housekeeper.
+
+Everything was in perfect order to-day, and Frances gave a little sigh
+of satisfaction as she looked about her; it was all so warm and
+beautiful, with a stately sort of beauty that was very impressive. She
+sat as still as a mouse, listening to the ticking of some unseen clock.
+
+Emma stayed a long time, and presently Frances whispered, "Zenobia,
+there is a picture I want to see, and I am just going to peep in that
+door; I'll be back in a minute;" and she stole softly across the hall as
+if afraid she might break the stillness.
+
+The room she entered was a library, spacious and beautiful; but Frances
+thought of nothing but the portrait, which in the softened light that
+came from the curtained windows was more charming than ever.
+
+[Illustration: "'Little girl, I wish I knew you'"]
+
+"Little girl, I wish I knew you," she said half aloud, standing before
+it, her eyes bright from her walk in the keen air, her cheeks the
+deepest rose.
+
+On the hearth a wood fire smouldered, breaking into little gleams of
+flame now and then.
+
+"If you would only come down and talk to me, and tell me who you are,"
+Frances continued under her breath, unconsciously taking the attitude of
+the picture girl who smiled down on her so brightly.
+
+The fire purred softly, and there was added to this sound after a little
+a gentle rustle which, though she heard it, seemed so a part of the
+quiet that she gave it no thought. Then, suddenly, as if she had been
+awakened from a dream, she became conscious of the presence of some one
+near her.
+
+Turning, her eyes met those of a very stately person who stood only a
+few feet away leaning on the back of a chair. She had silvery hair and a
+proud, handsome face, and for a second or two Frances continued to gaze
+at her, the two pairs of eyes holding each other as if by some magnetic
+power.
+
+Then it flashed into Frances' mind that this must be Mrs. Marvin, and
+the spell was broken. She had come home--and what must she think of a
+girl who roamed about her house without leave! The child wanted to
+explain, but words were not easy to find, and the lady did not speak.
+
+"I did not know--" she began, then hesitated and tried again; "I
+thought--" her throat felt very dry, and she wondered if she had spoken
+at all. It was so strange and uncomfortable that tears rose to her eyes.
+
+"I wish you would tell me who you are;" the lady spoke in a strange,
+cold voice.
+
+The feeling that she was not being fairly treated, together with her
+determination not to cry, made Frances intensely dignified, and it was
+with a haughtiness almost equal to the lady's own that she replied, "My
+name is Frances Morrison," and with a movement of her head which seemed
+to add, "it is useless to try to explain," she turned away.
+
+A singular expression came into the stranger's face; she sat down in
+the nearest chair. "I wish you would not go," she said; "I am afraid I
+startled you as much as you did me. Come and tell me how you happen to
+be here." Her tone was no longer cold, and she held out her hands
+appealingly.
+
+The smile transformed her face, which was all sweetness and graciousness
+now, and impulsive little Frances was instantly won. She went quickly to
+the lady's side, saying in a breathless way she had when excited, "I
+thought perhaps you did not like it,--but I didn't know any one was
+here, and I wanted to see the picture again, so while Emma was upstairs
+I thought I'd just peep in, but I'm sorry--" she paused; evidently her
+words had not been heard. This strange person held her hands and gazed
+at her in the oddest way.
+
+"And so you are a real little girl!" she said at length.
+
+The child smiled uneasily, and seeing it, the lady put her arm around
+her and drew her closer. "Forgive me, dear, for not listening," she
+said. "You came with--whom?"
+
+Again Frances explained, but perhaps she did not make it very clear, for
+her companion still looked puzzled.
+
+"Do you live here?" she asked.
+
+"No, we are spending the winter here, mother and I."
+
+"Your mother and you--" the questioner repeated.
+
+"Yes, while father is away; he has gone to Honolulu. We stopped here
+because mother was ill, and then the _Eastern Review_ wanted father to
+go to Hawaii, so we thought we'd just stay. We have a flat at the
+Spectacle Man's--I mean Mr. Clark's--and it is very nice."
+
+"Is it?" The stranger's eyes travelled over the dainty figure. "You will
+think I am asking a great many questions, but where did you get your
+name?" she added.
+
+"It was my great-grandmother's. Mother wanted to put Chauncey in. That
+is father's name, John Chauncey Morrison. Perhaps you have read his
+stories." Again Frances saw that strange expression in the face before
+her.
+
+"Do you know who I am?" the lady asked.
+
+"I suppose you are Mrs. Marvin. Emma said you had not come home yet, but
+that you were coming very soon, and when I saw you I knew who it must
+be, and-- I hope you'll excuse me," she added, remembering she had
+offered no apology.
+
+Emma and Zenobia, who had been standing in the door for several minutes,
+now succeeded in catching Frances' eye. "I must go," she said, "they are
+waiting for me."
+
+Mrs. Marvin glanced in their direction. "Will you come to see me again?"
+she asked.
+
+"I don't know whether mother will let me," Frances replied doubtfully.
+
+The lady suddenly took the child's face in her hands and kissed her
+lips,--such a strange, passionate kiss it was; and then Frances felt
+herself almost pushed away.
+
+She had hardly any answer for Emma's excited questions, which began as
+soon as they were outside the door, but walked along with an absent
+expression that was rather provoking.
+
+"I can't see what makes you so funny, Frances," said her friend.
+
+"Why, Wink, how late you are!" Mrs. Morrison exclaimed, meeting them at
+the head of the steps, having spent the last half hour at the window.
+
+Frances put her arms around her mother's neck. "Oh, mother, I have seen
+such a beautiful lady, and she kissed me, and it made me feel like
+crying!"
+
+By degrees Mrs. Morrison had the whole story, and looked rather grave
+over it. "I am sorry you went in at all, dear, and it was very wrong to
+go wandering about the house, even though you thought the owner was
+away."
+
+"But I don't think she minded; at least she asked me to come again, so I
+think she must have liked me."
+
+Mrs. Morrison smiled as she kissed her little daughter; she saw nothing
+improbable in this.
+
+"I think I won't tell Jack about it," she said to herself, "For it would
+only worry him; but I'll be careful to have it understood that Frances
+is not to go into any house unless I am with her or have given my
+permission. It can't happen again. Marvin is not a name I ever heard
+Jack mention, I am quite sure of that."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVENTH
+
+MRS. MARVIN IS PERPLEXED.
+
+
+"Jack's little girl! can it be? It is the strangest thing that ever
+happened to me. I do not understand it." Mrs. Marvin paced restlessly
+back and forth, an expression of pain and perplexity on her handsome
+face.
+
+"Why should I care?" she thought; "what is it to me? I gave it all up
+long ago.-- And yet--that dear little girl--those eyes--a Morrison every
+inch of her! There can be no mistake, but it is all a mystery how she
+happened to come here. How weak I am! why should it torture me so? Oh,
+Jack, Jack!" She hid her face in her hands.
+
+It showed, however, no trace of emotion when half an hour later she
+encountered her housekeeper in the upper hall.
+
+"Caroline, who is the little girl who came to see you this afternoon?"
+she asked.
+
+"I suppose it was Emma Bond, Miss Frances; her mother has been
+hemstitching some pillow cases."
+
+"Do you know anything about the child who was with her? I think she said
+she lived in the same house."
+
+"I don't know who she is, Miss Frances. She is a pretty child, but I
+don't remember her name if I ever heard it."
+
+"I saw her and was rather attracted to her. She seemed not quite the
+sort of child you would expect to find in a tenement house. There was a
+very respectable looking maid with her."
+
+Caroline smiled. She was a bright-faced Swiss woman who had lived with
+her mistress for nearly thirty years, knew her thoroughly, and loved her
+devotedly. She was not deceived by the air of indifference with which
+the lady moved away; she understood that for some reason her mistress
+wished to find out all she knew about this little girl.
+
+"It isn't what you'd call a tenement house," she said; "the man who owns
+it has made it into flats. He lives there himself, and has his shop, and
+Mrs. Bond keeps house for him. It is a real nice place."
+
+"I fail to see the difference," was the reply; "but, Caroline, why did
+she think I was Mrs. Marvin? She called me so."
+
+"I don't know, Miss Frances, unless it was Emma Bond's mistake. Her
+mother did some sewing for Mrs. Marvin when she was staying here."
+
+"Well, Caroline, if you see Mrs. Bond you need not say anything about
+the mistake. You understand? I have a reason for wishing them to think I
+am Mrs. Marvin, as in fact I am."
+
+"I should like to know what it means," Caroline said to herself as her
+mistress walked away.
+
+"This is all very melodramatic and absurd, but I must have time to
+consider," the lady was thinking as she entered her own room, and closed
+the door behind her. "I must contrive to see her again."
+
+Going to a cabinet, she took from an inner compartment a box, then she
+had a long search for the key, and after it was found she sat with the
+box on her lap gazing absently before her.
+
+It was thirteen--almost fourteen years since she had lifted that lid.
+She had thought never to open it, unless--well, unless the impossible
+happened, and now a pair of brown eyes had aroused an irresistible
+longing to look once more on something that lay hidden there. In vain
+she told herself it was foolish, idle, worse than childish. She recalled
+the burning anger and resentment with which she had put the box away so
+long ago. Yes, and had she not just cause? But the touch of those young
+lips was still fresh upon her own, and whether she would or not, was
+carrying her back, back to the dear old days.
+
+There was really very little in it, she reflected, as she began to look
+over the contents; but a few trifles can mean so much sometimes. There
+was a light brown curl, some photographs that showed how a certain
+chubby, dimpled baby had developed into a manly boy of sixteen, a bundle
+of letters in a schoolboy hand, and down at the very bottom, the thing
+she was so anxious to see again, a lovely miniature of a boy of seven.
+
+She gazed at it long and earnestly. Such a dear little face! and this
+afternoon she had seen the same smile, had looked into the same eyes!
+Jack's daughter! was it possible?
+
+He had called her Frances, too; he had not quite forgotten. It was, of
+course, a family name, and with all his independence Jack had a great
+deal of family pride. And the air with which she had said, "Perhaps you
+have read his stories,"--she could have laughed, but for the pain of the
+thought that she who had once been first had now no part in his life.
+Others had the right to be proud of him, but not she.
+
+She closed the lid and put the box away: the past could not be recalled,
+she must try to forget, as she had tried all these years; but even as
+she made the resolve her heart was saying, "I must see that child
+again,--I must, must!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELFTH.
+
+AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
+
+
+"Hurrah!" said the Spectacle Man, "Mark's coming home for Christmas." He
+waved a letter above his head as he spoke, and looked as if he might be
+going to dance a jig.
+
+"Is he? I am very glad," replied Frances, who had run down to speak to
+the postman, and now paused in the open door of the shop.
+
+"I was really afraid we couldn't manage it, travelling costs so much,
+but one of his friends has given him a pass. Mark is a great fellow for
+such things!" Mr. Clark's face beamed with pleasure.
+
+Frances wished she might bring her books and study her lessons in the
+shop, it was so sunny and cheerful, with Peterkin stretched out in lazy
+comfort before the fire, his master busy at his work-table over some
+lenses.
+
+"Mother, do you know it will be Christmas in two weeks?" she asked, as
+she entered the sitting room; "and Mark is coming home," she added. "Do
+you think he will be nice?"
+
+"We may as well give him the benefit of any doubt," said Mrs. Morrison,
+answering the last question. "What do you want to do for Christmas,
+Wink?"
+
+"What can we do without father?" the little girl exclaimed, thinking of
+the merrymakings of other years in which he had always been prime mover.
+
+"We are so glad to know how well and strong he is getting that we can
+manage to have some sort of a happy time without him, I think," her
+mother replied. "Suppose you ask Miss Sherwin if she and Miss Moore will
+be here through the holidays."
+
+The air was full of Christmas plans, the streets were full of Christmas
+shoppers, and the dwellers in the house of the Spectacle Man could not
+escape the contagion. The girls on the third floor were not going home,
+and were very willing to unite with their neighbors in a little
+festivity.
+
+Miss Moore proposed a tree, which, in kindergarten fashion, they should
+all unite in trimming. Emma and Frances immediately offered to string
+pop-corn and cranberries, and went to work with great ardor, having at
+the same time to bribe the General to attend to his own affairs, with
+wonderful stories of Santa Claus, and the toys he had in store for good
+boys.
+
+Emma was as happy as a lark. In past years the Sunday-school tree had
+been all she had to look forward to, and the thought of having one in
+the house was almost too much. Gladys also condescended to help with the
+pop-corn, although she was rather scornful of such home-made
+decorations.
+
+"I suppose I may invite Gladys to our tree, mayn't I?" Frances asked one
+evening of the busy circle gathered around the table in Miss Sherwin's
+studio.
+
+"I should think so," her mother replied.
+
+"I know a girl I'd like to ask. She is in my class, and she lives in
+Texas, and I do not believe she has a single friend in the city." As she
+spoke, Miss Moore carefully smoothed out the photograph she was
+mounting.
+
+"You do it beautifully," said Mrs. Morrison, looking over her shoulder.
+
+"It is the 'Holy Night' by Plockhorst, as you see; we are going to give
+one to each of our infants, and I offered to mount them. I like to
+paste; it is my one talent."
+
+"For a Christmas picture, this is my favorite," and Miss Sherwin took
+from a portfolio a photograph of the Magi on the way to Bethlehem.
+
+Emma and Frances left their cranberries to look at it.
+
+"How wonderfully simple and dignified it is! The wide sweep of the
+desert, and the stately figures of the Wise Men, as they follow the
+star," remarked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"But no one has answered Miss Moore. Wouldn't it be nice to invite her
+girl?" said Frances, going back to her work again.
+
+"Why, of course, and perhaps we'll find some one else who is not likely
+to have a happy day," her mother answered.
+
+"There's Mrs. Gray," said Frances meditatively; "I wonder if she likes
+Christmas trees?"
+
+So it began, and before they knew it the original plan was quite
+outgrown.
+
+When Mark arrived he proved to be a tall, bright-faced boy of sixteen,
+overflowing with good spirits, who contrived to get acquainted with all
+the inmates of the house before twenty-four hours had passed.
+
+He took a lively interest in the tree, and suggested having it in his
+uncle's study. Then on Christmas Eve the cases could be moved out of the
+way in the shop, and both rooms be given up to the frolic.
+
+As the Spectacle Man was more than willing, this was decided upon; and
+as it would give them so much more room, Miss Moore thought she'd like
+to ask two other young women, who were studying in a business college,
+and boarded in the same house with her Texas friend. Mark knew two
+fellows he'd like to have, and his uncle wished to invite a young man
+who had come once or twice to his Bible class, and who was a stranger in
+town.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mrs. Morrison, when they were discussing it, "we had
+better limit our invitations to those who are not likely to have a merry
+Christmas."
+
+"My young man doesn't look as if he knew the meaning of merry," said Mr.
+Clark.
+
+"My girls may know its meaning, but they haven't much chance to practise
+it, in the dingy boarding house," added Miss Moore.
+
+"I am sure Mrs. Gray doesn't have any fun," said Frances, who clung to
+her idea of asking the old lady.
+
+There couldn't have been found a merrier party in the whole city than
+that at work in the Spectacle Man's study on Christmas Eve. Mark had
+brought in a quantity of cedar and mistletoe, and while Mrs. Morrison
+and Miss Sherwin trimmed the tree, the children and Miss Moore turned
+the shop into a bower of fragrant green.
+
+Mark was full of mischief, and romped with Frances, and teased Emma
+until she wished she could crawl under the bookcase as Peterkin did
+under the same circumstances. The General trotted about in a gale of
+delight, getting in everybody's way, and was most unwilling to leave the
+scene of action when his mother came to take him to bed.
+
+Mrs. Bond lifted her hands in dismay at so much work for nothing.
+
+"But isn't it pretty?" asked Mrs. Morrison, from the top of the
+step-ladder.
+
+"It is pretty enough, but it all has to come down, and then what a
+mess!" was the reply.
+
+"Still, it is fun, and Christmas comes but once a year. Here, Mark, this
+is to decorate the immortal George. Can you reach?" and Miss Moore held
+out a beautiful branch of holly.
+
+"You'll come to the party, won't you, Mrs. Bond?" Frances asked.
+
+"Come? of course she will; no one in this house can be excused," said
+Mr. Clark, entering the room with some interesting packages under his
+arm.
+
+The little girls were extremely curious about some work Miss Sherwin and
+Mrs. Morrison had been doing, which they kept a secret from everybody,
+and now the sight of a number of flat parcels in tissue paper tied with
+red ribbon excited them afresh.
+
+"Is that what you have been making?" asked Frances.
+
+"Just part of it," Miss Sherwin replied, as she hung them on the tree.
+
+"Emma, what do you suppose they are? Everybody is to have one, for I
+have counted," Frances whispered.
+
+"I don't know, I am sure; but isn't it fun!" and Emma spun around like a
+top in her excitement.
+
+"And she says it is only part," continued Frances.
+
+"I believe we have done all that can be done to-night," said Mrs.
+Morrison, crossing the room to get a better view of the tree.
+
+"It will be a beauty when it is lighted. I think even Gladys will
+admire it," remarked Miss Moore.
+
+Wilson, who had come in to sweep up, looked at it critically. "We had a
+tree at the Institute last year that was lighted with inclandestine
+lights," he said.
+
+Mark giggled, and Mrs. Morrison looked puzzled for a minute, then she
+smiled as she said, "Yes, I have heard of lighting them by electricity,
+but ours is a home-made affair."
+
+"Isn't Wilson absurd?" laughed Miss Sherwin as they all went into the
+next room. "What do you think he said to me the other day? He complained
+that Mrs. Bond was too unscrupulous to live with, and when I asked him
+what he meant, he said she required him to wash off the front porch
+every morning before he went to school, and that made him late for his
+Greek lesson, and in his opinion it was very unscrupulous."
+
+"If it wasn't for Zenobia I think he would try to find a place where
+more respect was shown to Greek," said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+Mrs. Marvin's housekeeper came in to see Mrs. Bond that evening, and on
+her way out she had full view of the study, where work was still going
+on. Seeing Frances and recognizing her, she asked her name, and seemed
+very much surprised at Mrs. Bond's reply.
+
+"Frances Morrison!" she repeated, "why that is--" she checked herself,
+but stood watching the group as if deeply interested.
+
+"Do you know her?" asked Mrs. Bond.
+
+Caroline shook her head. "The name's familiar, that is all," she
+replied.
+
+Christmas Day was gloomy as to weather, but that was a small matter with
+so much merriment going on indoors. After the excitement of examining
+stockings was over the party was the event of the day, and was looked
+forward to with eager anticipation by the children.
+
+It was to be an early party, the guests having been invited to come at
+six o'clock. Gladys was the first to arrive, and the three little girls
+sat on the big hall sofa and waited for the others to come. The shop was
+brilliantly lighted and looked quite unfamiliar with all the show-cases
+moved back against the wall, and its trimmings of cedar and holly. In
+the centre of the room on a table was the secret which had so excited
+Emma and Frances. A dozen or more cards were arranged around a central
+one, upon which was printed, "A Christmas Dinner"; on each of the other
+cards was a picture representing some part of the dinner. Miss Sherwin
+presided over this, and Frances presented each guest, as he or she
+arrived, with a pencil and a blank card on which the names of the
+various dishes were to be written as they were guessed. The one
+guessing the largest number was to have a prize, and everybody was to
+try except Mrs. Morrison and Miss Sherwin, who had prepared the
+pictures, and of course knew what they meant.
+
+This served to break the ice, and Miss Moore's girls, and Mark's
+friends, and the Spectacle Man's shy student, all became sociable
+directly, as they moved about the table.
+
+To the delight of Frances, Mrs. Gray came. She was quite apologetic over
+it, saying it seemed ridiculous for her to be going anywhere, but she
+didn't know when she had seen a Christmas tree, and so at the last
+minute she had decided to come.
+
+"We take it as a great compliment," Mrs. Morrison said, helping her with
+her wraps and leading her to Mr. Clark's arm-chair.
+
+She was a sweet-looking old lady in her white cap and embroidered
+kerchief, and Miss Sherwin said her presence gave just the grandmotherly
+touch their party needed. Miss Moore decorated her with a sprig of
+holly, and every one tried to make her have a good time. The guests were
+all brought to her corner and introduced, and then, while the rest were
+busy trying to guess the menu, Mr. Clark came and sat beside her and
+talked of old times, and the changes that had come to the city since
+they were young.
+
+It may have been an odd sort of party, but it was a success; and the shy
+young man proved himself more clever than any one else, for he guessed
+all the dishes. Some of them were very easy, the first, for instance,
+which was simply some points cut out of blue paper and pasted on a card.
+
+"I know what they are," said Mark, "but three wouldn't be enough for
+me."
+
+Every one knew the map without a name must be _Turkey_, but the small
+strips of different shades of green did not at first suggest _olives_; a
+cat on the back of a chair puzzled some, but meant _catsup_ at once to
+others. An infant in a high chair yelling for dear life, was of course
+_ice cream_, but the medical student was the only one to guess the
+meaning of a calf reposing on the grass. He explained his cleverness by
+saying that his mother often made _veal loaf_, and he was very fond of
+it.
+
+When he had received his prize, which was a box of candy, it was time
+for the tree. While they were all thinking of something else, Mr. Clark
+had slipped in and lighted it, and there it was, all in a blaze of
+glory!
+
+The Spectacle Man was master of ceremonies, and it was worth something
+to see his face as he stepped about taking things from the tree and
+calling out names.
+
+For each there was a photograph of the Magi on the way to Bethlehem,
+and, besides these, there were other things both useful and amusing,
+that had been picked up at the ten-cent store, or manufactured at home.
+
+No one enjoyed it more than Mrs. Gray, unless it was the General, whose
+enthusiasm knew no bounds, and who pranced about with a woolly lamb in
+one hand and a Japanese baby in the other. Even Mrs. Bond relaxed, and
+for at least an hour did nothing but look on and be amused.
+
+When the tree was exhausted they had some light refreshments, and then
+played old-fashioned games in which all could join.
+
+"I don't know when I have had such a good time," said Mrs. Gray, as she
+was getting ready to go; "and I don't see how you happened to think of
+me."
+
+"We had made up our minds to be lonely and homesick, but we have
+laughed so much I don't see how we can ever be doleful again," remarked
+Miss Moore's friend.
+
+"It is the funniest party I ever went to," Gladys whispered to Frances,
+"but I have had the loveliest time!"
+
+The shy student had enjoyed himself more than he could express in words,
+and his face spoke for him as he said good night.
+
+"I am going to have a Christmas tree every year of my life till I die,"
+the Spectacle Man declared; and if he had had the least encouragement,
+he would have gone to work on the spot to plan another party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
+
+ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
+
+
+In Frances' very own book there was a story of a boy who had a beautiful
+voice, and who with a great many other boys sang in the choir of Christ
+Church. The story was somewhat sad, for the boy, who loved dearly to
+sing, lost his sweet voice one day and never found it again; but the
+memory of the music as it floated up to the Gothic arches, and of the
+sunlight from the great stained window falling a shaft of crimson and
+gold across the chancel at vesper service, remained with him, and out of
+it grew the story.
+
+And the story became very real indeed to Frances when one Sunday
+afternoon her father took her to the very church where the boy used to
+sing. It was such a pleasure to her that after this she and her mother
+often went together, and Frances pretended that one of the choir boys,
+who happened to have dark eyes and a high clear voice, was little Jack,
+and there were certain hymns she loved to hear because he used to sing
+them.
+
+It was the Sunday after Christmas, and Emma had just come up to know if
+she might go to church with Frances, when Gladys walked in, gorgeously
+arrayed in velvet and silk. Though rather over-dressed she looked very
+pretty, but as soon as she spoke it became evident that she was not in a
+very good humor.
+
+"I don't like Sunday," she asserted, with the air of wishing to shock
+somebody.
+
+Emma exclaimed, "Oh, Gladys!" and looked at Mrs. Morrison to see the
+effect of this remark upon her; but apparently it hadn't any, for the
+lady went on turning the leaves of the book she held, half smiling.
+
+"I do; why don't you like it, Gladys?" asked Frances.
+
+"You can't do anything you want to do, and everybody is cross or taking
+a nap. Mamma has a headache, and she said I shouldn't come over here,
+but I just told her I was coming. I knew she wouldn't care if I didn't
+bother her."
+
+"Your mother is pretty funny, Gladys," Frances observed.
+
+"Suppose you go with us to service this afternoon and hear the Christmas
+music; we can stop and ask your mother on the way," Mrs. Morrison
+suggested.
+
+"Do come, Gladys, it is lovely to hear the choir boys, and perhaps they
+will sing 'O little town of Bethlehem,'" said Frances, adding, with a
+nod to Emma, who knew the story, "That is one of them."
+
+Gladys did not decline the invitation, but she did not seem
+enthusiastic, and presently announced, "Emma says you ought to like to
+go to church better than to the circus, or anywhere, to any
+entertainment, but I don't."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Frances, with a long-drawn breath, "I suppose you ought
+to, but-- Mother, ought you to like church better than tableaux? Don't
+you remember those beautiful ones we saw in North Carolina?"
+
+Emma again looked at Mrs. Morrison, confident in the strength of her
+position. "Oughtn't you?" she urged.
+
+"Let me ask you a question. Which would you rather do, stay at home
+to-morrow afternoon, or go to see 'The Mistletoe Bough'?"
+
+"'The Mistletoe Bough!'" cried three voices.
+
+"Does that mean that you care more for tableaux than you do for your
+homes?"
+
+"No, mother, of course not, only--" Frances hesitated.
+
+"No, of course you do not, but for the time the tableaux are more
+amusing. It seems to me we must make a distinction between caring for
+things and finding them entertaining. You may care a great deal for
+church and yet not find it as amusing as some other places."
+
+"I never thought of it in that way," said Mark, who had come in while
+they were talking.
+
+"We ought not to care too much for amusement, but try to learn to take
+pleasure in other things," continued Mrs. Morrison. "We do not love
+persons or things because we ought to, but because they seem to us
+lovely; and yet when we think for how long people have gone on building
+churches--plain little chapels, grand cathedrals--and have worshipped
+God in them, and found help and blessing, surely we ought not to be
+willing to say, 'I don't like church,' but should try to find out its
+beautiful meaning for ourselves."
+
+"I am afraid I am a good deal like Gladys; I have found it rather a
+bore," said Mark.
+
+"You remember our Christmas picture of the Wise Men," Mrs. Morrison went
+on. "They had learning and wealth and distinction, and yet they took
+that long, weary journey for what?"
+
+"The star," said Gladys.
+
+"To find Jesus," said Frances.
+
+"Yes, with all their riches and learning they felt the need of something
+else, and the star was sent to guide them. And to-day each one of us has
+some heavenly vision which he must obey and follow as the Wise Men
+followed the star."
+
+Frances shook her head. "I never had a vision," she said.
+
+"Yes, I think you have sometimes felt what a beautiful thing it would
+be to be good. Perhaps when you have listened to the Christmas story you
+have determined to let the Christ-Child into your heart. If you have, it
+is your vision; and if you obey it, it will grow stronger and clearer.
+In the midst of all our work and play, the vision often grows dim, but
+going to God's house and thinking of Him and what He wants us to do,
+helps to keep it bright."
+
+"I wish we had a real star to follow; it would be easier," said Gladys.'
+
+"We'd probably forget to watch it," said Mark. "I know how it is at
+school. A fellow makes up his mind to grind away and do his very best,
+and then before he knows it, the edge of his resolution wears off, and
+he finds himself skinning along, taking it easy."
+
+Mrs. Morrison smiled. "Yes, that is the way with most of us: we forget
+so easily. And now let's go to church and try to think what the
+Christmas star means for us."
+
+The Spectacle Man who happened to be at the shop window when the little
+party started out, smiled to himself at sight of Mark walking beside
+Mrs. Morrison. "That is just what my boy needs," he said. "It isn't much
+influence an old uncle can have."
+
+The church was fragrant and beautiful in its Christmas dress, the light
+came softly through the stained windows, and above the festoons and
+wreaths of cedar shone the brilliant star. The children sat very still,
+with earnest faces, till the service began, then, to Frances' delight,
+the processional was "O little town of Bethlehem."
+
+With their heads together over the book, she and Gladys sang too. At the
+last stanza Frances, who knew the words, gazed straight at the star,
+forgetful of everything but the music:--
+
+  "We hear the Christmas Angels
+  The great glad tidings tell;
+  Oh, come to us, abide with us,
+  Our Lord Emmanuel."
+
+But at the Amen something drew her eyes to the other side of the aisle
+where, stately and handsome, stood Mrs. Marvin, watching her. She longed
+to call her mother's attention to this lady of whom she had thought and
+talked so much, but as Gladys sat between it was not possible.
+
+All through the short service she kept stealing glances across the
+aisle, but Mrs. Marvin did not turn again. The sight of the bright child
+face had stirred the memory of an earnest little chorister who used
+sometimes to smile at her over his book as he passed, and she did not
+want to remember those old days; she wished she had not come.
+
+Gladys, who did not often go to church, was interested and touched by
+the simple service. She slipped her hand into Mrs. Morrison's when it
+was over and whispered, "I am glad I came, and I mean to be good."
+
+Perhaps her ideas of goodness were somewhat vague, and certainly there
+was much in her surroundings to cloud the vision, but who can tell what
+fruit an earnest wish may bear.
+
+Frances hoped Mrs. Marvin would speak to her, but the crowd separated
+them, and though she kept a careful watch she did not see her again.
+
+As they walked home in the twilight Mark, who was still beside Mrs.
+Morrison, said, "I'm afraid I don't care enough for church and that sort
+of thing, and though I know of course there must be a great deal in it
+for some people, I never thought of trying to find out what it was, as
+you said. It seemed to me it was something that came of itself, if it
+came at all." He spoke with real earnestness.
+
+"Yet it doesn't seem quite logical to take care of our minds and bodies
+and never think of our souls, does it?" his companion asked. "I remember
+my own schooldays well enough to know how difficult it is not to be
+entirely absorbed in what are called secular things. But after all, it
+is the motive of a life that makes it fine; and if, in all you do, you
+follow the best you know, are faithful and true and kind, that is
+religion. The caring for church and things called sacred will come in
+time; you can't be grown up spiritually all at once, any more than you
+can physically."
+
+"You make it seem reasonable and almost easy," Mark said; "but I thought
+one had to understand a lot of things. You see my mother died when I was
+a little chap, and there was only Aunt Emily. Uncle George is very
+kind, but you can't believe he knows how a boy feels; people forget."
+
+"Perhaps they remember more than impatient young persons give them
+credit for," answered Mrs. Morrison, smiling. "There is one thing, Mark:
+whatever you do, be in earnest."
+
+In the city streets the electric lights had come out one by one, and
+overhead the stars were shining. They walked the last block in silence,
+and when they separated at the door, Mark said, "Thank you, Mrs.
+Morrison."
+
+"What was he thanking you for?" Frances asked.
+
+"I don't know, Wink, unless it was for some advice."
+
+"I think Mark is a nice boy; I am glad he came home," Frances remarked
+as she took off her hat.
+
+At the same moment, down in the study, Mark was saying: "How did you
+ever happen to find them, Uncle George?-- Mrs. Morrison and Frances, I
+mean. They are not like--everybody; they are the real thing. That
+Frances is a regular little princess! How did they happen to come here?"
+
+"I, too, have wondered at it, my boy, but I have learned to take the
+good things that come my way without asking many questions," was the old
+man's reply.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
+
+THREE OF A NAME.
+
+
+Frances stood thoughtfully looking out of the window. To-morrow would be
+New Year's Day and also her mother's birthday, and she had not
+remembered it till this morning. She wondered if she could not in some
+way get some flowers for her. She had her Christmas money from Uncle
+Allan in California, and there was nothing her mother enjoyed more than
+flowers, but who would go with her to get them? Zenobia was busy, and
+Emma was taking care of the General, who had had an attack of croup.
+
+As she stood there Mark came up the walk and lifted his hat to her.
+"Perhaps he will take me," she said, and running into the hall she
+called from the head of the stairs: "Mark, are you very busy? Could you
+do something for me?"
+
+"I am at your ladyship's command," was the reply.
+
+"Then I'll come down and tell you, for it is a secret."
+
+"Is it? Well, I'm splendid at keeping secrets."
+
+Descending, Frances stated the case, and Mark not only said he would be
+glad to go with her, but he knew a place where she could get flowers
+much cheaper than down town.
+
+"I'm so much obliged to you, and now I must ask mother if I can go,"
+Frances said. "I can say you _want_ me to go, can't I? It will be true,
+won't it?" she stopped halfway up the steps to inquire.
+
+"Nothing could be truer," said Mark, laughing.
+
+It did not take long to get her mother's permission, and in a very few
+minutes she came flying down to join her escort at the door.
+
+As they walked up the street, talking merrily, more than one passer-by
+smiled at the pleasant sight, and turned to look again at the tall boy
+and the bright-eyed little girl.
+
+In these two weeks they had come to be great friends. Frances rather
+enjoyed his teasing ways, which so alarmed Emma, and had always a saucy
+reply of some sort ready. She liked to be called your ladyship, and
+accepted his mock homage with a most regal air.
+
+"What kind of flowers are you going to buy?" Mark asked.
+
+"Violets, I think, because mother is specially fond of them."
+
+"Aren't they rather expensive?"
+
+"I don't know. I have two dollars; won't that be enough?" she asked
+anxiously.
+
+"Dear me, I had no idea you were so rich! Are you going to spend all
+that?"
+
+"I don't think that is too much to spend on your mother," she replied
+with emphasis.
+
+"Certainly not, I wasn't objecting in the least."
+
+"No, it wouldn't do any good," she asserted with dignity.
+
+Mark laughed, and inquired what flowers she liked best herself.
+
+"Great big red roses," was the prompt answer.
+
+"Commend me to a princess for extravagant tastes!" Mark exclaimed,
+laughing.
+
+The greenhouse was an enchanting place, and after the violets were
+ordered Frances wandered up and down the fragrant aisles, quite
+unwilling to leave. Mark at length grew impatient. "I am afraid it is
+going to storm; we must go," he said.
+
+Sure enough, before they had gone two blocks it began to rain. Mark
+glanced uneasily at the clouds and then at his companion. Neither of
+them had thought of bringing an umbrella.
+
+"We can take the car at the next corner unless it begins to pour; in
+that case we shall have to go in somewhere," he said, taking her hand.
+
+They were hurrying down the avenue when they heard some one call,
+"Frances! Frances!" and there was Mrs. Marvin just leaving her carriage
+at the gate. "You must come in and wait till the storm is over," she
+said, and almost before they knew what had happened they found
+themselves standing on the porch with her, while the rain swept down in
+torrents.
+
+"I am grateful to the wind for blowing you in my direction," Mrs. Marvin
+said, looking at Frances with her intent gaze.
+
+The little girl smiled, and then remembering that Mrs. Marvin did not
+know Mark, she introduced him.
+
+The lady was very gracious and asked him in to wait till the storm was
+over, but Mark said he had an engagement at home to meet a friend, and
+did not mind the rain for himself; so, being provided with an umbrella,
+he went off, promising to return for Frances when it cleared. This Mrs.
+Marvin assured him would not be necessary, as she would send her home.
+
+"I am always getting caught in the rain," said Frances, as she went
+upstairs, her hand clasped in Mrs. Marvin's. "That was the way I
+happened to get acquainted with the Spectacle Man."
+
+"I am glad something brought you to me; I have been wondering if I
+should ever see you again."
+
+When her own room was reached the lady sat down and drew the child to
+her. "Have you forgotten me in all these weeks?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, no, I couldn't do that," was the reply.
+
+"You couldn't? Why not?" and she was drawn closer.
+
+Frances thought this was not the sort of person to be easily forgotten,
+but she only smiled.
+
+"I'd better not take it off," she said, as Mrs. Marvin began to unfasten
+her coat. "Mark will be back."
+
+"But you couldn't go out in such a storm, dear; you are going to take
+lunch with me."
+
+Clearly there was nothing to do but submit, and Frances was not
+unwilling. Mrs. Marvin looked at her fondly; the slender little figure
+in the blue sailor suit quite satisfied her fastidious taste. It puzzled
+her, too, for such daintiness and grace seemed to her altogether
+incompatible with what she had heard of the child's surroundings. Her
+sympathies were narrowed by her sensitiveness to anything that fell
+below her own standard of taste. She had yet to learn that there was a
+broader culture than hers. No wonder she was bewildered as she listened
+to Frances' frank chatter.
+
+That this young person was very much of a chatterbox could not be
+denied. Her father often said it would not take a Philadelphia lawyer to
+find out all she knew, and on this occasion she had an interested
+hearer.
+
+"Emma and I think this is a lovely house," she remarked, as they went
+down to lunch. "I like our flat," she added loyally, "only of course
+there isn't so much room in it."
+
+This, to her, made the chief difference,--more room, more things. Her
+own home life had always been harmonious, had expressed grace and
+refinement in a simpler way, indeed, but as truly as Mrs. Marvin's; and
+so having always had the emphasis laid upon the best things, she felt no
+embarrassment, but only a frank enjoyment in this beautiful house.
+
+When lunch was over, Mrs. Marvin led the way to the library, where the
+wood fire burned, and the little girl smiled down from above the mantle,
+and a great bunch of American Beauties bent their stately heads over a
+tall vase. What a combination of delights! Frances hung over the flowers
+with such pleasure in her eyes that her hostess said: "Do you like
+roses? You must take those with you when you go."
+
+Mrs. Marvin took out a portfolio of photographs she thought might be
+interesting, and they went over them together. She knew perfectly how to
+be entertaining, and Frances enjoyed it very much, but when they came to
+the last one she said: "Mrs. Marvin, won't you tell me now about that
+portrait? I like it better than any picture I ever saw."
+
+"Why, certainly, dear; that is my mother when she was a child. It is one
+of my greatest treasures."
+
+Frances felt disappointed. "Then she is not a little girl now," she
+said.
+
+"No; the picture was painted many years ago, in London, when my
+grandfather was Minister to England. My mother was an only child."
+
+"I am an only child, too," Frances remarked, her eyes fixed on the
+portrait.
+
+"Perhaps you will be interested to know that her name was the same as
+your own."
+
+"Was it? And your name, too, is Frances, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, we are three of a name," was Mrs. Marvin's answer.
+
+"I suppose--" Frances hesitated.
+
+"What, dear?"
+
+"I was going to ask if the little girl was alive now."
+
+"No; she lived to grow up and marry, and died while she was still very
+young and beautiful, leaving three little children."
+
+It was hard to realize that so much had happened to this bright-eyed
+girl; Frances wrinkled her brow in the effort, and sat very still. After
+a while she said, "I am glad her name was Frances; she always makes me
+think of the Girl in the Golden Doorway."
+
+"What is that?" Mrs. Marvin inquired.
+
+"It is one of father's stories," was the answer, and without much urging
+she told it, and told it well, because she was so fond of it. "It makes
+me want to see him so," she added with a sigh, at the end.
+
+Mrs. Marvin listened, her face almost hidden by the screen she held.
+"Did your father ever tell you anything more of his childhood?" she
+asked.
+
+"Not very much. He went to live somewhere else, I think, and I don't
+know what became of the picture. There is something about it I don't
+understand, but some time I know he will tell me. I think a certain
+person has something to do with it."
+
+"Whom do you mean by a certain person?"
+
+"It is some one who was once a friend of father's, but is not now. That
+is all I know, except that I heard him tell mother he did not mind our
+staying here, because a certain person was abroad; but I guess maybe I
+oughtn't to say anything about it," Frances concluded uneasily.
+
+The conversation was interrupted by a servant who announced a young man
+to take the little girl home.
+
+"It is Mark," Frances exclaimed, jumping up.
+
+While they had been talking the wind had grown quiet, and the rain had
+turned to a wet snow. Mark had brought her waterproof and overshoes, but
+Mrs. Marvin insisted upon ordering the carriage. She held Frances in her
+arms and kissed her as if she could not bear to let her go.
+
+"I have had a beautiful time, and I am so much obliged for the roses,"
+the child said, when at last she was released.
+
+They drove home in state through the wet streets. "I tell you this is
+fine!" said Mark; "I mean to be rich some day."
+
+"So do I," replied Frances from behind her roses, and neither of them
+dreamed what a lonely heart they had left behind them in that beautiful
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
+
+A CONFIDENCE.
+
+
+This second encounter with Mrs. Marvin both annoyed and puzzled Mrs.
+Morrison. It had come about naturally enough, yet she could not help
+feeling that this lady's interest in a child she had not seen or heard
+of six weeks ago was extraordinary; and though she did not wish to spoil
+Frances' pleasure in her roses, she shook her head at the thought of
+what they must have cost.
+
+The violets which arrived early on New Year's morning gave great
+satisfaction, although they were, after all, the cause of her
+disquietude. Half an hour later came an express package from Honolulu,
+containing some trifles of native manufacture in sandalwood and ivory, a
+number of photographs, and a long birthday letter.
+
+"I almost wish," Mr. Morrison wrote, "that our new home was to be on
+this enchanting island. The box is for Frances' jewels when she gets
+them, the other things to be divided as you see fit. If it were not for
+the thought of two small persons in the house of the Spectacle Man away
+off in the United States, I should be strongly tempted to run over to
+China, it seems so near. But never mind! when Frances is grown we'll
+make a journey around the world."
+
+"I think father is so nice," Frances remarked, as if she had but
+recently made his acquaintance, locking and unlocking her box with as
+much pleasure as if it had been full of jewels.
+
+Mrs. Morrison laughed happily; she knew what her daughter meant but
+could not express the charm of sympathetic companionship. "Oh, Frances!"
+she exclaimed quite gravely the next moment, "it has been good for us
+to do without him for a while. We are so happy together I am afraid it
+makes us selfish."
+
+Mark left for school the first of the next week. His parting words to
+Mrs. Morrison were: "You have been awfully good to me, and I'll not
+forget some of the things you have said. The house has been a different
+place with you and the Princess here, and I hope I shall find you when I
+come back."
+
+"I don't know about that," was the reply. "Just at present we are
+wanderers, but we must look out for a home before long; and wherever it
+is we'll be glad to see you."
+
+After this, things quieted down into the old routine, only now Frances
+began to count the weeks that must pass before her father's return. By
+the first of April, if not sooner, he had promised.
+
+She came down from her drawing lesson in great glee one morning. "Miss
+Sherwin's story has been taken, mother, and they are going to print it
+in March; aren't you glad? And they like the illustrations, too, and say
+they will be glad to hear from her again; I saw the letter."
+
+"It shows their good taste; I must go up and congratulate her," said
+Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"She did not seem to care much about it, mother. I don't think she is
+quite happy," Frances remarked with an air of great penetration.
+
+Mrs. Morrison had become very fond of Lillian. Over their Christmas work
+they had found each other out, and a real friendship had begun. Beneath
+the girl's somewhat cold and reserved manner there was a genuine
+sweetness and charm which had at once responded to the unaffected
+friendliness of the older woman.
+
+Miss Moore professed to be extremely jealous, saying that already
+Lillian cared more for Mrs. Morrison than she did for her; and on the
+other hand, although she herself had been sociable to the last degree
+with her neighbors, they openly preferred her taciturn companion. "It is
+well that virtue is its own reward, for it certainly does not get any
+other, in my experience," she remarked whimsically.
+
+"Don't be such a goose, Mary; you know everybody likes you," replied
+Miss Sherwin.
+
+"Oh, yes, they like me, and say I am good-natured, because there is
+nothing else to be said. It is my fate to be commonplace, and I must
+make up my mind to it," and Miss Moore hurried away to her afternoon
+class with her usual cheery face. Her moody friend was a puzzle to her,
+and she by no means begrudged her any companionship that would make her
+happier.
+
+Miss Sherwin sat at her desk. Before her lay the envelope containing
+the check in payment for "The Story of the Missing Bridge," but she did
+not look like one whose efforts had been crowned with success. After a
+few ineffectual attempts to go to work, her head went down among the
+papers, and it was thus Mrs. Morrison found her.
+
+"I knocked and thought I heard you answer," she said, "but even if I did
+not, I can't go away now without trying to comfort you."
+
+The pressure of the arm around her, the touch of the soft hand, was too
+grateful to be resisted; Lillian leaned her head against her friend as
+she sobbed, "It is only that I am such a goose!"
+
+"I know all about that, dear, we so frequently are," Mrs. Morrison
+replied, smiling a little all to herself. "But," she added, "you ought
+to be happy to-day. I came up to congratulate you on your story."
+
+"I have had three taken this week, and instead of being happy I hate it
+all!" Lillian's head went down on the papers again.
+
+By dint of much patient encouragement and real sympathetic interest the
+story came out by degrees; all the hidden sorrow of months found an
+outlet in the broken little confession. Not very clearly told, it was
+yet plain enough in a general way.
+
+A boy and girl friendship had grown into something stronger. Only a year
+ago they had made happy plans for the future they meant to spend
+together. Then came the misunderstanding--a trifling thing in the
+beginning, but which grew until she was convinced she had made a
+mistake, that she had never really cared. She felt she needed freedom to
+go her own way and do her own work. She would be independent and try
+life for herself.
+
+He had laughed at first, and this hurt her pride. She would show him
+she was not a weak dependent creature, and with some bitter words they
+had parted.
+
+"I thought I did not care--that I could be happy in my work. I meant to
+be famous and I did not mind being lonely," said Lillian; "but now that
+I am having a little success it means nothing because--" she hesitated,
+and Mrs. Morrison said softly--
+
+"Success doesn't mean much unless there is some one to share it and be
+glad with us.
+
+"Yes, that is it. Perhaps if I were a genius it would be different, but
+I have only a poor little talent, after all. And I see how I was most to
+blame. I was hateful and proud--and now there is no help for it. I don't
+know why I should tell it, except that you are so kind, for it cannot be
+undone, and I must learn to bear it."
+
+"It is so much better for you to speak of it, dear. And do you know
+what I am thinking? That it is not easy to destroy the bridge between
+two hearts that really love; isn't that it? All you can do is to wait
+and be patient, going on with your work and making yourself worthy of
+the best that can happen to you."
+
+"But when one makes a mistake one has to bear the consequences," said
+Lillian, sadly.
+
+"The pain and self-accusation--yes, but how often we are given the
+opportunity of undoing our mistakes. It is a hard, hard lesson you have
+to learn, but isn't there a star of hope somewhere that you can fix your
+eyes upon. Forgive me for pressing your own moral upon you, but it has
+helped me and I want you to take comfort."
+
+As Mrs. Morrison went slowly down stairs again, she said to herself,
+"Poor little girl! I wish I could help her; but if her lover is what he
+ought to be, he will come back, I am sure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.
+
+HARD TIMES.
+
+
+Bad weather was predicted by the almanac for the first week in February,
+and bad weather prevailed both indoors and out.
+
+Frances had an attack of grip which came near being pneumonia, and
+caused her mother some anxious days. Miss Sherwin, going in one evening
+to ask Zenobia about the patient, found Mrs. Morrison herself in the
+kitchen, crying as if her heart would break, her face buried in one of
+her little daughter's white aprons that lay on the ironing-board.
+
+"Is she worse?" Lillian exclaimed, much alarmed, for surely it must be
+something serious to unnerve this bright, hopeful person.
+
+"I don't know--the doctor didn't say so--but she is ill, and one can
+never tell. Oh, my darling baby!--if she should get worse, and Jack
+away--why did I let him go!" she began a trembling search for her
+handkerchief. "I left her with Zenobia-- I couldn't stand it any longer,
+but I must go back now," she said, wiping her eyes. "I know I am
+foolish, but I can't help it."
+
+"You are not foolish at all, but tired and anxious, poor child," said
+Lillian, with her arms around her. "Now listen to me; Frances is going
+to pull through, I am certain of it. The doctor would have said so, if
+he thought her very ill; but I am going to stay with you. I am a good
+nurse,-- I took care of my little cousin only a year ago, in just such
+an attack, and you may lie on the sofa and watch me."
+
+"Oh, thank you, but--"
+
+"Please don't say a word, dear, for I know I can help. I am going to
+take Zenobia's place now, and you may come when you have bathed your
+face."
+
+There was strength in Lillian's quiet, confident tone; Mrs. Morrison
+smiled through her tears: "You will think me a great fraud, after all my
+good advice to you. Like the physician who gave up his profession to
+enter the ministry, I find it easier to preach than to practise."
+
+"I am glad you are human," Lillian answered, and dropping a kiss on her
+forehead, she went to relieve Zenobia.
+
+She was quite right in thinking she could help, and during the few days
+while Frances lingered on the brink of a serious illness she was a tower
+of comfort and strength. The experience drew them closer together; and
+when the worst was over, and the patient convalescing, Mrs. Morrison
+said she believed it was worth all the anxiety to have found out this
+side of Lillian.
+
+"I do want you and Jack to know each other," she said, and this meant
+that her new friend had been taken into the inner circle.
+
+About this time the Spectacle Man sat at his desk in the room below with
+an anxious look on his usually cheery face. The storm cloud had settled
+upon him, too, and his trouble was a question of money.
+
+The directors of a certain institution in which he owned a good deal of
+stock had thought it wise to pass their semi-yearly dividend, and with
+hard times affecting everything more or less, he could not see how Mark
+was to be kept at school. Sitting there, he tortured himself with the
+thought of what he might have done if he had only foreseen. He called
+himself an old fogy, and wished he might be twenty years younger.
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
+
+The song rose to his lips unconsciously, and he hummed it in a dreary
+fashion that caused Peterkin to open his eyes. At least he did open
+them, and there was something in the serenity of those yellow orbs that
+recalled the Spectacle Man to himself.
+
+"You are right, Peterkin, I am foolish, and I thank you for telling me
+so," he said, stooping to caress the smooth head. "There is always a
+way, and you'll find it if you'll keep your eyes open, and don't let the
+clouds of despair and distrust gather and hide it," he continued to
+himself, and he began to sing again, this time in a cheery tone.
+
+That same evening he went to see Mrs. Gray. It was a business call, for
+the old lady needed some stronger glasses, and could not get out in bad
+weather to attend to it herself; but after he had tried her eyes, they
+fell to talking about other matters.
+
+Mrs. Gray was lonely and unhappy. Her only son was going to be married,
+and she knew she was a burden to him, and she wished she was dead. She
+had not meant to tell it, but the benevolent face of the Spectacle Man
+invited confidence.
+
+He confessed to being blue himself, and then he told her briefly the
+story of the bridge.
+
+"You may say it is all made up, but some way I know it is true," he
+added earnestly. "There is always a way, if only we are patient and
+don't give up. You haven't begun to be a burden yet, and I haven't had
+to bring Mark home. We can't _see_ the way, but if we go on a step at a
+time, we'll find it."
+
+Emma was also having a taste of bad weather. In the first place, the
+General had an illness much like Frances', and this meant that he must
+be kept in bed and amused from morning till night. Then Emma's teacher
+decided to have her pupils give an entertainment on Washington's
+Birthday, and Emma was selected among others to take part. It was an
+event of great importance to the school children, and at recess nothing
+else was talked about.
+
+As Emma expressed it, she had never been _in_ anything before in her
+life, and no prima donna was ever more excited over her début than she
+at the thought of this little recitation; but her pleasure met with a
+sudden check upon the discovery that a white dress would be necessary.
+She hadn't a white dress, and she knew it was hopeless to think of
+getting one in time, still she couldn't help mentioning it to her
+mother.
+
+"A white dress! Will you tell me how on earth you could get one? Even if
+I had the money to buy it, where would I find time to make it? It is all
+nonsense anyway." Mrs. Bond was tired out and spoke with more emphasis
+than she would otherwise have used.
+
+Her daughter turned away quite crushed by the pitiless logic. She should
+have to tell Miss Ellen and the girls that she couldn't be in it
+because she hadn't any dress. She couldn't help shedding some bitter
+tears, and that was how the Spectacle Man found out about it.
+
+Her mother sent her into the shop to get some change, and his supply
+being low Mr. Clark despatched Dick to get some; then noticing the red
+eyes, he asked what the trouble was, and something in his kind,
+sympathetic face drew forth the story.
+
+As he listened an idea came to the Spectacle Man. "Now, Emma," he said,
+"don't worry any more about this till--well, till Monday morning. This
+is Friday, so you won't have to do anything about it till then, and in
+the meantime something may happen. Indeed, I'm almost sure something
+will."
+
+All this may not have been very logical, but Emma carried away her
+change with a much lighter heart.
+
+That evening when Mrs. Morrison went in to pay her rent, she stopped to
+chat with the optician. Frances was eating oyster soup upstairs with
+Miss Sherwin and Zenobia in attendance, and her mother was feeling very
+happy.
+
+"Mrs. Morrison," Mr. Clark began in a somewhat embarrassed manner as she
+was about to leave, "you know more of the value of such things than I
+do; do you think any of these old belongings of mine are worth anything?
+In money, I mean." By a wave of his hand he seemed to indicate all that
+was in the room.
+
+"I should think so. The portrait, of course, is, and that cabinet looks
+very handsome to me. Are you thinking of selling?" she asked.
+
+"I may have to, the times are so hard, and Mark must be kept at school.
+Some of my investments aren't paying anything now." He paused a moment,
+then added, "You wouldn't believe what a foolish old fellow I am, but
+I'd rather set my heart on giving that portrait to some collection. I
+have liked to think how it would look on the catalogue,--'Presented by
+George W. Clark'--all nonsense, of course. Some ladies were here to-day
+to ask if I would exhibit it. The Colonial Dames are to have a Loan
+Exhibit."
+
+"I hope you will not have to sell it, but if you should, that will be an
+excellent way of advertising it. Oughtn't you to let Mark know the state
+of affairs? Don't spoil him; he is such a fine fellow," answered Mrs.
+Morrison.
+
+"There's time enough for that," said Mr. Clark, and then added, "I want
+to speak to you about something else," and he told the story of Emma's
+trouble. "I thought perhaps you could--"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I'm sure I can. Thank you for telling me," she held out
+her hand. "How kind you are, Mr. Clark! Good night."
+
+This makes it quite plain how Mrs. Morrison happened to walk into Mrs.
+Bond's domain the next day with a white dress over her arm.
+
+"I want you to look at this, Mrs. Bond," she said. "It is a dress I
+had made for Frances last spring, and by a mistake it was cut so
+short it had to be faced. Now she has outgrown it, and nothing can
+be done. Do you think Emma could wear it? Frances is a good deal
+taller. I have thought of offering it to you before, and now it has
+occurred to me that Emma may not have a dress ready to wear to the
+school entertainment,--Gladys was telling us about it yesterday,--and
+if you will accept it, it will be doing me a great favor. I dislike so
+to have it wasted."
+
+"It is a very pretty dress; it is too bad Frances can't wear it," Mrs.
+Bond remarked, examining it critically.
+
+"Then you will let me give it to Emma?"
+
+Emma's mother was not hard hearted; she liked to see her children happy,
+but she had a stern feeling that hardship was likely to be their lot in
+this world, and the sooner they became used to it the better. However,
+when her pride was convinced that Mrs. Morrison could not use the dress,
+she accepted it gratefully.
+
+Emma's joy was beyond words, and she very much wondered how the
+Spectacle Man could have known that something was going to happen.
+
+When the eventful day came, Mrs. Morrison rolled her hair for her and
+tied her long braids with butterfly bows of red, white, and blue, and
+when she was dressed, Frances said, "Why, Emma, I believe you are as
+pretty as Gladys!"
+
+Certainly no little girl waved her flag with more enthusiasm, or
+rejoiced more truly in the celebration of Washington's Birthday.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
+
+AT THE LOAN EXHIBIT.
+
+
+Before the end of February there began to be hints of spring in the air;
+now and then there came a day so mild and fair it seemed to belong to
+April, and as the winter passed it carried with it some at least of the
+cares that had for a while rested upon the inmates of the optician's
+house.
+
+Frances and her mother rejoiced because every day brought nearer their
+traveller's return; Miss Moore, busy with the Easter work in her
+kindergarten, was finding a new meaning in the season; and even Lillian
+Sherwin felt now and then a thrill of joy that was like a prophecy of
+days to come, to her sore heart.
+
+Mr. Clark was cheerful because he loved sunshine; and though he could
+not as yet see the way through his difficulties, he felt sure it was
+there, and that in good time he should find it.
+
+The pleasure of Washington's Birthday lingered with Emma; the General,
+restored to health and amiability, was no longer such a care, and she
+found time once more to spend in that haven of delight upstairs with
+Frances.
+
+George Washington was sent to the Loan Exhibit, together with the
+cabinet, some silver candlesticks, and the Wedgwood cream jug and sugar
+dish. With the blank space over the mantel the study looked deserted;
+and the owl, deprived of his resting-place on the cabinet, perched
+forlornly on a corner of the bookcase.
+
+Frances took great interest in the Exhibit, and insisted upon going,
+chiefly it seemed for the purpose of seeing how Washington looked in
+his new surroundings. As Mrs. Morrison was housed with a cold, Miss
+Sherwin offered to take her.
+
+They found a beautiful display of valuable and interesting things
+arranged in a large, handsomely decorated hall; but not until Frances
+had viewed the portrait and made a diligent search for Mr. Clark's other
+possessions would she give any attention to less familiar things.
+
+She and Lillian were bending with delight over a case of miniatures when
+she heard her name spoken, and turning, saw Mrs. Marvin.
+
+"Do you like the miniatures?" the lady asked. "Then come over to the
+other side; there is one there I want you to see."
+
+[Illustration: "She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds"]
+
+She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds, of a lovely young woman.
+
+"How pretty! Is it you?" Frances asked, seeing a resemblance to the
+handsome face beside her.
+
+Mrs. Marvin smiled. "No, it is my mother,--the little girl you are so
+fond of, after she was grown. They wanted the portrait too," she added,
+"but I have decided not to trust it out of my hands again."
+
+She pointed out several other miniatures in which she thought Frances
+would be interested, all the while keeping the child's hand clasped in
+her own. Miss Sherwin, seeing her charge had found an acquaintance,
+moved on down the aisle.
+
+"Your friend seems to be interested in the manuscripts; suppose we rest
+a few minutes," and Mrs. Marvin drew Frances down beside her on a settee
+that stood near a tall case of lace and embroidery.
+
+"Who is the young lady with you?" she asked.
+
+Frances' explained, and Mrs. Marvin remarked that she was a handsome
+girl.
+
+"And she is clever, too, for she writes lovely stories and illustrates
+them," said Frances, impressively.
+
+"Does she, indeed?"
+
+"Yes, she wrote one for us about a song the Spectacle Man--I mean Mr.
+Clark--sings. It is a fairy tale, and _The Young People's Journal_ took
+it and are going to publish it next month. It has a beautiful moral to
+it."
+
+"What do you know about morals?" laughed Mrs. Marvin.
+
+"I found this one out when I had a quarrel with Gladys. Mr. Clark helped
+me to see it," was the reply; and then, as her companion looked
+interested, Frances continued:
+
+"It is hard to explain it because you haven't read the story. It is
+called 'The Missing Bridge,' and is about a young man who couldn't get
+across the river that was between him and the girl he was going to
+marry, because there wasn't any bridge. That is he _thought_ there
+wasn't, though it really was there all the time, and had just been made
+invisible by a magician.
+
+"Well, you know Gladys said she never would speak to me again, and that
+was like having the bridge broken between us; don't you think so? But
+Mr. Clark said he thought it was only hidden by the clouds of anger and
+unkindness. I think it is very uncomfortable to quarrel, don't you?"
+then, seeing an odd expression in her companion's face, Frances hastened
+to add: "Of course I know you wouldn't quarrel with any one _now_, but I
+thought maybe you had when you were a little girl. But don't you think
+it is a nice moral? and--oh, yes--the last of it is that love and
+courage can always find a way."
+
+"And how about you and Gladys?"
+
+"We made up. If you would like to read the story, Mrs. Marvin, it will
+be out next week. The March number of _The Young People's Journal_, and
+it's only twenty-five cents."
+
+Mrs. Marvin smiled. "I shall certainly get a copy," she said, adding, "I
+see your friend looking this way. Suppose we go to her; I should like to
+meet her."
+
+Why she said this she couldn't have told, and she half repented it the
+next minute; but when Frances introduced Miss Sherwin she was all
+graciousness.
+
+"Frances and I have an odd way of meeting every now and then, and have
+become great friends. I have been showing her a miniature of my mother,
+and she has been telling me about your story."
+
+"Why, Frances!" said Miss Sherwin, a pretty color coming into her face.
+
+This girl was extremely attractive, Mrs. Marvin decided, and found a
+good deal to say to her over the collection of ancient missals. After a
+while Frances wandered off to look at the portraits.
+
+Mrs. Marvin's eyes followed her as, with her hands clasped behind her,
+she stood gazing at an old pioneer.
+
+"She is a very charming child," she remarked.
+
+"She is, and she ought to be, for her mother is one of the sweetest
+women in the world," Miss Sherwin responded, in eager praise of her
+friend, but the next moment she had the feeling of having somehow said
+the wrong thing. Was it some change of expression in the handsome face,
+or simply the silence that followed her little outburst, which caused
+her discomfort? She could not tell. She had been wonderfully charmed by
+this stately person, but now the spell was broken; with one impulse they
+moved toward Frances.
+
+"I don't believe I like her, after all," Lillian thought; and yet there
+was a marvellous sweetness in the smile that greeted the child, and
+brought her with instant response to Mrs. Marvin's side.
+
+As they were making their way to the door after taking leave of Mrs.
+Marvin, Miss Sherwin saw a lady step out from a group of people, and
+exclaim: "Why, Mrs. Richards! how do you do? It was only the other day I
+heard of your unexpected return." And the person to whom this greeting
+was addressed was no other than Mrs. Marvin herself. It puzzled her, but
+she said nothing about it to Mrs. Morrison when they related their
+morning's adventures.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
+
+THE MARCH NUMBER OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S JOURNAL.
+
+
+Mrs. Marvin was in a sadly restless state of mind. She wished again and
+again that chance had not brought this child in her way. Having seen
+her, she could not forget her, and each meeting cost her fresh pain.
+
+And what was to be the outcome of it? Nothing? Frances had said they
+would soon be going away. Perhaps then she might be able to settle down
+again into the old life of resolutely putting aside the past.
+
+She was not so strong as she used to be, yet she must endure it as she
+had done for so many years. There was nothing she could do. Her pride
+told her this with added emphasis each time the half-formed question
+rose in her mind.
+
+She actually fretted herself into a fever which the doctor pronounced
+malarial, advising change of air,--a prescription Mrs. Marvin had no
+thought of trying at present.
+
+After several days in bed, she was lying on her couch weak and languid
+one morning, when she suddenly remembered the March number of _The Young
+People's Journal_. She would send for it and read the story.
+
+When it was brought there came with it the swift recollection that Jack
+used to take it. She could see him now poring over the puzzle column,
+looking up with such a triumphant light in his brown eyes when he
+discovered an answer.
+
+She held the paper for a long time without opening it, lying quite still
+with a desolate look on her face that was more than Caroline, her
+faithful nurse, could stand.
+
+"I declare, if Miss Frances doesn't cheer up, I don't know what I shall
+do," she said to the seamstress.
+
+After a while Mrs. Marvin began to turn the pages, till she found the
+story of "The Missing Bridge," with the gay little tune for a heading.
+
+It is doubtful if under ordinary circumstances she would have had
+patience to read the simple story through, but to-day she found
+something soothing in its very simplicity.
+
+"No power can destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts." She
+lay thinking of what Frances had said about her quarrel with Gladys. Ah!
+many another bridge had been made invisible by clouds of anger and
+pride. The paper slipped from her grasp. "I _did_ love him so dearly,"
+she cried, clasping her hands; "and I thought he cared for me, but now
+he has probably forgotten."
+
+"Faith and courage can find the way--" so said the story.
+
+"But I have neither," sighed Mrs. Marvin.
+
+Her unquiet mind seized upon the words of the little song, and all
+through the day she said them over and over:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
+
+The clock ticked:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it, mend it,   mend it, mend
+    it."
+
+Even the horses' hoofs on the asphalt street rang out the same refrain.
+
+Mrs. Marvin rose from her couch in some respects a changed woman. It
+seemed to her she had lived years in that illness of two weeks. In her
+soul a battle had been waged, and the struggle had left her passive and
+unresisting; she was waiting. The outward result was a strange, new
+gentleness of manner.
+
+At the time of the Loan Exhibit she had been commissioned by a friend
+to purchase a wedding gift, which was to be, if possible, something
+antique. The silver candlesticks belonging to Mr. Clark rather pleased
+her; and thinking he might have other interesting things, she had
+written his address in her note-book, intending to go and see for
+herself, but her illness had interfered. When she was once more able to
+be out this was her first thought.
+
+In the meantime the March _Journal_ was being read by a good many
+persons who ordinarily never looked at it. The household at the
+Spectacle Man's naturally took a deep interest in it; and Miss Sherwin
+said she felt she ought to divide the profits, for if it had not been
+for the song and Mrs. Morrison's suggestion, the story would never have
+been written.
+
+Frances laid emphatic commands upon her father to buy a copy the minute
+he landed in San Francisco; and Mr. Clark was also charged to remind
+Mark of the story, when he wrote.
+
+In the hurry of sending telegrams, attending to his baggage, and making
+arrangements for an early start eastward, Mr. Morrison forgot this
+important matter, and it did not occur to him till, halfway on his
+homeward journey, he one morning saw the paper among others the train
+boy was carrying through the cars. He promptly purchased it, for it
+would never do to meet his little daughter without having read the story
+which was, she said, almost as good as one of his own.
+
+Soon after leaving San Francisco, Mr. Morrison had made the acquaintance
+of a young civil engineer who was on his way to his home in Tennessee
+for a visit. He had frank, gentlemanly manners, and the cheerful,
+self-reliant air of a trained worker who loves his work, and the
+travellers were at once attracted to each other. As so often happens,
+they discovered mutual friends, and also that they had the same
+affection for Southern life and ways. Alexander Carter, as he gave his
+name, had recently accepted a position with a Western mining company,--a
+place of trust and responsibility of which he was justly proud in a
+modest way.
+
+"You seem to have found something amusing," he remarked, seeing Mr.
+Morrison smiling over the magazine.
+
+"Well, no, it happens to be a rather serious story, but something
+reminded me of my little daughter," was the reply. "By the way, Carter,"
+he added, "it is odd, but the hero of this tale bears a remarkable
+resemblance to you--I mean in the illustration. See here!" Mr. Morrison
+held before him the picture of the young farmer as he knelt to release
+the white rabbit. "This is your profile exactly. Don't you see it
+yourself?"
+
+Mr. Carter laughed. "I believe there is a faint likeness, which only
+goes to show that I have a very ordinary countenance."
+
+"That is just what you have not, which is the curious part of it," said
+Mr. Morrison.
+
+"Who wrote the story?" his companion asked.
+
+"It is unsigned, and I have forgotten the name. She is a young lady of
+whom my wife and daughter are very fond."
+
+At St. Louis the travellers separated with cordial good-byes, feeling
+like old friends, and Mr. Morrison rushed off to catch the train that
+would take him to his destination some hours earlier than he had
+expected to arrive.
+
+Mr. Carter, gathering up his things in a more leisurely way, noticed
+_The Young People's Journal_ lying on the seat, and put it in his bag.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
+
+SURPRISES.
+
+
+"Expect me Wednesday evening; will wire from St. Louis," so read the
+telegram from San Francisco; and on Wednesday morning Frances had just
+exclaimed over her oatmeal, "O dear, what a long day this will be!" when
+the door opened and there stood a familiar figure, looking, oh, so
+bright and well!
+
+After some moments of rapturous hugs and incoherent remarks, the
+traveller was allowed to have some breakfast, while Mrs. Morrison and
+Frances looked on, too happy to eat.
+
+"I had to surprise you, for a despatch sent after I left St. Louis would
+have aroused you in the night, or else not have reached you till about
+this time," Mr. Morrison explained as he helped himself to a muffin.
+
+"Jack, how brown you are, and how well you look! It is a delight to see
+you," said his wife.
+
+"I never was better in my life; but I can't tell you how I have wished
+for you and Frances."
+
+"Next time you'll take me, won't you, father?" Frances asked.
+
+"Yes, indeed. Wink, I believe you have grown a foot! You'll soon be a
+young lady, and I don't like it; people will begin to think your mother
+and I are elderly, when we are really in the heyday of youth."
+
+In this irrelevant fashion conversation went on through the day. There
+were all the winter experiences to be related, and Frances could not
+rest till each person in the house had been brought in to see her
+father. First of all Mr. Clark ran up to say how glad he was to see the
+traveller back again; and on her way to school Miss Moore looked in with
+a merry greeting; then Emma and the General were waylaid in the hall
+and introduced, the former in a dreadful fit of shyness; and last, Miss
+Sherwin was pounced upon and dragged reluctantly into the sitting room.
+
+To her Mr. Morrison's return meant the breaking up of the pleasant
+companionship of the winter, and she was not in the least glad to see
+him. Mrs. Morrison's exclamation as she entered was somewhat
+disconcerting.
+
+"Jack, I want you to know Lillian, she has been so good to me!"
+
+"Good! I?" Miss Sherwin cried in a tone that made them all laugh, and
+then her hand was given a cordial grasp by a tall man with a boyish
+face, who said, "We shall have to take each other on sufferance, Miss
+Sherwin, till we can find out for ourselves how much truth there is in
+what our friends say of us."
+
+"I am very glad we came here; it has really been a delightful
+winter,--all but those two dreadful days when Frances was so ill,--but I
+don't think I can ever let you go again," Mrs. Morrison said. It was
+after lunch, and Frances had gone to get ready for a walk with her
+father.
+
+"Then, will you go to New York with me next week?" asked her husband.
+
+"I may have to stand that. It will depend on how soon we must leave here
+permanently. Jack, there is one rather strange thing I must tell you--"
+but just here Frances danced in, and her mother did not finish her
+sentence.
+
+When they returned from their walk late in the afternoon they stopped in
+the shop for a moment to speak to Mr. Clark. Peterkin was the only
+person to be seen, but the door into the study stood open, and,
+supposing the Spectacle Man was there, Frances and her father entered.
+Some one was standing before the mantel looking up at the portrait of
+Washington, and Frances gave an exclamation of surprise, for it was not
+the optician, but, of all persons, Mrs. Marvin!
+
+It was not very light, and for a second she thought she must be
+mistaken, then something very strange happened. Mrs. Marvin turned, and
+with a little cry stepped forward, holding out her hands appealingly.
+"Jack, O Jack!" she said.
+
+The astonished child saw the light in her father's eyes as he exclaimed,
+"Auntie!" and then his arms were around her, her cheek pressed to his.
+
+"Jack, I have wanted you so;" the words came with a sob.
+
+"Dear auntie, I am so glad!"
+
+Mrs. Marvin was not one to lose her self-control for long; she presently
+lifted her head, with one hand on his shoulder she looked at him. "You
+have not changed," she said, "but I have grown old."
+
+In truth, she was very white now the first flush of excitement was
+fading, and with gentle hands Jack put her into the shabby leather
+chair, and drew another to her side.
+
+"I wonder if I shall wake and find it a dream," she said, smiling up at
+him.
+
+"It is better than any dream," he answered, bending over her.
+
+"I have been so lonely,--it has been so long. I thought perhaps you had
+forgotten, and-- I am sorry-- Jack." It was the proud woman's surrender,
+and John Morrison was touched to the heart. Tears rose to his eyes.
+
+"It was more my fault than yours, dear,--the years have taught me that,
+and I have often wished I could tell you so," he said.
+
+Frances had stood an amazed spectator of this scene. What did it mean?
+Ought she to stay? It was plain she was forgotten. After a little she
+touched her father's arm, saying softly, "Daddy, I'm here, you know."
+
+The plaintive tone recalled both her companions; her father drew her to
+his side, but before he could speak Mrs. Marvin took her hand.
+
+"Frances darling, you will love me, won't you? You are my own little
+niece. The day when I first saw you in my library you reminded me of my
+dear Jack."
+
+It was Mr. Morrison's turn to be surprised as his daughter impulsively
+threw her arms round the lady's neck, exclaiming, "I do love you, but I
+didn't know you knew father."
+
+"And I didn't know you knew each other," he said.
+
+"And I don't understand how you happened to come here," added his aunt.
+
+"Why, we live here, Mrs. Marvin," Frances replied.
+
+"Mrs. Marvin!" echoed Mr. Morrison.
+
+"That is a mistake which I encouraged because I wanted to see more of
+her," his aunt said; adding, "Is this really the house of the Spectacle
+Man?"
+
+There was so much to be explained it seemed almost hopeless; Mr. Clark
+came in and went out again unobserved. It was not an opportune time for
+selling candlesticks, evidently.
+
+"We will not try to unravel the tangle all at once," Mr. Morrison said,
+rising. "Auntie, will you come upstairs? I want you to meet Katherine."
+
+This was hardest of all. It brought back one of her old disappointments;
+and without doubt Katherine Morrison was aware how Jack's aunt felt
+about his marriage, but she did not hesitate. It was not her custom to
+do things by halves.
+
+Mrs. Morrison, sitting in the twilight lost in happy thoughts, was
+aroused by Frances' excited voice: "Mother, what do you think has
+happened?"
+
+Surprised at sight of the stranger, she rose; her husband met her and
+drew her forward: "Auntie, this is my wife, to whom I owe my greatest
+happiness."
+
+His aunt understood. This fair, girlish looking little person filled the
+first place in his heart; whatever else was changed, this was not.
+
+"You must try to love me for Jack's sake," she said, taking Katherine's
+hand with that new gentleness her nephew found so touching.
+
+It won his wife. "I shall not have to try," she answered.
+
+"Are you willing to forget and begin again?--that is what we are going
+to do, is it not, Jack?" his aunt looked from his wife to him. "It will
+make a great difference in my life," she continued; "I have been very
+lonely, and I want this little girl;" she put her arm around Frances.
+
+"Then she will certainly have to take us, too; won't she, Katherine?"
+and Mr. Morrison laughed happily.
+
+Frances still seemed puzzled. "If this is my Aunt Frances--" she said
+slowly, "who is the little girl? Is she the Girl in the Golden Doorway,
+truly?--the portrait, I mean.
+
+"I think she must be, and she is also your great-grandmother," her aunt
+replied.
+
+"Then who is a Certain Person. You said he was abroad, father." Frances
+evidently thought it time all mysteries were solved.
+
+"Why, yes, auntie, how does it happen you are not abroad? I heard last
+summer on the best authority that you would spend the winter in Egypt,"
+said her nephew.
+
+"I fully expected to be gone eighteen months when I left, but the death
+of the mother of my friend, Mrs. Roberts, changed our plans. I did not
+wish to go alone."
+
+Frances was listening intently. "Father! you don't mean Aunt Frances is
+a Certain Person?" she cried. "I thought it was a man."
+
+"It is a character we are going to forget. I am your father's aunt and
+yours, dear, and I am not Mrs. Marvin, but Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Marvin is
+my cousin. You understand it all now, don't you?"
+
+Frances was not quite certain of this, but there was no doubt about her
+pleasure in her new relative; and when her father went home with his
+aunt she was rather impatient at not being allowed to go too.
+
+"Come sit beside me, Wink, and have a little talk," Mrs. Morrison
+suggested when they were alone.
+
+Frances came and nestled down beside her mother; the day had been so
+full of excitement she found it hard work to keep still.
+
+"You know, dear, that Aunt Frances and father have not seen each other
+for years,--not since before you were born,--and of course they have a
+great deal to say to each other. There was some trouble--a
+misunderstanding--but now it is over--"
+
+"They have found the bridge like Gladys and me," Frances put in.
+
+"Yes; but what I was going to say is this: we mustn't be selfish. We
+must let Aunt Frances have father to herself sometimes. Don't you think
+so?"
+
+As they sat quietly there in the twilight Mrs. Morrison saw opening
+before her a path she would not have chosen. She was a person of simple
+tastes and wide sympathies, and the world of wealth and convention to
+which her husband would return so naturally had few attractions for her.
+She would have need of love and courage, she told herself.
+
+"What do you think, Kate; auntie wants me to take you to New York with
+me and leave Frances with her!" said Mr. Morrison, coming in.
+
+"She has never been away from me in her life. What do you say, Wink?"
+and her mother lifted the face that rested against her shoulder and
+kissed it.
+
+"I don't know; I believe I'd like it, for then I could see the little
+girl every day," was the reply.
+
+"I think her great-grandmother has cut out all the rest of her
+relations," her father remarked, laughing.
+
+"I don't see how she _could_ be my great-grandmother," Frances said
+meditatively.
+
+Mrs. Richards remembered the candlesticks next day, and they gave her an
+excuse for an early visit to Mr. Clark. She felt in love and charity
+with all men, and, finding the optician at leisure, she entered into
+conversation with him in her most gracious manner. His old-fashioned
+courtliness pleased her, and she recalled him as one of the proprietors
+of the large jewellery store of Mason and Clark, years ago.
+
+Mr. Clark remembered her father, Judge Morrison, and all together she
+spent an exceedingly pleasant hour looking over his valuables and
+talking of old times. She purchased the candlesticks, and also the two
+pieces of Wedgwood which exactly matched some her grandfather had
+brought from England.
+
+"You have shown me all you care to sell?" she asked, rising.
+
+"I believe there is nothing else, madam, except the house. I should like
+very much to sell it," was Mr. Clark's reply.
+
+When Zenobia ushered her into the sitting room upstairs some minutes
+later, Mrs. Richards was struck with its cosey beauty. Truly, there were
+ways of living--pleasant ways--of which she had not dreamed.
+
+Frances was washing the sword fern while she recited her history lesson
+to her mother, who was sewing.
+
+"I have come to take you home with me to lunch; I can't do without
+you," Mrs. Richards announced.
+
+"Why don't you stay with us--auntie?" Frances spoke the new title
+hesitatingly.
+
+"That will be much the better plan, and it will please Jack," added Mrs.
+Morrison, cordially, and Mrs. Richards stayed.
+
+The next time she and her nephew were alone together she said to him:
+"Jack, there is something I want you to explain to Katherine. I do not
+think I could make any difference in my manner of living at my age, even
+if I wished to, and I do not; but I am beginning to see that there may
+be a charm about--other ways."
+
+"Yes, auntie," as she paused, "the years I have spent knocking about
+without any money, having to work hard for Kate and the baby, have been
+the happiest and best of my life. There was only one drawback to it
+all--" he laid his hand on hers.
+
+She smiled fondly at him. "I want you to say to Katherine that I know I
+must seem narrow to her; I realize that she may perhaps fear my
+influence upon Frances--" her nephew began a protest, but she silenced
+him. "No, let me finish. I have come to see things differently; I want
+you to live your own lives in your own way; I want Frances to go on as
+she has begun--sweet, generous, unconscious, and I only ask to be near
+you."
+
+When Mr. Morrison repeated this to his wife, tears rose to her eyes. "I
+haven't been fair to her," she said. "I have been afraid, but I shall
+not be any more. I shall love her dearly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
+
+CAROLINE'S STORY.
+
+
+"Well, I suppose you have heard the news?"
+
+Caroline's pleasant face was more beaming than usual as Emma ushered her
+into the room where Mrs. Bond sat with her sewing, the General being
+safe in dreamland.
+
+"No, I haven't heard any so far as I remember," was her reply.
+
+Emma gave the visitor a chair, and retreated with her books to a corner
+behind her mother, in the hope that she might not be sent away. She knew
+something had happened.
+
+"Then you don't know that Mr. Morrison has turned out to be our Mr.
+Jack, Miss Frances' nephew?"
+
+"Who is her nephew, did you say?" asked Mrs. Bond, going on with her
+work.
+
+"Mr. Morrison, to be sure, the father of little Frances, bless her!"
+
+"He is Mrs. Marvin's nephew?"
+
+"Yes," said Caroline, laughing; "only she isn't Mrs. Marvin at all, but
+Mrs. Richards. It is as good as a play."
+
+Mrs. Bond actually dropped her hands in her lap, as she asked, "Do you
+mean there isn't any such person as Mrs. Marvin?"
+
+"Of course there is a Mrs. Marvin. She was staying at our house while
+Miss Frances was abroad,--she is her cousin,--and the first sewing you
+did was for her. I did not think of explaining, so you went on supposing
+it was all for Mrs. Marvin. Then when Miss Frances found out that
+Frances thought she was Mrs. Marvin, she asked me not to tell you any
+different. I couldn't understand why, then."
+
+"Why should she care who I thought she was?" Mrs. Bond asked, taking up
+her sewing.
+
+"It is plain enough now. You see, she and Mr. Jack had had a quarrel
+years ago, and she had not seen or heard of him since; then one day, you
+know, Frances came to our house with Emma, and Mrs. Richards saw her and
+knew right away who she was, and was mightily taken with her, but she
+didn't want Frances or her mother to know that she was Mr. Morrison's
+aunt; don't you see?
+
+"You may say it happened," Caroline continued, "but I say the Lord
+brought it about. Why should that child walk into the library and stand
+before her great-grandmother's portrait, and Miss Frances come in and
+find her there, looking as much like Mr. Jack when he was little as two
+peas! Isn't he a splendid man! and just his old self. Why, when he came
+out yesterday, he ran upstairs to my room calling out just as he used
+to do,--'Where's Caroline?' It made me too happy to sleep."
+
+"Did Mr. Morrison live at your house once?" Emma ventured to ask.
+
+"Of course he did. When his mother died Miss Frances adopted him. He was
+six years old, and it was the same year I went to live with her,--thirty
+years this spring. You see, Mr. Jack's father, who was Mrs. Richards'
+favorite brother, was thrown from his horse and killed when his little
+boy was only three. It was a dreadful blow to the whole family; his wife
+did not outlive him long, and his father, Judge Morrison, never
+recovered from the shock, for his only other son was an invalid.
+
+"I used to think nobody had as much trouble as Miss Frances. She married
+very young and was left a widow before she was twenty-two, and it seemed
+as if Mr. Jack was her only comfort, for her father's mind began to
+fail, and the old home was so changed she couldn't bear to go there; but
+she was wrapped up in the child.
+
+"In those days he wasn't hard to manage, though he had a quick temper;
+you couldn't help loving him on account of his sweet ways. He was
+devoted to Miss Frances, and gave up to her wonderfully, so I suppose
+she got to thinking she would always have things her own way with him,
+as she had with every one else.
+
+"There were gay times, I can tell you, when he came home for his
+holidays, after he began to go away to school. He might bring home as
+many friends as he pleased, and there wasn't anything he couldn't have
+for the asking. Yet he wasn't half as spoiled as you'd think.
+
+"The trouble began about the time he left college, but I didn't know
+much about it then. Miss Frances had set her heart on his being a
+lawyer like his grandfather; but though he studied it to please her, he
+did not take any interest in law. Then I think she wanted him to marry a
+niece of her husband's who used to be at the house a great deal. That
+is-- I don't think she really wanted him to marry at all, but was just
+afraid he'd take to some one she did not like. He had always been fond
+of Miss Elsie, and it did look contrary in him to turn around and be so
+indifferent when he found how his aunt felt.
+
+"Mr. Jack went abroad for a year, and it was soon after he came back
+that they had the trouble. I happened to pass the library door one
+evening when I heard Miss Frances say, 'If you have no regard for my
+wishes perhaps you had better provide for yourself in the future--' and
+he answered back as cool as you please, 'Thank you for suggesting it,
+Aunt Frances; I have been an idler on your bounty quite too long.' I
+never forgot those words. They didn't either of them mean what they
+said, but were too proud to take it back. Miss Frances had never denied
+him anything, and had more than enough for both, yet it was natural for
+her to think he ought to go her way.
+
+"I never knew any more about it, except that Mr. Jack came to my room to
+tell me he was going, with a face as white as a sheet. He had some
+property of his own, though not much, for his grandfather made way with
+almost everything before he died--no one knew how. He had softening of
+the brain, brought on by grief.
+
+"The next I knew Mr. Jack sent me a paper with a notice of his marriage.
+Mrs. Morrison was the daughter of one of the professors in the college
+where he went. But--" Caroline concluded, with a sigh of content, "it is
+all right now, and maybe it has all been for the best."
+
+"I suppose they'll be going away soon?" said Mrs. Bond.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Morrison and his wife are going to New York, and Frances is
+coming to stay with us."
+
+Emma listened to this story with breathless interest. It seemed to her
+quite the most natural and suitable thing that such good fortune should
+come to Frances, but it made her feel sorrowful to think she was going
+away.
+
+After their visitor had gone Mrs. Bond said, as she folded her work:
+"Now, Emma, I do not want you to be foolish. Make up your mind not to
+see anything of Frances after this, and you'll not be disappointed."
+
+"Why, mother?"
+
+"Because they are rich and we are poor, and it is not to be expected
+that they will care for your society. I never go where I am not wanted,
+and I do not choose to have you. Understand, I am not saying anything
+against the Morrisons. Frances is a nice child, and her mother is very
+pleasant and kind, but you can't change the world; birds of a feather
+will flock together."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
+
+OVERHEARD BY PETERKIN.
+
+
+Peterkin was taking a nap in one corner of the big sofa in the hall. It
+was a delightful spring afternoon and everybody was out; he knew this,
+for he had seen them go. First Miss Moore hurried away with some books
+under her arm; next Frances danced downstairs, followed by her father
+and mother; a little later Emma and the General started out for a walk;
+and last of all came Miss Sherwin, and sat beside him while she put on
+her gloves.
+
+She stroked him gently for a minute before she left, and, bending over
+him till her face touched his soft fur, said, "Oh, pussy, pussy! so many
+things are happening, and it's going to be so lonely. It must be nice to
+be a cat."
+
+Peterkin rubbed his head sympathetically against her hand, for her tone
+was sad. He had had confidences made to him before and knew how to
+receive them. He understood it all as well as if she had spent hours in
+the telling, an advantage a cat possesses over a human confidant.
+
+He had been dozing undisturbed for a long time when he heard the door
+open again, and a man's voice he did not recognize say: "How fortunate
+that I met you! I seem to have had the wrong number."
+
+It was Miss Sherwin who replied, "I am very much surprised; I did not
+know you were in this part of the country."
+
+Then they came and sat on the sofa, and the stranger, who, Peterkin saw,
+was a pleasant looking young fellow, said he had been back only a short
+time. "I stopped in Maryville a day, and then at home for two more," he
+added.
+
+"You have been to Maryville?" Miss Sherwin's voice showed surprise.
+Then she began to ask questions about the people there, and to talk of
+the delightful weather, in all of which her companion seemed to feel
+little interest. Presently there came a silence.
+
+The young man leaned forward, one elbow on his crossed knee that he
+might the better look into Miss Sherwin's face, the light in the hall
+being a little dim. "Lillian," he began, "in this past year I have had a
+good deal of time for thinking, and naturally our--disagreement has been
+often in my mind. When I last saw you I thought it was all over forever,
+and though I had come to look at it differently in these months--feeling
+that perhaps there had been a mistake--still I don't know that I
+ever--that is-- I mean the possibility of undoing it never occurred to
+me till I was on my way home. I hope you don't mind listening to this;
+I'll try to be brief.
+
+"Perhaps you know I got my position in March,--the one I had been hoping
+and working for,--and with it the opportunity to come East for a month
+or two. I can't say I wanted very much to come. The thought of our old
+plans made it rather bitter, but I owed it to the people at home.
+
+"Not to make the story too long, I picked up on the train a magazine
+belonging to one of my fellow travellers, and read a little story. It
+was called 'The Missing Bridge,' and was a sort of fairy story. It seems
+rather absurd, but there was something in it that impressed me
+strangely. It was the thought that even when people seem hopelessly
+separated from each other, if they are brave enough and true enough to
+try, they will find a way across all barriers.
+
+"I may not be making this clear, for you have not read the story; but
+you will understand me when I say it made me feel unwilling to have
+anything I may have said or done in the past, stand between us now; I
+was to blame for much of the quarrel, and I am sorry for it all. I know
+how clever you are,--they were all talking about it in Maryville,--and
+it may seem only a foolish dream to you now, but I want to tell you--"
+he paused with his eyes on the floor, as if afraid to read his answer in
+the face beside him.
+
+It was very still in the hall, and, when he looked up after a moment,
+Lillian had bowed her head in her hands.
+
+"I don't want to pain you," he began.
+
+"O Aleck!" she cried, putting out one hand, "it was _my_ story!"
+
+At this point Peterkin, seeing matters were likely to be settled
+satisfactorily, and feeling no interest in details, dozed off again. The
+next thing he knew the gas was lit, and Mr. Morrison was saying, "Why,
+how are you, Carter? Delighted to see you. Where did you come from? Let
+me present you to Mrs. Morrison," and Miss Sherwin, with a becoming
+color in her face, was explaining that Mr. Carter was an old friend, and
+they were all talking and laughing at once in the absurd way people have
+sometimes, so that it was next to impossible to understand anything.
+
+When Mr. Carter left, after declining the Morrisons' invitation to spend
+the evening, Peterkin followed him out on the porch to get a little air.
+The Spectacle Man, coming in from a walk, found him sitting there,
+looking like some dignified old Quaker in his gray coat and white
+necktie.
+
+Mrs. Morrison slipped her hand into Miss Sherwin's as they went
+upstairs. "Am I right in what I guess?" she whispered.
+
+"How could you know it?" Lillian asked, with an answering clasp.
+
+"My dear, if you could see your face!--but I felt certain he would
+come!"
+
+"O Miss Sherwin!" called Mr. Morrison, who, with Frances, had lingered
+at the door, "your acquaintance with Mr. Carter partly explains
+something that puzzled me. I was struck with the resemblance between him
+and the young farmer in the first illustration in your story. Did he sit
+for the portrait?"
+
+"Jack, you must be dreaming!" his wife exclaimed.
+
+"I don't understand at all," Lillian said, in great confusion.
+
+"Could it possibly have been accidental?" A mischievous light shone in
+Mr. Morrison's eyes.
+
+His wife shook her head at him, but Frances ran off to find the
+magazine. Miss Sherwin recovered herself, and explained with a great
+deal of dignity that, if it were so, it was quite accidental. That she
+had known Mr. Carter since they were children, and was, of course, very
+familiar with his face; then she said good evening, and left them.
+
+"Very well done," Mr. Morrison exclaimed.
+
+"Why, where is Miss Lillian," asked Frances, coming back; "I want to
+show her the picture. It is like Mr. Carter."
+
+"Not now, dear,--another time," said her mother; adding, "You were
+aching to tease her, Jack, and I am glad she did not give you an
+opportunity."
+
+Mr. Morrison laughed. "I suppose congratulations are next in order. It
+is at least a natural inference when you find a young man's image so
+deeply graven upon the heart of a young woman that she unconsciously
+reproduces it in her drawing."
+
+"I am sure he is to be congratulated," remarked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"Unless I am very much mistaken, so is she," her husband added.
+
+Frances was listening with wide-open eyes. "Is Miss Sherwin going to be
+married to Mr. Carter?"
+
+"I shouldn't be a bit surprised, Wink, if she were," replied her father,
+"but you and I are supposed to know nothing about it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND.
+
+THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN DOORWAY.
+
+
+It was evident, Mr. Morrison said, that he and his wife could not get
+away too soon to please his aunt, and this was true for two reasons.
+Mrs. Richards wished her nephew to meet his old friends under her
+roof--there would be less talk; and before their return the six months'
+lease on the flat would have expired and they would naturally come to
+her for a while at least. She also wanted Frances all to herself. The
+great house would be another place with the sound of a child's voice to
+charm away its loneliness.
+
+She spent much time and thought in plans for her little niece's
+entertainment, which were quite unnecessary, for Frances was as happy
+as a lark, and found the hours brimful of amusement. To hear Caroline
+tell of her father when he was little Jack; to go shopping or driving
+with Aunt Frances; to romp with the fox terrier in the garden which the
+crocuses and hyacinths were making beautiful; and then, when the day was
+almost over, to rest in the depths of some great chair and look up at
+the girl in the golden doorway,--this was unalloyed happiness.
+
+One Friday they drove to the house of the Spectacle Man and carried Emma
+away to stay till Monday. How she ever came to let her go Mrs. Bond
+couldn't understand; she believed she was bewitched. Emma, however, had
+a blissful holiday, and before it was over she found courage to ask
+Frances a question.
+
+"Do you like me as much as you used to, Frances?" she said.
+
+"What makes you ask such a funny question? Of course I do."
+
+"I thought maybe you wouldn't care so much now."
+
+"Why not?" insisted Frances, greatly puzzled.
+
+Emma thought of quoting her mother's proverb about birds of a feather,
+the application of which she did not exactly understand; but she only
+said, "Oh, because you are rich, I suppose."
+
+"But I'm not rich,--any richer than I ever was."
+
+"Your aunt is."
+
+"But why should that make me not like you? I don't like you to think
+such a thing about me," and Frances looked aggrieved.
+
+"I didn't really think it, only--sometimes it does make a difference,
+you know," Emma said.
+
+"Well, it won't to me, for I shall always like you, Emma," was Frances'
+reassuring reply, and Emma was satisfied.
+
+Among other pleasant things, Frances and her aunt were arranging a
+little surprise for Mr. Morrison's birthday, which was to be celebrated
+by a dinner to which a number of cousins and old family friends were
+asked.
+
+The travellers, who returned the night before, found a very happy little
+girl waiting for them in the carriage at the station.
+
+"I have the loveliest secret, father, but you are not to know it till
+your birthday!" She couldn't help telling this much, but all his teasing
+could not extract any more; and, as it was not mentioned again, Mr.
+Morrison forgot it.
+
+The next evening he dressed early, and went to the library to write a
+letter, and when it was finished he fell into a pleasant revery. He
+thought of his struggles and disappointments, and of the bright future
+that seemed to be opening before him. The little girl smiled down upon
+him in the twilight, and he recalled his old dream.
+
+It was surely a most living portrait. This little maiden, painted nearly
+seventy years ago, looked as if about to speak. Was she laughing at him
+still? would she presently come down? Surely he was dreaming, for there
+she stood on the rug beside him! He could see the pattern of the rich
+lace that fell from the neck of her quaint brocaded gown.
+
+She came nearer, and he watched her, almost afraid to breathe; it was,
+he thought, a most interesting illusion. He put out his hand, expecting
+the vision to vanish, when, instead of thin air, his fingers closed upon
+a round arm of real flesh and blood, and a laughing voice exclaimed,
+"Why, father, I thought you were asleep!"
+
+"Wink! is it really you?" he said, pulling her down on his knee. "I
+thought the girl in the golden doorway had come down once more. Where
+did you get this dress?"
+
+"This is the secret, father. Aunt Frances found it among my
+great-grandmother's things. It was made for the picture, and was copied
+from another portrait that the little girl's father liked. It almost
+fitted me. Do you really think I look like her?"
+
+"Indeed you do, Wink; it is wonderful."
+
+Frances leaned her head on his shoulder, and looked up at her
+great-grandmother in great content.
+
+"Do you know, Wink," said her father, presently, "I believe my old dream
+has come true, and at last I have caught the girl in the golden
+doorway."
+
+"How nice!" cried Frances, "for that puts me into the story. You will
+have to write a sequel to it, father. Jack never guessed the girl would
+turn out to be his own daughter, did he?"
+
+"He certainly did not," answered Mr. Morrison, laughing.
+
+They were pleasing themselves with these fancies when lights and Mrs.
+Morrison, in her pretty evening gown, appearing together, put an end to
+them. Some minutes later Mrs. Richards walked in upon a charming family
+group. Life was becoming very full and sweet to her, and she looked very
+handsome and happy. She felt proud of her children, most of all of that
+graceful little person in the old brocade who ran to meet her.
+
+"Auntie, what do you think? We have found the sequel to 'The Girl in the
+Golden Doorway.' The dream has come true: Jack has caught her, and she
+turns out to be me." Frances made a courtesy, laughing merrily.
+
+"There is some more to it," she added. "Father, can't you tell it?"
+
+"Tell it yourself, Wink," was the smiling reply, and three pairs of
+eyes watched her fondly as she stood, a finger on her lips, an intent
+expression on her face.
+
+"Oh, yes! I remember. And together they are going to explore the House
+of the Golden Doorway, and find out all its secrets."
+
+Mrs. Richards took the rosy face between her hands. "You have opened the
+golden door to me, too, my darling," she said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD.
+
+"THE DUCKS AND THE GEESE THEY ALL SWIM OVER."
+
+
+  "Out of a song the story grew,
+  Just how it happened nobody knew,
+  But, song and story, it all came true.
+
+  "Out of sight till time of need
+  The story lay hid like a little seed;
+  And then it grew that all might read--
+
+  "Might read and learn--however gray
+  The clouds may hang, or how dark the day,
+  That love and courage can find the way."
+
+No one suspected the Spectacle Man of poetical aspirations until Miss
+Moore one day picked up these verses from the hall floor. "Dear me, what
+are we all coming to!" she exclaimed. "Here is Lillian the strong-minded
+going to be married, the Morrisons have found a fairy godmother, and
+now Mr. Clark has taken to verse! If I were not so commonplace I'd
+expect something to happen to me."
+
+Things were happening; there was no doubt about that.
+
+Soon after her nephew's return, Mrs. Richards made Mr. Clark an offer
+for his house which he thought it wise to accept, and by the time summer
+was fairly begun it was rapidly disappearing in a cloud of dust and
+mortar to make room for a five-story office building.
+
+Frances could not be reconciled to this, nor was she the only one who
+felt sad at sight of yawning vacancy where the dignified old mansion had
+stood. The feelings of the optician were mixed; he was fond of the
+place, but its sale solved some of the difficulties that had weighed
+upon him, and when Mrs. Bond took a small house farther out, where there
+were trees and a garden for the General to play in, he furnished two
+rooms for himself, and, after the first wrench of leaving, he and
+Peterkin found it very comfortable. His show-cases and other fixtures
+were moved to a shop not far from the old one.
+
+Before this, however, something even more interesting had occurred.
+
+As Mr. Carter had only six weeks' leave, he and Lillian decided to have
+a quiet wedding the last of April, making a short visit at his home on
+their way West.
+
+"I am very much alone in the world, and there are no people I care more
+to have at my wedding than you and Mary," Lillian said to Mrs. Morrison;
+"and it is easier and simpler to have it here."
+
+Miss Moore professed to be highly indignant at the whole affair. "Here I
+have been upholding her in her independence, taking her side, and she in
+the basest manner deserts and goes over to the enemy," she exclaimed.
+
+Lillian laughed shamelessly. "Never mind, dear, when you have finished
+your course you are coming out to me, and we'll start the most ideal of
+kindergartens in our wild Western town."
+
+She went about her preparations with a light heart, growing prettier and
+brighter each day. As for Mr. Carter, he won golden opinions from
+everybody, even from the critical Wilson, who was one day moved to
+confide that he and Zenobia were contemplating the same step.
+
+No one showed a more genuine interest in the wedding preparations than
+Mrs. Richards. She had taken a fancy to Lillian, and declared that her
+love affair was delightfully interesting and novel for these unromantic
+times. She lent her carriage to facilitate the shopping, and the evening
+before the wedding day entertained the bride and groom elect.
+
+Just such a gathering had never before been seen in Mrs. Richards's
+beautiful home, for it was Frances who had the naming of the guests, and
+she chose to have their friends of the winter. There was the Spectacle
+Man, of course, and Emma and Gladys and Miss Moore,--it was too bad Mark
+couldn't get home in time,--and Mrs. Gray, because she was the beginning
+of it all, and Frances was fond of her. This was the party, with their
+own family and the bride and groom.
+
+Caroline said that if Mrs. Richards had been going to entertain the
+Queen and the President together, she couldn't have been more particular
+about everything, and indeed she spared no trouble or expense.
+
+The table was exquisite in its bridal decorations of lilies of the
+valley, and the whole house was fragrant with flowers; the guests all
+looked their best, and it was throughout a most festive and happy
+occasion.
+
+Frances fluttered about in her great-grandmother's dress, evidently
+considering it her party; the Spectacle Man beamed on everybody; and old
+Mrs. Gray, in a new silk gown, looked on in quiet enjoyment. Miss Moore
+was, if possible, merrier than usual, but this may have been because she
+was trying not to think how far away Lillian was going.
+
+When the supper was over and the healths of the bride and groom had been
+drank, "The Story of the Missing Bridge" was proposed, and the optician
+rose to respond.
+
+"It has occurred to me as a somewhat strange thing," he began, "that
+seven or eight months ago we, who now feel like old friends, had not
+met. In this time we have learned to know one another, and a little
+story, which grew out of a foolish old song, has become a bond between
+us,--something we shall carry with us wherever we go. We have learned
+lessons of courage and cheer; some of us have found bridges over our
+difficulties and troubles where we had supposed there were none; and I
+can at least say for myself that hereafter, into whatever perplexities I
+may fall, I shall remember the lesson of the story, that there is always
+a way, and love and courage can find it."
+
+He sat down amid applause, and Frances said, "I am going to remember it,
+too, for I did find a way when Gladys and I quarrelled."
+
+"I can add my testimony that ways open in the most unpromising places,"
+put in her father.
+
+"Perhaps if I had heard the story sooner my broken bridge would have
+been mended long ago," said Mrs. Richards.
+
+"It is wonderful," Mrs. Gray took courage to say, "how things turn out
+sometimes. I feel like telling everybody how sweet and kind my new
+daughter is. She really seems fond of me already, and I was so dreadful
+afraid of her."
+
+"When we look back we can't help seeing that we have been guided by a
+higher Power, who could see the path that was dark to us," Mrs. Morrison
+said softly; and the Spectacle Man added, "That's true."
+
+"Every one knows how much I owe to the story," Mr. Carter began, but
+Lillian blushed and shook her head at him.
+
+"I am too commonplace to have interesting experiences," Miss Moore
+announced, "so, as I haven't anything to relate, with Mr. Clark's
+permission I'll read a poem;" and thereupon she read the verses she had
+found in the hall.
+
+The Spectacle Man was quite embarrassed, and insisted that he was not in
+the habit of dropping into verse, and that this had not been intended
+for the public.
+
+"I want them, Mr. Clark, for the book I mean to write when I have time,
+about our winter at your house," Miss Sherwin said.
+
+"Are you really going to do that, Miss Sherwin? How lovely!" cried
+Frances. "And you must begin with Mrs. Gray's glasses, and put Emma and
+Gladys and me in,--and Peterkin."
+
+Lillian laughed, and promised that when the story was written they
+should all be in.
+
+The next morning was as beautiful as if it had been ordered for the
+occasion, and the small number of persons gathered in the church saw a
+charming bride, who seemed with her golden hair and her shimmering gown
+of soft green tones, to be herself a part of the springtime.
+
+She walked up the aisle with her maid of honor, Miss Moore, preceded by
+Frances and Emma in a state of unutterable bliss, while Gladys looked on
+from a front pew. Mr. Clark gave the bride away, and nothing happened
+to mar the simple and beautiful ceremony.
+
+When Mr. and Mrs. Carter had driven off in a shower of rice the
+Spectacle Man returned to his shop and began that very afternoon to pack
+up. As he worked he sang cheerily:--
+
+  "The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
+  The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard
+
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard.
+    </title>
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard
+
+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: The Spectacle Man
+       A Story of the Missing Bridge
+
+Author: Mary F. Leonard
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2010 [EBook #30993]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPECTACLE MAN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Annie McGuire
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<h1>THE SPECTACLE MAN</h1>
+
+<hr style="width: 25%;" />
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>Out of a song the story grew;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Just how it happened nobody knew,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>But, song and story, it all came true.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h3>BOOKS BY MARY F. LEONARD.</h3>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'><b>THE SPECTACLE MAN</b>. <span class="smcap">A Story of the Missing Bridge</span>. 266 pages. Cloth. $1.00.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>MR. PAT'S LITTLE GIRL</b>. <span class="smcap">A Story of the Arden Foresters</span>. 322 pages. Cloth. $1.50.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><b>THE PLEASANT STREET PARTNERSHIP</b>. <span class="smcap">A Neighborhood Story</span>. 269 pages. Cloth. $.75, <i>net</i>.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 436px;"><a name="ILL_001" id="ILL_001"></a>
+<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="436" height="700" alt="&quot;The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h1>The Spectacle Man</h1>
+
+<h3><i>A Story of the Missing Bridge</i></h3>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+
+<h3>By</h3>
+
+<h2>Mary F. Leonard</h2>
+
+<p class="center">AUTHOR OF</p>
+
+<p class="center">"THE BIG FRONT DOOR"</p>
+
+<h3><i>Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill</i></h3>
+
+<hr style='width: 25%;' />
+<h4>W.&nbsp;A. WILDE COMPANY</h4>
+
+<h4>BOSTON AND CHICAGO</h4>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+<p class="center"><i>Copyright, 1901,</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By W.&nbsp;A. Wilde Company</span>.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>All rights reserved</i>.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+<p class="center"><i>TO THE ONE</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Whose Love has been from Childhood</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>An Unfailing Inspiration</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Whose Friendship has made Dark Paths Light</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>This Little Book is Dedicated</i></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>In Memory of "Remembered Hours"</i></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_FIRST"><b>CHAPTER FIRST. Frances meets the Spectacle Man</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_SECOND"><b>CHAPTER SECOND. A Certain Person</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_THIRD"><b>CHAPTER THIRD. Gladys</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_FOURTH"><b>CHAPTER FOURTH. They look at a Flat</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_FIFTH"><b>CHAPTER FIFTH. Some New Acquaintances</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_SIXTH"><b>CHAPTER SIXTH. An Informal Affair</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVENTH"><b>CHAPTER SEVENTH. A Portrait</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHTH"><b>CHAPTER EIGHTH. The Story of the Bridge</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_NINTH"><b>CHAPTER NINTH. Finding a Moral</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_TENTH"><b>CHAPTER TENTH. The Portrait Again</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_ELEVENTH"><b>CHAPTER ELEVENTH. Mrs. Marvin is perplexed</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_TWELFTH"><b>CHAPTER TWELFTH. At Christmas Time</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_THIRTEENTH"><b>CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. One Sunday Afternoon</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_FOURTEENTH"><b>CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. Three of a Name</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_FIFTEENTH"><b>CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. A Confidence</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_SIXTEENTH"><b>CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. Hard Times</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_SEVENTEENTH"><b>CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. At the Loan Exhibit</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_EIGHTEENTH"><b>CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. The March Number of <i>The Young People's Journal</i></b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_NINETEENTH"><b>CHAPTER NINETEENTH. Surprises</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_TWENTIETH"><b>CHAPTER TWENTIETH. Caroline's Story</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_TWENTY-FIRST"><b>CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. Overheard by Peterkin</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_TWENTY-SECOND"><b>CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND. The Little Girl in the Golden Doorway</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_TWENTY-THIRD"><b>CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD. "The Ducks and the Geese they All swim over"</b></a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>Illustrations.</h2>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_001"><b>"The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case" <i>Frontispiece</i></b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_002"><b>"'What is your name, baby?'"</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_003"><b>"'Little girl, I wish I knew you'"</b></a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#ILL_004"><b>"She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds"</b></a></td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>The Spectacle Man.</h2>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIRST" id="CHAPTER_FIRST"></a>CHAPTER FIRST.</h2>
+
+<h3>FRANCES MEETS THE SPECTACLE MAN.</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do&mdash;"</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>sang the Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case, with his
+hands outspread, and the glasses between a thumb and finger, as he
+nodded merrily at Frances.</p>
+
+<p>Such an odd-looking person as he was! Instead of an ordinary coat he
+wore a velvet smoking-jacket; the top of his bald head was protected by
+a Scotch cap, and his fringe of hair, white like his pointed beard, was
+parted behind and brushed into a tuft over each ear, the ribbon ends of
+his cap hanging<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> down between in the jauntiest way. It was really
+difficult to decide whether the back or front view of him was most
+cheerful.</p>
+
+<p>"Will it take long?" Frances asked, with dignity, although a certain
+dimple refused to be repressed.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, at least half an hour, if I am not interrupted; but as my clerk
+is out, I may have to stop to wait on a customer. Perhaps if you have
+other shopping to do you might call for them on your way home." If there
+was a twinkle in the eye of the Spectacle Man, nobody saw it except the
+gray cat who sat near by on the directory.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, I think I'd better wait," replied Frances, politely, much
+pleased to have it supposed she was out shopping.</p>
+
+<p>At this the optician hastened to give her a chair at the window,
+motioning her to it with a wave of the hand and a funny little bow; then
+he trotted into the next room and returned with a <i>St. Nicholas</i>, which
+he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> presented with another bow, and retired to his table in the corner.
+As he set to work he hummed his tune, glancing now and then over his
+shoulder in the direction of his small customer.</p>
+
+<p>Perched on the high-backed chair, in her scarlet coat and cap, her hands
+clasped over the book, her bright eyes fixed on the busy street, it was
+as if a stray red bird had fluttered in, bringing a touch of color to
+the gray-tinted room. From her waving brown locks to the tips of her
+toes she was a dainty little maid, and carried herself with the air of a
+person of some importance.</p>
+
+<p>If the Spectacle Man was interested in Frances, she was no less
+interested in him; neither the street nor the magazine attracted her
+half so much as the queer shop and its proprietor. It had once been the
+front parlor of the old dwelling which, with its veranda and grass-plat,
+still held its own in the midst of the tall business houses that closed
+it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> in on either side. Here were the show-cases, queer instruments, and
+cabalistic looking charts for trying the sight; over the high mantel
+hung a large clock, and in the grate below a coal fire nickered and
+purred in a lazy fashion; and through the half-open folding doors
+Francis had a glimpse into what seemed to be a study or library.</p>
+
+<p>At least a dozen questions were on the tip of her tongue, but didn't get
+any further. For instance, she longed to ask if those cunning little
+spectacles on the doll's head in the case near her, were for sale, and
+if the Spectacle Man had any children who read the <i>St. Nicholas</i> and
+what the gray cat's name was, for that he had a name she didn't doubt,
+he was so evidently an important part of the establishment.</p>
+
+<p>He had descended from the directory, which was rather circumscribed for
+one of his size, and curled himself comfortably on the counter; but
+instead of going to sleep he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> gently fanned his nose with the tip of his
+tail, and kept his yellow eyes fixed on Frances as if he too felt some
+curiosity about her. She was thinking how much she would like to have
+him in her lap when the Spectacle Man looked around and said, "The next
+time your grandmother breaks these frames she will have to have some new
+ones."</p>
+
+<p>"They aren't my grandmother's, they are Mrs. Gray's. I haven't any
+grandmother," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"You haven't? Why, that's a coincidence; neither have I!"</p>
+
+<p>Frances laughed but didn't think of anything else to say, so the
+conversation dropped, and the optician fell to humming:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>They might never have become really acquainted if, just as he was giving
+a final polish to the glasses, it had not begun to rain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do?" Frances exclaimed, rising hurriedly. "I haven't any
+umbrella."</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man walked to the window, the glasses in one hand, a piece
+of chamois in the other. "It may be only a shower," he said, peering
+out; "but it is time for the equinoctial." Then, seeing the little girl
+was worried, he asked how far she had to go.</p>
+
+<p>"Only two blocks; we are staying at the Wentworth, but mother and father
+were out when I left and won't know where I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, now, don't you worry; Dick will be in presently and I'll send him
+right over to the hotel to let them know where you are, and get a
+waterproof for you."</p>
+
+<p>This made Frances feel more comfortable; and when, after putting the
+glasses in their case and giving her the change from Mrs. Gray's dollar,
+he lit the gas in the back parlor and invited her in, she almost forgot
+the storm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The room was quite different from any she had ever been in, and she at
+once decided she liked it. Around the walls were low cases, some filled
+with books and papers, others with china and pottery; from the top of an
+ancient looking chest in one corner a large stuffed owl gazed solemnly
+at her; the mantel-shelf was full of books, and above it hung a portrait
+of Washington. There were some plaster casts and a few engravings, and
+beside the study table in the middle of the room was an arm-chair which,
+judging from its worn cover, was a favorite resting-place of the
+Spectacle Man.</p>
+
+<p>"I have a little writing to do before Dick comes in; can't I give you a
+book while I am busy? I have a number of story-books," her host asked.</p>
+
+<p>Frances thanked him, but thought she'd rather look about. "You seem to
+have so many interesting things," she said.</p>
+
+<p>While she walked slowly around the room<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> the optician sat down at the
+table and wrote rapidly. "How does this sound," he presently asked.</p>
+
+<p>"'<span class="smcap">Wanted</span>: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
+conveniences; rent reasonable. Apply 432 Walnut Street.' You don't
+happen to know any one who wants a flat, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>Frances said she did not.</p>
+
+<p>"The lady who had my second story rooms was called away by her mother's
+death, and now she is not coming back. With Mark away at school it is
+really very important to have them rented." The Spectacle Man tapped the
+end of his nose with his pen and began to hum absent-mindedly:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>At this moment a boy with a dripping umbrella appeared at the door. He
+proved to be Dick, and was at once despatched to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> the Wentworth with
+instructions to ask for Mr. John Morrison, and let him know his daughter
+was safe and only waiting till the storm was over; and on his way back
+to stop at the newspaper office and leave the advertisement.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me!" said Frances, after he had gone, "we might have sent Mrs.
+Gray's glasses; I am afraid she will be tired waiting for them. She
+can't see to do anything without them, and she is lame too."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, she is fortunate in having a friend to get them mended for her.
+And now I wonder if you wouldn't like to see old Toby," said the
+optician, taking down a funny looking jug in the shape of a very fat old
+gentleman. "When my grandfather died he left me this jug and the song
+about the bridge. Did you ever hear it before?"</p>
+
+<p>Frances said she never had.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandfather used to sing it to me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> when I was a little boy, and I find
+it still a very good song. When I get into a tight place and can't see
+how I am to get through, why&mdash;" here he waved his hands and nodded his
+head&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"and I go to work and try. Sometimes it is for other people, sometimes
+for myself. Bridges are always getting broken,&mdash;'tisn't only
+spectacles."</p>
+
+<p>Frances smiled, for though she did not quite understand, it sounded
+interesting; but before she had time to ask any questions a tall young
+man entered. "Why, Wink! what in the world are you doing here?" he
+exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, daddy dear, I hope you haven't worried!" she cried, running to him;
+"Mrs. Gray broke her glasses and couldn't read or sew, and I thought I
+ought to have them mended for her,&mdash;it wasn't far<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> you know&mdash;and then it
+began to rain so I couldn't get back."</p>
+
+<p>"And this is Mr. Clark, I suppose," said Mr. Morrison; "let me thank you
+for taking care of my little daughter. And now, Wink, put on this coat
+and your rubbers, and let us hurry before mother quite loses her mind."</p>
+
+<p>When she was enveloped in the waterproof, Frances held out her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Mr. Clark," she said; "I hope you will find some nice person
+to rent your flat. Good-by."</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man stood in his door and watched the two figures till
+they disappeared in the misty twilight, then he returned to the shop.
+"Peterkin," he said, addressing the cat, "I like that little girl, and I
+suppose I'll never see her again."</p>
+
+<p>Peterkin uncurled himself, stood up on the counter, arched his back, and
+yawned three times.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SECOND" id="CHAPTER_SECOND"></a>CHAPTER SECOND.</h2>
+
+<h3>A CERTAIN PERSON.</h3>
+
+<p>A day or two after her visit to the optician's, Frances lay curled up on
+the broad window-sill, a thoughtful little pucker between her eyes.
+About fifteen minutes earlier she had entered the room where her father
+and mother were talking, just as the former said, "As a certain person
+is abroad I see no objection to your spending the winter here if you
+wish."</p>
+
+<p>Before she could ask a single question a caller was announced, and she
+had taken refuge behind the curtains.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite by accident that they happened to be staying for a few
+weeks in this pleasant town where the Spectacle Man lived. They were
+returning from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> North Carolina, where they had spent the summer, when a
+slight illness of Mrs. Morrison's made it seem wise to stop for a while
+on the way; and before she was quite well, Mr. Morrison was summoned to
+New York on business, so his wife and daughter stayed where they were,
+waiting for him, and enjoying the lovely fall weather.</p>
+
+<p>They liked it so well they were beginning to think with regret of the
+time when they must leave, for though really a city in size, the place
+had many of the attractions of a village. The gardens around the houses,
+the flowers and vines, the wide shady streets, combined to make an
+atmosphere of homelikeness; but to Frances' mind its greatest charm lay
+in the fact that once, long ago, her father had lived here. At least she
+felt sure it must have been long ago, for it was in that strange time
+before there was any Frances Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>She had never heard as much as she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> wanted to hear about these years,
+although she had heard a good deal. There were some things her father
+evidently did not care to talk about, and one of these was a mysterious
+individual known as a Certain Person. The first time she had heard this
+Certain Person mentioned she had questioned her mother, who had replied,
+"It is some one who was once a friend of father's, but is not now. I
+think he does not care to mention the name, dear."</p>
+
+<p>After this Frances asked no more questions, but she thought a great
+deal, and her imagination began to picture a tall, fierce looking man
+who lurked in dark corners ready to spring out at her. Sometimes when
+she was on the street at night she would see him skulking along in the
+shadows, and would clasp her father's hand more closely. Altogether this
+person had grown and flourished in her mind in a wonderful way.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And, she couldn't tell how, a Certain Person was connected in her
+thoughts with "The Girl in the Golden Doorway." This was a story in her
+very own story-book, a collection of tales known only to her father and
+herself, which had all been told in the firelight on winter evenings and
+afterward written out in Mr. Morrison's clear hand in a book bought for
+the purpose, so that not even a printer knew anything about them.</p>
+
+<p>This particular story, which she had heard many times, was of a boy who
+lived in a great old-fashioned house in the country, where there were
+beautiful things all about, both indoors and out. The only other child
+in the house was a little girl who looked down from a heavy gilt frame
+above the library mantel. The boy, who was just six years old, used to
+lie on the hearth rug, gazing up at her, and sometimes she would smile
+and beckon to him as if she wanted to be friends.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This happened only at nightfall when the shadows lay dark in the corners
+of the room and the fire blazed brightly; at such times things that had
+before been a puzzle to him became quite clear. For instance, he
+discovered one evening that what looked like the frame of a picture was
+really a doorway belonging to the house where the little girl lived, and
+it was plain that if he could only get up there he could find out all
+about her. Once there, he felt sure she would take him by the hand and
+together they would go away&mdash;away&mdash;somewhere! But the mantel was very
+high, and polished like glass.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon when he had come in from a long drive, and feeling tired
+was lying very still in his usual place, looking up at the little girl
+and the long passage that seemed to stretch away behind her, a strange
+thing happened. So unexpectedly it sent his heart into his mouth, the
+girl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> stepped out of the doorway; and then, wonder of wonders! he saw a
+stairway at one side of the chimney-piece where he had never noticed one
+before.</p>
+
+<p>Daintily holding up her silken skirt, the little maid descended and
+stood beside him. Astonished and bewildered, he put out his hand to
+touch her, but with a laugh she flitted across the room.</p>
+
+<p>Seized with the fear that she would escape him altogether, the boy
+started in pursuit. In and out among the massive chairs and tables they
+ran, the girl always just out of reach, the boy breathless with anxiety.
+His heart quite failed him when she darted toward the mantel. Then he
+remembered he could follow; and indeed she seemed to expect it, for she
+stood still at the top of what had grown to be a very long flight of
+steps, and beckoned. He hurried on, but the steps were very steep and
+slippery, and try as he would he could not reach the top.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Suddenly some one opened the library door, there was a crash and a
+clatter, the girl disappeared, and the boy heard his mother's voice
+asking, "Jack, what in the world are you doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I fell down the steps," he replied, picking himself up from among the
+fire irons that had tumbled in a heap on the hearth.</p>
+
+<p>"What steps?" asked his mother.</p>
+
+<p>He rubbed his eyes: they were not to be seen, and the little girl&mdash;yes,
+there she was, looking out of the golden doorway, and he was sure she
+shook her finger and laughed. He gave up trying to explain&mdash;grown people
+are hopelessly stupid at times&mdash;but he always felt certain that if the
+library door had not opened just when it did, he could have caught the
+little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Wasn't it a pity!" Frances always exclaimed at this point.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," her father would reply, "the little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> boy lost the chance of a
+lifetime, for there is no knowing what he might not have discovered in
+the house of the golden doorway."</p>
+
+<p>"And she never came down again?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, for the boy went away to live not long after this, and everything
+was changed."</p>
+
+<p>"And is the little girl still over the library mantel?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Wink, she was taken away long ago."</p>
+
+<p>When the caller left, Frances came out of her hiding-place behind the
+curtains. "Are we going to stay here all winter?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison drew her daughter down beside her on the couch where she
+sat. It was hard to believe such a small person the mother of this great
+girl. "You shall hear all about it, dearie, and then help us to decide,"
+she said. "Father has had an offer from the <i>Eastern Review</i>. They want
+him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> to go to Hawaii, and besides paying him well it will be an
+advantage to him in other ways."</p>
+
+<p>"But can't we go with you, father?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Wink, I am afraid not, for several reasons."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it will be hard for us all, but if it seems to be the best
+thing I am sure you and I will be brave and let him go;" Mrs. Morrison's
+voice trembled a little, and for a moment she hid her face on Frances'
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you be gone very long?" asked the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Several months, if I go. The matter is not decided by any means. I do
+not see how I can leave you," answered Mr. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"You must go, Jack; it will be the very thing for you. It isn't only the
+money, dear, or even the opportunity for getting on in your work, but
+you need a change, for you haven't been yourself lately. Frances and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> I
+will stay here and be very comfortable, and when you come home we'll
+have a jubilee."</p>
+
+<p>"And not go back to Chicago?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"The winters there are too cold for you. No, I think we'd better stay
+here, but not in this house," said her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be difficult to find the kind of place I shall be willing to
+leave you in," replied Mr. Morrison. "What is it you are always singing,
+Frances?" he added, for as she turned the leaves of a magazine she was
+humming softly to herself.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," she answered laughing, then&mdash;"Why, yes, I do&mdash;it is the
+song of the Spectacle Man,</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"that is all I know of it. He was telling me about it when you came for
+me. I wish I could go to see him again."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THIRD" id="CHAPTER_THIRD"></a>CHAPTER THIRD.</h2>
+
+<h3>GLADYS.</h3>
+
+<p>While they were still talking matters over, Gladys Bowen, a little girl
+who lived in the house, came to ask if Frances might play with her; and
+Frances, who had not had a playmate of her own age for some time, was
+very ready to go. They had once or twice spoken rather shyly to each
+other, and she thought Gladys's golden curls perfectly beautiful.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to come upstairs and see my dolls, or shall we go down
+to the reception room?" Gladys asked, adding, "My Uncle Jo owns this
+house, and he lets me go where I please."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd like to see the dolls," Frances said, much impressed by the uncle
+who owned a hotel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Her companion led the way to a room where a lady in an elaborate
+house-gown sat in an arm-chair reading. "Mamma, I have brought Frances
+to see my dolls," she announced.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you do, Frances.&mdash; Very well, Gladys, but I don't want you to
+worry me. You must play in the other room." Mrs. Bowen spoke in a
+languid tone, and returned to her book, but she looked up again to say,
+"That is a pretty dress you have on, Frances."</p>
+
+<p>The child looked down at the red challis she wore, not knowing what
+reply to make.</p>
+
+<p>"But you are stylish, as Gladys is, I am thankful to say," the lady
+continued. "You look well together, you are dark and she so fair."</p>
+
+<p>"Come on," Gladys called impatiently from the door, and Frances
+followed, feeling that she ought to have said something to Mrs. Bowen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I'll show you Marguerite first; she's my handsomest doll. Uncle Jo gave
+her to me, and she cost twenty-five dollars."</p>
+
+<p>Frances caught her breath at the idea of such a doll, but was a little
+disappointed when her hostess took from a drawer a fine lady, whose hair
+was done up in a French twist, and whose silk gown was made with a
+train. She was certainly very elegant, however, and her muff and collar
+were <i>sure enough</i> sealskin, as Gladys explained.</p>
+
+<p>"She is beautiful, but I believe I like little girl dolls best," Frances
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Gladys brought out others of all varieties and sizes, and while her
+visitor examined them, she herself talked on without a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get your name?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>Frances, who was adjusting a baby's cap, replied that she was named for
+her great-grandmother.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you? How funny! Mamma named<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> me for a lady in a book&mdash;Gladys
+Isabel. She doesn't like common names."</p>
+
+<p>Frances wondered if Gladys thought her name common, and for a moment she
+wished she had been called something more romantic.</p>
+
+<p>"There is a girl who lives here in the winter," continued the
+chatterbox, "whose name is Mathilde. Isn't that funny? It's French&mdash;and
+she has the loveliest clothes! I wish you could see her&mdash;she hasn't come
+yet. And just think! she has diamond earrings. Have you any diamonds?"</p>
+
+<p>Frances shook her head, feeling very insignificant beside a girl with a
+French name and diamond earrings.</p>
+
+<p>"I have a diamond ring, but mamma won't let me wear it all the time for
+fear I'll lose it," said Gladys. "Haven't you any rings?" and she
+glanced at the plump little hands of her guest.</p>
+
+<p>"I have one, but it is too small for me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> now. I don't care very much for
+rings," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you? I do. Mamma has ever so many. If you won't tell I'll tell
+you something," Gladys went on; "Uncle Jo is going to give me a party at
+Christmas, and if you are here I'll invite you. It is to be just like a
+grown-up party."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you go to school?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Everyday school? Yes; but I don't like it. I haven't started yet."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I'll have to go now," said Frances, rising; "I hope you will
+come to see me, Gladys. I have only one doll with me, but I have some
+games and books."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care for books, but I'll come; and if Mathilde is here maybe
+I'll bring her."</p>
+
+<p>Frances went downstairs with a sober face. She had intended to tell
+Gladys the story of The Golden Doorway, and about the Spectacle Man, but
+she had not had a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> chance, and now she felt that these things would
+probably seem tame and uninteresting to a young person of such varied
+experience.</p>
+
+<p>"Has my little girl had a good time?" Mrs. Morrison asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Y-es, mother, Gladys has some of the prettiest dolls you ever saw, but
+they are too dressed up to have much fun with, and she didn't seem to
+want to play."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps she doesn't know how to have a really good time, Wink; some
+persons don't."</p>
+
+<p>"I know one thing; she hasn't a darling mother like you!" and Frances
+emphasized her words with an ardent hug.</p>
+
+<p>"Very few have, Wink," remarked her father, coming in with his hands
+full of papers.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you both for your kind appreciation," said Mrs. Morrison,
+laughing. "What do you expect to find in those papers, Jack?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am going to look up advertisements."</p>
+
+<p>"What for, daddy?" Frances asked, dancing about on tiptoe.</p>
+
+<p>"A place for you and mother while I run off and leave you. Listen to
+this: 'Wanted: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
+conveniences, terms reasonable. Apply at 432 Walnut Street.'"</p>
+
+<p>"The Spectacle Man's! the Spectacle Man's!" cried Frances, clapping her
+hands. "Let's go there, it's lovely!"</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?" asked her father and mother in the same breath, and
+then she explained how he had written the advertisement while she was
+waiting for the storm to be over.</p>
+
+<p>"Partially furnished&mdash;it might do. I mean, of course, if it is nice,"
+said Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"It is too far down town," objected her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, father, no, it isn't! It is just a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> beautiful place, and the
+Spectacle Man will show me his Toby jugs and things, and there's the
+cat,&mdash;please let's go!"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course if there is a Toby jug and a cat, there's nothing else to be
+desired," said Mr. Morrison, gravely, pinching the cheek of his
+enthusiastic daughter. However, he promised that bright and early next
+day they would go to look at this flat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOURTH" id="CHAPTER_FOURTH"></a>CHAPTER FOURTH</h2>
+
+<h3>THEY LOOK AT A FLAT.</h3>
+
+<p>The house occupied by Mr. Clark the optician was old-fashioned and
+roomy; built in the days when ground was cheap and space need not be
+economized. It belonged to his nephew, whose guardian he was, and some
+day, when the hard times were over, it was likely to be a valuable piece
+of property. At present it could be rented for little or nothing as a
+residence, and for this reason he had decided to live in it himself,
+taking the first floor and turning the second and third into flats.</p>
+
+<p>The dignified old mansion had the air of having stepped back in disdain
+from the hurry and bustle of the street, preserving in its seclusion
+between the tall buildings<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> on either side something of the leisurely
+atmosphere of other days.</p>
+
+<p>The optician himself was quite in keeping with the house. He loved old
+things and old ways; his business methods were those of thirty years
+ago, and so perhaps were most of his patrons. There were still many
+persons who could remember the time when he had been joint proprietor of
+the largest jewellery store in the city, but times had changed. In some
+way he had been crowded out and half forgotten, much as the old house
+had been.</p>
+
+<p>He kept the place in the best of order; the bit of lawn that lay between
+the house and the street was as thrifty and green as care could make it,
+and was a pleasant surprise when one came upon it unexpectedly, an oasis
+in the desert of brick pavement.</p>
+
+<p>Frances' bright eyes had noticed, in passing, the mammoth pair of
+spectacles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> swinging above the veranda, and so when she found Mrs. Gray,
+an old lady who had a room near theirs in the hotel, lamenting over her
+broken glasses, she had known where to take them.</p>
+
+<p>The clock struck eleven as the Morrisons entered the shop next morning.
+The sun shone cheerily in on the Spectacle Man, who was waiting upon a
+customer; and Peterkin, who had selected the brightest spot to be found,
+was making his toilet in an absorbed manner.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Clark bowed and smiled and asked them to be seated for a few
+minutes; but Frances, all impatience, could not think of keeping still,
+and, seeing the cat, was presently down on the floor beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, puss," she whispered, stroking him gently, "that maybe we
+are coming here to live?"</p>
+
+<p>The news evidently tickled him, so much so that he sneezed and shook
+his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> head vigorously; then, as if fearing to be misunderstood, he began
+to purr softly.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Frances, Mr. Clark is ready to show us the rooms," her father
+called; and it is to be hoped Peterkin was not hurt by the sudden manner
+in which he was dropped.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a nice old place, Jack," whispered Mrs. Morrison as they
+followed Frances and the Spectacle Man up the stairs. The former was
+explaining with great animation how they had seen the advertisement in
+the paper and she had recognized it. "You see, father is going away and
+can't take us, and mother and I think we'd like to come here, perhaps,"
+she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I had a presentiment I was going to find a good tenant, but I did
+not think it would be you," was his reply.</p>
+
+<p>The rooms proved to be large and light; the paper and paint were fresh
+and clean,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> and what furniture there was was simple and new.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it is the very place for us," Mrs. Morrison said, her
+housewifely eyes taking in all the possibilities of cosey comfort. "It
+will be a new and charming experience; and as for the Spectacle Man, he
+is simply delightful!"</p>
+
+<p>After showing them through, Mr. Clark had left them, and they could hear
+him singing as he went,</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"Yes, this will be a nice sitting room, with its windows where,&mdash;to
+quote Frances&mdash;'The little sun comes peeping in at morn!'" said Mr.
+Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"And this bedchamber is lovely, and the little kitchen&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"We can make candy sometimes, can't we, mother?" Frances interrupted,
+dancing wildly about.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O Jack! if only you were going to be here;" Mrs. Morrison turned
+suddenly to the sunny window.</p>
+
+<p>"You know I'll not go one step unless you are willing, Kate," her
+husband said, coming to her side.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be a goose, dear, of course you are going." Her face was hidden
+against his shoulder for a moment, then she turned brightly to Frances,
+who was anxiously inquiring where she was to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"And mother," she exclaimed, "such a pretty young lady passed through
+the hall just now."</p>
+
+<p>"That is something we must ask about,&mdash;what other persons are in the
+house," said her father.</p>
+
+<p>Frances was not a little surprised and indignant when, after carrying on
+what seemed to her a long conversation with Mr. Clark upon various
+unimportant subjects, her father left with nothing more definite than
+that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> they were pleased with the rooms and would let him know their
+decision next day.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't we going to take them? I thought it was all settled; I don't
+understand," she said when they were on the street.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Wink, let me ask you something. Don't you honestly think that two
+persons who have lived more than thirty years ought to have a little
+better judgment about some things than one who has lived only ten?"</p>
+
+<p>"But I'll be eleven in February, and&mdash;well, father, I suppose so, but
+grown people do take so long to think!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is an interesting old house, and do you know, I think that is a
+Gilbert Stuart over the mantel in the back room," remarked Mr. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, father, it is a George Washington! I'm sure it is," cried Frances,
+and couldn't understand why they laughed, till her mother explained that
+they were probably both right,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> as Gilbert Stuart had painted a number
+of portraits of Washington.</p>
+
+<p>It spoke well for the Spectacle Man's flat that they looked no farther
+that day, but there were many things to be taken into consideration that
+Frances did not dream of. After she was snugly tucked in bed that night,
+her father and mother sat long talking over their plans.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not like the idea of leaving you here without looking up any of my
+old friends," said Mr. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"But that is just what we want to avoid. I don't care to meet your
+friends till you are with me. We shall be perfectly comfortable, and
+shall enjoy the experience, and Mr. Clark, I know, will be kindness
+itself," replied his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"You are as infatuated as Frances; you are just two little girls with a
+new playhouse. But if anything should happen&mdash;I don't know what&mdash;it
+might be awkward."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I know what you mean, Jack; but we could not be suspected of
+any motive in coming here, a certain person being abroad, and nothing is
+going to happen. Who is likely to find us out? Morrison is a
+sufficiently common name, and the Spectacle Man's apartment house is, to
+say the least, not conspicuous. You forget we are not so important to
+other people as we are to you. The months will soon pass, and we shall
+be together again in some delightful place, and you will write your
+novel and become famous, and then&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Her husband lifted to his lips the hand he held, just as he used to do
+when he was her gallant young lover, a dozen years ago. "For your sake I
+wish I might. If only I had half your cheerful courage," he said,
+adding, "I hope Frances will grow up to be exactly like you."</p>
+
+<p>"She is exactly like you, Jack, I am happy to say."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>As they sat in silence the song of the Spectacle Man kept repeating
+itself in Mrs. Morrison's mind, and it suggested to her the broken
+bridge which separated Jack from so much that might have been his. Would
+it ever be mended?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIFTH" id="CHAPTER_FIFTH"></a>CHAPTER FIFTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES.</h3>
+
+<p>"I am as sorry as I can be that you are going away, I shall miss you so
+much;" said Mrs. Gray to Frances and her mother when they came in to
+tell her about their plans for the winter.</p>
+
+<p>Their rooms were across the hall from hers, and the acquaintance had
+begun in the elevator, where they often met on the way to the dining
+room. The old lady was somewhat crippled with rheumatism and moved about
+with difficulty, so her life was rather a lonely one; and it had given
+her a great deal of pleasure to have Mrs. Morrison and her little girl
+drop in every now and then to chat with her and bring her books and
+papers. Then she could never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> sufficiently express her gratitude to
+Frances for taking her glasses to be mended.</p>
+
+<p>"If I hadn't, I might never have known the Spectacle Man, and we
+shouldn't have found our flat, so I am much obliged to <i>you</i>," Frances
+said, laughing, when Mrs. Gray went over it all for the tenth time, more
+or less.</p>
+
+<p>"Then perhaps you would have stayed here for the winter. I am sorry I
+let you go," was her answer.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll often run in to see you, Mrs. Gray, and sometime you may be able
+to come to see us," said Mrs. Morrison; adding, "we haven't many
+friends, you know."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Gray shook her head. "I can't get out any more; but as for friends,
+you'll find them wherever you go."</p>
+
+<p>Gladys did not approve of the move, and frankly expressed her opinion.
+"It is such a funny old house, in between the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> stores. I shouldn't think
+you would want to live there," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"But you don't know how nice it is inside," Frances urged. "It is going
+to be such fun; and Mr. Clark has some lovely things and the dearest
+cat!"</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me you like very funny things," Gladys remarked. She
+announced, however, that she intended to call.</p>
+
+<p>What with getting the traveller ready to start and moving into their new
+quarters, those were busy days. They were all three very cheerful
+indeed, making a great many jokes and talking about next summer, when
+they should be together again, saying nothing of the long winter that
+stretched between.</p>
+
+<p>It was a mistake to think of Hawaii as so far away. Had it not been
+annexed? Two thousand miles from California was simply no distance at
+all in these days. When it came to saying good-by it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> hard indeed to
+remember all this, but it was gone through with somehow, and one bright
+October day Frances and her mother found themselves alone in their new
+sitting room.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mother, I wish you wouldn't cry!" sobbed Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"But you are crying yourself," said Mrs. Morrison, half laughing. At
+this tearful moment there came a knock at the door, and a long heavy
+package was handed in.</p>
+
+<p>"There must be some mistake," Mrs. Morrison said, drying her eyes and
+reading the address, which was, however, unmistakable.</p>
+
+<p>They made haste to cut the twine, and behold, a beautiful rug! "Isn't
+this like that dear, extravagant Jack?" she cried. "Isn't it pretty,
+Wink? He thought we'd need cheering up!"</p>
+
+<p>Chairs and tables must be pushed aside at once and the rug put in place.
+Frances had just sat down in the middle of it with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> great satisfaction,
+when through the half-open door walked the fattest, rosiest baby
+imaginable, wearing a very clean blue check apron and an affable smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, where did you come from?" they both exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>This was evidently something he did not care to reveal, for, although he
+continued to smile and gaze about him with interest, he made no reply.</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 314px;"><a name="ILL_002" id="ILL_002"></a>
+<img src="images/ill_002.jpg" width="314" height="500" alt="&quot;&#39;What is your name, baby?&#39;&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;&#39;What is your name, baby?&#39;&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"What is your name, baby?" Frances asked, holding out her hands.
+"Dennyleebon,"&mdash;or so it sounded.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you suppose that is intended for English?" said Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. Make him say something else. Baby, can you talk?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tock," repeated the infant, pointing to the mantel.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," cried Frances, delighted, "it is a clock. You see, mother, he
+thought I said clock. That is English."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You don't mean it! But let him alone, Wink, and see what he will do."</p>
+
+<p>The visitor showed plainly that he had a mind of his own. He did not
+wish to be petted and kissed, but preferred to walk around the room on a
+tour of investigation. Presently he paused before a table and remarked
+earnestly, "Book."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you find a picture-book for him?" asked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>There happened to be an old animal book in the box they were unpacking,
+and, getting it out, Frances and the baby sat together on the new rug
+and turned the leaves, the latter never failing to say, "ion," "effunt,"
+"tiger," as the case might be, with unvarying correctness and great
+enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this there came a modest little tap at the door, and
+when Mrs. Morrison opened it, there stood a girl of about Frances' age.
+Her red calico<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> dress was very fresh, her cheeks as rosy as the
+infant's, and her flaxen hair was drawn tightly back and braided in a
+long tail.</p>
+
+<p>"Is the baby here?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no," came in decided tones from the visitor.</p>
+
+<p>This made them all laugh, even the baby himself seeming to think it a
+good joke.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't he stay for a while? He is good, and we like to have him," said
+Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>The girl hesitated; plainly the baby had no thought of leaving. "The
+lady who used to have these rooms made a pet of him, and he is always
+running off up here," she explained.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad he came, for my daughter and I were feeling lonely. Won't you
+come in and sit down? Do you live in the house?"</p>
+
+<p>The newcomer accepted Mrs. Morrison's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> invitation rather shyly, looking
+as if she had a mind to carry the baby off by main force. Her name, she
+said, was Emma Bond, and she and her two-year-old brother lived in the
+back part of the house with their mother, who took care of Mr. Clark's
+rooms. The baby's name was Robert Lee, but he was commonly known as the
+General, a nickname given him by the Spectacle Man, and evidently well
+bestowed.</p>
+
+<p>After the picture-book had been examined from beginning to end twice
+over, the General was, with the aid of some candy and much diplomacy,
+induced to accompany his sister downstairs, calling "By-by," and kissing
+his hand with great affability to Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't they the cleanest looking children you ever saw?" said the
+latter, coming back from the hall, where she had gone with their
+guests.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Aren't they! I think I shall like Emma, she is a nice, sensible,
+old-fashioned little girl, and the General is great fun. I hope they
+will come again," replied Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of the next few days they began to feel at home in their
+new quarters, and they also made the acquaintance of Mrs. Bond, a small
+woman with a pleasant but firm face, and such an air of energy that no
+lazy person could exist comfortably in her presence.</p>
+
+<p>She was never known to waste any time. With the assistance of a colored
+boy,&mdash;a theological student,&mdash;who came in twice a day and in the time he
+could spare from his Latin and Greek cleaned for her, she kept Mr.
+Clark's rooms and the halls in beautiful order. Her children were always
+as neat as wax, and her busy fingers found time for a little fine sewing
+occasionally, which, as a girl, she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> learned in the convent school
+where she was educated.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bond was trying to train her daughter in the same industrious ways,
+and one Saturday morning Frances discovered Emma dusting the show-cases
+in the shop. Stopping to speak to her, she learned that this was her
+daily task, and that on Saturdays she dusted the study also. It must be
+very interesting work, Frances thought, and the two children found so
+much to talk about that Mrs. Bond presently came in search of Emma and
+reproved her for idling. She did not positively object to play after
+lessons were learned and other duties attended to, but she conveyed the
+impression to Frances that in her opinion a really exemplary little girl
+would care more for her tasks than for amusement.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so sorry, but I have to go," Emma whispered, as her mother left
+the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Won't your mother let you come to see me some time?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess so, when I haven't anything to do," answered Emma, who thought
+Frances the most charming little girl she had ever seen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIXTH" id="CHAPTER_SIXTH"></a>CHAPTER SIXTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>AN INFORMAL AFFAIR.</h3>
+
+<p>It was not long before the Morrisons' apartment blossomed into a
+charmingly homelike place. Even Mrs. Bond, who on one of her tours of
+inspection in the wake of Wilson Barnes, the student, had been enticed
+in for a moment, agreed that the rooms were very fine, though she
+herself would not care to have so many things to keep clean.</p>
+
+<p>Their sitting room was the greatest achievement. There was the new rug,
+which really was a beauty, and the couch, with its plump cushions all
+covered in a marvellous fifteen-cent stuff that looked like a costly
+Oriental fabric, together with the books and pictures, which had been
+left packed and ready to be sent to them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> whenever they should settle
+down, and last of all, in the sunniest corner was a beautiful sword
+fern, a rubber plant, and a jar of ivy.</p>
+
+<p>"Transients can't afford many plants, but a little greenness is
+essential to happiness," Mrs. Morrison declared.</p>
+
+<p>The cosey kitchen was presided over by Zenobia Jackson, who exactly
+suited her surroundings, being small and neat and quick, combining in a
+most satisfactory way the duties of a parlor maid and cook.</p>
+
+<p>She was a friend of Wilson's, to whom Mrs. Morrison had applied. When
+asked if he knew any one she could get to do the work of their small
+flat, he replied, "Yes, ma'm; I know a young girl who would suit you,
+but she is going to school at present."</p>
+
+<p>"If that is the case, she wouldn't suit at all," said Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, she's thinking of leaving school.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> Her ma she's sick, and her
+pa's out of work, and their insurance is getting in the rear, so Zenobia
+'lows she'll have to get a place."</p>
+
+<p>"Can she cook?" asked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, ma'm; her ma's one of the best cooks in town."</p>
+
+<p>"Her mother has taught her, then, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"No, ma'm; the best ones ain't taught. It comes by nature, and Zenobia
+is a naturalist." Wilson spoke with ministerial gravity.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison smiled. "I'd like to have her come to see me," she said.</p>
+
+<p>Wilson promised to let her know, and added, "If you take her, Mrs.
+Morrison, she'll do her best, and angels can't do any better."</p>
+
+<p>The result was that a few days later Zenobia was installed and proved
+herself worthy of her recommendation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She does beautifully," Mrs. Morrison wrote to her husband, "and while I
+am not in a position to assert that angels couldn't do better, I am
+inclined to believe it."</p>
+
+<p>"Frances, I wish we knew those girls upstairs. I meet them so often in
+the hall. One of them&mdash;Miss Moore, I think she is&mdash;is exceedingly
+pretty." Mrs. Morrison was washing the glossy leaves of the rubber
+plant.</p>
+
+<p>"I know them," her daughter replied, as she carefully measured the long
+bud that was about to open. "The pretty one is Miss Sherwin," she
+added. "I know, because when Emma and I went up to their room with a
+package that had been left downstairs by mistake, Miss Moore opened the
+door, and I heard her say, 'Here is your dress, Lillian.'"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see how that proves anything. How did you know that the one who
+opened the door was Miss Moore?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frances thought for a moment, "I know now! The package had Miss
+Sherwin's name on it. Doesn't that prove it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it does, Wink, though it seems something of a puzzle," replied
+her mother. "At any rate, I wish I knew them. I must remember to ask Mr.
+Clark about them; they look lonely."</p>
+
+<p>"Let's go to see them," Frances suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"They were here before we came; they may not wish to know us."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think they would," Frances exclaimed, so earnestly her mother
+laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"So should I, Winkie, but we don't know. Perhaps something will happen
+to make us acquainted."</p>
+
+<p>Something did happen, and it was the General who brought it to pass.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bond often remarked that Emma's head never saved her heels, and it
+was quite true; for, although she went about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> her tasks willingly
+enough, her thoughts had a way of travelling off into a world of their
+own. She had long ago discovered this way of escape from the rather dull
+routine of her daily life, but her mother declared since the Morrisons
+came she had been worse than ever. And, indeed, the life upstairs in
+those bright rooms seemed very strange and delightful to Emma, so much
+so that in thinking about it she would forget the sugar bowl, or the
+tea-cups when she set the table, and do all sorts of absent-minded
+things.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon, soon after Frances and her mother had the conversation
+about their neighbors overhead, the former went down to see Emma.</p>
+
+<p>She found her in the kitchen that was as usual tidy to the last degree;
+the General, however, true to the influence of his environment, was busy
+with a tiny broom and dustpan. Emma sat in the window<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> reading, and on
+the stove something simmered and bubbled gently.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a very nice kitchen," Frances remarked, as she walked in.</p>
+
+<p>Emma closed her book. "Do you think so? I don't like kitchens, but your
+sitting room is beautiful. It reminds me of a house where I go sometimes
+for mother; oh, such a lovely place!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't get down; let me sit beside you," Frances begged, and quickly
+established herself in the other corner of the window-sill.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother doesn't care for pretty things; she says she is thankful if she
+can be clean," Emma continued, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are very clean," said the visitor, looking around her; "but
+tell me about that beautiful house, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>Emma obediently began an animated description of it. It was just like a
+palace, she said, with a beautiful garden and conservatory,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> and rooms
+and rooms full of lovely things. "Mother sews sometimes for the lady who
+lives there, and I take the work home. I wonder, Frances, if you
+couldn't go with me next time."</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the General!" cried Frances, suddenly, jumping down.</p>
+
+<p>All unnoticed by the girls he had contrived to set his broom on fire and
+was now waving it aloft in great delight. He had no mind to give it up
+either, and frightened by the excited manner in which they rushed upon
+him, he clung to it for dear life, filling the house with his shrieks.
+In the struggle a roller towel caught fire and some damage might have
+been done, but for the appearance of Miss Moore and Miss Sherwin.</p>
+
+<p>The former seized the baby with a practised hand while her companion
+unfastened the roller and let the towel fall to the floor, where the
+fire was easily put out. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> all over when Mrs. Morrison, who had
+heard the screams as she was dressing, came hurrying in, followed by Mr.
+Clark. The General sat quiet in Miss Moore's lap, a finger in his mouth,
+tears still on his cheek; Emma with a dazed expression was holding on to
+all that remained of the broom; and Frances danced around excitedly
+trying to explain how it happened.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Bond walked in, everything quieted down as if by magic.
+Explanations were needless, her quick eyes took it all in: "Emma wasn't
+minding what she was about," she said decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man chuckled to himself as they all filed out, leaving her
+restoring order. "The General is too much for Emma," he remarked; "it is
+odd to see how like his mother that baby is already&mdash;as alert and
+determined in the pursuit of mischief as she is in her more important
+affairs."</p>
+
+<p>"I have a dozen erratic infants not more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> than a year older than the
+General, at my table in kindergarten, so I know something about it,"
+said Miss Moore.</p>
+
+<p>The excitement had broken the ice, and the Morrisons and their
+third-floor neighbors went upstairs together chatting sociably. Miss
+Sherwin, indeed, had not much to say; but her companion made up for her
+silence, and accepted without hesitation Mrs. Morrison's invitation to
+come in and make her and Frances a call.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been wanting to come, but Lillian wouldn't let me," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not fair to say that without giving my reason," put in Miss
+Sherwin, coloring in a way that was most becoming.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe she thought you wouldn't care to know us," said Miss Moore,
+laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a great mistake," answered Mrs. Morrison. "Frances and I are
+sociable persons, and besides, we are strangers here."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So are we, and we came here because Mr. Clark is an old friend of my
+father's." As she spoke, Miss Moore looked about her with frankly
+admiring eyes. "I am taking the kindergarten course; and my friend is
+keeping house and amusing herself, and keeping me from dying of
+home-sickness."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison thought Miss Sherwin, with her rather melancholy dark
+eyes, looked much more like a subject for home-sickness than her merry
+companion. In the course of the conversation she discovered that their
+home was in a Southern town, and that Miss Moore, who was the oldest
+daughter in a large family, was studying kindergarten in order to
+support herself. What Miss Sherwin was doing was not so clear. She had
+no home ties and was free to go where she pleased, and it was evident
+that her friend looked up to her with deep admiration.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>While Mrs. Morrison and Miss Moore were talking, Frances and Miss
+Sherwin were making friends over their favorite story-books, and before
+the call was over they all had the pleasant feeling of being old
+acquaintances; and the acquaintance was not allowed to languish.</p>
+
+<p>The very next evening Frances and Emma in great glee knocked at the door
+of what Miss Moore called their sky parlor, with an invitation to a
+candy pulling. It was just the night for a little fun, being Friday and
+stormy, and the young ladies promptly accepted.</p>
+
+<p>Delicious odors were finding their way into the sitting room when the
+guests entered, Miss Sherwin looking pretty and pensive in her big
+apron, Miss Moore as flyaway and merry as usual.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison met them at the door and led the way to the kitchen, where
+the children were watching the kettle that gave forth the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> pleasant
+fragrance. "Frances wanted something to do, and as Friday evening is a
+sort of holiday, I thought perhaps our neighbors would join us in
+pulling candy," she said.</p>
+
+<p>They made molasses candy first, and while this was being pulled Mrs.
+Morrison made some chocolate caramels; and even Miss Sherwin was unable
+to resist the laughing and nonsense that went on, and was presently
+taking part in it as merrily as anybody.</p>
+
+<p>They were sitting around the fire in a sociable group enjoying the
+fruits of their labor, when the Spectacle Man knocked at the door. He
+had to come to see Mrs. Morrison on business, but when Frances invited
+him in to have some candy he did not decline.</p>
+
+<p>"This looks very pleasant," he said, surveying the company, a piece of
+chocolate in his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, Mr. Clark; I want to ask you something," said Mrs. Morrison.
+"It is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> about the song Frances is always singing,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The bridge is broke&mdash;'"</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"What is the rest of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you all I know, but that isn't much," he replied, crossing
+his legs and looking into the fire. "I used to like to hear it from my
+grandfather when I was a child, and I found it interested Mark, my
+nephew, when he was a little chap. This is the way it goes.</p>
+
+<p>"A man was once taking a long journey on foot. After walking several
+hours he came to a deep, swift stream over which there had once been a
+bridge, but now it was not to be seen. On the opposite side of the river
+a man was chopping wood, and the traveller called to him to know what
+had become of the bridge. The reply&mdash;and this is always sung&mdash;was:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri.'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'How deep is the river?' the traveller then asked.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri&mdash;' etc.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"'How can I get across?' was the next question.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do&mdash;' etc.</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"And that is all."</p>
+
+<p>"Doesn't the poor man ever get across?" asked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"I have told you all I know, madam," the Spectacle Man answered, with a
+little wave of his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I think there is a story hidden in it, and that is perhaps why children
+enjoy it; it is like having a picture to look at." It was Miss Sherwin
+who spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"That is a bright idea," said Mr. Clark; "but who will find the hidden
+story for us?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe Miss Sherwin herself can find it," suggested Mrs. Morrison.
+"Suppose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> we give her two weeks to hunt for it, and then have a meeting
+to hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, please&mdash;" began Miss Sherwin.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say a word, Lil, you know you can," urged Miss Moore, as her
+friend tried to make herself heard above the chorus of approval.</p>
+
+<p>"The meeting to be held in my study," added the Spectacle Man.</p>
+
+<p>"But suppose I can't do it," cried Miss Sherwin.</p>
+
+<p>"Father could, if he were here," put in Frances; "he is splendid for
+stories!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is he the John Chauncey Morrison who writes so charmingly?" asked Miss
+Sherwin.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, do you know him?" exclaimed Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"No, but I have read his stories."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he writes the nicest ones in the world," said the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"But we don't expect everybody else to think so, Wink," her mother
+added, laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVENTH" id="CHAPTER_SEVENTH"></a>CHAPTER SEVENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>A PORTRAIT.</h3>
+
+<p>One pleasant afternoon Emma came to ask if Frances might go with her to
+carry home some sewing her mother had finished.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison looked a little doubtful, but, before she could speak,
+Frances exclaimed: "Do please say yes, mother. It is a great lovely
+house, and I do so want to see it."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about it?" asked her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Emma has told me. May I go? It is such a lovely day."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure that it is quite the thing for two little girls to go so
+far alone."</p>
+
+<p>"But we'll take care of each other, and&mdash;it seems to me that what you
+want to do is never the thing!" Frances said impatiently.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Her mother laughed; "I have known other persons who thought that. Who
+lives in this wonderful house?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Marvin, but she is not at home now; there is no one there but the
+housekeeper," replied Emma.</p>
+
+<p>"If I let you go you must promise not to stay any longer than is
+necessary for Emma's errand."</p>
+
+<p>They both agreed eagerly to this, and Emma ran down to get ready.</p>
+
+<p>"You mustn't turn into a little Bohemian, Wink," Mrs. Morrison said,
+kissing the rosy face under the big hat.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what it is, so I guess I couldn't turn into it," laughed
+Frances, as she followed Emma.</p>
+
+<p>The two children were in a gale of delight over their expedition, and,
+although they meant to be very dignified, found it impossible to walk
+more than a few steps without breaking into a skip.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I wish my hair was like yours," Emma said, looking admiringly at her
+companion's waving brown locks.</p>
+
+<p>"But braids aren't half so much bother. I have to wear mine this way
+because daddy likes it; and if you want to, you know, you can put your
+hair up on kids. That is what Gladys Bowen does; hers doesn't curl one
+bit."</p>
+
+<p>"Gladys goes to our school, and I don't like her," remarked Emma.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? Don't you think she is pretty?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but she is so proud of herself. She doesn't like to go with me
+because my clothes aren't as nice as hers,&mdash;I know."</p>
+
+<p>"She gets that from her mother," Frances said sagely. "Whenever I go
+there Mrs. Bowen asks me who made my dress or something."</p>
+
+<p>"I know I don't have very pretty dresses, but my mother hasn't time,"
+said Emma, rather sorrowfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think you always look nice, Emma, and I like you better than I do
+Gladys."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Frances! do you really? Then I shan't mind," cried Emma.</p>
+
+<p>She was supremely happy at having Frances for a companion on her walk,
+and at the prospect of showing her this wonderful house; but when at
+length they paused before the tall iron gate, she was seized with the
+fear that it might not seem very grand to one who had seen so much of
+the world.</p>
+
+<p>Frances' critical eye was pleased, however; "I really think it does look
+like a palace," she said, with the air of having lived among palaces.</p>
+
+<p>It was a somewhat imposing mansion, with a row of graceful columns
+across the front, and a broad flight of steps leading to the entrance.
+It stood in the midst of a beautiful green lawn on which were a few fine
+old trees and shrubs.</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait till you see the inside," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> Emma, delightedly, as they
+stood before the stately door; but alas! when it was opened the hall was
+seen all dismantled; evidently house-cleaning was going on.</p>
+
+<p>After some hesitation the servant showed them into a room which was,
+like the hall, in disorder. It seemed to be a library, but the furniture
+was all covered, the floor was bare, and the sun streamed in through
+uncurtained windows. The most prominent object in the room was a picture
+which hung over the mantel, and this at once caught Frances' attention.</p>
+
+<p>It was the portrait of a girl apparently about her own age, whose sunny
+eyes smiled down in the friendliest way. Her brown hair curled loosely
+over her shoulders; her dress, of some soft, silken brocade of warm,
+rich colors, was quaintly made and fell almost to her feet; her neck and
+arms were bare, and her dimpled hands clasped lightly before her. There
+was a grace and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> buoyancy in the pose which was very charming; Frances
+was enchanted.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't she lovely! Who is she, do you suppose?" she asked; but Emma
+could tell her nothing about it, she had never been in this room before.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe she is like you, Frances," she said, looking critically at
+the picture.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I am not half so pretty as that! She makes me think of
+something&mdash; I don't know exactly what," and Frances wrinkled her brow in
+a puzzled way. She was completely fascinated, and continued to gaze at
+the portrait all the while Emma was talking to the woman who came to see
+her about the work, hearing nothing till her own name caught her ear.</p>
+
+<p>"It is some relative of Miss Frances," was what she heard, evidently in
+reply to a question from Emma.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they were on the street she inquired who Miss Frances was,
+and Emma<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> said she thought she was Mrs. Marvin, the lady who owned the
+house. "She is coming home before long, and they are getting ready for
+her," she added.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to have that picture," said Frances, with a sigh. "Emma,
+do you know what a Bohemian is?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know what the 'Bohemian Girl' is; it is music."</p>
+
+<p>"It can't be that, for mother said father wouldn't like it if I turned
+into one."</p>
+
+<p>As Frances was unbuttoning her shoes that night she suddenly exclaimed,
+"Why, it is the little girl in the golden doorway!</p>
+
+<p>"What is?" her mother asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that is what the portrait reminded me of. It has just come into
+my head. Isn't it funny?"</p>
+
+<p>"Almost any portrait of a little girl might suggest it, I should think,"
+said Mrs. Morrison.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could see her, mother. Do you think I can go again with Emma
+sometime? I do want to see her once more."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, is it being a Bohemian to want to go?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison laughed. "Not exactly, Wink. It is difficult to explain,
+but a Bohemian is perhaps a person who habitually does what is not 'the
+thing.'"</p>
+
+<p>"That must be fun," said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>There was silence for a long time, then she asked, "Mother, aren't you
+glad a certain person is abroad?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I was just thinking!"</p>
+
+<p>"But what put it into your head to think of a certain person?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the girl in the golden doorway always makes me think of him; and
+you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> know, mother, father said he didn't mind leaving us here because he
+was abroad."</p>
+
+<p>"You have been drawing on your imagination, Wink, you can't have
+understood father; but now you must go to bed and not talk any more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHTH" id="CHAPTER_EIGHTH"></a>CHAPTER EIGHTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE STORY OF THE BRIDGE.</h3>
+
+<p>An atmosphere of great sociability pervaded the quaint room that the
+Spectacle Man called his study, when on Friday evening, two weeks after
+the candy pulling, his expected guests arrived.</p>
+
+<p>He had closed his shop an hour earlier than usual, and spent the time in
+getting out certain treasures of china and silver, and placing them
+where they could be seen to the best advantage. When the lamps were
+lighted, the hearth brushed, and the big Japanese bowl heaped up with
+apples and grapes, he paused and looked around him with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>He was reflecting how pleasant it was to be giving a party, when the
+hall door opened to let in Peterkin and closed again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> in what might have
+seemed a mysterious manner but for the sound of stifled laughter on the
+outside. On the inside Peterkin stood looking cross-eyed in a vain
+endeavor to see the frill that adorned his neck.</p>
+
+<p>"So they have dressed you for the occasion, my friend," remarked his
+master; "it must recall the days when Mark was at home."</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later Emma and Frances appeared, looking very demure and
+bringing with them Gladys, who, happening in in the afternoon, had been
+invited to stay and hear the story. The rest of the party soon followed,
+and Mr. Clark's face beamed with pleasure as he stepped briskly about
+getting every one seated. The children chose the sofa at the side of the
+fireplace, where they sat, three in a row with Frances in the middle,
+until Miss Moore begged to know if there was not room for her, and of
+course there was.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid you are trying to excite our envy, Mr. Clark," Mrs.
+Morrison said, touching a little dish of old Wedgwood.</p>
+
+<p>"I have a few odds and ends of things," was his reply; "but most of what
+you see belongs to my nephew, Mark Osborne. A great-aunt left him her
+property when she died, this house, and a good deal of what Mark himself
+disrespectfully calls plunder."</p>
+
+<p>"You have never told us about the Toby jug," put in Frances. "Does that
+belong to Mark?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, that is my own, and sometime I'll tell you all I know about it; but
+now we want to hear Miss Sherwin's story. That is the first business of
+the evening;" and, his guests being seated to his satisfaction, the
+Spectacle Man crossed his knees and prepared to listen.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure that it is at all interesting," said the young lady, as
+all eyes turned toward her. "Shall I read it or tell it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Tell it, please," cried the children in a chorus.</p>
+
+<p>So she began, at first a little timidly, and with a glance now and then
+at her paper, but gaining courage as she went on.</p>
+
+<p>"I have called it," she said, "'The Story of the Missing Bridge.'</p>
+
+<p>"Once upon a time a young man set out on a journey. The tender beauty of
+the springtime was upon the grass and trees, the wheat fields were
+turning from gold to rose, and the sky was a soft, deep blue.</p>
+
+<p>"He was a sturdy young fellow and carried a light heart, as one could
+tell from the smile in his eyes and the merry tune he whistled as he
+strode along. And he had reason to be happy, for on the next day at
+sunset he was to be married to the fairest girl in all the country
+round.</p>
+
+<p>"After a time the path he followed left the open fields and entered the
+cool, dim<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> forest, where all was so still and peaceful that
+involuntarily he changed his tune to one more grave.</p>
+
+<p>"A truly happy heart is certain to be a kind one, and, eager though he
+was to reach his journey's end, he paused once and again to lend a
+helping hand. Now it was to a peddler who was vainly trying to piece
+together the broken strap that had held his pack, again to restore a
+young bird to its nest, and then to release a white rabbit which had
+caught its foot in a trap and was moaning piteously.</p>
+
+<p>"These incidents delayed him somewhat, and it was late in the afternoon
+when he reached the river several miles beyond which lay his
+destination. It was a wild and treacherous stream that rushed down from
+the hills, boiling and bubbling over rocks and between high, precipitous
+banks. Many years before a strong bridge had been thrown across it at
+the point where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> the path emerged from the forest, but to-day, to his
+utter surprise and bewilderment, there was no bridge to be seen. His
+journey was brought to a sudden stop.</p>
+
+<p>"He looked about him; could he have missed his way? This was impossible,
+he had travelled it too often. On the other side of the river he saw a
+man chopping wood, and presently called to him to know what had become
+of the bridge.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri.'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"This was the man's reply, sung in a merry rollicking tune as he
+continued his work.</p>
+
+<p>"'How deep is the stream?' asked the traveller.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do&mdash;'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"'How can I get across?'</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do&mdash;'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"came across the stream in the same mocking tune.</p>
+
+<p>"Angry and almost in despair, the young farmer sat down beneath a tree
+to consider what was to be done.</p>
+
+<p>"The secret of all his trouble was this. In an old red stone castle, the
+turrets of which were just visible above the trees on the other side of
+the stream, there lived a magician who had long had his eye upon the
+beautiful maiden who was the young man's promised bride. To win her he
+appeared as a wealthy middle-aged suitor, ready to lay all his riches at
+her feet, his real character being carefully concealed; but all his arts
+had been plied in vain; no gold or gems or promises of future splendor
+could turn her heart from her young lover. Her parents, however, were
+inclined to look with favor upon the magician's suit, and their daughter
+was made most unhappy by their reproaches.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The last resort of the magician was to insinuate doubts of her lover's
+faithfulness; and after long and careful scheming, with her father and
+mother as allies, a promise was wrung from the maiden that, if the
+bridegroom failed by so much as an hour to appear at the appointed time,
+she would wed his rival. So sure was she of her lover, so ignorant of
+the magician's power.</p>
+
+<p>"It now only remained to hinder the coming of the bridegroom. This the
+magician wished to contrive in such a way that the young farmer should
+arrive upon the scene just too late, and that he himself might have the
+exquisite pleasure of witnessing his despair. This was not without its
+difficulties, for the forest that extended almost to the water's edge
+was inhabited by fairies who were well disposed toward mortals, and took
+frequent delight in frustrating the schemes of the evil-minded
+magician.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He therefore set himself to work to win their good will, and after
+establishing friendly relations went to the queen with what seemed an
+innocent request. An enemy of his was about to pass through the wood,
+and it was all-important that he should be hindered from crossing the
+river until after a certain hour. All he asked of the fairies was the
+promise that they would not reveal the plan by which he meant to
+accomplish this. The promise was readily given, for what possible harm
+could come to any one through being detained on the bank of the river
+for a few hours?</p>
+
+<p>"The fairies often amused themselves by trying the temper of those who
+passed through the forest, and the peddler, the bird, and the rabbit had
+all been contrived to test the kindliness of the chance traveller; and
+by his quick response to these calls for help the young farmer had won<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>
+their favor. So now, as he sat at the foot of the oak tree almost ready
+to weep in his despair, he heard a tiny voice singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The bridge is broke and you'll have to mend it,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do.'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"'If some kind friend would only tell me how!' he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"'Is it then so necessary to your happiness?' asked the voice; and
+looking all about, he at length discovered a little creature sitting on
+a toadstool just at his feet. In her hand she held a large leaf which
+till now had served to hide her from his view.</p>
+
+<p>"Having heard that the wood was the abode of fairies, he was not
+surprised; and in the hope that they would be able and willing to help
+him, he told his story. The fairy listened intently, marvelling at the
+magician's craftiness.</p>
+
+<p>"'And when must you be there?' she asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"'Not one minute later than sunset to-morrow. I set out a day sooner
+than needful because of a mysteriously worded message I received,
+warning me to make all haste lest I lose my bride,' was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"'You have an enemy,' said the fairy, 'but we may be able to help you.
+You must wait the hour of audience, which is on the stroke of midnight;'
+with this she disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"The young man, left alone, seemed to hear all about him mocking voices
+singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over&mdash;'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"and again and again he went to the water's edge, resolved to attempt to
+cross on the rocks, but the sight of the wild torrent told him it would
+be certain death.</p>
+
+<p>"As night came on he at length fell into a troubled sleep with his head
+against the trunk of the oak tree. He was aroused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> by soft music and
+twinkling lights, and beheld before him, ranged in a semicircle, the
+fairy queen and her attendants. The queen addressed him:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Mortal, we have heard your story from Sadonia, one of our ladies, and,
+as you have proved yourself kind and true-hearted, we would help you;
+but we are bound by a sacred vow not to reveal the secret of the bridge
+until sunset to-morrow.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Ah, then it will be too late!' cried the young man.</p>
+
+<p>"One of the attendant fairies now stepped out and knelt before the
+queen. It was the one called Sadonia, with whom he had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>"'Your Majesty remembers,' she said, 'that for a certain fault I was
+condemned to take the form of a white rabbit, and with my foot in a trap
+wait to be released by some kind traveller. When I was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> despair, this
+mortal freed me, and I ask that I may show my gratitude now by aiding
+him.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Can this be done without breaking the vow which binds us all?' asked
+the queen.</p>
+
+<p>"'Your Majesty, I promise neither by word or sign to reveal the secret
+of the bridge. I shall only ask him to obey me in a single command. The
+result rests with himself.'</p>
+
+<p>"The queen was silent for a moment, then she said, 'Is this mortal
+courageous enough, is his love deep enough, to keep him unfaltering in
+the face of death?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Death met in trying to reach the one I love will be far better than
+life without her!' cried the young man.</p>
+
+<p>"'Then,' said the queen, 'Sadonia is permitted to use all her powers to
+aid you, but without revealing by word or sign the secret of the
+bridge.' She waved her wand, and in a breath lights and fairies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>
+disappeared and he was left alone. Not alone, for he heard Sadonia
+singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over&mdash;'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"and there, dimly seen in the moonlight, she sat on a toadstool, wrapped
+in a mantle of green.</p>
+
+<p>"'It is time, mortal, for you to be up and away. In yonder red castle
+lives a magician; it was he you saw cutting wood&mdash;this is the hour when
+he sleeps. Is your courage strong? Are you ready to do the impossible?'
+While she spoke the young man sprang to his feet.</p>
+
+<p>"'Do you see the star straight before us in the heavens?' she asked.
+'Keep your eyes fixed upon it, and think of her who is now dreaming of
+you; then if you obey me, all will be well.'</p>
+
+<p>"She led him to the edge of the cliff, below him was the rushing stream;
+'Look at the star and go on,' she cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"For one instant he hesitated. Go on? Where would the next step take
+him? Beneath were the rocks and the foaming torrent, but above him was
+the glowing star. He stepped bravely out. Louder and louder roared the
+torrent, brighter and brighter burned the star, firm and solid was the
+mysterious path. Confidence grew as he went on, his heart full of a
+great joy, and presently he felt the turf under his feet; the stream was
+crossed!</p>
+
+<p>"As he paused to look back the truth flashed upon him: the bridge was
+where it had always been, but some strange spell had made it invisible!</p>
+
+<p>"He went on his way, and all around him he seemed to hear fairy voices
+singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de ri do&mdash;'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"He stopped and, lifting his hat, said softly, 'Thank you, Sadonia!' and
+hoped she heard.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"On the next day the maiden and her lover had a joyous wedding, and the
+evil-minded magician slunk away in a rage to his castle, having
+discovered that love is stronger than magic; for no evil power can
+destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts, and faith and courage
+can always find the way."</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Clark, as Miss Sherwin paused, with a very
+becoming color in her cheeks, "who would have thought there was such a
+story hidden away in my old song."</p>
+
+<p>"I am so pleased that we asked her to do it," said Mrs. Morrison,
+smiling across the table at the story-teller. "I had my suspicions
+before, and now they are confirmed," she added.</p>
+
+<p>"I am just proud of you, Lil," said Miss Moore, beaming on her friend.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it is a lovely story, but couldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> you have more about the
+fairies, Miss Sherwin?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"And about the wedding and what the bride had on," suggested Gladys.</p>
+
+<p>"But did you really make it all up?" inquired Emma.</p>
+
+<p>The young lady laughed. "No, I only found it between the lines of the
+song, and I certainly think it can be improved."</p>
+
+<p>"The moral is such a fine one," remarked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"That faith and courage can always find a way&mdash;yes, isn't it, if one
+could only live up to it," said Miss Moore.</p>
+
+<p>"It has given me a great deal to think about," added the Spectacle Man.
+"The bridge is broke&mdash;but faith and courage will find the way; yes, I
+like it," and he nodded his head emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought morals weren't interesting," said Frances, at which they all
+laughed, and Miss Sherwin said she hoped she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> not made hers too
+prominent. "I feel very grateful to you for liking it," she added.</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to elaborate it a little and send it to <i>The Young People's
+Journal</i>," Mrs. Morrison said.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Sherwin shook her head, but Miss Moore declared she would see that
+it was done.</p>
+
+<p>Peterkin, who had been completely forgotten in the interest of the
+story, created a sensation just here by catching one of his sharp lower
+teeth in his frill, thereby causing temporary lockjaw. He was promptly
+released by Miss Moore, who declared he should not be dressed up again.</p>
+
+<p>After he had gone into seclusion under the sofa, and the rest of the
+company were eating grapes and apples, Mr. Clark took down the Toby jug
+from the mantel shelf.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems hardly right to tell another story to-night after the
+beautiful one we have listened to," he said, "but this is a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> very short
+one, and I promised Frances. This brown ware is called Rockingham, and
+you see how the likeness of a very fat old gentleman is embossed upon
+it. It is said that there once lived a jolly toper named Toby Fillpot.
+In the course of time he died and was buried, and then, according to an
+old drinking song:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"'His body when long in the ground it had lain,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>And time into clay had resolved it again,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>A potter found out in its covert so snug,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>And from part of fat Toby he formed this brown jug.'</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>"In fact, I believe he made a number of them, and dedicated them to
+friendship, mirth, and mild ale."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to suggest Dickens; doesn't he somewhere mention a Toby jug?"
+asked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't remember, but it is likely," answered Mr. Clark.</p>
+
+<p>"Was your grandfather an Englishman?" Miss Sherwin asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he was English and my mother was French."</p>
+
+<p>"I was sure there was French somewhere," said Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>The children thought the jug very funny and interesting, but Frances did
+not want to touch it after she had heard the story.</p>
+
+<p>"It might really be true," she said, putting her hands behind her.</p>
+
+<p>"Is this supposed to be one of the originals?" asked Miss Moore.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is as you choose to believe. It is over one hundred years
+old, at any rate," was Mr. Clark's reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_NINTH" id="CHAPTER_NINTH"></a>CHAPTER NINTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>FINDING A MORAL.</h3>
+
+<p>In spite of her disapproval of the place where the Morrisons had gone to
+live, Gladys was very often there. She liked Frances, and at the house
+of the Spectacle Man there seemed never to be any lack of something to
+do. There were glorious games of "I spy" in the halls when Emma was off
+duty, or visits to the studio where Miss Sherwin illustrated her stories
+and was delighted to have them pose for her, or if it were a rainy
+afternoon Mr. Clark did not object to their coming into the shop. He
+kept some glasses especially to lend to them on these occasions, and if
+business happened to be very dull he would entertain them with stories
+of his childhood, of which they never tired. Any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> chance customer must
+have been amused at the sight of three little girls in spectacles,
+seated in a row listening to the old man.</p>
+
+<p>Gladys tyrannized over Emma and patronized her by turns, the latter
+being too timid to resent it openly; and Frances enjoyed playing the
+part of protector and defender. Naturally this state of affairs
+sometimes led to war, for Frances was quick-tempered and impulsive, and
+Gladys very stubborn.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon Mrs. Morrison went out, leaving the three children deeply
+interested in a new game. Everything went smoothly until Emma, who was
+sometimes rather slow in understanding things, made a wrong play that
+resulted in Gladys's defeat. When this was discovered Gladys in the
+excitement of the moment accused her of cheating, whereupon Emma began
+to cry and Frances became very angry.</p>
+
+<p>"She didn't cheat, Gladys Bowen, you know she didn't; and you haven't
+any right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> to say so!" she exclaimed, with blazing eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"She did," asserted Gladys, with a dogged conviction in her tone that
+infuriated Frances, and sweeping the dominoes from the table she
+cried:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I'll never play with you again, never!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, you will never have a chance," was the cool reply. "I won't play
+with either of you; and I'd be ashamed of myself if I were you,
+Frances."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, never mind!" urged Emma, aghast at the scene.</p>
+
+<p>"I will mind. She knows it is a story&mdash;and&mdash;" Frances could get no
+further, her tears choked her, and rushing from the room she shut the
+door behind her.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison, coming in, found Gladys putting on her things with an air
+of injured innocence quite impressive, while Emma stood helplessly
+looking at her. The dominoes lay scattered on the floor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Where is Frances?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"In the other room; she's mad," Gladys explained briefly.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison knew it would be useless to ask questions at this stage,
+so she only said she was sorry, and waited till Gladys left, then went
+to find her daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Frances was lying on the bed crying convulsively.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter?" her mother asked gently.</p>
+
+<p>The child sat up, exclaiming between her sobs, "Gladys is so hateful.
+She said Emma cheated&mdash;and it's a story&mdash;and I'll never play with her
+again!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my little girl! I am so sorry," was all Mrs. Morrison said, as she
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Sorry about what? Frances wondered as her anger cooled. Because Gladys
+had been so hateful? or was it because she had been in a passion?&mdash;but
+then she had a right to be angry. As she lay quiet for a while,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> feeling
+languid, now the storm had passed, a sense of shame stole over her.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she went softly into the sitting room. It was growing dark,
+and her mother sat alone among the cushions of the couch; Frances
+nestled down beside her, and there in the firelight and the stillness
+she couldn't help feeling sorry, even though she still felt sure she had
+a right to be angry.</p>
+
+<p>She wished her mother would speak, but as she did not, Frances asked,
+"Don't you think Gladys was very unkind?"</p>
+
+<p>"She ought to have been very certain of the truth of what she said,
+before she accused any one of cheating."</p>
+
+<p>"I think so too; and I had a right to be angry." She began to feel quite
+certain of this.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been talking it over with Emma," said Mrs. Morrison, "and I find
+she did not understand the game. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> really played as Gladys said, but
+she did it by mistake."</p>
+
+<p>"Did she? But Gladys ought to have known Emma wouldn't cheat."</p>
+
+<p>"And of course there was nothing for you to do, but throw down the
+dominoes and accuse Gladys of telling a story?"</p>
+
+<p>"But, mother&mdash;" Frances hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you had told Gladys that there must be some mistake, and then
+had tried to find out what it was."</p>
+
+<p>"But I was so provoked."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and you lost your self-control. You let yourself be ruled by your
+temper. It is sometimes right to be angry, but it is never right to be
+in a passion."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you think I am getting better of my temper?" Frances asked
+meekly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear; I have thought so lately, and it was right for you to want
+to defend Emma; but to throw the dominoes on the floor, to be in such a
+fury&mdash;my darling,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> it makes me afraid for you! You might sometime do
+something that all your life would be a sorrow to you. God meant you to
+rule your feelings and passions, not be ruled by them. You are like a
+soldier who has surrendered to the enemy he might have conquered."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll ask him to forgive me," Frances whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"You know father and I want our little girl to grow into a sweet,
+gracious woman&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Just like you," Frances interrupted, with her arms around her mother's
+neck.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not just like me," answered Mrs. Morrison, smiling; "you must be
+your own self, Wink. I have tried not to spoil you, but of course I have
+made mistakes, and now you are getting old enough to share the
+responsibility with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think you ought to punish me, mother?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dear, I think the punishment will be the trying to set things right
+again."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing more was said on the subject that evening, but the next day
+Frances came to her mother with a bright face; "I have found out what it
+means," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"What what means?" Mrs. Morrison asked.</p>
+
+<p>"The story of the bridge. You know Gladys is mad with me and won't come
+here any more&mdash; Emma says she said she would never speak to me
+again&mdash;and that is a broken bridge and I have to mend it; but I don't
+know how," she added.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you can find a way if you try," replied her mother, thinking it
+best to let her solve her own problems.</p>
+
+<p>All day Frances' thoughts kept going back to the unfortunate quarrel,
+and even when she was not thinking about it she was not happy. The storm
+clouds hung low and made the atmosphere heavy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At twilight she slipped downstairs and peeped into the study where Dick
+had just lit the lamp and Peterkin lay stretched at his ease before the
+bright fire. She stole in and sat beside him on the rug and stroked him
+softly. He purred gently, looking up in her face with so much wisdom in
+his yellow eyes she felt like telling him about the trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the Spectacle Man came with the evening paper, and was
+surprised and pleased to see her.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Clark," she began, "I have a broken bridge to mend."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that so? I hope it will not give you much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>Frances sighed and put her face down on Peterkin's soft coat for a
+moment. "I am afraid it will," she said, and then she told the story.</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man listened gravely. "I don't believe the bridge is
+really broken,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> he said; "it is only invisible beneath the clouds of
+anger and unkindness."</p>
+
+<p>Frances drew a very deep breath. "Then what can I do?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"How was it in the story?"</p>
+
+<p>"But the young man had a fairy to help him.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you need one; love and courage can find a way," said Mr.
+Clark.</p>
+
+<p>Frances went upstairs very soberly. "Mother, I believe I'll write to
+Gladys," she said, going at once to her desk. It took a good deal of
+time and thought, but it was finished at last, and she felt a weight
+lifted from her heart as she put it in the envelope. This is what she
+wrote:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Gladys</span>: I am sorry I behaved so the other day. I was mad
+because you said Emma cheated, and I thought I had a right to be;
+but I know now I ought not to have been in a passion. It was a
+mistake;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> Emma did play wrong, but she didn't know any better.
+Gladys, I have found the moral of the story. The bridge between
+you and me is invisible because of the clouds of anger. I want to
+find it again, don't you?</p></div>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 28em;">"Your friend,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 30em;">"<span class="smcap">Frances Morrison</span>."</span><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>This note was despatched by Wilson, and bright and early next day Gladys
+answered it in person. She went to Frances and kissed her. "I am not mad
+with you any more," she said; "it was nice of you to write that note,
+and I am sorry I said Emma cheated."</p>
+
+<p>After this, Frances was as merry as a cricket, and went about singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,"</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>till her mother was forced to beg for a little variety.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the story of "The Missing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> Bridge," with some changes and
+additions, and accompanied by two charming illustrations, had gone to
+seek its fortune in the office of <i>The Young People's Journal</i>, and it
+was no longer a secret that Miss Sherwin was in the habit of writing
+stories and had already met with considerable success.</p>
+
+<p>Frances thought this a strong bond between them, "For father writes
+stories too, you know," she would often say.</p>
+
+<p>It was about this time that the first letters, so long waited for,
+arrived from Honolulu, giving such glowing accounts of the voyage and
+the climate, and written in such evident good spirits, and so full of
+love for the two left behind, that they had to be read at least once a
+day for a week.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TENTH" id="CHAPTER_TENTH"></a>CHAPTER TENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE PORTRAIT AGAIN.</h3>
+
+<p>Frances wished very much to go to school, but for several reasons her
+mother did not think it wise, so she studied at home every morning,
+going upstairs at twelve o'clock to Miss Sherwin for a drawing lesson.</p>
+
+<p>Emma thought this a delightful arrangement, but Frances looked with envy
+upon the children who passed, swinging their school bags. "It is because
+I wasn't strong last winter and mother thinks it wouldn't be good for me
+to be shut up in a schoolroom, but I shall go next year," she explained.</p>
+
+<p>As the fall weather was beautiful they spent a great deal of time out of
+doors,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> and when Mrs. Morrison did not care to go herself she would send
+Frances with Zenobia for a walk or a ride on the cars, to the delight of
+the latter, who adored her young charge.</p>
+
+<p>These two were returning from a long walk one cold day, when they met
+Emma Bond, who said she was going to Mrs. Marvin's with some work, and
+asked them to go back with her.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know whether mother would like me to; do you think she would
+care, Zenobia?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>It was only a short distance, and Zenobia couldn't see any harm in
+stopping a moment; so they went in with Emma and sat in the hall while
+she ran upstairs to speak to the housekeeper.</p>
+
+<p>Everything was in perfect order to-day, and Frances gave a little sigh
+of satisfaction as she looked about her; it was all so warm and
+beautiful, with a stately sort of beauty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> that was very impressive. She
+sat as still as a mouse, listening to the ticking of some unseen clock.</p>
+
+<p>Emma stayed a long time, and presently Frances whispered, "Zenobia,
+there is a picture I want to see, and I am just going to peep in that
+door; I'll be back in a minute;" and she stole softly across the hall as
+if afraid she might break the stillness.</p>
+
+<p>The room she entered was a library, spacious and beautiful; but Frances
+thought of nothing but the portrait, which in the softened light that
+came from the curtained windows was more charming than ever.</p>
+
+<div class="figleft" style="width: 374px;"><a name="ILL_003" id="ILL_003"></a>
+<img src="images/ill_003.jpg" width="374" height="600" alt="&quot;&#39;Little girl, I wish I knew you&#39;&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;&#39;Little girl, I wish I knew you&#39;&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Little girl, I wish I knew you," she said half aloud, standing before
+it, her eyes bright from her walk in the keen air, her cheeks the
+deepest rose.</p>
+
+<p>On the hearth a wood fire smouldered, breaking into little gleams of
+flame now and then.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If you would only come down and talk to me, and tell me who you are,"
+Frances continued under her breath, unconsciously taking the attitude of
+the picture girl who smiled down on her so brightly.</p>
+
+<p>The fire purred softly, and there was added to this sound after a little
+a gentle rustle which, though she heard it, seemed so a part of the
+quiet that she gave it no thought. Then, suddenly, as if she had been
+awakened from a dream, she became conscious of the presence of some one
+near her.</p>
+
+<p>Turning, her eyes met those of a very stately person who stood only a
+few feet away leaning on the back of a chair. She had silvery hair and a
+proud, handsome face, and for a second or two Frances continued to gaze
+at her, the two pairs of eyes holding each other as if by some magnetic
+power.</p>
+
+<p>Then it flashed into Frances' mind that this must be Mrs. Marvin, and
+the spell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> was broken. She had come home&mdash;and what must she think of a
+girl who roamed about her house without leave! The child wanted to
+explain, but words were not easy to find, and the lady did not speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know&mdash;" she began, then hesitated and tried again; "I
+thought&mdash;" her throat felt very dry, and she wondered if she had spoken
+at all. It was so strange and uncomfortable that tears rose to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would tell me who you are;" the lady spoke in a strange,
+cold voice.</p>
+
+<p>The feeling that she was not being fairly treated, together with her
+determination not to cry, made Frances intensely dignified, and it was
+with a haughtiness almost equal to the lady's own that she replied, "My
+name is Frances Morrison," and with a movement of her head which seemed
+to add, "it is useless to try to explain," she turned away.</p>
+
+<p>A singular expression came into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> stranger's face; she sat down in
+the nearest chair. "I wish you would not go," she said; "I am afraid I
+startled you as much as you did me. Come and tell me how you happen to
+be here." Her tone was no longer cold, and she held out her hands
+appealingly.</p>
+
+<p>The smile transformed her face, which was all sweetness and graciousness
+now, and impulsive little Frances was instantly won. She went quickly to
+the lady's side, saying in a breathless way she had when excited, "I
+thought perhaps you did not like it,&mdash;but I didn't know any one was
+here, and I wanted to see the picture again, so while Emma was upstairs
+I thought I'd just peep in, but I'm sorry&mdash;" she paused; evidently her
+words had not been heard. This strange person held her hands and gazed
+at her in the oddest way.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you are a real little girl!" she said at length.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The child smiled uneasily, and seeing it, the lady put her arm around
+her and drew her closer. "Forgive me, dear, for not listening," she
+said. "You came with&mdash;whom?"</p>
+
+<p>Again Frances explained, but perhaps she did not make it very clear, for
+her companion still looked puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you live here?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No, we are spending the winter here, mother and I."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother and you&mdash;" the questioner repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, while father is away; he has gone to Honolulu. We stopped here
+because mother was ill, and then the <i>Eastern Review</i> wanted father to
+go to Hawaii, so we thought we'd just stay. We have a flat at the
+Spectacle Man's&mdash;I mean Mr. Clark's&mdash;and it is very nice."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it?" The stranger's eyes travelled over the dainty figure. "You will
+think I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> am asking a great many questions, but where did you get your
+name?" she added.</p>
+
+<p>"It was my great-grandmother's. Mother wanted to put Chauncey in. That
+is father's name, John Chauncey Morrison. Perhaps you have read his
+stories." Again Frances saw that strange expression in the face before
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know who I am?" the lady asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are Mrs. Marvin. Emma said you had not come home yet, but
+that you were coming very soon, and when I saw you I knew who it must
+be, and&mdash; I hope you'll excuse me," she added, remembering she had
+offered no apology.</p>
+
+<p>Emma and Zenobia, who had been standing in the door for several minutes,
+now succeeded in catching Frances' eye. "I must go," she said, "they are
+waiting for me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin glanced in their direction. "Will you come to see me again?"
+she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know whether mother will let me," Frances replied doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p>The lady suddenly took the child's face in her hands and kissed her
+lips,&mdash;such a strange, passionate kiss it was; and then Frances felt
+herself almost pushed away.</p>
+
+<p>She had hardly any answer for Emma's excited questions, which began as
+soon as they were outside the door, but walked along with an absent
+expression that was rather provoking.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see what makes you so funny, Frances," said her friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Wink, how late you are!" Mrs. Morrison exclaimed, meeting them at
+the head of the steps, having spent the last half hour at the window.</p>
+
+<p>Frances put her arms around her mother's neck. "Oh, mother, I have seen
+such a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> beautiful lady, and she kissed me, and it made me feel like
+crying!"</p>
+
+<p>By degrees Mrs. Morrison had the whole story, and looked rather grave
+over it. "I am sorry you went in at all, dear, and it was very wrong to
+go wandering about the house, even though you thought the owner was
+away."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't think she minded; at least she asked me to come again, so I
+think she must have liked me."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison smiled as she kissed her little daughter; she saw nothing
+improbable in this.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I won't tell Jack about it," she said to herself, "For it would
+only worry him; but I'll be careful to have it understood that Frances
+is not to go into any house unless I am with her or have given my
+permission. It can't happen again. Marvin is not a name I ever heard
+Jack mention, I am quite sure of that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_ELEVENTH" id="CHAPTER_ELEVENTH"></a>CHAPTER ELEVENTH</h2>
+
+<h3>MRS. MARVIN IS PERPLEXED.</h3>
+
+<p>"Jack's little girl! can it be? It is the strangest thing that ever
+happened to me. I do not understand it." Mrs. Marvin paced restlessly
+back and forth, an expression of pain and perplexity on her handsome
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I care?" she thought; "what is it to me? I gave it all up
+long ago.&mdash; And yet&mdash;that dear little girl&mdash;those eyes&mdash;a Morrison every
+inch of her! There can be no mistake, but it is all a mystery how she
+happened to come here. How weak I am! why should it torture me so? Oh,
+Jack, Jack!" She hid her face in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>It showed, however, no trace of emotion<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> when half an hour later she
+encountered her housekeeper in the upper hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Caroline, who is the little girl who came to see you this afternoon?"
+she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it was Emma Bond, Miss Frances; her mother has been
+hemstitching some pillow cases."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know anything about the child who was with her? I think she said
+she lived in the same house."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know who she is, Miss Frances. She is a pretty child, but I
+don't remember her name if I ever heard it."</p>
+
+<p>"I saw her and was rather attracted to her. She seemed not quite the
+sort of child you would expect to find in a tenement house. There was a
+very respectable looking maid with her."</p>
+
+<p>Caroline smiled. She was a bright-faced Swiss woman who had lived with
+her mistress for nearly thirty years, knew her thoroughly, and loved her
+devotedly. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> was not deceived by the air of indifference with which
+the lady moved away; she understood that for some reason her mistress
+wished to find out all she knew about this little girl.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't what you'd call a tenement house," she said; "the man who owns
+it has made it into flats. He lives there himself, and has his shop, and
+Mrs. Bond keeps house for him. It is a real nice place."</p>
+
+<p>"I fail to see the difference," was the reply; "but, Caroline, why did
+she think I was Mrs. Marvin? She called me so."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, Miss Frances, unless it was Emma Bond's mistake. Her
+mother did some sewing for Mrs. Marvin when she was staying here."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Caroline, if you see Mrs. Bond you need not say anything about
+the mistake. You understand? I have a reason for wishing them to think I
+am Mrs. Marvin, as in fact I am."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I should like to know what it means," Caroline said to herself as her
+mistress walked away.</p>
+
+<p>"This is all very melodramatic and absurd, but I must have time to
+consider," the lady was thinking as she entered her own room, and closed
+the door behind her. "I must contrive to see her again."</p>
+
+<p>Going to a cabinet, she took from an inner compartment a box, then she
+had a long search for the key, and after it was found she sat with the
+box on her lap gazing absently before her.</p>
+
+<p>It was thirteen&mdash;almost fourteen years since she had lifted that lid.
+She had thought never to open it, unless&mdash;well, unless the impossible
+happened, and now a pair of brown eyes had aroused an irresistible
+longing to look once more on something that lay hidden there. In vain
+she told herself it was foolish, idle, worse than childish. She recalled
+the burning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> anger and resentment with which she had put the box away so
+long ago. Yes, and had she not just cause? But the touch of those young
+lips was still fresh upon her own, and whether she would or not, was
+carrying her back, back to the dear old days.</p>
+
+<p>There was really very little in it, she reflected, as she began to look
+over the contents; but a few trifles can mean so much sometimes. There
+was a light brown curl, some photographs that showed how a certain
+chubby, dimpled baby had developed into a manly boy of sixteen, a bundle
+of letters in a schoolboy hand, and down at the very bottom, the thing
+she was so anxious to see again, a lovely miniature of a boy of seven.</p>
+
+<p>She gazed at it long and earnestly. Such a dear little face! and this
+afternoon she had seen the same smile, had looked into the same eyes!
+Jack's daughter! was it possible?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He had called her Frances, too; he had not quite forgotten. It was, of
+course, a family name, and with all his independence Jack had a great
+deal of family pride. And the air with which she had said, "Perhaps you
+have read his stories,"&mdash;she could have laughed, but for the pain of the
+thought that she who had once been first had now no part in his life.
+Others had the right to be proud of him, but not she.</p>
+
+<p>She closed the lid and put the box away: the past could not be recalled,
+she must try to forget, as she had tried all these years; but even as
+she made the resolve her heart was saying, "I must see that child
+again,&mdash;I must, must!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWELFTH" id="CHAPTER_TWELFTH"></a>CHAPTER TWELFTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>AT CHRISTMAS TIME.</h3>
+
+<p>"Hurrah!" said the Spectacle Man, "Mark's coming home for Christmas." He
+waved a letter above his head as he spoke, and looked as if he might be
+going to dance a jig.</p>
+
+<p>"Is he? I am very glad," replied Frances, who had run down to speak to
+the postman, and now paused in the open door of the shop.</p>
+
+<p>"I was really afraid we couldn't manage it, travelling costs so much,
+but one of his friends has given him a pass. Mark is a great fellow for
+such things!" Mr. Clark's face beamed with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>Frances wished she might bring her books and study her lessons in the
+shop, it was so sunny and cheerful, with Peterkin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> stretched out in lazy
+comfort before the fire, his master busy at his work-table over some
+lenses.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, do you know it will be Christmas in two weeks?" she asked, as
+she entered the sitting room; "and Mark is coming home," she added. "Do
+you think he will be nice?"</p>
+
+<p>"We may as well give him the benefit of any doubt," said Mrs. Morrison,
+answering the last question. "What do you want to do for Christmas,
+Wink?"</p>
+
+<p>"What can we do without father?" the little girl exclaimed, thinking of
+the merrymakings of other years in which he had always been prime mover.</p>
+
+<p>"We are so glad to know how well and strong he is getting that we can
+manage to have some sort of a happy time without him, I think," her
+mother replied. "Suppose you ask Miss Sherwin if she and Miss Moore will
+be here through the holidays."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The air was full of Christmas plans, the streets were full of Christmas
+shoppers, and the dwellers in the house of the Spectacle Man could not
+escape the contagion. The girls on the third floor were not going home,
+and were very willing to unite with their neighbors in a little
+festivity.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Moore proposed a tree, which, in kindergarten fashion, they should
+all unite in trimming. Emma and Frances immediately offered to string
+pop-corn and cranberries, and went to work with great ardor, having at
+the same time to bribe the General to attend to his own affairs, with
+wonderful stories of Santa Claus, and the toys he had in store for good
+boys.</p>
+
+<p>Emma was as happy as a lark. In past years the Sunday-school tree had
+been all she had to look forward to, and the thought of having one in
+the house was almost too much. Gladys also condescended to help with the
+pop-corn, although she was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> rather scornful of such home-made
+decorations.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose I may invite Gladys to our tree, mayn't I?" Frances asked one
+evening of the busy circle gathered around the table in Miss Sherwin's
+studio.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think so," her mother replied.</p>
+
+<p>"I know a girl I'd like to ask. She is in my class, and she lives in
+Texas, and I do not believe she has a single friend in the city." As she
+spoke, Miss Moore carefully smoothed out the photograph she was
+mounting.</p>
+
+<p>"You do it beautifully," said Mrs. Morrison, looking over her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the 'Holy Night' by Plockhorst, as you see; we are going to give
+one to each of our infants, and I offered to mount them. I like to
+paste; it is my one talent."</p>
+
+<p>"For a Christmas picture, this is my favorite," and Miss Sherwin took
+from a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> portfolio a photograph of the Magi on the way to Bethlehem.</p>
+
+<p>Emma and Frances left their cranberries to look at it.</p>
+
+<p>"How wonderfully simple and dignified it is! The wide sweep of the
+desert, and the stately figures of the Wise Men, as they follow the
+star," remarked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"But no one has answered Miss Moore. Wouldn't it be nice to invite her
+girl?" said Frances, going back to her work again.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, of course, and perhaps we'll find some one else who is not likely
+to have a happy day," her mother answered.</p>
+
+<p>"There's Mrs. Gray," said Frances meditatively; "I wonder if she likes
+Christmas trees?"</p>
+
+<p>So it began, and before they knew it the original plan was quite
+outgrown.</p>
+
+<p>When Mark arrived he proved to be a tall, bright-faced boy of sixteen,
+overflowing with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> good spirits, who contrived to get acquainted with all
+the inmates of the house before twenty-four hours had passed.</p>
+
+<p>He took a lively interest in the tree, and suggested having it in his
+uncle's study. Then on Christmas Eve the cases could be moved out of the
+way in the shop, and both rooms be given up to the frolic.</p>
+
+<p>As the Spectacle Man was more than willing, this was decided upon; and
+as it would give them so much more room, Miss Moore thought she'd like
+to ask two other young women, who were studying in a business college,
+and boarded in the same house with her Texas friend. Mark knew two
+fellows he'd like to have, and his uncle wished to invite a young man
+who had come once or twice to his Bible class, and who was a stranger in
+town.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," said Mrs. Morrison, when they were discussing it, "we had
+better limit our invitations to those who are not likely to have a merry
+Christmas."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"My young man doesn't look as if he knew the meaning of merry," said Mr.
+Clark.</p>
+
+<p>"My girls may know its meaning, but they haven't much chance to practise
+it, in the dingy boarding house," added Miss Moore.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure Mrs. Gray doesn't have any fun," said Frances, who clung to
+her idea of asking the old lady.</p>
+
+<p>There couldn't have been found a merrier party in the whole city than
+that at work in the Spectacle Man's study on Christmas Eve. Mark had
+brought in a quantity of cedar and mistletoe, and while Mrs. Morrison
+and Miss Sherwin trimmed the tree, the children and Miss Moore turned
+the shop into a bower of fragrant green.</p>
+
+<p>Mark was full of mischief, and romped with Frances, and teased Emma
+until she wished she could crawl under the bookcase as Peterkin did
+under the same circumstances.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> The General trotted about in a gale of
+delight, getting in everybody's way, and was most unwilling to leave the
+scene of action when his mother came to take him to bed.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bond lifted her hands in dismay at so much work for nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"But isn't it pretty?" asked Mrs. Morrison, from the top of the
+step-ladder.</p>
+
+<p>"It is pretty enough, but it all has to come down, and then what a
+mess!" was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Still, it is fun, and Christmas comes but once a year. Here, Mark, this
+is to decorate the immortal George. Can you reach?" and Miss Moore held
+out a beautiful branch of holly.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll come to the party, won't you, Mrs. Bond?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Come? of course she will; no one in this house can be excused," said
+Mr. Clark, entering the room with some interesting packages under his
+arm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The little girls were extremely curious about some work Miss Sherwin and
+Mrs. Morrison had been doing, which they kept a secret from everybody,
+and now the sight of a number of flat parcels in tissue paper tied with
+red ribbon excited them afresh.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that what you have been making?" asked Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Just part of it," Miss Sherwin replied, as she hung them on the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"Emma, what do you suppose they are? Everybody is to have one, for I
+have counted," Frances whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, I am sure; but isn't it fun!" and Emma spun around like a
+top in her excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"And she says it is only part," continued Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe we have done all that can be done to-night," said Mrs.
+Morrison, crossing the room to get a better view of the tree.</p>
+
+<p>"It will be a beauty when it is lighted. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> think even Gladys will
+admire it," remarked Miss Moore.</p>
+
+<p>Wilson, who had come in to sweep up, looked at it critically. "We had a
+tree at the Institute last year that was lighted with inclandestine
+lights," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Mark giggled, and Mrs. Morrison looked puzzled for a minute, then she
+smiled as she said, "Yes, I have heard of lighting them by electricity,
+but ours is a home-made affair."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't Wilson absurd?" laughed Miss Sherwin as they all went into the
+next room. "What do you think he said to me the other day? He complained
+that Mrs. Bond was too unscrupulous to live with, and when I asked him
+what he meant, he said she required him to wash off the front porch
+every morning before he went to school, and that made him late for his
+Greek lesson, and in his opinion it was very unscrupulous."</p>
+
+<p>"If it wasn't for Zenobia I think he would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> try to find a place where
+more respect was shown to Greek," said Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin's housekeeper came in to see Mrs. Bond that evening, and on
+her way out she had full view of the study, where work was still going
+on. Seeing Frances and recognizing her, she asked her name, and seemed
+very much surprised at Mrs. Bond's reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Frances Morrison!" she repeated, "why that is&mdash;" she checked herself,
+but stood watching the group as if deeply interested.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know her?" asked Mrs. Bond.</p>
+
+<p>Caroline shook her head. "The name's familiar, that is all," she
+replied.</p>
+
+<p>Christmas Day was gloomy as to weather, but that was a small matter with
+so much merriment going on indoors. After the excitement of examining
+stockings was over the party was the event of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> the day, and was looked
+forward to with eager anticipation by the children.</p>
+
+<p>It was to be an early party, the guests having been invited to come at
+six o'clock. Gladys was the first to arrive, and the three little girls
+sat on the big hall sofa and waited for the others to come. The shop was
+brilliantly lighted and looked quite unfamiliar with all the show-cases
+moved back against the wall, and its trimmings of cedar and holly. In
+the centre of the room on a table was the secret which had so excited
+Emma and Frances. A dozen or more cards were arranged around a central
+one, upon which was printed, "A Christmas Dinner"; on each of the other
+cards was a picture representing some part of the dinner. Miss Sherwin
+presided over this, and Frances presented each guest, as he or she
+arrived, with a pencil and a blank card on which the names of the
+various dishes were to be written as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> they were guessed. The one
+guessing the largest number was to have a prize, and everybody was to
+try except Mrs. Morrison and Miss Sherwin, who had prepared the
+pictures, and of course knew what they meant.</p>
+
+<p>This served to break the ice, and Miss Moore's girls, and Mark's
+friends, and the Spectacle Man's shy student, all became sociable
+directly, as they moved about the table.</p>
+
+<p>To the delight of Frances, Mrs. Gray came. She was quite apologetic over
+it, saying it seemed ridiculous for her to be going anywhere, but she
+didn't know when she had seen a Christmas tree, and so at the last
+minute she had decided to come.</p>
+
+<p>"We take it as a great compliment," Mrs. Morrison said, helping her with
+her wraps and leading her to Mr. Clark's arm-chair.</p>
+
+<p>She was a sweet-looking old lady in her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> white cap and embroidered
+kerchief, and Miss Sherwin said her presence gave just the grandmotherly
+touch their party needed. Miss Moore decorated her with a sprig of
+holly, and every one tried to make her have a good time. The guests were
+all brought to her corner and introduced, and then, while the rest were
+busy trying to guess the menu, Mr. Clark came and sat beside her and
+talked of old times, and the changes that had come to the city since
+they were young.</p>
+
+<p>It may have been an odd sort of party, but it was a success; and the shy
+young man proved himself more clever than any one else, for he guessed
+all the dishes. Some of them were very easy, the first, for instance,
+which was simply some points cut out of blue paper and pasted on a card.</p>
+
+<p>"I know what they are," said Mark, "but three wouldn't be enough for
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Every one knew the map without a name<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> must be <i>Turkey</i>, but the small
+strips of different shades of green did not at first suggest <i>olives</i>; a
+cat on the back of a chair puzzled some, but meant <i>catsup</i> at once to
+others. An infant in a high chair yelling for dear life, was of course
+<i>ice cream</i>, but the medical student was the only one to guess the
+meaning of a calf reposing on the grass. He explained his cleverness by
+saying that his mother often made <i>veal loaf</i>, and he was very fond of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>When he had received his prize, which was a box of candy, it was time
+for the tree. While they were all thinking of something else, Mr. Clark
+had slipped in and lighted it, and there it was, all in a blaze of
+glory!</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man was master of ceremonies, and it was worth something
+to see his face as he stepped about taking things from the tree and
+calling out names.</p>
+
+<p>For each there was a photograph of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> Magi on the way to Bethlehem,
+and, besides these, there were other things both useful and amusing,
+that had been picked up at the ten-cent store, or manufactured at home.</p>
+
+<p>No one enjoyed it more than Mrs. Gray, unless it was the General, whose
+enthusiasm knew no bounds, and who pranced about with a woolly lamb in
+one hand and a Japanese baby in the other. Even Mrs. Bond relaxed, and
+for at least an hour did nothing but look on and be amused.</p>
+
+<p>When the tree was exhausted they had some light refreshments, and then
+played old-fashioned games in which all could join.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know when I have had such a good time," said Mrs. Gray, as she
+was getting ready to go; "and I don't see how you happened to think of
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"We had made up our minds to be lonely and homesick, but we have
+laughed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> so much I don't see how we can ever be doleful again," remarked
+Miss Moore's friend.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the funniest party I ever went to," Gladys whispered to Frances,
+"but I have had the loveliest time!"</p>
+
+<p>The shy student had enjoyed himself more than he could express in words,
+and his face spoke for him as he said good night.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to have a Christmas tree every year of my life till I die,"
+the Spectacle Man declared; and if he had had the least encouragement,
+he would have gone to work on the spot to plan another party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_THIRTEENTH" id="CHAPTER_THIRTEENTH"></a>CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON.</h3>
+
+<p>In Frances' very own book there was a story of a boy who had a beautiful
+voice, and who with a great many other boys sang in the choir of Christ
+Church. The story was somewhat sad, for the boy, who loved dearly to
+sing, lost his sweet voice one day and never found it again; but the
+memory of the music as it floated up to the Gothic arches, and of the
+sunlight from the great stained window falling a shaft of crimson and
+gold across the chancel at vesper service, remained with him, and out of
+it grew the story.</p>
+
+<p>And the story became very real indeed to Frances when one Sunday
+afternoon her father took her to the very church where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> the boy used to
+sing. It was such a pleasure to her that after this she and her mother
+often went together, and Frances pretended that one of the choir boys,
+who happened to have dark eyes and a high clear voice, was little Jack,
+and there were certain hymns she loved to hear because he used to sing
+them.</p>
+
+<p>It was the Sunday after Christmas, and Emma had just come up to know if
+she might go to church with Frances, when Gladys walked in, gorgeously
+arrayed in velvet and silk. Though rather over-dressed she looked very
+pretty, but as soon as she spoke it became evident that she was not in a
+very good humor.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like Sunday," she asserted, with the air of wishing to shock
+somebody.</p>
+
+<p>Emma exclaimed, "Oh, Gladys!" and looked at Mrs. Morrison to see the
+effect of this remark upon her; but apparently<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> it hadn't any, for the
+lady went on turning the leaves of the book she held, half smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"I do; why don't you like it, Gladys?" asked Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't do anything you want to do, and everybody is cross or taking
+a nap. Mamma has a headache, and she said I shouldn't come over here,
+but I just told her I was coming. I knew she wouldn't care if I didn't
+bother her."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother is pretty funny, Gladys," Frances observed.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose you go with us to service this afternoon and hear the Christmas
+music; we can stop and ask your mother on the way," Mrs. Morrison
+suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"Do come, Gladys, it is lovely to hear the choir boys, and perhaps they
+will sing 'O little town of Bethlehem,'" said Frances, adding, with a
+nod to Emma, who knew the story, "That is one of them."</p>
+
+<p>Gladys did not decline the invitation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> but she did not seem
+enthusiastic, and presently announced, "Emma says you ought to like to
+go to church better than to the circus, or anywhere, to any
+entertainment, but I don't."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Frances, with a long-drawn breath, "I suppose you ought
+to, but&mdash; Mother, ought you to like church better than tableaux? Don't
+you remember those beautiful ones we saw in North Carolina?"</p>
+
+<p>Emma again looked at Mrs. Morrison, confident in the strength of her
+position. "Oughtn't you?" she urged.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me ask you a question. Which would you rather do, stay at home
+to-morrow afternoon, or go to see 'The Mistletoe Bough'?"</p>
+
+<p>"'The Mistletoe Bough!'" cried three voices.</p>
+
+<p>"Does that mean that you care more for tableaux than you do for your
+homes?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, mother, of course not, only&mdash;" Frances hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course you do not, but for the time the tableaux are more
+amusing. It seems to me we must make a distinction between caring for
+things and finding them entertaining. You may care a great deal for
+church and yet not find it as amusing as some other places."</p>
+
+<p>"I never thought of it in that way," said Mark, who had come in while
+they were talking.</p>
+
+<p>"We ought not to care too much for amusement, but try to learn to take
+pleasure in other things," continued Mrs. Morrison. "We do not love
+persons or things because we ought to, but because they seem to us
+lovely; and yet when we think for how long people have gone on building
+churches&mdash;plain little chapels, grand cathedrals&mdash;and have worshipped
+God in them, and found help and blessing, surely we ought not to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>
+willing to say, 'I don't like church,' but should try to find out its
+beautiful meaning for ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I am a good deal like Gladys; I have found it rather a
+bore," said Mark.</p>
+
+<p>"You remember our Christmas picture of the Wise Men," Mrs. Morrison went
+on. "They had learning and wealth and distinction, and yet they took
+that long, weary journey for what?"</p>
+
+<p>"The star," said Gladys.</p>
+
+<p>"To find Jesus," said Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, with all their riches and learning they felt the need of something
+else, and the star was sent to guide them. And to-day each one of us has
+some heavenly vision which he must obey and follow as the Wise Men
+followed the star."</p>
+
+<p>Frances shook her head. "I never had a vision," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think you have sometimes felt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> what a beautiful thing it would
+be to be good. Perhaps when you have listened to the Christmas story you
+have determined to let the Christ-Child into your heart. If you have, it
+is your vision; and if you obey it, it will grow stronger and clearer.
+In the midst of all our work and play, the vision often grows dim, but
+going to God's house and thinking of Him and what He wants us to do,
+helps to keep it bright."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we had a real star to follow; it would be easier," said Gladys.'</p>
+
+<p>"We'd probably forget to watch it," said Mark. "I know how it is at
+school. A fellow makes up his mind to grind away and do his very best,
+and then before he knows it, the edge of his resolution wears off, and
+he finds himself skinning along, taking it easy."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison smiled. "Yes, that is the way with most of us: we forget
+so easily. And now let's go to church and try to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> think what the
+Christmas star means for us."</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man who happened to be at the shop window when the little
+party started out, smiled to himself at sight of Mark walking beside
+Mrs. Morrison. "That is just what my boy needs," he said. "It isn't much
+influence an old uncle can have."</p>
+
+<p>The church was fragrant and beautiful in its Christmas dress, the light
+came softly through the stained windows, and above the festoons and
+wreaths of cedar shone the brilliant star. The children sat very still,
+with earnest faces, till the service began, then, to Frances' delight,
+the processional was "O little town of Bethlehem."</p>
+
+<p>With their heads together over the book, she and Gladys sang too. At the
+last stanza Frances, who knew the words, gazed straight at the star,
+forgetful of everything but the music:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"We hear the Christmas Angels</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The great glad tidings tell;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Oh, come to us, abide with us,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Our Lord Emmanuel."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>But at the Amen something drew her eyes to the other side of the aisle
+where, stately and handsome, stood Mrs. Marvin, watching her. She longed
+to call her mother's attention to this lady of whom she had thought and
+talked so much, but as Gladys sat between it was not possible.</p>
+
+<p>All through the short service she kept stealing glances across the
+aisle, but Mrs. Marvin did not turn again. The sight of the bright child
+face had stirred the memory of an earnest little chorister who used
+sometimes to smile at her over his book as he passed, and she did not
+want to remember those old days; she wished she had not come.</p>
+
+<p>Gladys, who did not often go to church, was interested and touched by
+the simple<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> service. She slipped her hand into Mrs. Morrison's when it
+was over and whispered, "I am glad I came, and I mean to be good."</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps her ideas of goodness were somewhat vague, and certainly there
+was much in her surroundings to cloud the vision, but who can tell what
+fruit an earnest wish may bear.</p>
+
+<p>Frances hoped Mrs. Marvin would speak to her, but the crowd separated
+them, and though she kept a careful watch she did not see her again.</p>
+
+<p>As they walked home in the twilight Mark, who was still beside Mrs.
+Morrison, said, "I'm afraid I don't care enough for church and that sort
+of thing, and though I know of course there must be a great deal in it
+for some people, I never thought of trying to find out what it was, as
+you said. It seemed to me it was something that came of itself, if it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>
+came at all." He spoke with real earnestness.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet it doesn't seem quite logical to take care of our minds and bodies
+and never think of our souls, does it?" his companion asked. "I remember
+my own schooldays well enough to know how difficult it is not to be
+entirely absorbed in what are called secular things. But after all, it
+is the motive of a life that makes it fine; and if, in all you do, you
+follow the best you know, are faithful and true and kind, that is
+religion. The caring for church and things called sacred will come in
+time; you can't be grown up spiritually all at once, any more than you
+can physically."</p>
+
+<p>"You make it seem reasonable and almost easy," Mark said; "but I thought
+one had to understand a lot of things. You see my mother died when I was
+a little chap, and there was only Aunt Emily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> Uncle George is very
+kind, but you can't believe he knows how a boy feels; people forget."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps they remember more than impatient young persons give them
+credit for," answered Mrs. Morrison, smiling. "There is one thing, Mark:
+whatever you do, be in earnest."</p>
+
+<p>In the city streets the electric lights had come out one by one, and
+overhead the stars were shining. They walked the last block in silence,
+and when they separated at the door, Mark said, "Thank you, Mrs.
+Morrison."</p>
+
+<p>"What was he thanking you for?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know, Wink, unless it was for some advice."</p>
+
+<p>"I think Mark is a nice boy; I am glad he came home," Frances remarked
+as she took off her hat.</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment, down in the study,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> Mark was saying: "How did you
+ever happen to find them, Uncle George?&mdash; Mrs. Morrison and Frances, I
+mean. They are not like&mdash;everybody; they are the real thing. That
+Frances is a regular little princess! How did they happen to come here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I, too, have wondered at it, my boy, but I have learned to take the
+good things that come my way without asking many questions," was the old
+man's reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FOURTEENTH" id="CHAPTER_FOURTEENTH"></a>CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>THREE OF A NAME.</h3>
+
+<p>Frances stood thoughtfully looking out of the window. To-morrow would be
+New Year's Day and also her mother's birthday, and she had not
+remembered it till this morning. She wondered if she could not in some
+way get some flowers for her. She had her Christmas money from Uncle
+Allan in California, and there was nothing her mother enjoyed more than
+flowers, but who would go with her to get them? Zenobia was busy, and
+Emma was taking care of the General, who had had an attack of croup.</p>
+
+<p>As she stood there Mark came up the walk and lifted his hat to her.
+"Perhaps he will take me," she said, and running<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> into the hall she
+called from the head of the stairs: "Mark, are you very busy? Could you
+do something for me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am at your ladyship's command," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll come down and tell you, for it is a secret."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it? Well, I'm splendid at keeping secrets."</p>
+
+<p>Descending, Frances stated the case, and Mark not only said he would be
+glad to go with her, but he knew a place where she could get flowers
+much cheaper than down town.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so much obliged to you, and now I must ask mother if I can go,"
+Frances said. "I can say you <i>want</i> me to go, can't I? It will be true,
+won't it?" she stopped halfway up the steps to inquire.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing could be truer," said Mark, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take long to get her mother's permission,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> and in a very few
+minutes she came flying down to join her escort at the door.</p>
+
+<p>As they walked up the street, talking merrily, more than one passer-by
+smiled at the pleasant sight, and turned to look again at the tall boy
+and the bright-eyed little girl.</p>
+
+<p>In these two weeks they had come to be great friends. Frances rather
+enjoyed his teasing ways, which so alarmed Emma, and had always a saucy
+reply of some sort ready. She liked to be called your ladyship, and
+accepted his mock homage with a most regal air.</p>
+
+<p>"What kind of flowers are you going to buy?" Mark asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Violets, I think, because mother is specially fond of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't they rather expensive?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I have two dollars; won't that be enough?" she asked
+anxiously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Dear me, I had no idea you were so rich! Are you going to spend all
+that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think that is too much to spend on your mother," she replied
+with emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, I wasn't objecting in the least."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it wouldn't do any good," she asserted with dignity.</p>
+
+<p>Mark laughed, and inquired what flowers she liked best herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Great big red roses," was the prompt answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Commend me to a princess for extravagant tastes!" Mark exclaimed,
+laughing.</p>
+
+<p>The greenhouse was an enchanting place, and after the violets were
+ordered Frances wandered up and down the fragrant aisles, quite
+unwilling to leave. Mark at length grew impatient. "I am afraid it is
+going to storm; we must go," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Sure enough, before they had gone two blocks it began to rain. Mark
+glanced uneasily<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> at the clouds and then at his companion. Neither of
+them had thought of bringing an umbrella.</p>
+
+<p>"We can take the car at the next corner unless it begins to pour; in
+that case we shall have to go in somewhere," he said, taking her hand.</p>
+
+<p>They were hurrying down the avenue when they heard some one call,
+"Frances! Frances!" and there was Mrs. Marvin just leaving her carriage
+at the gate. "You must come in and wait till the storm is over," she
+said, and almost before they knew what had happened they found
+themselves standing on the porch with her, while the rain swept down in
+torrents.</p>
+
+<p>"I am grateful to the wind for blowing you in my direction," Mrs. Marvin
+said, looking at Frances with her intent gaze.</p>
+
+<p>The little girl smiled, and then remembering that Mrs. Marvin did not
+know Mark, she introduced him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The lady was very gracious and asked him in to wait till the storm was
+over, but Mark said he had an engagement at home to meet a friend, and
+did not mind the rain for himself; so, being provided with an umbrella,
+he went off, promising to return for Frances when it cleared. This Mrs.
+Marvin assured him would not be necessary, as she would send her home.</p>
+
+<p>"I am always getting caught in the rain," said Frances, as she went
+upstairs, her hand clasped in Mrs. Marvin's. "That was the way I
+happened to get acquainted with the Spectacle Man."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad something brought you to me; I have been wondering if I
+should ever see you again."</p>
+
+<p>When her own room was reached the lady sat down and drew the child to
+her. "Have you forgotten me in all these weeks?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, I couldn't do that," was the reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You couldn't? Why not?" and she was drawn closer.</p>
+
+<p>Frances thought this was not the sort of person to be easily forgotten,
+but she only smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"I'd better not take it off," she said, as Mrs. Marvin began to unfasten
+her coat. "Mark will be back."</p>
+
+<p>"But you couldn't go out in such a storm, dear; you are going to take
+lunch with me."</p>
+
+<p>Clearly there was nothing to do but submit, and Frances was not
+unwilling. Mrs. Marvin looked at her fondly; the slender little figure
+in the blue sailor suit quite satisfied her fastidious taste. It puzzled
+her, too, for such daintiness and grace seemed to her altogether
+incompatible with what she had heard of the child's surroundings. Her
+sympathies were narrowed by her sensitiveness to anything that fell
+below her own standard of taste. She had yet to learn that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> there was a
+broader culture than hers. No wonder she was bewildered as she listened
+to Frances' frank chatter.</p>
+
+<p>That this young person was very much of a chatterbox could not be
+denied. Her father often said it would not take a Philadelphia lawyer to
+find out all she knew, and on this occasion she had an interested
+hearer.</p>
+
+<p>"Emma and I think this is a lovely house," she remarked, as they went
+down to lunch. "I like our flat," she added loyally, "only of course
+there isn't so much room in it."</p>
+
+<p>This, to her, made the chief difference,&mdash;more room, more things. Her
+own home life had always been harmonious, had expressed grace and
+refinement in a simpler way, indeed, but as truly as Mrs. Marvin's; and
+so having always had the emphasis laid upon the best things, she felt no
+embarrassment, but only a frank enjoyment in this beautiful house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When lunch was over, Mrs. Marvin led the way to the library, where the
+wood fire burned, and the little girl smiled down from above the mantle,
+and a great bunch of American Beauties bent their stately heads over a
+tall vase. What a combination of delights! Frances hung over the flowers
+with such pleasure in her eyes that her hostess said: "Do you like
+roses? You must take those with you when you go."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin took out a portfolio of photographs she thought might be
+interesting, and they went over them together. She knew perfectly how to
+be entertaining, and Frances enjoyed it very much, but when they came to
+the last one she said: "Mrs. Marvin, won't you tell me now about that
+portrait? I like it better than any picture I ever saw."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, certainly, dear; that is my mother when she was a child. It is one
+of my greatest treasures."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Frances felt disappointed. "Then she is not a little girl now," she
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"No; the picture was painted many years ago, in London, when my
+grandfather was Minister to England. My mother was an only child."</p>
+
+<p>"I am an only child, too," Frances remarked, her eyes fixed on the
+portrait.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you will be interested to know that her name was the same as
+your own."</p>
+
+<p>"Was it? And your name, too, is Frances, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we are three of a name," was Mrs. Marvin's answer.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose&mdash;" Frances hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"What, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was going to ask if the little girl was alive now."</p>
+
+<p>"No; she lived to grow up and marry, and died while she was still very
+young and beautiful, leaving three little children."</p>
+
+<p>It was hard to realize that so much had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> happened to this bright-eyed
+girl; Frances wrinkled her brow in the effort, and sat very still. After
+a while she said, "I am glad her name was Frances; she always makes me
+think of the Girl in the Golden Doorway."</p>
+
+<p>"What is that?" Mrs. Marvin inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"It is one of father's stories," was the answer, and without much urging
+she told it, and told it well, because she was so fond of it. "It makes
+me want to see him so," she added with a sigh, at the end.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin listened, her face almost hidden by the screen she held.
+"Did your father ever tell you anything more of his childhood?" she
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Not very much. He went to live somewhere else, I think, and I don't
+know what became of the picture. There is something about it I don't
+understand, but some time I know he will tell me. I think a certain
+person has something to do with it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Whom do you mean by a certain person?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is some one who was once a friend of father's, but is not now. That
+is all I know, except that I heard him tell mother he did not mind our
+staying here, because a certain person was abroad; but I guess maybe I
+oughtn't to say anything about it," Frances concluded uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation was interrupted by a servant who announced a young man
+to take the little girl home.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Mark," Frances exclaimed, jumping up.</p>
+
+<p>While they had been talking the wind had grown quiet, and the rain had
+turned to a wet snow. Mark had brought her waterproof and overshoes, but
+Mrs. Marvin insisted upon ordering the carriage. She held Frances in her
+arms and kissed her as if she could not bear to let her go.</p>
+
+<p>"I have had a beautiful time, and I am<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> so much obliged for the roses,"
+the child said, when at last she was released.</p>
+
+<p>They drove home in state through the wet streets. "I tell you this is
+fine!" said Mark; "I mean to be rich some day."</p>
+
+<p>"So do I," replied Frances from behind her roses, and neither of them
+dreamed what a lonely heart they had left behind them in that beautiful
+house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_FIFTEENTH" id="CHAPTER_FIFTEENTH"></a>CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>A CONFIDENCE.</h3>
+
+<p>This second encounter with Mrs. Marvin both annoyed and puzzled Mrs.
+Morrison. It had come about naturally enough, yet she could not help
+feeling that this lady's interest in a child she had not seen or heard
+of six weeks ago was extraordinary; and though she did not wish to spoil
+Frances' pleasure in her roses, she shook her head at the thought of
+what they must have cost.</p>
+
+<p>The violets which arrived early on New Year's morning gave great
+satisfaction, although they were, after all, the cause of her
+disquietude. Half an hour later came an express package from Honolulu,
+containing some trifles of native manufacture in sandalwood and ivory, a
+number of photographs, and a long birthday letter.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I almost wish," Mr. Morrison wrote, "that our new home was to be on
+this enchanting island. The box is for Frances' jewels when she gets
+them, the other things to be divided as you see fit. If it were not for
+the thought of two small persons in the house of the Spectacle Man away
+off in the United States, I should be strongly tempted to run over to
+China, it seems so near. But never mind! when Frances is grown we'll
+make a journey around the world."</p>
+
+<p>"I think father is so nice," Frances remarked, as if she had but
+recently made his acquaintance, locking and unlocking her box with as
+much pleasure as if it had been full of jewels.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison laughed happily; she knew what her daughter meant but
+could not express the charm of sympathetic companionship. "Oh, Frances!"
+she exclaimed quite gravely the next moment, "it has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> been good for us
+to do without him for a while. We are so happy together I am afraid it
+makes us selfish."</p>
+
+<p>Mark left for school the first of the next week. His parting words to
+Mrs. Morrison were: "You have been awfully good to me, and I'll not
+forget some of the things you have said. The house has been a different
+place with you and the Princess here, and I hope I shall find you when I
+come back."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know about that," was the reply. "Just at present we are
+wanderers, but we must look out for a home before long; and wherever it
+is we'll be glad to see you."</p>
+
+<p>After this, things quieted down into the old routine, only now Frances
+began to count the weeks that must pass before her father's return. By
+the first of April, if not sooner, he had promised.</p>
+
+<p>She came down from her drawing lesson<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> in great glee one morning. "Miss
+Sherwin's story has been taken, mother, and they are going to print it
+in March; aren't you glad? And they like the illustrations, too, and say
+they will be glad to hear from her again; I saw the letter."</p>
+
+<p>"It shows their good taste; I must go up and congratulate her," said
+Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"She did not seem to care much about it, mother. I don't think she is
+quite happy," Frances remarked with an air of great penetration.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison had become very fond of Lillian. Over their Christmas work
+they had found each other out, and a real friendship had begun. Beneath
+the girl's somewhat cold and reserved manner there was a genuine
+sweetness and charm which had at once responded to the unaffected
+friendliness of the older woman.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Moore professed to be extremely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> jealous, saying that already
+Lillian cared more for Mrs. Morrison than she did for her; and on the
+other hand, although she herself had been sociable to the last degree
+with her neighbors, they openly preferred her taciturn companion. "It is
+well that virtue is its own reward, for it certainly does not get any
+other, in my experience," she remarked whimsically.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be such a goose, Mary; you know everybody likes you," replied
+Miss Sherwin.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, they like me, and say I am good-natured, because there is
+nothing else to be said. It is my fate to be commonplace, and I must
+make up my mind to it," and Miss Moore hurried away to her afternoon
+class with her usual cheery face. Her moody friend was a puzzle to her,
+and she by no means begrudged her any companionship that would make her
+happier.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Sherwin sat at her desk. Before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> her lay the envelope containing
+the check in payment for "The Story of the Missing Bridge," but she did
+not look like one whose efforts had been crowned with success. After a
+few ineffectual attempts to go to work, her head went down among the
+papers, and it was thus Mrs. Morrison found her.</p>
+
+<p>"I knocked and thought I heard you answer," she said, "but even if I did
+not, I can't go away now without trying to comfort you."</p>
+
+<p>The pressure of the arm around her, the touch of the soft hand, was too
+grateful to be resisted; Lillian leaned her head against her friend as
+she sobbed, "It is only that I am such a goose!"</p>
+
+<p>"I know all about that, dear, we so frequently are," Mrs. Morrison
+replied, smiling a little all to herself. "But," she added, "you ought
+to be happy to-day. I came up to congratulate you on your story."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have had three taken this week, and instead of being happy I hate it
+all!" Lillian's head went down on the papers again.</p>
+
+<p>By dint of much patient encouragement and real sympathetic interest the
+story came out by degrees; all the hidden sorrow of months found an
+outlet in the broken little confession. Not very clearly told, it was
+yet plain enough in a general way.</p>
+
+<p>A boy and girl friendship had grown into something stronger. Only a year
+ago they had made happy plans for the future they meant to spend
+together. Then came the misunderstanding&mdash;a trifling thing in the
+beginning, but which grew until she was convinced she had made a
+mistake, that she had never really cared. She felt she needed freedom to
+go her own way and do her own work. She would be independent and try
+life for herself.</p>
+
+<p>He had laughed at first, and this hurt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> her pride. She would show him
+she was not a weak dependent creature, and with some bitter words they
+had parted.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I did not care&mdash;that I could be happy in my work. I meant to
+be famous and I did not mind being lonely," said Lillian; "but now that
+I am having a little success it means nothing because&mdash;" she hesitated,
+and Mrs. Morrison said softly&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Success doesn't mean much unless there is some one to share it and be
+glad with us.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that is it. Perhaps if I were a genius it would be different, but
+I have only a poor little talent, after all. And I see how I was most to
+blame. I was hateful and proud&mdash;and now there is no help for it. I don't
+know why I should tell it, except that you are so kind, for it cannot be
+undone, and I must learn to bear it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is so much better for you to speak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> of it, dear. And do you know
+what I am thinking? That it is not easy to destroy the bridge between
+two hearts that really love; isn't that it? All you can do is to wait
+and be patient, going on with your work and making yourself worthy of
+the best that can happen to you."</p>
+
+<p>"But when one makes a mistake one has to bear the consequences," said
+Lillian, sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"The pain and self-accusation&mdash;yes, but how often we are given the
+opportunity of undoing our mistakes. It is a hard, hard lesson you have
+to learn, but isn't there a star of hope somewhere that you can fix your
+eyes upon. Forgive me for pressing your own moral upon you, but it has
+helped me and I want you to take comfort."</p>
+
+<p>As Mrs. Morrison went slowly down stairs again, she said to herself,
+"Poor little girl! I wish I could help her; but if her lover is what he
+ought to be, he will come back, I am sure."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SIXTEENTH" id="CHAPTER_SIXTEENTH"></a>CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>HARD TIMES.</h3>
+
+<p>Bad weather was predicted by the almanac for the first week in February,
+and bad weather prevailed both indoors and out.</p>
+
+<p>Frances had an attack of grip which came near being pneumonia, and
+caused her mother some anxious days. Miss Sherwin, going in one evening
+to ask Zenobia about the patient, found Mrs. Morrison herself in the
+kitchen, crying as if her heart would break, her face buried in one of
+her little daughter's white aprons that lay on the ironing-board.</p>
+
+<p>"Is she worse?" Lillian exclaimed, much alarmed, for surely it must be
+something serious to unnerve this bright, hopeful person.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I don't know&mdash;the doctor didn't say so&mdash;but she is ill, and one can
+never tell. Oh, my darling baby!&mdash;if she should get worse, and Jack
+away&mdash;why did I let him go!" she began a trembling search for her
+handkerchief. "I left her with Zenobia&mdash; I couldn't stand it any longer,
+but I must go back now," she said, wiping her eyes. "I know I am
+foolish, but I can't help it."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not foolish at all, but tired and anxious, poor child," said
+Lillian, with her arms around her. "Now listen to me; Frances is going
+to pull through, I am certain of it. The doctor would have said so, if
+he thought her very ill; but I am going to stay with you. I am a good
+nurse,&mdash; I took care of my little cousin only a year ago, in just such
+an attack, and you may lie on the sofa and watch me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Please don't say a word, dear, for I know I can help. I am going to
+take Zenobia's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> place now, and you may come when you have bathed your
+face."</p>
+
+<p>There was strength in Lillian's quiet, confident tone; Mrs. Morrison
+smiled through her tears: "You will think me a great fraud, after all my
+good advice to you. Like the physician who gave up his profession to
+enter the ministry, I find it easier to preach than to practise."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you are human," Lillian answered, and dropping a kiss on her
+forehead, she went to relieve Zenobia.</p>
+
+<p>She was quite right in thinking she could help, and during the few days
+while Frances lingered on the brink of a serious illness she was a tower
+of comfort and strength. The experience drew them closer together; and
+when the worst was over, and the patient convalescing, Mrs. Morrison
+said she believed it was worth all the anxiety to have found out this
+side of Lillian.</p>
+
+<p>"I do want you and Jack to know each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> other," she said, and this meant
+that her new friend had been taken into the inner circle.</p>
+
+<p>About this time the Spectacle Man sat at his desk in the room below with
+an anxious look on his usually cheery face. The storm cloud had settled
+upon him, too, and his trouble was a question of money.</p>
+
+<p>The directors of a certain institution in which he owned a good deal of
+stock had thought it wise to pass their semi-yearly dividend, and with
+hard times affecting everything more or less, he could not see how Mark
+was to be kept at school. Sitting there, he tortured himself with the
+thought of what he might have done if he had only foreseen. He called
+himself an old fogy, and wished he might be twenty years younger.</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>The song rose to his lips unconsciously, and he hummed it in a dreary
+fashion that caused Peterkin to open his eyes. At least he did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> open
+them, and there was something in the serenity of those yellow orbs that
+recalled the Spectacle Man to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, Peterkin, I am foolish, and I thank you for telling me
+so," he said, stooping to caress the smooth head. "There is always a
+way, and you'll find it if you'll keep your eyes open, and don't let the
+clouds of despair and distrust gather and hide it," he continued to
+himself, and he began to sing again, this time in a cheery tone.</p>
+
+<p>That same evening he went to see Mrs. Gray. It was a business call, for
+the old lady needed some stronger glasses, and could not get out in bad
+weather to attend to it herself; but after he had tried her eyes, they
+fell to talking about other matters.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Gray was lonely and unhappy. Her only son was going to be married,
+and she knew she was a burden to him, and she wished she was dead. She
+had not meant to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> tell it, but the benevolent face of the Spectacle Man
+invited confidence.</p>
+
+<p>He confessed to being blue himself, and then he told her briefly the
+story of the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>"You may say it is all made up, but some way I know it is true," he
+added earnestly. "There is always a way, if only we are patient and
+don't give up. You haven't begun to be a burden yet, and I haven't had
+to bring Mark home. We can't <i>see</i> the way, but if we go on a step at a
+time, we'll find it."</p>
+
+<p>Emma was also having a taste of bad weather. In the first place, the
+General had an illness much like Frances', and this meant that he must
+be kept in bed and amused from morning till night. Then Emma's teacher
+decided to have her pupils give an entertainment on Washington's
+Birthday, and Emma was selected among others to take part. It was an
+event of great importance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> to the school children, and at recess nothing
+else was talked about.</p>
+
+<p>As Emma expressed it, she had never been <i>in</i> anything before in her
+life, and no prima donna was ever more excited over her d&eacute;but than she
+at the thought of this little recitation; but her pleasure met with a
+sudden check upon the discovery that a white dress would be necessary.
+She hadn't a white dress, and she knew it was hopeless to think of
+getting one in time, still she couldn't help mentioning it to her
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>"A white dress! Will you tell me how on earth you could get one? Even if
+I had the money to buy it, where would I find time to make it? It is all
+nonsense anyway." Mrs. Bond was tired out and spoke with more emphasis
+than she would otherwise have used.</p>
+
+<p>Her daughter turned away quite crushed by the pitiless logic. She should
+have to tell Miss Ellen and the girls that she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> couldn't be in it
+because she hadn't any dress. She couldn't help shedding some bitter
+tears, and that was how the Spectacle Man found out about it.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother sent her into the shop to get some change, and his supply
+being low Mr. Clark despatched Dick to get some; then noticing the red
+eyes, he asked what the trouble was, and something in his kind,
+sympathetic face drew forth the story.</p>
+
+<p>As he listened an idea came to the Spectacle Man. "Now, Emma," he said,
+"don't worry any more about this till&mdash;well, till Monday morning. This
+is Friday, so you won't have to do anything about it till then, and in
+the meantime something may happen. Indeed, I'm almost sure something
+will."</p>
+
+<p>All this may not have been very logical, but Emma carried away her
+change with a much lighter heart.</p>
+
+<p>That evening when Mrs. Morrison went in to pay her rent, she stopped to
+chat with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> the optician. Frances was eating oyster soup upstairs with
+Miss Sherwin and Zenobia in attendance, and her mother was feeling very
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Morrison," Mr. Clark began in a somewhat embarrassed manner as she
+was about to leave, "you know more of the value of such things than I
+do; do you think any of these old belongings of mine are worth anything?
+In money, I mean." By a wave of his hand he seemed to indicate all that
+was in the room.</p>
+
+<p>"I should think so. The portrait, of course, is, and that cabinet looks
+very handsome to me. Are you thinking of selling?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I may have to, the times are so hard, and Mark must be kept at school.
+Some of my investments aren't paying anything now." He paused a moment,
+then added, "You wouldn't believe what a foolish old fellow I am, but
+I'd rather set my heart on giving that portrait to some collection. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>
+have liked to think how it would look on the catalogue,&mdash;'Presented by
+George W. Clark'&mdash;all nonsense, of course. Some ladies were here to-day
+to ask if I would exhibit it. The Colonial Dames are to have a Loan
+Exhibit."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you will not have to sell it, but if you should, that will be an
+excellent way of advertising it. Oughtn't you to let Mark know the state
+of affairs? Don't spoil him; he is such a fine fellow," answered Mrs.
+Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"There's time enough for that," said Mr. Clark, and then added, "I want
+to speak to you about something else," and he told the story of Emma's
+trouble. "I thought perhaps you could&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed, I'm sure I can. Thank you for telling me," she held out
+her hand. "How kind you are, Mr. Clark! Good night."</p>
+
+<p>This makes it quite plain how Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> Morrison happened to walk into Mrs.
+Bond's domain the next day with a white dress over her arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to look at this, Mrs. Bond," she said. "It is a dress I
+had made for Frances last spring, and by a mistake it was cut so
+short it had to be faced. Now she has outgrown it, and nothing can
+be done. Do you think Emma could wear it? Frances is a good deal
+taller. I have thought of offering it to you before, and now it has
+occurred to me that Emma may not have a dress ready to wear to the
+school entertainment,&mdash;Gladys was telling us about it yesterday,&mdash;and
+if you will accept it, it will be doing me a great favor. I dislike so
+to have it wasted."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a very pretty dress; it is too bad Frances can't wear it," Mrs.
+Bond remarked, examining it critically.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will let me give it to Emma?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Emma's mother was not hard hearted; she liked to see her children happy,
+but she had a stern feeling that hardship was likely to be their lot in
+this world, and the sooner they became used to it the better. However,
+when her pride was convinced that Mrs. Morrison could not use the dress,
+she accepted it gratefully.</p>
+
+<p>Emma's joy was beyond words, and she very much wondered how the
+Spectacle Man could have known that something was going to happen.</p>
+
+<p>When the eventful day came, Mrs. Morrison rolled her hair for her and
+tied her long braids with butterfly bows of red, white, and blue, and
+when she was dressed, Frances said, "Why, Emma, I believe you are as
+pretty as Gladys!"</p>
+
+<p>Certainly no little girl waved her flag with more enthusiasm, or
+rejoiced more truly in the celebration of Washington's Birthday.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_SEVENTEENTH" id="CHAPTER_SEVENTEENTH"></a>CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>AT THE LOAN EXHIBIT.</h3>
+
+<p>Before the end of February there began to be hints of spring in the air;
+now and then there came a day so mild and fair it seemed to belong to
+April, and as the winter passed it carried with it some at least of the
+cares that had for a while rested upon the inmates of the optician's
+house.</p>
+
+<p>Frances and her mother rejoiced because every day brought nearer their
+traveller's return; Miss Moore, busy with the Easter work in her
+kindergarten, was finding a new meaning in the season; and even Lillian
+Sherwin felt now and then a thrill of joy that was like a prophecy of
+days to come, to her sore heart.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Clark was cheerful because he loved sunshine; and though he could
+not as yet see the way through his difficulties, he felt sure it was
+there, and that in good time he should find it.</p>
+
+<p>The pleasure of Washington's Birthday lingered with Emma; the General,
+restored to health and amiability, was no longer such a care, and she
+found time once more to spend in that haven of delight upstairs with
+Frances.</p>
+
+<p>George Washington was sent to the Loan Exhibit, together with the
+cabinet, some silver candlesticks, and the Wedgwood cream jug and sugar
+dish. With the blank space over the mantel the study looked deserted;
+and the owl, deprived of his resting-place on the cabinet, perched
+forlornly on a corner of the bookcase.</p>
+
+<p>Frances took great interest in the Exhibit, and insisted upon going,
+chiefly it seemed for the purpose of seeing how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> Washington looked in
+his new surroundings. As Mrs. Morrison was housed with a cold, Miss
+Sherwin offered to take her.</p>
+
+<p>They found a beautiful display of valuable and interesting things
+arranged in a large, handsomely decorated hall; but not until Frances
+had viewed the portrait and made a diligent search for Mr. Clark's other
+possessions would she give any attention to less familiar things.</p>
+
+<p>She and Lillian were bending with delight over a case of miniatures when
+she heard her name spoken, and turning, saw Mrs. Marvin.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you like the miniatures?" the lady asked. "Then come over to the
+other side; there is one there I want you to see."</p>
+
+<div class="figright" style="width: 381px;"><a name="ILL_004" id="ILL_004"></a>
+<img src="images/ill_004.jpg" width="381" height="600" alt="&quot;She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds&quot;" title="" />
+<span class="caption">&quot;She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds&quot;</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds, of a lovely young woman.</p>
+
+<p>"How pretty! Is it you?" Frances asked, seeing a resemblance to the
+handsome face beside her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin smiled. "No, it is my mother,&mdash;the little girl you are so
+fond of, after she was grown. They wanted the portrait too," she added,
+"but I have decided not to trust it out of my hands again."</p>
+
+<p>She pointed out several other miniatures in which she thought Frances
+would be interested, all the while keeping the child's hand clasped in
+her own. Miss Sherwin, seeing her charge had found an acquaintance,
+moved on down the aisle.</p>
+
+<p>"Your friend seems to be interested in the manuscripts; suppose we rest
+a few minutes," and Mrs. Marvin drew Frances down beside her on a settee
+that stood near a tall case of lace and embroidery.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is the young lady with you?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>Frances' explained, and Mrs. Marvin remarked that she was a handsome
+girl.</p>
+
+<p>"And she is clever, too, for she writes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> lovely stories and illustrates
+them," said Frances, impressively.</p>
+
+<p>"Does she, indeed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she wrote one for us about a song the Spectacle Man&mdash;I mean Mr.
+Clark&mdash;sings. It is a fairy tale, and <i>The Young People's Journal</i> took
+it and are going to publish it next month. It has a beautiful moral to
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you know about morals?" laughed Mrs. Marvin.</p>
+
+<p>"I found this one out when I had a quarrel with Gladys. Mr. Clark helped
+me to see it," was the reply; and then, as her companion looked
+interested, Frances continued:</p>
+
+<p>"It is hard to explain it because you haven't read the story. It is
+called 'The Missing Bridge,' and is about a young man who couldn't get
+across the river that was between him and the girl he was going to
+marry, because there wasn't any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> bridge. That is he <i>thought</i> there
+wasn't, though it really was there all the time, and had just been made
+invisible by a magician.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you know Gladys said she never would speak to me again, and that
+was like having the bridge broken between us; don't you think so? But
+Mr. Clark said he thought it was only hidden by the clouds of anger and
+unkindness. I think it is very uncomfortable to quarrel, don't you?"
+then, seeing an odd expression in her companion's face, Frances hastened
+to add: "Of course I know you wouldn't quarrel with any one <i>now</i>, but I
+thought maybe you had when you were a little girl. But don't you think
+it is a nice moral? and&mdash;oh, yes&mdash;the last of it is that love and
+courage can always find a way."</p>
+
+<p>"And how about you and Gladys?"</p>
+
+<p>"We made up. If you would like to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> read the story, Mrs. Marvin, it will
+be out next week. The March number of <i>The Young People's Journal</i>, and
+it's only twenty-five cents."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin smiled. "I shall certainly get a copy," she said, adding, "I
+see your friend looking this way. Suppose we go to her; I should like to
+meet her."</p>
+
+<p>Why she said this she couldn't have told, and she half repented it the
+next minute; but when Frances introduced Miss Sherwin she was all
+graciousness.</p>
+
+<p>"Frances and I have an odd way of meeting every now and then, and have
+become great friends. I have been showing her a miniature of my mother,
+and she has been telling me about your story."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Frances!" said Miss Sherwin, a pretty color coming into her face.</p>
+
+<p>This girl was extremely attractive, Mrs. Marvin decided, and found a
+good deal to say to her over the collection of ancient<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> missals. After a
+while Frances wandered off to look at the portraits.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin's eyes followed her as, with her hands clasped behind her,
+she stood gazing at an old pioneer.</p>
+
+<p>"She is a very charming child," she remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"She is, and she ought to be, for her mother is one of the sweetest
+women in the world," Miss Sherwin responded, in eager praise of her
+friend, but the next moment she had the feeling of having somehow said
+the wrong thing. Was it some change of expression in the handsome face,
+or simply the silence that followed her little outburst, which caused
+her discomfort? She could not tell. She had been wonderfully charmed by
+this stately person, but now the spell was broken; with one impulse they
+moved toward Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe I like her, after all," Lillian thought; and yet there
+was a marvellous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> sweetness in the smile that greeted the child, and
+brought her with instant response to Mrs. Marvin's side.</p>
+
+<p>As they were making their way to the door after taking leave of Mrs.
+Marvin, Miss Sherwin saw a lady step out from a group of people, and
+exclaim: "Why, Mrs. Richards! how do you do? It was only the other day I
+heard of your unexpected return." And the person to whom this greeting
+was addressed was no other than Mrs. Marvin herself. It puzzled her, but
+she said nothing about it to Mrs. Morrison when they related their
+morning's adventures.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_EIGHTEENTH" id="CHAPTER_EIGHTEENTH"></a>CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE MARCH NUMBER OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S JOURNAL.</h3>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin was in a sadly restless state of mind. She wished again and
+again that chance had not brought this child in her way. Having seen
+her, she could not forget her, and each meeting cost her fresh pain.</p>
+
+<p>And what was to be the outcome of it? Nothing? Frances had said they
+would soon be going away. Perhaps then she might be able to settle down
+again into the old life of resolutely putting aside the past.</p>
+
+<p>She was not so strong as she used to be, yet she must endure it as she
+had done for so many years. There was nothing she could do. Her pride
+told her this with added<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> emphasis each time the half-formed question
+rose in her mind.</p>
+
+<p>She actually fretted herself into a fever which the doctor pronounced
+malarial, advising change of air,&mdash;a prescription Mrs. Marvin had no
+thought of trying at present.</p>
+
+<p>After several days in bed, she was lying on her couch weak and languid
+one morning, when she suddenly remembered the March number of <i>The Young
+People's Journal</i>. She would send for it and read the story.</p>
+
+<p>When it was brought there came with it the swift recollection that Jack
+used to take it. She could see him now poring over the puzzle column,
+looking up with such a triumphant light in his brown eyes when he
+discovered an answer.</p>
+
+<p>She held the paper for a long time without opening it, lying quite still
+with a desolate look on her face that was more than Caroline, her
+faithful nurse, could stand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I declare, if Miss Frances doesn't cheer up, I don't know what I shall
+do," she said to the seamstress.</p>
+
+<p>After a while Mrs. Marvin began to turn the pages, till she found the
+story of "The Missing Bridge," with the gay little tune for a heading.</p>
+
+<p>It is doubtful if under ordinary circumstances she would have had
+patience to read the simple story through, but to-day she found
+something soothing in its very simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>"No power can destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts." She
+lay thinking of what Frances had said about her quarrel with Gladys. Ah!
+many another bridge had been made invisible by clouds of anger and
+pride. The paper slipped from her grasp. "I <i>did</i> love him so dearly,"
+she cried, clasping her hands; "and I thought he cared for me, but now
+he has probably forgotten."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Faith and courage can find the way&mdash;" so said the story.</p>
+
+<p>"But I have neither," sighed Mrs. Marvin.</p>
+
+<p>Her unquiet mind seized upon the words of the little song, and all
+through the day she said them over and over:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>The clock ticked:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The bridge is broke and I have to mend it, mend it,&nbsp;</td><td align='left'>mend it, mend it."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>Even the horses' hoofs on the asphalt street rang out the same refrain.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin rose from her couch in some respects a changed woman. It
+seemed to her she had lived years in that illness of two weeks. In her
+soul a battle had been waged, and the struggle had left her passive and
+unresisting; she was waiting. The outward result was a strange, new
+gentleness of manner.</p>
+
+<p>At the time of the Loan Exhibit she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> had been commissioned by a friend
+to purchase a wedding gift, which was to be, if possible, something
+antique. The silver candlesticks belonging to Mr. Clark rather pleased
+her; and thinking he might have other interesting things, she had
+written his address in her note-book, intending to go and see for
+herself, but her illness had interfered. When she was once more able to
+be out this was her first thought.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime the March <i>Journal</i> was being read by a good many
+persons who ordinarily never looked at it. The household at the
+Spectacle Man's naturally took a deep interest in it; and Miss Sherwin
+said she felt she ought to divide the profits, for if it had not been
+for the song and Mrs. Morrison's suggestion, the story would never have
+been written.</p>
+
+<p>Frances laid emphatic commands upon her father to buy a copy the minute
+he landed in San Francisco; and Mr. Clark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> was also charged to remind
+Mark of the story, when he wrote.</p>
+
+<p>In the hurry of sending telegrams, attending to his baggage, and making
+arrangements for an early start eastward, Mr. Morrison forgot this
+important matter, and it did not occur to him till, halfway on his
+homeward journey, he one morning saw the paper among others the train
+boy was carrying through the cars. He promptly purchased it, for it
+would never do to meet his little daughter without having read the story
+which was, she said, almost as good as one of his own.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after leaving San Francisco, Mr. Morrison had made the acquaintance
+of a young civil engineer who was on his way to his home in Tennessee
+for a visit. He had frank, gentlemanly manners, and the cheerful,
+self-reliant air of a trained worker who loves his work, and the
+travellers were at once attracted to each other. As<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> so often happens,
+they discovered mutual friends, and also that they had the same
+affection for Southern life and ways. Alexander Carter, as he gave his
+name, had recently accepted a position with a Western mining company,&mdash;a
+place of trust and responsibility of which he was justly proud in a
+modest way.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem to have found something amusing," he remarked, seeing Mr.
+Morrison smiling over the magazine.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no, it happens to be a rather serious story, but something
+reminded me of my little daughter," was the reply. "By the way, Carter,"
+he added, "it is odd, but the hero of this tale bears a remarkable
+resemblance to you&mdash;I mean in the illustration. See here!" Mr. Morrison
+held before him the picture of the young farmer as he knelt to release
+the white rabbit. "This is your profile exactly. Don't you see it
+yourself?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Carter laughed. "I believe there is a faint likeness, which only
+goes to show that I have a very ordinary countenance."</p>
+
+<p>"That is just what you have not, which is the curious part of it," said
+Mr. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"Who wrote the story?" his companion asked.</p>
+
+<p>"It is unsigned, and I have forgotten the name. She is a young lady of
+whom my wife and daughter are very fond."</p>
+
+<p>At St. Louis the travellers separated with cordial good-byes, feeling
+like old friends, and Mr. Morrison rushed off to catch the train that
+would take him to his destination some hours earlier than he had
+expected to arrive.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Carter, gathering up his things in a more leisurely way, noticed
+<i>The Young People's Journal</i> lying on the seat, and put it in his bag.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_NINETEENTH" id="CHAPTER_NINETEENTH"></a>CHAPTER NINETEENTH.</h2>
+
+<h3>SURPRISES.</h3>
+
+<p>"Expect me Wednesday evening; will wire from St. Louis," so read the
+telegram from San Francisco; and on Wednesday morning Frances had just
+exclaimed over her oatmeal, "O dear, what a long day this will be!" when
+the door opened and there stood a familiar figure, looking, oh, so
+bright and well!</p>
+
+<p>After some moments of rapturous hugs and incoherent remarks, the
+traveller was allowed to have some breakfast, while Mrs. Morrison and
+Frances looked on, too happy to eat.</p>
+
+<p>"I had to surprise you, for a despatch sent after I left St. Louis would
+have aroused you in the night, or else not have reached you till about
+this time," Mr. Morrison explained as he helped himself to a muffin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Jack, how brown you are, and how well you look! It is a delight to see
+you," said his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"I never was better in my life; but I can't tell you how I have wished
+for you and Frances."</p>
+
+<p>"Next time you'll take me, won't you, father?" Frances asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed. Wink, I believe you have grown a foot! You'll soon be a
+young lady, and I don't like it; people will begin to think your mother
+and I are elderly, when we are really in the heyday of youth."</p>
+
+<p>In this irrelevant fashion conversation went on through the day. There
+were all the winter experiences to be related, and Frances could not
+rest till each person in the house had been brought in to see her
+father. First of all Mr. Clark ran up to say how glad he was to see the
+traveller back again; and on her way to school Miss Moore looked in with
+a merry greeting; then Emma and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> General were waylaid in the hall
+and introduced, the former in a dreadful fit of shyness; and last, Miss
+Sherwin was pounced upon and dragged reluctantly into the sitting room.</p>
+
+<p>To her Mr. Morrison's return meant the breaking up of the pleasant
+companionship of the winter, and she was not in the least glad to see
+him. Mrs. Morrison's exclamation as she entered was somewhat
+disconcerting.</p>
+
+<p>"Jack, I want you to know Lillian, she has been so good to me!"</p>
+
+<p>"Good! I?" Miss Sherwin cried in a tone that made them all laugh, and
+then her hand was given a cordial grasp by a tall man with a boyish
+face, who said, "We shall have to take each other on sufferance, Miss
+Sherwin, till we can find out for ourselves how much truth there is in
+what our friends say of us."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad we came here; it has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> really been a delightful
+winter,&mdash;all but those two dreadful days when Frances was so ill,&mdash;but I
+don't think I can ever let you go again," Mrs. Morrison said. It was
+after lunch, and Frances had gone to get ready for a walk with her
+father.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, will you go to New York with me next week?" asked her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"I may have to stand that. It will depend on how soon we must leave here
+permanently. Jack, there is one rather strange thing I must tell you&mdash;"
+but just here Frances danced in, and her mother did not finish her
+sentence.</p>
+
+<p>When they returned from their walk late in the afternoon they stopped in
+the shop for a moment to speak to Mr. Clark. Peterkin was the only
+person to be seen, but the door into the study stood open, and,
+supposing the Spectacle Man was there, Frances and her father entered.
+Some one was standing before the mantel looking up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> at the portrait of
+Washington, and Frances gave an exclamation of surprise, for it was not
+the optician, but, of all persons, Mrs. Marvin!</p>
+
+<p>It was not very light, and for a second she thought she must be
+mistaken, then something very strange happened. Mrs. Marvin turned, and
+with a little cry stepped forward, holding out her hands appealingly.
+"Jack, O Jack!" she said.</p>
+
+<p>The astonished child saw the light in her father's eyes as he exclaimed,
+"Auntie!" and then his arms were around her, her cheek pressed to his.</p>
+
+<p>"Jack, I have wanted you so;" the words came with a sob.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear auntie, I am so glad!"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Marvin was not one to lose her self-control for long; she presently
+lifted her head, with one hand on his shoulder she looked at him. "You
+have not changed," she said, "but I have grown old."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In truth, she was very white now the first flush of excitement was
+fading, and with gentle hands Jack put her into the shabby leather
+chair, and drew another to her side.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if I shall wake and find it a dream," she said, smiling up at
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"It is better than any dream," he answered, bending over her.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been so lonely,&mdash;it has been so long. I thought perhaps you had
+forgotten, and&mdash; I am sorry&mdash; Jack." It was the proud woman's surrender,
+and John Morrison was touched to the heart. Tears rose to his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"It was more my fault than yours, dear,&mdash;the years have taught me that,
+and I have often wished I could tell you so," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Frances had stood an amazed spectator of this scene. What did it mean?
+Ought she to stay? It was plain she was forgotten. After a little she
+touched her father's arm,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> saying softly, "Daddy, I'm here, you know."</p>
+
+<p>The plaintive tone recalled both her companions; her father drew her to
+his side, but before he could speak Mrs. Marvin took her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Frances darling, you will love me, won't you? You are my own little
+niece. The day when I first saw you in my library you reminded me of my
+dear Jack."</p>
+
+<p>It was Mr. Morrison's turn to be surprised as his daughter impulsively
+threw her arms round the lady's neck, exclaiming, "I do love you, but I
+didn't know you knew father."</p>
+
+<p>"And I didn't know you knew each other," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"And I don't understand how you happened to come here," added his aunt.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, we live here, Mrs. Marvin," Frances replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Marvin!" echoed Mr. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"That is a mistake which I encouraged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> because I wanted to see more of
+her," his aunt said; adding, "Is this really the house of the Spectacle
+Man?"</p>
+
+<p>There was so much to be explained it seemed almost hopeless; Mr. Clark
+came in and went out again unobserved. It was not an opportune time for
+selling candlesticks, evidently.</p>
+
+<p>"We will not try to unravel the tangle all at once," Mr. Morrison said,
+rising. "Auntie, will you come upstairs? I want you to meet Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>This was hardest of all. It brought back one of her old disappointments;
+and without doubt Katherine Morrison was aware how Jack's aunt felt
+about his marriage, but she did not hesitate. It was not her custom to
+do things by halves.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison, sitting in the twilight lost in happy thoughts, was
+aroused by Frances' excited voice: "Mother, what do you think has
+happened?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Surprised at sight of the stranger, she rose; her husband met her and
+drew her forward: "Auntie, this is my wife, to whom I owe my greatest
+happiness."</p>
+
+<p>His aunt understood. This fair, girlish looking little person filled the
+first place in his heart; whatever else was changed, this was not.</p>
+
+<p>"You must try to love me for Jack's sake," she said, taking Katherine's
+hand with that new gentleness her nephew found so touching.</p>
+
+<p>It won his wife. "I shall not have to try," she answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you willing to forget and begin again?&mdash;that is what we are going
+to do, is it not, Jack?" his aunt looked from his wife to him. "It will
+make a great difference in my life," she continued; "I have been very
+lonely, and I want this little girl;" she put her arm around Frances.</p>
+
+<p>"Then she will certainly have to take us,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> too; won't she, Katherine?"
+and Mr. Morrison laughed happily.</p>
+
+<p>Frances still seemed puzzled. "If this is my Aunt Frances&mdash;" she said
+slowly, "who is the little girl? Is she the Girl in the Golden Doorway,
+truly?&mdash;the portrait, I mean.</p>
+
+<p>"I think she must be, and she is also your great-grandmother," her aunt
+replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Then who is a Certain Person. You said he was abroad, father." Frances
+evidently thought it time all mysteries were solved.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, auntie, how does it happen you are not abroad? I heard last
+summer on the best authority that you would spend the winter in Egypt,"
+said her nephew.</p>
+
+<p>"I fully expected to be gone eighteen months when I left, but the death
+of the mother of my friend, Mrs. Roberts, changed our plans. I did not
+wish to go alone."</p>
+
+<p>Frances was listening intently. "Father!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> you don't mean Aunt Frances is
+a Certain Person?" she cried. "I thought it was a man."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a character we are going to forget. I am your father's aunt and
+yours, dear, and I am not Mrs. Marvin, but Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Marvin is
+my cousin. You understand it all now, don't you?"</p>
+
+<p>Frances was not quite certain of this, but there was no doubt about her
+pleasure in her new relative; and when her father went home with his
+aunt she was rather impatient at not being allowed to go too.</p>
+
+<p>"Come sit beside me, Wink, and have a little talk," Mrs. Morrison
+suggested when they were alone.</p>
+
+<p>Frances came and nestled down beside her mother; the day had been so
+full of excitement she found it hard work to keep still.</p>
+
+<p>"You know, dear, that Aunt Frances and father have not seen each other
+for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> years,&mdash;not since before you were born,&mdash;and of course they have a
+great deal to say to each other. There was some trouble&mdash;a
+misunderstanding&mdash;but now it is over&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"They have found the bridge like Gladys and me," Frances put in.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but what I was going to say is this: we mustn't be selfish. We
+must let Aunt Frances have father to herself sometimes. Don't you think
+so?"</p>
+
+<p>As they sat quietly there in the twilight Mrs. Morrison saw opening
+before her a path she would not have chosen. She was a person of simple
+tastes and wide sympathies, and the world of wealth and convention to
+which her husband would return so naturally had few attractions for her.
+She would have need of love and courage, she told herself.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think, Kate; auntie wants me to take you to New York with
+me and leave Frances with her!" said Mr. Morrison, coming in.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She has never been away from me in her life. What do you say, Wink?"
+and her mother lifted the face that rested against her shoulder and
+kissed it.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; I believe I'd like it, for then I could see the little
+girl every day," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I think her great-grandmother has cut out all the rest of her
+relations," her father remarked, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see how she <i>could</i> be my great-grandmother," Frances said
+meditatively.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Richards remembered the candlesticks next day, and they gave her an
+excuse for an early visit to Mr. Clark. She felt in love and charity
+with all men, and, finding the optician at leisure, she entered into
+conversation with him in her most gracious manner. His old-fashioned
+courtliness pleased her, and she recalled him as one of the proprietors
+of the large jewellery store of Mason and Clark, years ago.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Clark remembered her father, Judge Morrison, and all together she
+spent an exceedingly pleasant hour looking over his valuables and
+talking of old times. She purchased the candlesticks, and also the two
+pieces of Wedgwood which exactly matched some her grandfather had
+brought from England.</p>
+
+<p>"You have shown me all you care to sell?" she asked, rising.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe there is nothing else, madam, except the house. I should like
+very much to sell it," was Mr. Clark's reply.</p>
+
+<p>When Zenobia ushered her into the sitting room upstairs some minutes
+later, Mrs. Richards was struck with its cosey beauty. Truly, there were
+ways of living&mdash;pleasant ways&mdash;of which she had not dreamed.</p>
+
+<p>Frances was washing the sword fern while she recited her history lesson
+to her mother, who was sewing.</p>
+
+<p>"I have come to take you home with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> me to lunch; I can't do without
+you," Mrs. Richards announced.</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you stay with us&mdash;auntie?" Frances spoke the new title
+hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>"That will be much the better plan, and it will please Jack," added Mrs.
+Morrison, cordially, and Mrs. Richards stayed.</p>
+
+<p>The next time she and her nephew were alone together she said to him:
+"Jack, there is something I want you to explain to Katherine. I do not
+think I could make any difference in my manner of living at my age, even
+if I wished to, and I do not; but I am beginning to see that there may
+be a charm about&mdash;other ways."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, auntie," as she paused, "the years I have spent knocking about
+without any money, having to work hard for Kate and the baby, have been
+the happiest and best of my life. There was only one drawback to it
+all&mdash;" he laid his hand on hers.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled fondly at him. "I want you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> to say to Katherine that I know I
+must seem narrow to her; I realize that she may perhaps fear my
+influence upon Frances&mdash;" her nephew began a protest, but she silenced
+him. "No, let me finish. I have come to see things differently; I want
+you to live your own lives in your own way; I want Frances to go on as
+she has begun&mdash;sweet, generous, unconscious, and I only ask to be near
+you."</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Morrison repeated this to his wife, tears rose to her eyes. "I
+haven't been fair to her," she said. "I have been afraid, but I shall
+not be any more. I shall love her dearly."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWENTIETH" id="CHAPTER_TWENTIETH"></a>CHAPTER TWENTIETH.</h2>
+
+<h3>CAROLINE'S STORY.</h3>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose you have heard the news?"</p>
+
+<p>Caroline's pleasant face was more beaming than usual as Emma ushered her
+into the room where Mrs. Bond sat with her sewing, the General being
+safe in dreamland.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I haven't heard any so far as I remember," was her reply.</p>
+
+<p>Emma gave the visitor a chair, and retreated with her books to a corner
+behind her mother, in the hope that she might not be sent away. She knew
+something had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you don't know that Mr. Morrison has turned out to be our Mr.
+Jack, Miss Frances' nephew?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Who is her nephew, did you say?" asked Mrs. Bond, going on with her
+work.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Morrison, to be sure, the father of little Frances, bless her!"</p>
+
+<p>"He is Mrs. Marvin's nephew?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Caroline, laughing; "only she isn't Mrs. Marvin at all, but
+Mrs. Richards. It is as good as a play."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Bond actually dropped her hands in her lap, as she asked, "Do you
+mean there isn't any such person as Mrs. Marvin?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course there is a Mrs. Marvin. She was staying at our house while
+Miss Frances was abroad,&mdash;she is her cousin,&mdash;and the first sewing you
+did was for her. I did not think of explaining, so you went on supposing
+it was all for Mrs. Marvin. Then when Miss Frances found out that
+Frances thought she was Mrs. Marvin, she asked me not to tell you any
+different. I couldn't understand why, then."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why should she care who I thought she was?" Mrs. Bond asked, taking up
+her sewing.</p>
+
+<p>"It is plain enough now. You see, she and Mr. Jack had had a quarrel
+years ago, and she had not seen or heard of him since; then one day, you
+know, Frances came to our house with Emma, and Mrs. Richards saw her and
+knew right away who she was, and was mightily taken with her, but she
+didn't want Frances or her mother to know that she was Mr. Morrison's
+aunt; don't you see?</p>
+
+<p>"You may say it happened," Caroline continued, "but I say the Lord
+brought it about. Why should that child walk into the library and stand
+before her great-grandmother's portrait, and Miss Frances come in and
+find her there, looking as much like Mr. Jack when he was little as two
+peas! Isn't he a splendid man! and just his old self. Why, when he came
+out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> yesterday, he ran upstairs to my room calling out just as he used
+to do,&mdash;'Where's Caroline?' It made me too happy to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"Did Mr. Morrison live at your house once?" Emma ventured to ask.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he did. When his mother died Miss Frances adopted him. He was
+six years old, and it was the same year I went to live with her,&mdash;thirty
+years this spring. You see, Mr. Jack's father, who was Mrs. Richards'
+favorite brother, was thrown from his horse and killed when his little
+boy was only three. It was a dreadful blow to the whole family; his wife
+did not outlive him long, and his father, Judge Morrison, never
+recovered from the shock, for his only other son was an invalid.</p>
+
+<p>"I used to think nobody had as much trouble as Miss Frances. She married
+very young and was left a widow before she was twenty-two, and it seemed
+as if Mr. Jack<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> was her only comfort, for her father's mind began to
+fail, and the old home was so changed she couldn't bear to go there; but
+she was wrapped up in the child.</p>
+
+<p>"In those days he wasn't hard to manage, though he had a quick temper;
+you couldn't help loving him on account of his sweet ways. He was
+devoted to Miss Frances, and gave up to her wonderfully, so I suppose
+she got to thinking she would always have things her own way with him,
+as she had with every one else.</p>
+
+<p>"There were gay times, I can tell you, when he came home for his
+holidays, after he began to go away to school. He might bring home as
+many friends as he pleased, and there wasn't anything he couldn't have
+for the asking. Yet he wasn't half as spoiled as you'd think.</p>
+
+<p>"The trouble began about the time he left college, but I didn't know
+much about it then. Miss Frances had set her heart<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> on his being a
+lawyer like his grandfather; but though he studied it to please her, he
+did not take any interest in law. Then I think she wanted him to marry a
+niece of her husband's who used to be at the house a great deal. That
+is&mdash; I don't think she really wanted him to marry at all, but was just
+afraid he'd take to some one she did not like. He had always been fond
+of Miss Elsie, and it did look contrary in him to turn around and be so
+indifferent when he found how his aunt felt.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Jack went abroad for a year, and it was soon after he came back
+that they had the trouble. I happened to pass the library door one
+evening when I heard Miss Frances say, 'If you have no regard for my
+wishes perhaps you had better provide for yourself in the future&mdash;' and
+he answered back as cool as you please, 'Thank you for suggesting it,
+Aunt Frances; I have been an idler on your bounty quite too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> long.' I
+never forgot those words. They didn't either of them mean what they
+said, but were too proud to take it back. Miss Frances had never denied
+him anything, and had more than enough for both, yet it was natural for
+her to think he ought to go her way.</p>
+
+<p>"I never knew any more about it, except that Mr. Jack came to my room to
+tell me he was going, with a face as white as a sheet. He had some
+property of his own, though not much, for his grandfather made way with
+almost everything before he died&mdash;no one knew how. He had softening of
+the brain, brought on by grief.</p>
+
+<p>"The next I knew Mr. Jack sent me a paper with a notice of his marriage.
+Mrs. Morrison was the daughter of one of the professors in the college
+where he went. But&mdash;" Caroline concluded, with a sigh of content, "it is
+all right now, and maybe it has all been for the best."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose they'll be going away soon?" said Mrs. Bond.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mr. Morrison and his wife are going to New York, and Frances is
+coming to stay with us."</p>
+
+<p>Emma listened to this story with breathless interest. It seemed to her
+quite the most natural and suitable thing that such good fortune should
+come to Frances, but it made her feel sorrowful to think she was going
+away.</p>
+
+<p>After their visitor had gone Mrs. Bond said, as she folded her work:
+"Now, Emma, I do not want you to be foolish. Make up your mind not to
+see anything of Frances after this, and you'll not be disappointed."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because they are rich and we are poor, and it is not to be expected
+that they will care for your society. I never go where I am not wanted,
+and I do not choose to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> you. Understand, I am not saying anything
+against the Morrisons. Frances is a nice child, and her mother is very
+pleasant and kind, but you can't change the world; birds of a feather
+will flock together."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWENTY-FIRST" id="CHAPTER_TWENTY-FIRST"></a>CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.</h2>
+
+<h3>OVERHEARD BY PETERKIN.</h3>
+
+<p>Peterkin was taking a nap in one corner of the big sofa in the hall. It
+was a delightful spring afternoon and everybody was out; he knew this,
+for he had seen them go. First Miss Moore hurried away with some books
+under her arm; next Frances danced downstairs, followed by her father
+and mother; a little later Emma and the General started out for a walk;
+and last of all came Miss Sherwin, and sat beside him while she put on
+her gloves.</p>
+
+<p>She stroked him gently for a minute before she left, and, bending over
+him till her face touched his soft fur, said, "Oh, pussy, pussy! so many
+things are happening, and it's going to be so lonely. It must be nice to
+be a cat."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Peterkin rubbed his head sympathetically against her hand, for her tone
+was sad. He had had confidences made to him before and knew how to
+receive them. He understood it all as well as if she had spent hours in
+the telling, an advantage a cat possesses over a human confidant.</p>
+
+<p>He had been dozing undisturbed for a long time when he heard the door
+open again, and a man's voice he did not recognize say: "How fortunate
+that I met you! I seem to have had the wrong number."</p>
+
+<p>It was Miss Sherwin who replied, "I am very much surprised; I did not
+know you were in this part of the country."</p>
+
+<p>Then they came and sat on the sofa, and the stranger, who, Peterkin saw,
+was a pleasant looking young fellow, said he had been back only a short
+time. "I stopped in Maryville a day, and then at home for two more," he
+added.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been to Maryville?" Miss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> Sherwin's voice showed surprise.
+Then she began to ask questions about the people there, and to talk of
+the delightful weather, in all of which her companion seemed to feel
+little interest. Presently there came a silence.</p>
+
+<p>The young man leaned forward, one elbow on his crossed knee that he
+might the better look into Miss Sherwin's face, the light in the hall
+being a little dim. "Lillian," he began, "in this past year I have had a
+good deal of time for thinking, and naturally our&mdash;disagreement has been
+often in my mind. When I last saw you I thought it was all over forever,
+and though I had come to look at it differently in these months&mdash;feeling
+that perhaps there had been a mistake&mdash;still I don't know that I
+ever&mdash;that is&mdash; I mean the possibility of undoing it never occurred to
+me till I was on my way home. I hope you don't mind listening to this;
+I'll try to be brief.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you know I got my position in March,&mdash;the one I had been hoping
+and working for,&mdash;and with it the opportunity to come East for a month
+or two. I can't say I wanted very much to come. The thought of our old
+plans made it rather bitter, but I owed it to the people at home.</p>
+
+<p>"Not to make the story too long, I picked up on the train a magazine
+belonging to one of my fellow travellers, and read a little story. It
+was called 'The Missing Bridge,' and was a sort of fairy story. It seems
+rather absurd, but there was something in it that impressed me
+strangely. It was the thought that even when people seem hopelessly
+separated from each other, if they are brave enough and true enough to
+try, they will find a way across all barriers.</p>
+
+<p>"I may not be making this clear, for you have not read the story; but
+you will understand me when I say it made me feel unwilling to have
+anything I may have said or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> done in the past, stand between us now; I
+was to blame for much of the quarrel, and I am sorry for it all. I know
+how clever you are,&mdash;they were all talking about it in Maryville,&mdash;and
+it may seem only a foolish dream to you now, but I want to tell you&mdash;"
+he paused with his eyes on the floor, as if afraid to read his answer in
+the face beside him.</p>
+
+<p>It was very still in the hall, and, when he looked up after a moment,
+Lillian had bowed her head in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want to pain you," he began.</p>
+
+<p>"O Aleck!" she cried, putting out one hand, "it was <i>my</i> story!"</p>
+
+<p>At this point Peterkin, seeing matters were likely to be settled
+satisfactorily, and feeling no interest in details, dozed off again. The
+next thing he knew the gas was lit, and Mr. Morrison was saying, "Why,
+how are you, Carter? Delighted to see you. Where did you come from? Let
+me present you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> to Mrs. Morrison," and Miss Sherwin, with a becoming
+color in her face, was explaining that Mr. Carter was an old friend, and
+they were all talking and laughing at once in the absurd way people have
+sometimes, so that it was next to impossible to understand anything.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Carter left, after declining the Morrisons' invitation to spend
+the evening, Peterkin followed him out on the porch to get a little air.
+The Spectacle Man, coming in from a walk, found him sitting there,
+looking like some dignified old Quaker in his gray coat and white
+necktie.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Morrison slipped her hand into Miss Sherwin's as they went
+upstairs. "Am I right in what I guess?" she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"How could you know it?" Lillian asked, with an answering clasp.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, if you could see your face!&mdash;but I felt certain he would
+come!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"O Miss Sherwin!" called Mr. Morrison, who, with Frances, had lingered
+at the door, "your acquaintance with Mr. Carter partly explains
+something that puzzled me. I was struck with the resemblance between him
+and the young farmer in the first illustration in your story. Did he sit
+for the portrait?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jack, you must be dreaming!" his wife exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand at all," Lillian said, in great confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Could it possibly have been accidental?" A mischievous light shone in
+Mr. Morrison's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>His wife shook her head at him, but Frances ran off to find the
+magazine. Miss Sherwin recovered herself, and explained with a great
+deal of dignity that, if it were so, it was quite accidental. That she
+had known Mr. Carter since they were children, and was, of course, very
+familiar with his face;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> then she said good evening, and left them.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well done," Mr. Morrison exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, where is Miss Lillian," asked Frances, coming back; "I want to
+show her the picture. It is like Mr. Carter."</p>
+
+<p>"Not now, dear,&mdash;another time," said her mother; adding, "You were
+aching to tease her, Jack, and I am glad she did not give you an
+opportunity."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Morrison laughed. "I suppose congratulations are next in order. It
+is at least a natural inference when you find a young man's image so
+deeply graven upon the heart of a young woman that she unconsciously
+reproduces it in her drawing."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure he is to be congratulated," remarked Mrs. Morrison.</p>
+
+<p>"Unless I am very much mistaken, so is she," her husband added.</p>
+
+<p>Frances was listening with wide-open eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> "Is Miss Sherwin going to be
+married to Mr. Carter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't be a bit surprised, Wink, if she were," replied her father,
+"but you and I are supposed to know nothing about it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWENTY-SECOND" id="CHAPTER_TWENTY-SECOND"></a>CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN DOORWAY.</h3>
+
+<p>It was evident, Mr. Morrison said, that he and his wife could not get
+away too soon to please his aunt, and this was true for two reasons.
+Mrs. Richards wished her nephew to meet his old friends under her
+roof&mdash;there would be less talk; and before their return the six months'
+lease on the flat would have expired and they would naturally come to
+her for a while at least. She also wanted Frances all to herself. The
+great house would be another place with the sound of a child's voice to
+charm away its loneliness.</p>
+
+<p>She spent much time and thought in plans for her little niece's
+entertainment, which were quite unnecessary, for Frances was as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> happy
+as a lark, and found the hours brimful of amusement. To hear Caroline
+tell of her father when he was little Jack; to go shopping or driving
+with Aunt Frances; to romp with the fox terrier in the garden which the
+crocuses and hyacinths were making beautiful; and then, when the day was
+almost over, to rest in the depths of some great chair and look up at
+the girl in the golden doorway,&mdash;this was unalloyed happiness.</p>
+
+<p>One Friday they drove to the house of the Spectacle Man and carried Emma
+away to stay till Monday. How she ever came to let her go Mrs. Bond
+couldn't understand; she believed she was bewitched. Emma, however, had
+a blissful holiday, and before it was over she found courage to ask
+Frances a question.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you like me as much as you used to, Frances?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"What makes you ask such a funny question? Of course I do."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thought maybe you wouldn't care so much now."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" insisted Frances, greatly puzzled.</p>
+
+<p>Emma thought of quoting her mother's proverb about birds of a feather,
+the application of which she did not exactly understand; but she only
+said, "Oh, because you are rich, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"But I'm not rich,&mdash;any richer than I ever was."</p>
+
+<p>"Your aunt is."</p>
+
+<p>"But why should that make me not like you? I don't like you to think
+such a thing about me," and Frances looked aggrieved.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't really think it, only&mdash;sometimes it does make a difference,
+you know," Emma said.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it won't to me, for I shall always like you, Emma," was Frances'
+reassuring reply, and Emma was satisfied.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Among other pleasant things, Frances and her aunt were arranging a
+little surprise for Mr. Morrison's birthday, which was to be celebrated
+by a dinner to which a number of cousins and old family friends were
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>The travellers, who returned the night before, found a very happy little
+girl waiting for them in the carriage at the station.</p>
+
+<p>"I have the loveliest secret, father, but you are not to know it till
+your birthday!" She couldn't help telling this much, but all his teasing
+could not extract any more; and, as it was not mentioned again, Mr.
+Morrison forgot it.</p>
+
+<p>The next evening he dressed early, and went to the library to write a
+letter, and when it was finished he fell into a pleasant revery. He
+thought of his struggles and disappointments, and of the bright future
+that seemed to be opening before him. The little girl smiled down upon
+him in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> the twilight, and he recalled his old dream.</p>
+
+<p>It was surely a most living portrait. This little maiden, painted nearly
+seventy years ago, looked as if about to speak. Was she laughing at him
+still? would she presently come down? Surely he was dreaming, for there
+she stood on the rug beside him! He could see the pattern of the rich
+lace that fell from the neck of her quaint brocaded gown.</p>
+
+<p>She came nearer, and he watched her, almost afraid to breathe; it was,
+he thought, a most interesting illusion. He put out his hand, expecting
+the vision to vanish, when, instead of thin air, his fingers closed upon
+a round arm of real flesh and blood, and a laughing voice exclaimed,
+"Why, father, I thought you were asleep!"</p>
+
+<p>"Wink! is it really you?" he said, pulling her down on his knee. "I
+thought the girl in the golden doorway had come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> down once more. Where
+did you get this dress?"</p>
+
+<p>"This is the secret, father. Aunt Frances found it among my
+great-grandmother's things. It was made for the picture, and was copied
+from another portrait that the little girl's father liked. It almost
+fitted me. Do you really think I look like her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed you do, Wink; it is wonderful."</p>
+
+<p>Frances leaned her head on his shoulder, and looked up at her
+great-grandmother in great content.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Wink," said her father, presently, "I believe my old dream
+has come true, and at last I have caught the girl in the golden
+doorway."</p>
+
+<p>"How nice!" cried Frances, "for that puts me into the story. You will
+have to write a sequel to it, father. Jack never guessed the girl would
+turn out to be his own daughter, did he?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He certainly did not," answered Mr. Morrison, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>They were pleasing themselves with these fancies when lights and Mrs.
+Morrison, in her pretty evening gown, appearing together, put an end to
+them. Some minutes later Mrs. Richards walked in upon a charming family
+group. Life was becoming very full and sweet to her, and she looked very
+handsome and happy. She felt proud of her children, most of all of that
+graceful little person in the old brocade who ran to meet her.</p>
+
+<p>"Auntie, what do you think? We have found the sequel to 'The Girl in the
+Golden Doorway.' The dream has come true: Jack has caught her, and she
+turns out to be me." Frances made a courtesy, laughing merrily.</p>
+
+<p>"There is some more to it," she added. "Father, can't you tell it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell it yourself, Wink," was the smiling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> reply, and three pairs of
+eyes watched her fondly as she stood, a finger on her lips, an intent
+expression on her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! I remember. And together they are going to explore the House
+of the Golden Doorway, and find out all its secrets."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Richards took the rosy face between her hands. "You have opened the
+golden door to me, too, my darling," she said.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_TWENTY-THIRD" id="CHAPTER_TWENTY-THIRD"></a>CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD.</h2>
+
+<h3>"THE DUCKS AND THE GEESE THEY ALL SWIM OVER."</h3>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"Out of a song the story grew,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>Just how it happened nobody knew,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>But, song and story, it all came true.</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>"Out of sight till time of need</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The story lay hid like a little seed;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>And then it grew that all might read&mdash;</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>"Might read and learn&mdash;however gray</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The clouds may hang, or how dark the day,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>That love and courage can find the way."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<p>No one suspected the Spectacle Man of poetical aspirations until Miss
+Moore one day picked up these verses from the hall floor. "Dear me, what
+are we all coming to!" she exclaimed. "Here is Lillian the strong-minded
+going to be married, the Morrisons have found a fairy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> godmother, and
+now Mr. Clark has taken to verse! If I were not so commonplace I'd
+expect something to happen to me."</p>
+
+<p>Things were happening; there was no doubt about that.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after her nephew's return, Mrs. Richards made Mr. Clark an offer
+for his house which he thought it wise to accept, and by the time summer
+was fairly begun it was rapidly disappearing in a cloud of dust and
+mortar to make room for a five-story office building.</p>
+
+<p>Frances could not be reconciled to this, nor was she the only one who
+felt sad at sight of yawning vacancy where the dignified old mansion had
+stood. The feelings of the optician were mixed; he was fond of the
+place, but its sale solved some of the difficulties that had weighed
+upon him, and when Mrs. Bond took a small house farther out, where there
+were trees and a garden for the General to play in, he furnished<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> two
+rooms for himself, and, after the first wrench of leaving, he and
+Peterkin found it very comfortable. His show-cases and other fixtures
+were moved to a shop not far from the old one.</p>
+
+<p>Before this, however, something even more interesting had occurred.</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Carter had only six weeks' leave, he and Lillian decided to have
+a quiet wedding the last of April, making a short visit at his home on
+their way West.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very much alone in the world, and there are no people I care more
+to have at my wedding than you and Mary," Lillian said to Mrs. Morrison;
+"and it is easier and simpler to have it here."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Moore professed to be highly indignant at the whole affair. "Here I
+have been upholding her in her independence, taking her side, and she in
+the basest manner deserts and goes over to the enemy," she exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Lillian laughed shamelessly. "Never mind, dear, when you have finished
+your course you are coming out to me, and we'll start the most ideal of
+kindergartens in our wild Western town."</p>
+
+<p>She went about her preparations with a light heart, growing prettier and
+brighter each day. As for Mr. Carter, he won golden opinions from
+everybody, even from the critical Wilson, who was one day moved to
+confide that he and Zenobia were contemplating the same step.</p>
+
+<p>No one showed a more genuine interest in the wedding preparations than
+Mrs. Richards. She had taken a fancy to Lillian, and declared that her
+love affair was delightfully interesting and novel for these unromantic
+times. She lent her carriage to facilitate the shopping, and the evening
+before the wedding day entertained the bride and groom elect.</p>
+
+<p>Just such a gathering had never before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> been seen in Mrs. Richards's
+beautiful home, for it was Frances who had the naming of the guests, and
+she chose to have their friends of the winter. There was the Spectacle
+Man, of course, and Emma and Gladys and Miss Moore,&mdash;it was too bad Mark
+couldn't get home in time,&mdash;and Mrs. Gray, because she was the beginning
+of it all, and Frances was fond of her. This was the party, with their
+own family and the bride and groom.</p>
+
+<p>Caroline said that if Mrs. Richards had been going to entertain the
+Queen and the President together, she couldn't have been more particular
+about everything, and indeed she spared no trouble or expense.</p>
+
+<p>The table was exquisite in its bridal decorations of lilies of the
+valley, and the whole house was fragrant with flowers; the guests all
+looked their best, and it was throughout a most festive and happy
+occasion.</p>
+
+<p>Frances fluttered about in her great-grandmother's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> dress, evidently
+considering it her party; the Spectacle Man beamed on everybody; and old
+Mrs. Gray, in a new silk gown, looked on in quiet enjoyment. Miss Moore
+was, if possible, merrier than usual, but this may have been because she
+was trying not to think how far away Lillian was going.</p>
+
+<p>When the supper was over and the healths of the bride and groom had been
+drank, "The Story of the Missing Bridge" was proposed, and the optician
+rose to respond.</p>
+
+<p>"It has occurred to me as a somewhat strange thing," he began, "that
+seven or eight months ago we, who now feel like old friends, had not
+met. In this time we have learned to know one another, and a little
+story, which grew out of a foolish old song, has become a bond between
+us,&mdash;something we shall carry with us wherever we go. We have learned
+lessons of courage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> and cheer; some of us have found bridges over our
+difficulties and troubles where we had supposed there were none; and I
+can at least say for myself that hereafter, into whatever perplexities I
+may fall, I shall remember the lesson of the story, that there is always
+a way, and love and courage can find it."</p>
+
+<p>He sat down amid applause, and Frances said, "I am going to remember it,
+too, for I did find a way when Gladys and I quarrelled."</p>
+
+<p>"I can add my testimony that ways open in the most unpromising places,"
+put in her father.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps if I had heard the story sooner my broken bridge would have
+been mended long ago," said Mrs. Richards.</p>
+
+<p>"It is wonderful," Mrs. Gray took courage to say, "how things turn out
+sometimes. I feel like telling everybody how sweet and kind my new
+daughter is. She really seems<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> fond of me already, and I was so dreadful
+afraid of her."</p>
+
+<p>"When we look back we can't help seeing that we have been guided by a
+higher Power, who could see the path that was dark to us," Mrs. Morrison
+said softly; and the Spectacle Man added, "That's true."</p>
+
+<p>"Every one knows how much I owe to the story," Mr. Carter began, but
+Lillian blushed and shook her head at him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am too commonplace to have interesting experiences," Miss Moore
+announced, "so, as I haven't anything to relate, with Mr. Clark's
+permission I'll read a poem;" and thereupon she read the verses she had
+found in the hall.</p>
+
+<p>The Spectacle Man was quite embarrassed, and insisted that he was not in
+the habit of dropping into verse, and that this had not been intended
+for the public.</p>
+
+<p>"I want them, Mr. Clark, for the book I mean to write when I have time,
+about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> our winter at your house," Miss Sherwin said.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you really going to do that, Miss Sherwin? How lovely!" cried
+Frances. "And you must begin with Mrs. Gray's glasses, and put Emma and
+Gladys and me in,&mdash;and Peterkin."</p>
+
+<p>Lillian laughed, and promised that when the story was written they
+should all be in.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning was as beautiful as if it had been ordered for the
+occasion, and the small number of persons gathered in the church saw a
+charming bride, who seemed with her golden hair and her shimmering gown
+of soft green tones, to be herself a part of the springtime.</p>
+
+<p>She walked up the aisle with her maid of honor, Miss Moore, preceded by
+Frances and Emma in a state of unutterable bliss, while Gladys looked on
+from a front pew. Mr. Clark gave the bride away, and nothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> happened
+to mar the simple and beautiful ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. and Mrs. Carter had driven off in a shower of rice the
+Spectacle Man returned to his shop and began that very afternoon to pack
+up. As he worked he sang cheerily:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class='center'>
+<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="">
+<tr><td align='left'>"The ducks and the geese they all swim over,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>The ducks and the geese they all swim over,</td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'>&nbsp;&nbsp;Fol de rol de ri."</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard
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+</pre>
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard
+
+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: The Spectacle Man
+       A Story of the Missing Bridge
+
+Author: Mary F. Leonard
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2010 [EBook #30993]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SPECTACLE MAN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Annie McGuire
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SPECTACLE MAN
+
+
+  Out of a song the story grew;
+  Just how it happened nobody knew,
+  But, song and story, it all came true.
+
+
+
+
+BOOKS BY MARY F. LEONARD.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+=THE SPECTACLE MAN=. A STORY OF THE MISSING BRIDGE. 266 pages. Cloth.
+$1.00.
+
+=MR. PAT'S LITTLE GIRL=. A STORY OF THE ARDEN FORESTERS. 322 pages.
+Cloth. $1.50.
+
+=THE PLEASANT STREET PARTNERSHIP=. A NEIGHBORHOOD STORY. 269 pages.
+Cloth. $.75, _net_.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the
+show-case"]
+
+
+
+
+The Spectacle Man
+
+_A Story of the Missing Bridge_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+By
+Mary F. Leonard
+
+AUTHOR OF
+"THE BIG FRONT DOOR"
+
+
+_Illustrated by Frank T. Merrill_
+
+
+W. A. WILDE COMPANY
+BOSTON AND CHICAGO
+
+
+_Copyright, 1901,_
+BY W. A. WILDE COMPANY.
+_All rights reserved_.
+
+
+
+
+_TO THE ONE
+Whose Love has been from Childhood
+An Unfailing Inspiration
+Whose Friendship has made Dark Paths Light
+This Little Book is Dedicated
+In Memory of "Remembered Hours"_
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+  CHAPTER FIRST.                                                    Page
+
+    Frances meets the Spectacle Man                                   11
+
+  CHAPTER SECOND.
+
+    A Certain Person                                                  22
+
+  CHAPTER THIRD.
+
+    Gladys                                                            32
+
+  CHAPTER FOURTH.
+
+    They look at a Flat                                               40
+
+  CHAPTER FIFTH.
+
+    Some New Acquaintances                                            50
+
+  CHAPTER SIXTH.
+
+    An Informal Affair                                                61
+
+  CHAPTER SEVENTH.
+
+    A Portrait                                                        77
+
+  CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+    The Story of the Bridge                                           86
+
+  CHAPTER NINTH.
+
+    Finding a Moral                                                  106
+
+  CHAPTER TENTH.
+
+    The Portrait Again                                               118
+
+  CHAPTER ELEVENTH.
+
+    Mrs. Marvin is perplexed                                         128
+
+  CHAPTER TWELFTH.
+
+    At Christmas Time                                                134
+
+  CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
+
+    One Sunday Afternoon                                             151
+
+  CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
+
+    Three of a Name                                                  164
+
+  CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
+
+    A Confidence                                                     177
+
+  CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.
+
+    Hard Times                                                       186
+
+  CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
+
+    At the Loan Exhibit                                              198
+
+  CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
+
+    The March Number of _The Young People's Journal_                 207
+
+  CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
+
+    Surprises                                                        215
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
+
+    Caroline's Story                                                 231
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
+
+    Overheard by Peterkin                                            240
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND.
+
+    The Little Girl in the Golden Doorway                            249
+
+  CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD.
+
+    "The Ducks and the Geese they All swim over"                     257
+
+
+
+
+Illustrations.
+
+
+                                                                    Page
+
+  "The Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the
+  show-case" _Frontispiece_                                           11
+
+  "'What is your name, baby?'"                                        54
+
+  "'Little girl, I wish I knew you'"                                 120
+
+  "She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds"                       200
+
+
+
+
+The Spectacle Man.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+CHAPTER FIRST.
+
+FRANCES MEETS THE SPECTACLE MAN.
+
+  "The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--"
+
+
+sang the Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case, with his
+hands outspread, and the glasses between a thumb and finger, as he
+nodded merrily at Frances.
+
+Such an odd-looking person as he was! Instead of an ordinary coat he
+wore a velvet smoking-jacket; the top of his bald head was protected by
+a Scotch cap, and his fringe of hair, white like his pointed beard, was
+parted behind and brushed into a tuft over each ear, the ribbon ends of
+his cap hanging down between in the jauntiest way. It was really
+difficult to decide whether the back or front view of him was most
+cheerful.
+
+"Will it take long?" Frances asked, with dignity, although a certain
+dimple refused to be repressed.
+
+"Well, at least half an hour, if I am not interrupted; but as my clerk
+is out, I may have to stop to wait on a customer. Perhaps if you have
+other shopping to do you might call for them on your way home." If there
+was a twinkle in the eye of the Spectacle Man, nobody saw it except the
+gray cat who sat near by on the directory.
+
+"Thank you, I think I'd better wait," replied Frances, politely, much
+pleased to have it supposed she was out shopping.
+
+At this the optician hastened to give her a chair at the window,
+motioning her to it with a wave of the hand and a funny little bow; then
+he trotted into the next room and returned with a _St. Nicholas_, which
+he presented with another bow, and retired to his table in the corner.
+As he set to work he hummed his tune, glancing now and then over his
+shoulder in the direction of his small customer.
+
+Perched on the high-backed chair, in her scarlet coat and cap, her hands
+clasped over the book, her bright eyes fixed on the busy street, it was
+as if a stray red bird had fluttered in, bringing a touch of color to
+the gray-tinted room. From her waving brown locks to the tips of her
+toes she was a dainty little maid, and carried herself with the air of a
+person of some importance.
+
+If the Spectacle Man was interested in Frances, she was no less
+interested in him; neither the street nor the magazine attracted her
+half so much as the queer shop and its proprietor. It had once been the
+front parlor of the old dwelling which, with its veranda and grass-plat,
+still held its own in the midst of the tall business houses that closed
+it in on either side. Here were the show-cases, queer instruments, and
+cabalistic looking charts for trying the sight; over the high mantel
+hung a large clock, and in the grate below a coal fire nickered and
+purred in a lazy fashion; and through the half-open folding doors
+Francis had a glimpse into what seemed to be a study or library.
+
+At least a dozen questions were on the tip of her tongue, but didn't get
+any further. For instance, she longed to ask if those cunning little
+spectacles on the doll's head in the case near her, were for sale, and
+if the Spectacle Man had any children who read the _St. Nicholas_ and
+what the gray cat's name was, for that he had a name she didn't doubt,
+he was so evidently an important part of the establishment.
+
+He had descended from the directory, which was rather circumscribed for
+one of his size, and curled himself comfortably on the counter; but
+instead of going to sleep he gently fanned his nose with the tip of his
+tail, and kept his yellow eyes fixed on Frances as if he too felt some
+curiosity about her. She was thinking how much she would like to have
+him in her lap when the Spectacle Man looked around and said, "The next
+time your grandmother breaks these frames she will have to have some new
+ones."
+
+"They aren't my grandmother's, they are Mrs. Gray's. I haven't any
+grandmother," she answered.
+
+"You haven't? Why, that's a coincidence; neither have I!"
+
+Frances laughed but didn't think of anything else to say, so the
+conversation dropped, and the optician fell to humming:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke."
+
+They might never have become really acquainted if, just as he was giving
+a final polish to the glasses, it had not begun to rain.
+
+"What shall I do?" Frances exclaimed, rising hurriedly. "I haven't any
+umbrella."
+
+The Spectacle Man walked to the window, the glasses in one hand, a piece
+of chamois in the other. "It may be only a shower," he said, peering
+out; "but it is time for the equinoctial." Then, seeing the little girl
+was worried, he asked how far she had to go.
+
+"Only two blocks; we are staying at the Wentworth, but mother and father
+were out when I left and won't know where I am."
+
+"Well, now, don't you worry; Dick will be in presently and I'll send him
+right over to the hotel to let them know where you are, and get a
+waterproof for you."
+
+This made Frances feel more comfortable; and when, after putting the
+glasses in their case and giving her the change from Mrs. Gray's dollar,
+he lit the gas in the back parlor and invited her in, she almost forgot
+the storm.
+
+The room was quite different from any she had ever been in, and she at
+once decided she liked it. Around the walls were low cases, some filled
+with books and papers, others with china and pottery; from the top of an
+ancient looking chest in one corner a large stuffed owl gazed solemnly
+at her; the mantel-shelf was full of books, and above it hung a portrait
+of Washington. There were some plaster casts and a few engravings, and
+beside the study table in the middle of the room was an arm-chair which,
+judging from its worn cover, was a favorite resting-place of the
+Spectacle Man.
+
+"I have a little writing to do before Dick comes in; can't I give you a
+book while I am busy? I have a number of story-books," her host asked.
+
+Frances thanked him, but thought she'd rather look about. "You seem to
+have so many interesting things," she said.
+
+While she walked slowly around the room the optician sat down at the
+table and wrote rapidly. "How does this sound," he presently asked.
+
+"'WANTED: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
+conveniences; rent reasonable. Apply 432 Walnut Street.' You don't
+happen to know any one who wants a flat, I suppose?"
+
+Frances said she did not.
+
+"The lady who had my second story rooms was called away by her mother's
+death, and now she is not coming back. With Mark away at school it is
+really very important to have them rented." The Spectacle Man tapped the
+end of his nose with his pen and began to hum absent-mindedly:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
+
+At this moment a boy with a dripping umbrella appeared at the door. He
+proved to be Dick, and was at once despatched to the Wentworth with
+instructions to ask for Mr. John Morrison, and let him know his daughter
+was safe and only waiting till the storm was over; and on his way back
+to stop at the newspaper office and leave the advertisement.
+
+"Dear me!" said Frances, after he had gone, "we might have sent Mrs.
+Gray's glasses; I am afraid she will be tired waiting for them. She
+can't see to do anything without them, and she is lame too."
+
+"Well, she is fortunate in having a friend to get them mended for her.
+And now I wonder if you wouldn't like to see old Toby," said the
+optician, taking down a funny looking jug in the shape of a very fat old
+gentleman. "When my grandfather died he left me this jug and the song
+about the bridge. Did you ever hear it before?"
+
+Frances said she never had.
+
+"Grandfather used to sing it to me when I was a little boy, and I find
+it still a very good song. When I get into a tight place and can't see
+how I am to get through, why--" here he waved his hands and nodded his
+head--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,'
+
+"and I go to work and try. Sometimes it is for other people, sometimes
+for myself. Bridges are always getting broken,--'tisn't only
+spectacles."
+
+Frances smiled, for though she did not quite understand, it sounded
+interesting; but before she had time to ask any questions a tall young
+man entered. "Why, Wink! what in the world are you doing here?" he
+exclaimed.
+
+"Oh, daddy dear, I hope you haven't worried!" she cried, running to him;
+"Mrs. Gray broke her glasses and couldn't read or sew, and I thought I
+ought to have them mended for her,--it wasn't far you know--and then it
+began to rain so I couldn't get back."
+
+"And this is Mr. Clark, I suppose," said Mr. Morrison; "let me thank you
+for taking care of my little daughter. And now, Wink, put on this coat
+and your rubbers, and let us hurry before mother quite loses her mind."
+
+When she was enveloped in the waterproof, Frances held out her hand.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Clark," she said; "I hope you will find some nice person
+to rent your flat. Good-by."
+
+The Spectacle Man stood in his door and watched the two figures till
+they disappeared in the misty twilight, then he returned to the shop.
+"Peterkin," he said, addressing the cat, "I like that little girl, and I
+suppose I'll never see her again."
+
+Peterkin uncurled himself, stood up on the counter, arched his back, and
+yawned three times.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SECOND.
+
+A CERTAIN PERSON.
+
+
+A day or two after her visit to the optician's, Frances lay curled up on
+the broad window-sill, a thoughtful little pucker between her eyes.
+About fifteen minutes earlier she had entered the room where her father
+and mother were talking, just as the former said, "As a certain person
+is abroad I see no objection to your spending the winter here if you
+wish."
+
+Before she could ask a single question a caller was announced, and she
+had taken refuge behind the curtains.
+
+It was quite by accident that they happened to be staying for a few
+weeks in this pleasant town where the Spectacle Man lived. They were
+returning from North Carolina, where they had spent the summer, when a
+slight illness of Mrs. Morrison's made it seem wise to stop for a while
+on the way; and before she was quite well, Mr. Morrison was summoned to
+New York on business, so his wife and daughter stayed where they were,
+waiting for him, and enjoying the lovely fall weather.
+
+They liked it so well they were beginning to think with regret of the
+time when they must leave, for though really a city in size, the place
+had many of the attractions of a village. The gardens around the houses,
+the flowers and vines, the wide shady streets, combined to make an
+atmosphere of homelikeness; but to Frances' mind its greatest charm lay
+in the fact that once, long ago, her father had lived here. At least she
+felt sure it must have been long ago, for it was in that strange time
+before there was any Frances Morrison.
+
+She had never heard as much as she wanted to hear about these years,
+although she had heard a good deal. There were some things her father
+evidently did not care to talk about, and one of these was a mysterious
+individual known as a Certain Person. The first time she had heard this
+Certain Person mentioned she had questioned her mother, who had replied,
+"It is some one who was once a friend of father's, but is not now. I
+think he does not care to mention the name, dear."
+
+After this Frances asked no more questions, but she thought a great
+deal, and her imagination began to picture a tall, fierce looking man
+who lurked in dark corners ready to spring out at her. Sometimes when
+she was on the street at night she would see him skulking along in the
+shadows, and would clasp her father's hand more closely. Altogether this
+person had grown and flourished in her mind in a wonderful way.
+
+And, she couldn't tell how, a Certain Person was connected in her
+thoughts with "The Girl in the Golden Doorway." This was a story in her
+very own story-book, a collection of tales known only to her father and
+herself, which had all been told in the firelight on winter evenings and
+afterward written out in Mr. Morrison's clear hand in a book bought for
+the purpose, so that not even a printer knew anything about them.
+
+This particular story, which she had heard many times, was of a boy who
+lived in a great old-fashioned house in the country, where there were
+beautiful things all about, both indoors and out. The only other child
+in the house was a little girl who looked down from a heavy gilt frame
+above the library mantel. The boy, who was just six years old, used to
+lie on the hearth rug, gazing up at her, and sometimes she would smile
+and beckon to him as if she wanted to be friends.
+
+This happened only at nightfall when the shadows lay dark in the corners
+of the room and the fire blazed brightly; at such times things that had
+before been a puzzle to him became quite clear. For instance, he
+discovered one evening that what looked like the frame of a picture was
+really a doorway belonging to the house where the little girl lived, and
+it was plain that if he could only get up there he could find out all
+about her. Once there, he felt sure she would take him by the hand and
+together they would go away--away--somewhere! But the mantel was very
+high, and polished like glass.
+
+One afternoon when he had come in from a long drive, and feeling tired
+was lying very still in his usual place, looking up at the little girl
+and the long passage that seemed to stretch away behind her, a strange
+thing happened. So unexpectedly it sent his heart into his mouth, the
+girl stepped out of the doorway; and then, wonder of wonders! he saw a
+stairway at one side of the chimney-piece where he had never noticed one
+before.
+
+Daintily holding up her silken skirt, the little maid descended and
+stood beside him. Astonished and bewildered, he put out his hand to
+touch her, but with a laugh she flitted across the room.
+
+Seized with the fear that she would escape him altogether, the boy
+started in pursuit. In and out among the massive chairs and tables they
+ran, the girl always just out of reach, the boy breathless with anxiety.
+His heart quite failed him when she darted toward the mantel. Then he
+remembered he could follow; and indeed she seemed to expect it, for she
+stood still at the top of what had grown to be a very long flight of
+steps, and beckoned. He hurried on, but the steps were very steep and
+slippery, and try as he would he could not reach the top.
+
+Suddenly some one opened the library door, there was a crash and a
+clatter, the girl disappeared, and the boy heard his mother's voice
+asking, "Jack, what in the world are you doing?"
+
+"I fell down the steps," he replied, picking himself up from among the
+fire irons that had tumbled in a heap on the hearth.
+
+"What steps?" asked his mother.
+
+He rubbed his eyes: they were not to be seen, and the little girl--yes,
+there she was, looking out of the golden doorway, and he was sure she
+shook her finger and laughed. He gave up trying to explain--grown people
+are hopelessly stupid at times--but he always felt certain that if the
+library door had not opened just when it did, he could have caught the
+little girl.
+
+"Wasn't it a pity!" Frances always exclaimed at this point.
+
+"Yes," her father would reply, "the little boy lost the chance of a
+lifetime, for there is no knowing what he might not have discovered in
+the house of the golden doorway."
+
+"And she never came down again?"
+
+"No, for the boy went away to live not long after this, and everything
+was changed."
+
+"And is the little girl still over the library mantel?"
+
+"No, Wink, she was taken away long ago."
+
+When the caller left, Frances came out of her hiding-place behind the
+curtains. "Are we going to stay here all winter?" she asked.
+
+Mrs. Morrison drew her daughter down beside her on the couch where she
+sat. It was hard to believe such a small person the mother of this great
+girl. "You shall hear all about it, dearie, and then help us to decide,"
+she said. "Father has had an offer from the _Eastern Review_. They want
+him to go to Hawaii, and besides paying him well it will be an
+advantage to him in other ways."
+
+"But can't we go with you, father?"
+
+"No, Wink, I am afraid not, for several reasons."
+
+"Of course it will be hard for us all, but if it seems to be the best
+thing I am sure you and I will be brave and let him go;" Mrs. Morrison's
+voice trembled a little, and for a moment she hid her face on Frances'
+shoulder.
+
+"Will you be gone very long?" asked the little girl.
+
+"Several months, if I go. The matter is not decided by any means. I do
+not see how I can leave you," answered Mr. Morrison.
+
+"You must go, Jack; it will be the very thing for you. It isn't only the
+money, dear, or even the opportunity for getting on in your work, but
+you need a change, for you haven't been yourself lately. Frances and I
+will stay here and be very comfortable, and when you come home we'll
+have a jubilee."
+
+"And not go back to Chicago?" Frances asked.
+
+"The winters there are too cold for you. No, I think we'd better stay
+here, but not in this house," said her mother.
+
+"It will be difficult to find the kind of place I shall be willing to
+leave you in," replied Mr. Morrison. "What is it you are always singing,
+Frances?" he added, for as she turned the leaves of a magazine she was
+humming softly to herself.
+
+"I don't know," she answered laughing, then--"Why, yes, I do--it is the
+song of the Spectacle Man,
+
+  "'The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it,'
+
+"that is all I know of it. He was telling me about it when you came for
+me. I wish I could go to see him again."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRD.
+
+GLADYS.
+
+
+While they were still talking matters over, Gladys Bowen, a little girl
+who lived in the house, came to ask if Frances might play with her; and
+Frances, who had not had a playmate of her own age for some time, was
+very ready to go. They had once or twice spoken rather shyly to each
+other, and she thought Gladys's golden curls perfectly beautiful.
+
+"Would you like to come upstairs and see my dolls, or shall we go down
+to the reception room?" Gladys asked, adding, "My Uncle Jo owns this
+house, and he lets me go where I please."
+
+"I'd like to see the dolls," Frances said, much impressed by the uncle
+who owned a hotel.
+
+Her companion led the way to a room where a lady in an elaborate
+house-gown sat in an arm-chair reading. "Mamma, I have brought Frances
+to see my dolls," she announced.
+
+"How do you do, Frances.-- Very well, Gladys, but I don't want you to
+worry me. You must play in the other room." Mrs. Bowen spoke in a
+languid tone, and returned to her book, but she looked up again to say,
+"That is a pretty dress you have on, Frances."
+
+The child looked down at the red challis she wore, not knowing what
+reply to make.
+
+"But you are stylish, as Gladys is, I am thankful to say," the lady
+continued. "You look well together, you are dark and she so fair."
+
+"Come on," Gladys called impatiently from the door, and Frances
+followed, feeling that she ought to have said something to Mrs. Bowen.
+
+"I'll show you Marguerite first; she's my handsomest doll. Uncle Jo gave
+her to me, and she cost twenty-five dollars."
+
+Frances caught her breath at the idea of such a doll, but was a little
+disappointed when her hostess took from a drawer a fine lady, whose hair
+was done up in a French twist, and whose silk gown was made with a
+train. She was certainly very elegant, however, and her muff and collar
+were _sure enough_ sealskin, as Gladys explained.
+
+"She is beautiful, but I believe I like little girl dolls best," Frances
+said.
+
+Gladys brought out others of all varieties and sizes, and while her
+visitor examined them, she herself talked on without a pause.
+
+"Where did you get your name?" she asked.
+
+Frances, who was adjusting a baby's cap, replied that she was named for
+her great-grandmother.
+
+"Are you? How funny! Mamma named me for a lady in a book--Gladys
+Isabel. She doesn't like common names."
+
+Frances wondered if Gladys thought her name common, and for a moment she
+wished she had been called something more romantic.
+
+"There is a girl who lives here in the winter," continued the
+chatterbox, "whose name is Mathilde. Isn't that funny? It's French--and
+she has the loveliest clothes! I wish you could see her--she hasn't come
+yet. And just think! she has diamond earrings. Have you any diamonds?"
+
+Frances shook her head, feeling very insignificant beside a girl with a
+French name and diamond earrings.
+
+"I have a diamond ring, but mamma won't let me wear it all the time for
+fear I'll lose it," said Gladys. "Haven't you any rings?" and she
+glanced at the plump little hands of her guest.
+
+"I have one, but it is too small for me now. I don't care very much for
+rings," was the reply.
+
+"Don't you? I do. Mamma has ever so many. If you won't tell I'll tell
+you something," Gladys went on; "Uncle Jo is going to give me a party at
+Christmas, and if you are here I'll invite you. It is to be just like a
+grown-up party."
+
+"Do you go to school?" Frances asked.
+
+"Everyday school? Yes; but I don't like it. I haven't started yet."
+
+"I think I'll have to go now," said Frances, rising; "I hope you will
+come to see me, Gladys. I have only one doll with me, but I have some
+games and books."
+
+"I don't care for books, but I'll come; and if Mathilde is here maybe
+I'll bring her."
+
+Frances went downstairs with a sober face. She had intended to tell
+Gladys the story of The Golden Doorway, and about the Spectacle Man, but
+she had not had a chance, and now she felt that these things would
+probably seem tame and uninteresting to a young person of such varied
+experience.
+
+"Has my little girl had a good time?" Mrs. Morrison asked.
+
+"Y-es, mother, Gladys has some of the prettiest dolls you ever saw, but
+they are too dressed up to have much fun with, and she didn't seem to
+want to play."
+
+"Perhaps she doesn't know how to have a really good time, Wink; some
+persons don't."
+
+"I know one thing; she hasn't a darling mother like you!" and Frances
+emphasized her words with an ardent hug.
+
+"Very few have, Wink," remarked her father, coming in with his hands
+full of papers.
+
+"Thank you both for your kind appreciation," said Mrs. Morrison,
+laughing. "What do you expect to find in those papers, Jack?"
+
+"I am going to look up advertisements."
+
+"What for, daddy?" Frances asked, dancing about on tiptoe.
+
+"A place for you and mother while I run off and leave you. Listen to
+this: 'Wanted: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
+conveniences, terms reasonable. Apply at 432 Walnut Street.'"
+
+"The Spectacle Man's! the Spectacle Man's!" cried Frances, clapping her
+hands. "Let's go there, it's lovely!"
+
+"How do you know?" asked her father and mother in the same breath, and
+then she explained how he had written the advertisement while she was
+waiting for the storm to be over.
+
+"Partially furnished--it might do. I mean, of course, if it is nice,"
+said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"It is too far down town," objected her husband.
+
+"Oh, father, no, it isn't! It is just a beautiful place, and the
+Spectacle Man will show me his Toby jugs and things, and there's the
+cat,--please let's go!"
+
+"Of course if there is a Toby jug and a cat, there's nothing else to be
+desired," said Mr. Morrison, gravely, pinching the cheek of his
+enthusiastic daughter. However, he promised that bright and early next
+day they would go to look at this flat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTH
+
+THEY LOOK AT A FLAT.
+
+
+The house occupied by Mr. Clark the optician was old-fashioned and
+roomy; built in the days when ground was cheap and space need not be
+economized. It belonged to his nephew, whose guardian he was, and some
+day, when the hard times were over, it was likely to be a valuable piece
+of property. At present it could be rented for little or nothing as a
+residence, and for this reason he had decided to live in it himself,
+taking the first floor and turning the second and third into flats.
+
+The dignified old mansion had the air of having stepped back in disdain
+from the hurry and bustle of the street, preserving in its seclusion
+between the tall buildings on either side something of the leisurely
+atmosphere of other days.
+
+The optician himself was quite in keeping with the house. He loved old
+things and old ways; his business methods were those of thirty years
+ago, and so perhaps were most of his patrons. There were still many
+persons who could remember the time when he had been joint proprietor of
+the largest jewellery store in the city, but times had changed. In some
+way he had been crowded out and half forgotten, much as the old house
+had been.
+
+He kept the place in the best of order; the bit of lawn that lay between
+the house and the street was as thrifty and green as care could make it,
+and was a pleasant surprise when one came upon it unexpectedly, an oasis
+in the desert of brick pavement.
+
+Frances' bright eyes had noticed, in passing, the mammoth pair of
+spectacles swinging above the veranda, and so when she found Mrs. Gray,
+an old lady who had a room near theirs in the hotel, lamenting over her
+broken glasses, she had known where to take them.
+
+The clock struck eleven as the Morrisons entered the shop next morning.
+The sun shone cheerily in on the Spectacle Man, who was waiting upon a
+customer; and Peterkin, who had selected the brightest spot to be found,
+was making his toilet in an absorbed manner.
+
+Mr. Clark bowed and smiled and asked them to be seated for a few
+minutes; but Frances, all impatience, could not think of keeping still,
+and, seeing the cat, was presently down on the floor beside him.
+
+"Do you know, puss," she whispered, stroking him gently, "that maybe we
+are coming here to live?"
+
+The news evidently tickled him, so much so that he sneezed and shook
+his head vigorously; then, as if fearing to be misunderstood, he began
+to purr softly.
+
+"Come, Frances, Mr. Clark is ready to show us the rooms," her father
+called; and it is to be hoped Peterkin was not hurt by the sudden manner
+in which he was dropped.
+
+"This is a nice old place, Jack," whispered Mrs. Morrison as they
+followed Frances and the Spectacle Man up the stairs. The former was
+explaining with great animation how they had seen the advertisement in
+the paper and she had recognized it. "You see, father is going away and
+can't take us, and mother and I think we'd like to come here, perhaps,"
+she said.
+
+"Well, I had a presentiment I was going to find a good tenant, but I did
+not think it would be you," was his reply.
+
+The rooms proved to be large and light; the paper and paint were fresh
+and clean, and what furniture there was was simple and new.
+
+"I believe it is the very place for us," Mrs. Morrison said, her
+housewifely eyes taking in all the possibilities of cosey comfort. "It
+will be a new and charming experience; and as for the Spectacle Man, he
+is simply delightful!"
+
+After showing them through, Mr. Clark had left them, and they could hear
+him singing as he went,
+
+  "The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it."
+
+"Yes, this will be a nice sitting room, with its windows where,--to
+quote Frances--'The little sun comes peeping in at morn!'" said Mr.
+Morrison.
+
+"And this bedchamber is lovely, and the little kitchen--"
+
+"We can make candy sometimes, can't we, mother?" Frances interrupted,
+dancing wildly about.
+
+"O Jack! if only you were going to be here;" Mrs. Morrison turned
+suddenly to the sunny window.
+
+"You know I'll not go one step unless you are willing, Kate," her
+husband said, coming to her side.
+
+"Don't be a goose, dear, of course you are going." Her face was hidden
+against his shoulder for a moment, then she turned brightly to Frances,
+who was anxiously inquiring where she was to sleep.
+
+"And mother," she exclaimed, "such a pretty young lady passed through
+the hall just now."
+
+"That is something we must ask about,--what other persons are in the
+house," said her father.
+
+Frances was not a little surprised and indignant when, after carrying on
+what seemed to her a long conversation with Mr. Clark upon various
+unimportant subjects, her father left with nothing more definite than
+that they were pleased with the rooms and would let him know their
+decision next day.
+
+"Aren't we going to take them? I thought it was all settled; I don't
+understand," she said when they were on the street.
+
+"Now, Wink, let me ask you something. Don't you honestly think that two
+persons who have lived more than thirty years ought to have a little
+better judgment about some things than one who has lived only ten?"
+
+"But I'll be eleven in February, and--well, father, I suppose so, but
+grown people do take so long to think!"
+
+"It is an interesting old house, and do you know, I think that is a
+Gilbert Stuart over the mantel in the back room," remarked Mr. Morrison.
+
+"Why, father, it is a George Washington! I'm sure it is," cried Frances,
+and couldn't understand why they laughed, till her mother explained that
+they were probably both right, as Gilbert Stuart had painted a number
+of portraits of Washington.
+
+It spoke well for the Spectacle Man's flat that they looked no farther
+that day, but there were many things to be taken into consideration that
+Frances did not dream of. After she was snugly tucked in bed that night,
+her father and mother sat long talking over their plans.
+
+"I do not like the idea of leaving you here without looking up any of my
+old friends," said Mr. Morrison.
+
+"But that is just what we want to avoid. I don't care to meet your
+friends till you are with me. We shall be perfectly comfortable, and
+shall enjoy the experience, and Mr. Clark, I know, will be kindness
+itself," replied his wife.
+
+"You are as infatuated as Frances; you are just two little girls with a
+new playhouse. But if anything should happen--I don't know what--it
+might be awkward."
+
+"I suppose I know what you mean, Jack; but we could not be suspected of
+any motive in coming here, a certain person being abroad, and nothing is
+going to happen. Who is likely to find us out? Morrison is a
+sufficiently common name, and the Spectacle Man's apartment house is, to
+say the least, not conspicuous. You forget we are not so important to
+other people as we are to you. The months will soon pass, and we shall
+be together again in some delightful place, and you will write your
+novel and become famous, and then--"
+
+Her husband lifted to his lips the hand he held, just as he used to do
+when he was her gallant young lover, a dozen years ago. "For your sake I
+wish I might. If only I had half your cheerful courage," he said,
+adding, "I hope Frances will grow up to be exactly like you."
+
+"She is exactly like you, Jack, I am happy to say."
+
+As they sat in silence the song of the Spectacle Man kept repeating
+itself in Mrs. Morrison's mind, and it suggested to her the broken
+bridge which separated Jack from so much that might have been his. Would
+it ever be mended?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTH.
+
+SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES.
+
+
+"I am as sorry as I can be that you are going away, I shall miss you so
+much;" said Mrs. Gray to Frances and her mother when they came in to
+tell her about their plans for the winter.
+
+Their rooms were across the hall from hers, and the acquaintance had
+begun in the elevator, where they often met on the way to the dining
+room. The old lady was somewhat crippled with rheumatism and moved about
+with difficulty, so her life was rather a lonely one; and it had given
+her a great deal of pleasure to have Mrs. Morrison and her little girl
+drop in every now and then to chat with her and bring her books and
+papers. Then she could never sufficiently express her gratitude to
+Frances for taking her glasses to be mended.
+
+"If I hadn't, I might never have known the Spectacle Man, and we
+shouldn't have found our flat, so I am much obliged to _you_," Frances
+said, laughing, when Mrs. Gray went over it all for the tenth time, more
+or less.
+
+"Then perhaps you would have stayed here for the winter. I am sorry I
+let you go," was her answer.
+
+"We'll often run in to see you, Mrs. Gray, and sometime you may be able
+to come to see us," said Mrs. Morrison; adding, "we haven't many
+friends, you know."
+
+Mrs. Gray shook her head. "I can't get out any more; but as for friends,
+you'll find them wherever you go."
+
+Gladys did not approve of the move, and frankly expressed her opinion.
+"It is such a funny old house, in between the stores. I shouldn't think
+you would want to live there," she said.
+
+"But you don't know how nice it is inside," Frances urged. "It is going
+to be such fun; and Mr. Clark has some lovely things and the dearest
+cat!"
+
+"It seems to me you like very funny things," Gladys remarked. She
+announced, however, that she intended to call.
+
+What with getting the traveller ready to start and moving into their new
+quarters, those were busy days. They were all three very cheerful
+indeed, making a great many jokes and talking about next summer, when
+they should be together again, saying nothing of the long winter that
+stretched between.
+
+It was a mistake to think of Hawaii as so far away. Had it not been
+annexed? Two thousand miles from California was simply no distance at
+all in these days. When it came to saying good-by it was hard indeed to
+remember all this, but it was gone through with somehow, and one bright
+October day Frances and her mother found themselves alone in their new
+sitting room.
+
+"Oh, mother, I wish you wouldn't cry!" sobbed Frances.
+
+"But you are crying yourself," said Mrs. Morrison, half laughing. At
+this tearful moment there came a knock at the door, and a long heavy
+package was handed in.
+
+"There must be some mistake," Mrs. Morrison said, drying her eyes and
+reading the address, which was, however, unmistakable.
+
+They made haste to cut the twine, and behold, a beautiful rug! "Isn't
+this like that dear, extravagant Jack?" she cried. "Isn't it pretty,
+Wink? He thought we'd need cheering up!"
+
+Chairs and tables must be pushed aside at once and the rug put in place.
+Frances had just sat down in the middle of it with great satisfaction,
+when through the half-open door walked the fattest, rosiest baby
+imaginable, wearing a very clean blue check apron and an affable smile.
+
+"Why, where did you come from?" they both exclaimed.
+
+This was evidently something he did not care to reveal, for, although he
+continued to smile and gaze about him with interest, he made no reply.
+
+[Illustration: "'What is your name, baby?'"]
+
+"What is your name, baby?" Frances asked, holding out her hands.
+"Dennyleebon,"--or so it sounded.
+
+"Do you suppose that is intended for English?" said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I don't know. Make him say something else. Baby, can you talk?"
+
+"Tock," repeated the infant, pointing to the mantel.
+
+"Yes," cried Frances, delighted, "it is a clock. You see, mother, he
+thought I said clock. That is English."
+
+"You don't mean it! But let him alone, Wink, and see what he will do."
+
+The visitor showed plainly that he had a mind of his own. He did not
+wish to be petted and kissed, but preferred to walk around the room on a
+tour of investigation. Presently he paused before a table and remarked
+earnestly, "Book."
+
+"Can't you find a picture-book for him?" asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+There happened to be an old animal book in the box they were unpacking,
+and, getting it out, Frances and the baby sat together on the new rug
+and turned the leaves, the latter never failing to say, "ion," "effunt,"
+"tiger," as the case might be, with unvarying correctness and great
+enthusiasm.
+
+In the midst of this there came a modest little tap at the door, and
+when Mrs. Morrison opened it, there stood a girl of about Frances' age.
+Her red calico dress was very fresh, her cheeks as rosy as the
+infant's, and her flaxen hair was drawn tightly back and braided in a
+long tail.
+
+"Is the baby here?" she asked.
+
+"No, no," came in decided tones from the visitor.
+
+This made them all laugh, even the baby himself seeming to think it a
+good joke.
+
+"Can't he stay for a while? He is good, and we like to have him," said
+Mrs. Morrison.
+
+The girl hesitated; plainly the baby had no thought of leaving. "The
+lady who used to have these rooms made a pet of him, and he is always
+running off up here," she explained.
+
+"I am glad he came, for my daughter and I were feeling lonely. Won't you
+come in and sit down? Do you live in the house?"
+
+The newcomer accepted Mrs. Morrison's invitation rather shyly, looking
+as if she had a mind to carry the baby off by main force. Her name, she
+said, was Emma Bond, and she and her two-year-old brother lived in the
+back part of the house with their mother, who took care of Mr. Clark's
+rooms. The baby's name was Robert Lee, but he was commonly known as the
+General, a nickname given him by the Spectacle Man, and evidently well
+bestowed.
+
+After the picture-book had been examined from beginning to end twice
+over, the General was, with the aid of some candy and much diplomacy,
+induced to accompany his sister downstairs, calling "By-by," and kissing
+his hand with great affability to Frances.
+
+"Aren't they the cleanest looking children you ever saw?" said the
+latter, coming back from the hall, where she had gone with their
+guests.
+
+"Aren't they! I think I shall like Emma, she is a nice, sensible,
+old-fashioned little girl, and the General is great fun. I hope they
+will come again," replied Mrs. Morrison.
+
+In the course of the next few days they began to feel at home in their
+new quarters, and they also made the acquaintance of Mrs. Bond, a small
+woman with a pleasant but firm face, and such an air of energy that no
+lazy person could exist comfortably in her presence.
+
+She was never known to waste any time. With the assistance of a colored
+boy,--a theological student,--who came in twice a day and in the time he
+could spare from his Latin and Greek cleaned for her, she kept Mr.
+Clark's rooms and the halls in beautiful order. Her children were always
+as neat as wax, and her busy fingers found time for a little fine sewing
+occasionally, which, as a girl, she had learned in the convent school
+where she was educated.
+
+Mrs. Bond was trying to train her daughter in the same industrious ways,
+and one Saturday morning Frances discovered Emma dusting the show-cases
+in the shop. Stopping to speak to her, she learned that this was her
+daily task, and that on Saturdays she dusted the study also. It must be
+very interesting work, Frances thought, and the two children found so
+much to talk about that Mrs. Bond presently came in search of Emma and
+reproved her for idling. She did not positively object to play after
+lessons were learned and other duties attended to, but she conveyed the
+impression to Frances that in her opinion a really exemplary little girl
+would care more for her tasks than for amusement.
+
+"I am so sorry, but I have to go," Emma whispered, as her mother left
+the room.
+
+"Won't your mother let you come to see me some time?" Frances asked.
+
+"I guess so, when I haven't anything to do," answered Emma, who thought
+Frances the most charming little girl she had ever seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTH.
+
+AN INFORMAL AFFAIR.
+
+
+It was not long before the Morrisons' apartment blossomed into a
+charmingly homelike place. Even Mrs. Bond, who on one of her tours of
+inspection in the wake of Wilson Barnes, the student, had been enticed
+in for a moment, agreed that the rooms were very fine, though she
+herself would not care to have so many things to keep clean.
+
+Their sitting room was the greatest achievement. There was the new rug,
+which really was a beauty, and the couch, with its plump cushions all
+covered in a marvellous fifteen-cent stuff that looked like a costly
+Oriental fabric, together with the books and pictures, which had been
+left packed and ready to be sent to them whenever they should settle
+down, and last of all, in the sunniest corner was a beautiful sword
+fern, a rubber plant, and a jar of ivy.
+
+"Transients can't afford many plants, but a little greenness is
+essential to happiness," Mrs. Morrison declared.
+
+The cosey kitchen was presided over by Zenobia Jackson, who exactly
+suited her surroundings, being small and neat and quick, combining in a
+most satisfactory way the duties of a parlor maid and cook.
+
+She was a friend of Wilson's, to whom Mrs. Morrison had applied. When
+asked if he knew any one she could get to do the work of their small
+flat, he replied, "Yes, ma'm; I know a young girl who would suit you,
+but she is going to school at present."
+
+"If that is the case, she wouldn't suit at all," said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"Well, she's thinking of leaving school. Her ma she's sick, and her
+pa's out of work, and their insurance is getting in the rear, so Zenobia
+'lows she'll have to get a place."
+
+"Can she cook?" asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"Yes, ma'm; her ma's one of the best cooks in town."
+
+"Her mother has taught her, then, I suppose."
+
+"No, ma'm; the best ones ain't taught. It comes by nature, and Zenobia
+is a naturalist." Wilson spoke with ministerial gravity.
+
+Mrs. Morrison smiled. "I'd like to have her come to see me," she said.
+
+Wilson promised to let her know, and added, "If you take her, Mrs.
+Morrison, she'll do her best, and angels can't do any better."
+
+The result was that a few days later Zenobia was installed and proved
+herself worthy of her recommendation.
+
+"She does beautifully," Mrs. Morrison wrote to her husband, "and while I
+am not in a position to assert that angels couldn't do better, I am
+inclined to believe it."
+
+"Frances, I wish we knew those girls upstairs. I meet them so often in
+the hall. One of them--Miss Moore, I think she is--is exceedingly
+pretty." Mrs. Morrison was washing the glossy leaves of the rubber
+plant.
+
+"I know them," her daughter replied, as she carefully measured the long
+bud that was about to open. "The pretty one is Miss Sherwin," she
+added. "I know, because when Emma and I went up to their room with a
+package that had been left downstairs by mistake, Miss Moore opened the
+door, and I heard her say, 'Here is your dress, Lillian.'"
+
+"I can't see how that proves anything. How did you know that the one who
+opened the door was Miss Moore?"
+
+Frances thought for a moment, "I know now! The package had Miss
+Sherwin's name on it. Doesn't that prove it?"
+
+"Perhaps it does, Wink, though it seems something of a puzzle," replied
+her mother. "At any rate, I wish I knew them. I must remember to ask Mr.
+Clark about them; they look lonely."
+
+"Let's go to see them," Frances suggested.
+
+"They were here before we came; they may not wish to know us."
+
+"I should think they would," Frances exclaimed, so earnestly her mother
+laughed.
+
+"So should I, Winkie, but we don't know. Perhaps something will happen
+to make us acquainted."
+
+Something did happen, and it was the General who brought it to pass.
+
+Mrs. Bond often remarked that Emma's head never saved her heels, and it
+was quite true; for, although she went about her tasks willingly
+enough, her thoughts had a way of travelling off into a world of their
+own. She had long ago discovered this way of escape from the rather dull
+routine of her daily life, but her mother declared since the Morrisons
+came she had been worse than ever. And, indeed, the life upstairs in
+those bright rooms seemed very strange and delightful to Emma, so much
+so that in thinking about it she would forget the sugar bowl, or the
+tea-cups when she set the table, and do all sorts of absent-minded
+things.
+
+One afternoon, soon after Frances and her mother had the conversation
+about their neighbors overhead, the former went down to see Emma.
+
+She found her in the kitchen that was as usual tidy to the last degree;
+the General, however, true to the influence of his environment, was busy
+with a tiny broom and dustpan. Emma sat in the window reading, and on
+the stove something simmered and bubbled gently.
+
+"This is a very nice kitchen," Frances remarked, as she walked in.
+
+Emma closed her book. "Do you think so? I don't like kitchens, but your
+sitting room is beautiful. It reminds me of a house where I go sometimes
+for mother; oh, such a lovely place!"
+
+"Don't get down; let me sit beside you," Frances begged, and quickly
+established herself in the other corner of the window-sill.
+
+"Mother doesn't care for pretty things; she says she is thankful if she
+can be clean," Emma continued, with a sigh.
+
+"I think you are very clean," said the visitor, looking around her; "but
+tell me about that beautiful house, won't you?"
+
+Emma obediently began an animated description of it. It was just like a
+palace, she said, with a beautiful garden and conservatory, and rooms
+and rooms full of lovely things. "Mother sews sometimes for the lady who
+lives there, and I take the work home. I wonder, Frances, if you
+couldn't go with me next time."
+
+"Look at the General!" cried Frances, suddenly, jumping down.
+
+All unnoticed by the girls he had contrived to set his broom on fire and
+was now waving it aloft in great delight. He had no mind to give it up
+either, and frightened by the excited manner in which they rushed upon
+him, he clung to it for dear life, filling the house with his shrieks.
+In the struggle a roller towel caught fire and some damage might have
+been done, but for the appearance of Miss Moore and Miss Sherwin.
+
+The former seized the baby with a practised hand while her companion
+unfastened the roller and let the towel fall to the floor, where the
+fire was easily put out. It was all over when Mrs. Morrison, who had
+heard the screams as she was dressing, came hurrying in, followed by Mr.
+Clark. The General sat quiet in Miss Moore's lap, a finger in his mouth,
+tears still on his cheek; Emma with a dazed expression was holding on to
+all that remained of the broom; and Frances danced around excitedly
+trying to explain how it happened.
+
+When Mrs. Bond walked in, everything quieted down as if by magic.
+Explanations were needless, her quick eyes took it all in: "Emma wasn't
+minding what she was about," she said decidedly.
+
+The Spectacle Man chuckled to himself as they all filed out, leaving her
+restoring order. "The General is too much for Emma," he remarked; "it is
+odd to see how like his mother that baby is already--as alert and
+determined in the pursuit of mischief as she is in her more important
+affairs."
+
+"I have a dozen erratic infants not more than a year older than the
+General, at my table in kindergarten, so I know something about it,"
+said Miss Moore.
+
+The excitement had broken the ice, and the Morrisons and their
+third-floor neighbors went upstairs together chatting sociably. Miss
+Sherwin, indeed, had not much to say; but her companion made up for her
+silence, and accepted without hesitation Mrs. Morrison's invitation to
+come in and make her and Frances a call.
+
+"I have been wanting to come, but Lillian wouldn't let me," she said.
+
+"It is not fair to say that without giving my reason," put in Miss
+Sherwin, coloring in a way that was most becoming.
+
+"I believe she thought you wouldn't care to know us," said Miss Moore,
+laughing.
+
+"That was a great mistake," answered Mrs. Morrison. "Frances and I are
+sociable persons, and besides, we are strangers here."
+
+"So are we, and we came here because Mr. Clark is an old friend of my
+father's." As she spoke, Miss Moore looked about her with frankly
+admiring eyes. "I am taking the kindergarten course; and my friend is
+keeping house and amusing herself, and keeping me from dying of
+home-sickness."
+
+Mrs. Morrison thought Miss Sherwin, with her rather melancholy dark
+eyes, looked much more like a subject for home-sickness than her merry
+companion. In the course of the conversation she discovered that their
+home was in a Southern town, and that Miss Moore, who was the oldest
+daughter in a large family, was studying kindergarten in order to
+support herself. What Miss Sherwin was doing was not so clear. She had
+no home ties and was free to go where she pleased, and it was evident
+that her friend looked up to her with deep admiration.
+
+While Mrs. Morrison and Miss Moore were talking, Frances and Miss
+Sherwin were making friends over their favorite story-books, and before
+the call was over they all had the pleasant feeling of being old
+acquaintances; and the acquaintance was not allowed to languish.
+
+The very next evening Frances and Emma in great glee knocked at the door
+of what Miss Moore called their sky parlor, with an invitation to a
+candy pulling. It was just the night for a little fun, being Friday and
+stormy, and the young ladies promptly accepted.
+
+Delicious odors were finding their way into the sitting room when the
+guests entered, Miss Sherwin looking pretty and pensive in her big
+apron, Miss Moore as flyaway and merry as usual.
+
+Mrs. Morrison met them at the door and led the way to the kitchen, where
+the children were watching the kettle that gave forth the pleasant
+fragrance. "Frances wanted something to do, and as Friday evening is a
+sort of holiday, I thought perhaps our neighbors would join us in
+pulling candy," she said.
+
+They made molasses candy first, and while this was being pulled Mrs.
+Morrison made some chocolate caramels; and even Miss Sherwin was unable
+to resist the laughing and nonsense that went on, and was presently
+taking part in it as merrily as anybody.
+
+They were sitting around the fire in a sociable group enjoying the
+fruits of their labor, when the Spectacle Man knocked at the door. He
+had to come to see Mrs. Morrison on business, but when Frances invited
+him in to have some candy he did not decline.
+
+"This looks very pleasant," he said, surveying the company, a piece of
+chocolate in his hand.
+
+"Sit down, Mr. Clark; I want to ask you something," said Mrs. Morrison.
+"It is about the song Frances is always singing,--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke--'"
+
+"What is the rest of it?"
+
+"I will tell you all I know, but that isn't much," he replied, crossing
+his legs and looking into the fire. "I used to like to hear it from my
+grandfather when I was a child, and I found it interested Mark, my
+nephew, when he was a little chap. This is the way it goes.
+
+"A man was once taking a long journey on foot. After walking several
+hours he came to a deep, swift stream over which there had once been a
+bridge, but now it was not to be seen. On the opposite side of the river
+a man was chopping wood, and the traveller called to him to know what
+had become of the bridge. The reply--and this is always sung--was:--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
+  The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri.'
+
+"'How deep is the river?' the traveller then asked.
+
+  "'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri--' etc.
+
+"'How can I get across?' was the next question.
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do--' etc.
+
+"And that is all."
+
+"Doesn't the poor man ever get across?" asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I have told you all I know, madam," the Spectacle Man answered, with a
+little wave of his hand.
+
+"I think there is a story hidden in it, and that is perhaps why children
+enjoy it; it is like having a picture to look at." It was Miss Sherwin
+who spoke.
+
+"That is a bright idea," said Mr. Clark; "but who will find the hidden
+story for us?"
+
+"I believe Miss Sherwin herself can find it," suggested Mrs. Morrison.
+"Suppose we give her two weeks to hunt for it, and then have a meeting
+to hear it."
+
+"Oh, please--" began Miss Sherwin.
+
+"Don't say a word, Lil, you know you can," urged Miss Moore, as her
+friend tried to make herself heard above the chorus of approval.
+
+"The meeting to be held in my study," added the Spectacle Man.
+
+"But suppose I can't do it," cried Miss Sherwin.
+
+"Father could, if he were here," put in Frances; "he is splendid for
+stories!"
+
+"Is he the John Chauncey Morrison who writes so charmingly?" asked Miss
+Sherwin.
+
+"Why, do you know him?" exclaimed Frances.
+
+"No, but I have read his stories."
+
+"I think he writes the nicest ones in the world," said the little girl.
+
+"But we don't expect everybody else to think so, Wink," her mother
+added, laughing.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTH.
+
+A PORTRAIT.
+
+
+One pleasant afternoon Emma came to ask if Frances might go with her to
+carry home some sewing her mother had finished.
+
+Mrs. Morrison looked a little doubtful, but, before she could speak,
+Frances exclaimed: "Do please say yes, mother. It is a great lovely
+house, and I do so want to see it."
+
+"What do you know about it?" asked her mother.
+
+"Emma has told me. May I go? It is such a lovely day."
+
+"I am not sure that it is quite the thing for two little girls to go so
+far alone."
+
+"But we'll take care of each other, and--it seems to me that what you
+want to do is never the thing!" Frances said impatiently.
+
+Her mother laughed; "I have known other persons who thought that. Who
+lives in this wonderful house?" she asked.
+
+"Mrs. Marvin, but she is not at home now; there is no one there but the
+housekeeper," replied Emma.
+
+"If I let you go you must promise not to stay any longer than is
+necessary for Emma's errand."
+
+They both agreed eagerly to this, and Emma ran down to get ready.
+
+"You mustn't turn into a little Bohemian, Wink," Mrs. Morrison said,
+kissing the rosy face under the big hat.
+
+"I don't know what it is, so I guess I couldn't turn into it," laughed
+Frances, as she followed Emma.
+
+The two children were in a gale of delight over their expedition, and,
+although they meant to be very dignified, found it impossible to walk
+more than a few steps without breaking into a skip.
+
+"I wish my hair was like yours," Emma said, looking admiringly at her
+companion's waving brown locks.
+
+"But braids aren't half so much bother. I have to wear mine this way
+because daddy likes it; and if you want to, you know, you can put your
+hair up on kids. That is what Gladys Bowen does; hers doesn't curl one
+bit."
+
+"Gladys goes to our school, and I don't like her," remarked Emma.
+
+"Why not? Don't you think she is pretty?"
+
+"Yes; but she is so proud of herself. She doesn't like to go with me
+because my clothes aren't as nice as hers,--I know."
+
+"She gets that from her mother," Frances said sagely. "Whenever I go
+there Mrs. Bowen asks me who made my dress or something."
+
+"I know I don't have very pretty dresses, but my mother hasn't time,"
+said Emma, rather sorrowfully.
+
+"I think you always look nice, Emma, and I like you better than I do
+Gladys."
+
+"Oh, Frances! do you really? Then I shan't mind," cried Emma.
+
+She was supremely happy at having Frances for a companion on her walk,
+and at the prospect of showing her this wonderful house; but when at
+length they paused before the tall iron gate, she was seized with the
+fear that it might not seem very grand to one who had seen so much of
+the world.
+
+Frances' critical eye was pleased, however; "I really think it does look
+like a palace," she said, with the air of having lived among palaces.
+
+It was a somewhat imposing mansion, with a row of graceful columns
+across the front, and a broad flight of steps leading to the entrance.
+It stood in the midst of a beautiful green lawn on which were a few fine
+old trees and shrubs.
+
+"Just wait till you see the inside," said Emma, delightedly, as they
+stood before the stately door; but alas! when it was opened the hall was
+seen all dismantled; evidently house-cleaning was going on.
+
+After some hesitation the servant showed them into a room which was,
+like the hall, in disorder. It seemed to be a library, but the furniture
+was all covered, the floor was bare, and the sun streamed in through
+uncurtained windows. The most prominent object in the room was a picture
+which hung over the mantel, and this at once caught Frances' attention.
+
+It was the portrait of a girl apparently about her own age, whose sunny
+eyes smiled down in the friendliest way. Her brown hair curled loosely
+over her shoulders; her dress, of some soft, silken brocade of warm,
+rich colors, was quaintly made and fell almost to her feet; her neck and
+arms were bare, and her dimpled hands clasped lightly before her. There
+was a grace and buoyancy in the pose which was very charming; Frances
+was enchanted.
+
+"Isn't she lovely! Who is she, do you suppose?" she asked; but Emma
+could tell her nothing about it, she had never been in this room before.
+
+"I believe she is like you, Frances," she said, looking critically at
+the picture.
+
+"I am sure I am not half so pretty as that! She makes me think of
+something-- I don't know exactly what," and Frances wrinkled her brow in
+a puzzled way. She was completely fascinated, and continued to gaze at
+the portrait all the while Emma was talking to the woman who came to see
+her about the work, hearing nothing till her own name caught her ear.
+
+"It is some relative of Miss Frances," was what she heard, evidently in
+reply to a question from Emma.
+
+As soon as they were on the street she inquired who Miss Frances was,
+and Emma said she thought she was Mrs. Marvin, the lady who owned the
+house. "She is coming home before long, and they are getting ready for
+her," she added.
+
+"I should like to have that picture," said Frances, with a sigh. "Emma,
+do you know what a Bohemian is?"
+
+"I know what the 'Bohemian Girl' is; it is music."
+
+"It can't be that, for mother said father wouldn't like it if I turned
+into one."
+
+As Frances was unbuttoning her shoes that night she suddenly exclaimed,
+"Why, it is the little girl in the golden doorway!
+
+"What is?" her mother asked.
+
+"I mean that is what the portrait reminded me of. It has just come into
+my head. Isn't it funny?"
+
+"Almost any portrait of a little girl might suggest it, I should think,"
+said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I wish you could see her, mother. Do you think I can go again with Emma
+sometime? I do want to see her once more."
+
+"I don't know, dear."
+
+"Mother, is it being a Bohemian to want to go?"
+
+Mrs. Morrison laughed. "Not exactly, Wink. It is difficult to explain,
+but a Bohemian is perhaps a person who habitually does what is not 'the
+thing.'"
+
+"That must be fun," said Frances.
+
+There was silence for a long time, then she asked, "Mother, aren't you
+glad a certain person is abroad?"
+
+Mrs. Morrison looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?" she said.
+
+"Oh, I was just thinking!"
+
+"But what put it into your head to think of a certain person?"
+
+"Well, the girl in the golden doorway always makes me think of him; and
+you know, mother, father said he didn't mind leaving us here because he
+was abroad."
+
+"You have been drawing on your imagination, Wink, you can't have
+understood father; but now you must go to bed and not talk any more."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+THE STORY OF THE BRIDGE.
+
+
+An atmosphere of great sociability pervaded the quaint room that the
+Spectacle Man called his study, when on Friday evening, two weeks after
+the candy pulling, his expected guests arrived.
+
+He had closed his shop an hour earlier than usual, and spent the time in
+getting out certain treasures of china and silver, and placing them
+where they could be seen to the best advantage. When the lamps were
+lighted, the hearth brushed, and the big Japanese bowl heaped up with
+apples and grapes, he paused and looked around him with satisfaction.
+
+He was reflecting how pleasant it was to be giving a party, when the
+hall door opened to let in Peterkin and closed again in what might have
+seemed a mysterious manner but for the sound of stifled laughter on the
+outside. On the inside Peterkin stood looking cross-eyed in a vain
+endeavor to see the frill that adorned his neck.
+
+"So they have dressed you for the occasion, my friend," remarked his
+master; "it must recall the days when Mark was at home."
+
+A few minutes later Emma and Frances appeared, looking very demure and
+bringing with them Gladys, who, happening in in the afternoon, had been
+invited to stay and hear the story. The rest of the party soon followed,
+and Mr. Clark's face beamed with pleasure as he stepped briskly about
+getting every one seated. The children chose the sofa at the side of the
+fireplace, where they sat, three in a row with Frances in the middle,
+until Miss Moore begged to know if there was not room for her, and of
+course there was.
+
+"I am afraid you are trying to excite our envy, Mr. Clark," Mrs.
+Morrison said, touching a little dish of old Wedgwood.
+
+"I have a few odds and ends of things," was his reply; "but most of what
+you see belongs to my nephew, Mark Osborne. A great-aunt left him her
+property when she died, this house, and a good deal of what Mark himself
+disrespectfully calls plunder."
+
+"You have never told us about the Toby jug," put in Frances. "Does that
+belong to Mark?"
+
+"No, that is my own, and sometime I'll tell you all I know about it; but
+now we want to hear Miss Sherwin's story. That is the first business of
+the evening;" and, his guests being seated to his satisfaction, the
+Spectacle Man crossed his knees and prepared to listen.
+
+"I am not sure that it is at all interesting," said the young lady, as
+all eyes turned toward her. "Shall I read it or tell it?"
+
+"Tell it, please," cried the children in a chorus.
+
+So she began, at first a little timidly, and with a glance now and then
+at her paper, but gaining courage as she went on.
+
+"I have called it," she said, "'The Story of the Missing Bridge.'
+
+"Once upon a time a young man set out on a journey. The tender beauty of
+the springtime was upon the grass and trees, the wheat fields were
+turning from gold to rose, and the sky was a soft, deep blue.
+
+"He was a sturdy young fellow and carried a light heart, as one could
+tell from the smile in his eyes and the merry tune he whistled as he
+strode along. And he had reason to be happy, for on the next day at
+sunset he was to be married to the fairest girl in all the country
+round.
+
+"After a time the path he followed left the open fields and entered the
+cool, dim forest, where all was so still and peaceful that
+involuntarily he changed his tune to one more grave.
+
+"A truly happy heart is certain to be a kind one, and, eager though he
+was to reach his journey's end, he paused once and again to lend a
+helping hand. Now it was to a peddler who was vainly trying to piece
+together the broken strap that had held his pack, again to restore a
+young bird to its nest, and then to release a white rabbit which had
+caught its foot in a trap and was moaning piteously.
+
+"These incidents delayed him somewhat, and it was late in the afternoon
+when he reached the river several miles beyond which lay his
+destination. It was a wild and treacherous stream that rushed down from
+the hills, boiling and bubbling over rocks and between high, precipitous
+banks. Many years before a strong bridge had been thrown across it at
+the point where the path emerged from the forest, but to-day, to his
+utter surprise and bewilderment, there was no bridge to be seen. His
+journey was brought to a sudden stop.
+
+"He looked about him; could he have missed his way? This was impossible,
+he had travelled it too often. On the other side of the river he saw a
+man chopping wood, and presently called to him to know what had become
+of the bridge.
+
+  "'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
+  The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri.'
+
+"This was the man's reply, sung in a merry rollicking tune as he
+continued his work.
+
+"'How deep is the stream?' asked the traveller.
+
+  "'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--'
+
+"'How can I get across?'
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--'
+
+"came across the stream in the same mocking tune.
+
+"Angry and almost in despair, the young farmer sat down beneath a tree
+to consider what was to be done.
+
+"The secret of all his trouble was this. In an old red stone castle, the
+turrets of which were just visible above the trees on the other side of
+the stream, there lived a magician who had long had his eye upon the
+beautiful maiden who was the young man's promised bride. To win her he
+appeared as a wealthy middle-aged suitor, ready to lay all his riches at
+her feet, his real character being carefully concealed; but all his arts
+had been plied in vain; no gold or gems or promises of future splendor
+could turn her heart from her young lover. Her parents, however, were
+inclined to look with favor upon the magician's suit, and their daughter
+was made most unhappy by their reproaches.
+
+"The last resort of the magician was to insinuate doubts of her lover's
+faithfulness; and after long and careful scheming, with her father and
+mother as allies, a promise was wrung from the maiden that, if the
+bridegroom failed by so much as an hour to appear at the appointed time,
+she would wed his rival. So sure was she of her lover, so ignorant of
+the magician's power.
+
+"It now only remained to hinder the coming of the bridegroom. This the
+magician wished to contrive in such a way that the young farmer should
+arrive upon the scene just too late, and that he himself might have the
+exquisite pleasure of witnessing his despair. This was not without its
+difficulties, for the forest that extended almost to the water's edge
+was inhabited by fairies who were well disposed toward mortals, and took
+frequent delight in frustrating the schemes of the evil-minded
+magician.
+
+"He therefore set himself to work to win their good will, and after
+establishing friendly relations went to the queen with what seemed an
+innocent request. An enemy of his was about to pass through the wood,
+and it was all-important that he should be hindered from crossing the
+river until after a certain hour. All he asked of the fairies was the
+promise that they would not reveal the plan by which he meant to
+accomplish this. The promise was readily given, for what possible harm
+could come to any one through being detained on the bank of the river
+for a few hours?
+
+"The fairies often amused themselves by trying the temper of those who
+passed through the forest, and the peddler, the bird, and the rabbit had
+all been contrived to test the kindliness of the chance traveller; and
+by his quick response to these calls for help the young farmer had won
+their favor. So now, as he sat at the foot of the oak tree almost ready
+to weep in his despair, he heard a tiny voice singing:--
+
+  "'The bridge is broke and you'll have to mend it,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do.'
+
+"'If some kind friend would only tell me how!' he exclaimed.
+
+"'Is it then so necessary to your happiness?' asked the voice; and
+looking all about, he at length discovered a little creature sitting on
+a toadstool just at his feet. In her hand she held a large leaf which
+till now had served to hide her from his view.
+
+"Having heard that the wood was the abode of fairies, he was not
+surprised; and in the hope that they would be able and willing to help
+him, he told his story. The fairy listened intently, marvelling at the
+magician's craftiness.
+
+"'And when must you be there?' she asked.
+
+"'Not one minute later than sunset to-morrow. I set out a day sooner
+than needful because of a mysteriously worded message I received,
+warning me to make all haste lest I lose my bride,' was the reply.
+
+"'You have an enemy,' said the fairy, 'but we may be able to help you.
+You must wait the hour of audience, which is on the stroke of midnight;'
+with this she disappeared.
+
+"The young man, left alone, seemed to hear all about him mocking voices
+singing:--
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over--'
+
+"and again and again he went to the water's edge, resolved to attempt to
+cross on the rocks, but the sight of the wild torrent told him it would
+be certain death.
+
+"As night came on he at length fell into a troubled sleep with his head
+against the trunk of the oak tree. He was aroused by soft music and
+twinkling lights, and beheld before him, ranged in a semicircle, the
+fairy queen and her attendants. The queen addressed him:--
+
+"'Mortal, we have heard your story from Sadonia, one of our ladies, and,
+as you have proved yourself kind and true-hearted, we would help you;
+but we are bound by a sacred vow not to reveal the secret of the bridge
+until sunset to-morrow.'
+
+"'Ah, then it will be too late!' cried the young man.
+
+"One of the attendant fairies now stepped out and knelt before the
+queen. It was the one called Sadonia, with whom he had spoken.
+
+"'Your Majesty remembers,' she said, 'that for a certain fault I was
+condemned to take the form of a white rabbit, and with my foot in a trap
+wait to be released by some kind traveller. When I was in despair, this
+mortal freed me, and I ask that I may show my gratitude now by aiding
+him.'
+
+"'Can this be done without breaking the vow which binds us all?' asked
+the queen.
+
+"'Your Majesty, I promise neither by word or sign to reveal the secret
+of the bridge. I shall only ask him to obey me in a single command. The
+result rests with himself.'
+
+"The queen was silent for a moment, then she said, 'Is this mortal
+courageous enough, is his love deep enough, to keep him unfaltering in
+the face of death?'
+
+"'Death met in trying to reach the one I love will be far better than
+life without her!' cried the young man.
+
+"'Then,' said the queen, 'Sadonia is permitted to use all her powers to
+aid you, but without revealing by word or sign the secret of the
+bridge.' She waved her wand, and in a breath lights and fairies
+disappeared and he was left alone. Not alone, for he heard Sadonia
+singing:--
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over--'
+
+"and there, dimly seen in the moonlight, she sat on a toadstool, wrapped
+in a mantle of green.
+
+"'It is time, mortal, for you to be up and away. In yonder red castle
+lives a magician; it was he you saw cutting wood--this is the hour when
+he sleeps. Is your courage strong? Are you ready to do the impossible?'
+While she spoke the young man sprang to his feet.
+
+"'Do you see the star straight before us in the heavens?' she asked.
+'Keep your eyes fixed upon it, and think of her who is now dreaming of
+you; then if you obey me, all will be well.'
+
+"She led him to the edge of the cliff, below him was the rushing stream;
+'Look at the star and go on,' she cried.
+
+"For one instant he hesitated. Go on? Where would the next step take
+him? Beneath were the rocks and the foaming torrent, but above him was
+the glowing star. He stepped bravely out. Louder and louder roared the
+torrent, brighter and brighter burned the star, firm and solid was the
+mysterious path. Confidence grew as he went on, his heart full of a
+great joy, and presently he felt the turf under his feet; the stream was
+crossed!
+
+"As he paused to look back the truth flashed upon him: the bridge was
+where it had always been, but some strange spell had made it invisible!
+
+"He went on his way, and all around him he seemed to hear fairy voices
+singing:--
+
+  "'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de ri do--'
+
+"He stopped and, lifting his hat, said softly, 'Thank you, Sadonia!' and
+hoped she heard.
+
+"On the next day the maiden and her lover had a joyous wedding, and the
+evil-minded magician slunk away in a rage to his castle, having
+discovered that love is stronger than magic; for no evil power can
+destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts, and faith and courage
+can always find the way."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Clark, as Miss Sherwin paused, with a very
+becoming color in her cheeks, "who would have thought there was such a
+story hidden away in my old song."
+
+"I am so pleased that we asked her to do it," said Mrs. Morrison,
+smiling across the table at the story-teller. "I had my suspicions
+before, and now they are confirmed," she added.
+
+"I am just proud of you, Lil," said Miss Moore, beaming on her friend.
+
+"I think it is a lovely story, but couldn't you have more about the
+fairies, Miss Sherwin?" Frances asked.
+
+"And about the wedding and what the bride had on," suggested Gladys.
+
+"But did you really make it all up?" inquired Emma.
+
+The young lady laughed. "No, I only found it between the lines of the
+song, and I certainly think it can be improved."
+
+"The moral is such a fine one," remarked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"That faith and courage can always find a way--yes, isn't it, if one
+could only live up to it," said Miss Moore.
+
+"It has given me a great deal to think about," added the Spectacle Man.
+"The bridge is broke--but faith and courage will find the way; yes, I
+like it," and he nodded his head emphatically.
+
+"I thought morals weren't interesting," said Frances, at which they all
+laughed, and Miss Sherwin said she hoped she had not made hers too
+prominent. "I feel very grateful to you for liking it," she added.
+
+"I want you to elaborate it a little and send it to _The Young People's
+Journal_," Mrs. Morrison said.
+
+Miss Sherwin shook her head, but Miss Moore declared she would see that
+it was done.
+
+Peterkin, who had been completely forgotten in the interest of the
+story, created a sensation just here by catching one of his sharp lower
+teeth in his frill, thereby causing temporary lockjaw. He was promptly
+released by Miss Moore, who declared he should not be dressed up again.
+
+After he had gone into seclusion under the sofa, and the rest of the
+company were eating grapes and apples, Mr. Clark took down the Toby jug
+from the mantel shelf.
+
+"It seems hardly right to tell another story to-night after the
+beautiful one we have listened to," he said, "but this is a very short
+one, and I promised Frances. This brown ware is called Rockingham, and
+you see how the likeness of a very fat old gentleman is embossed upon
+it. It is said that there once lived a jolly toper named Toby Fillpot.
+In the course of time he died and was buried, and then, according to an
+old drinking song:--
+
+  "'His body when long in the ground it had lain,
+  And time into clay had resolved it again,
+  A potter found out in its covert so snug,
+  And from part of fat Toby he formed this brown jug.'
+
+"In fact, I believe he made a number of them, and dedicated them to
+friendship, mirth, and mild ale."
+
+"It seems to suggest Dickens; doesn't he somewhere mention a Toby jug?"
+asked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"I don't remember, but it is likely," answered Mr. Clark.
+
+"Was your grandfather an Englishman?" Miss Sherwin asked.
+
+"Yes, he was English and my mother was French."
+
+"I was sure there was French somewhere," said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+The children thought the jug very funny and interesting, but Frances did
+not want to touch it after she had heard the story.
+
+"It might really be true," she said, putting her hands behind her.
+
+"Is this supposed to be one of the originals?" asked Miss Moore.
+
+"Well, that is as you choose to believe. It is over one hundred years
+old, at any rate," was Mr. Clark's reply.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINTH.
+
+FINDING A MORAL.
+
+
+In spite of her disapproval of the place where the Morrisons had gone to
+live, Gladys was very often there. She liked Frances, and at the house
+of the Spectacle Man there seemed never to be any lack of something to
+do. There were glorious games of "I spy" in the halls when Emma was off
+duty, or visits to the studio where Miss Sherwin illustrated her stories
+and was delighted to have them pose for her, or if it were a rainy
+afternoon Mr. Clark did not object to their coming into the shop. He
+kept some glasses especially to lend to them on these occasions, and if
+business happened to be very dull he would entertain them with stories
+of his childhood, of which they never tired. Any chance customer must
+have been amused at the sight of three little girls in spectacles,
+seated in a row listening to the old man.
+
+Gladys tyrannized over Emma and patronized her by turns, the latter
+being too timid to resent it openly; and Frances enjoyed playing the
+part of protector and defender. Naturally this state of affairs
+sometimes led to war, for Frances was quick-tempered and impulsive, and
+Gladys very stubborn.
+
+One afternoon Mrs. Morrison went out, leaving the three children deeply
+interested in a new game. Everything went smoothly until Emma, who was
+sometimes rather slow in understanding things, made a wrong play that
+resulted in Gladys's defeat. When this was discovered Gladys in the
+excitement of the moment accused her of cheating, whereupon Emma began
+to cry and Frances became very angry.
+
+"She didn't cheat, Gladys Bowen, you know she didn't; and you haven't
+any right to say so!" she exclaimed, with blazing eyes.
+
+"She did," asserted Gladys, with a dogged conviction in her tone that
+infuriated Frances, and sweeping the dominoes from the table she
+cried:--
+
+"I'll never play with you again, never!"
+
+"No, you will never have a chance," was the cool reply. "I won't play
+with either of you; and I'd be ashamed of myself if I were you,
+Frances."
+
+"Oh, never mind!" urged Emma, aghast at the scene.
+
+"I will mind. She knows it is a story--and--" Frances could get no
+further, her tears choked her, and rushing from the room she shut the
+door behind her.
+
+Mrs. Morrison, coming in, found Gladys putting on her things with an air
+of injured innocence quite impressive, while Emma stood helplessly
+looking at her. The dominoes lay scattered on the floor.
+
+"Where is Frances?" she asked.
+
+"In the other room; she's mad," Gladys explained briefly.
+
+Mrs. Morrison knew it would be useless to ask questions at this stage,
+so she only said she was sorry, and waited till Gladys left, then went
+to find her daughter.
+
+Frances was lying on the bed crying convulsively.
+
+"What is the matter?" her mother asked gently.
+
+The child sat up, exclaiming between her sobs, "Gladys is so hateful.
+She said Emma cheated--and it's a story--and I'll never play with her
+again!"
+
+"Oh, my little girl! I am so sorry," was all Mrs. Morrison said, as she
+left the room.
+
+Sorry about what? Frances wondered as her anger cooled. Because Gladys
+had been so hateful? or was it because she had been in a passion?--but
+then she had a right to be angry. As she lay quiet for a while, feeling
+languid, now the storm had passed, a sense of shame stole over her.
+
+Presently she went softly into the sitting room. It was growing dark,
+and her mother sat alone among the cushions of the couch; Frances
+nestled down beside her, and there in the firelight and the stillness
+she couldn't help feeling sorry, even though she still felt sure she had
+a right to be angry.
+
+She wished her mother would speak, but as she did not, Frances asked,
+"Don't you think Gladys was very unkind?"
+
+"She ought to have been very certain of the truth of what she said,
+before she accused any one of cheating."
+
+"I think so too; and I had a right to be angry." She began to feel quite
+certain of this.
+
+"I have been talking it over with Emma," said Mrs. Morrison, "and I find
+she did not understand the game. She really played as Gladys said, but
+she did it by mistake."
+
+"Did she? But Gladys ought to have known Emma wouldn't cheat."
+
+"And of course there was nothing for you to do, but throw down the
+dominoes and accuse Gladys of telling a story?"
+
+"But, mother--" Frances hesitated.
+
+"Suppose you had told Gladys that there must be some mistake, and then
+had tried to find out what it was."
+
+"But I was so provoked."
+
+"Yes, and you lost your self-control. You let yourself be ruled by your
+temper. It is sometimes right to be angry, but it is never right to be
+in a passion."
+
+"Don't you think I am getting better of my temper?" Frances asked
+meekly.
+
+"Yes, dear; I have thought so lately, and it was right for you to want
+to defend Emma; but to throw the dominoes on the floor, to be in such a
+fury--my darling, it makes me afraid for you! You might sometime do
+something that all your life would be a sorrow to you. God meant you to
+rule your feelings and passions, not be ruled by them. You are like a
+soldier who has surrendered to the enemy he might have conquered."
+
+"I'll ask him to forgive me," Frances whispered.
+
+"You know father and I want our little girl to grow into a sweet,
+gracious woman--"
+
+"Just like you," Frances interrupted, with her arms around her mother's
+neck.
+
+"No, not just like me," answered Mrs. Morrison, smiling; "you must be
+your own self, Wink. I have tried not to spoil you, but of course I have
+made mistakes, and now you are getting old enough to share the
+responsibility with me."
+
+"Do you think you ought to punish me, mother?"
+
+"Dear, I think the punishment will be the trying to set things right
+again."
+
+Nothing more was said on the subject that evening, but the next day
+Frances came to her mother with a bright face; "I have found out what it
+means," she said.
+
+"What what means?" Mrs. Morrison asked.
+
+"The story of the bridge. You know Gladys is mad with me and won't come
+here any more-- Emma says she said she would never speak to me
+again--and that is a broken bridge and I have to mend it; but I don't
+know how," she added.
+
+"Perhaps you can find a way if you try," replied her mother, thinking it
+best to let her solve her own problems.
+
+All day Frances' thoughts kept going back to the unfortunate quarrel,
+and even when she was not thinking about it she was not happy. The storm
+clouds hung low and made the atmosphere heavy.
+
+At twilight she slipped downstairs and peeped into the study where Dick
+had just lit the lamp and Peterkin lay stretched at his ease before the
+bright fire. She stole in and sat beside him on the rug and stroked him
+softly. He purred gently, looking up in her face with so much wisdom in
+his yellow eyes she felt like telling him about the trouble.
+
+Presently the Spectacle Man came with the evening paper, and was
+surprised and pleased to see her.
+
+"Mr. Clark," she began, "I have a broken bridge to mend."
+
+"Is that so? I hope it will not give you much trouble."
+
+Frances sighed and put her face down on Peterkin's soft coat for a
+moment. "I am afraid it will," she said, and then she told the story.
+
+The Spectacle Man listened gravely. "I don't believe the bridge is
+really broken," he said; "it is only invisible beneath the clouds of
+anger and unkindness."
+
+Frances drew a very deep breath. "Then what can I do?" she asked.
+
+"How was it in the story?"
+
+"But the young man had a fairy to help him.
+
+"I don't think you need one; love and courage can find a way," said Mr.
+Clark.
+
+Frances went upstairs very soberly. "Mother, I believe I'll write to
+Gladys," she said, going at once to her desk. It took a good deal of
+time and thought, but it was finished at last, and she felt a weight
+lifted from her heart as she put it in the envelope. This is what she
+wrote:--
+
+     "DEAR GLADYS: I am sorry I behaved so the other day. I was mad
+     because you said Emma cheated, and I thought I had a right to be;
+     but I know now I ought not to have been in a passion. It was a
+     mistake; Emma did play wrong, but she didn't know any better.
+     Gladys, I have found the moral of the story. The bridge between
+     you and me is invisible because of the clouds of anger. I want to
+     find it again, don't you?
+
+  "Your friend,
+  "FRANCES MORRISON."
+
+This note was despatched by Wilson, and bright and early next day Gladys
+answered it in person. She went to Frances and kissed her. "I am not mad
+with you any more," she said; "it was nice of you to write that note,
+and I am sorry I said Emma cheated."
+
+After this, Frances was as merry as a cricket, and went about singing:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,"
+
+till her mother was forced to beg for a little variety.
+
+Meanwhile the story of "The Missing Bridge," with some changes and
+additions, and accompanied by two charming illustrations, had gone to
+seek its fortune in the office of _The Young People's Journal_, and it
+was no longer a secret that Miss Sherwin was in the habit of writing
+stories and had already met with considerable success.
+
+Frances thought this a strong bond between them, "For father writes
+stories too, you know," she would often say.
+
+It was about this time that the first letters, so long waited for,
+arrived from Honolulu, giving such glowing accounts of the voyage and
+the climate, and written in such evident good spirits, and so full of
+love for the two left behind, that they had to be read at least once a
+day for a week.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TENTH.
+
+THE PORTRAIT AGAIN.
+
+
+Frances wished very much to go to school, but for several reasons her
+mother did not think it wise, so she studied at home every morning,
+going upstairs at twelve o'clock to Miss Sherwin for a drawing lesson.
+
+Emma thought this a delightful arrangement, but Frances looked with envy
+upon the children who passed, swinging their school bags. "It is because
+I wasn't strong last winter and mother thinks it wouldn't be good for me
+to be shut up in a schoolroom, but I shall go next year," she explained.
+
+As the fall weather was beautiful they spent a great deal of time out of
+doors, and when Mrs. Morrison did not care to go herself she would send
+Frances with Zenobia for a walk or a ride on the cars, to the delight of
+the latter, who adored her young charge.
+
+These two were returning from a long walk one cold day, when they met
+Emma Bond, who said she was going to Mrs. Marvin's with some work, and
+asked them to go back with her.
+
+"I don't know whether mother would like me to; do you think she would
+care, Zenobia?" Frances asked.
+
+It was only a short distance, and Zenobia couldn't see any harm in
+stopping a moment; so they went in with Emma and sat in the hall while
+she ran upstairs to speak to the housekeeper.
+
+Everything was in perfect order to-day, and Frances gave a little sigh
+of satisfaction as she looked about her; it was all so warm and
+beautiful, with a stately sort of beauty that was very impressive. She
+sat as still as a mouse, listening to the ticking of some unseen clock.
+
+Emma stayed a long time, and presently Frances whispered, "Zenobia,
+there is a picture I want to see, and I am just going to peep in that
+door; I'll be back in a minute;" and she stole softly across the hall as
+if afraid she might break the stillness.
+
+The room she entered was a library, spacious and beautiful; but Frances
+thought of nothing but the portrait, which in the softened light that
+came from the curtained windows was more charming than ever.
+
+[Illustration: "'Little girl, I wish I knew you'"]
+
+"Little girl, I wish I knew you," she said half aloud, standing before
+it, her eyes bright from her walk in the keen air, her cheeks the
+deepest rose.
+
+On the hearth a wood fire smouldered, breaking into little gleams of
+flame now and then.
+
+"If you would only come down and talk to me, and tell me who you are,"
+Frances continued under her breath, unconsciously taking the attitude of
+the picture girl who smiled down on her so brightly.
+
+The fire purred softly, and there was added to this sound after a little
+a gentle rustle which, though she heard it, seemed so a part of the
+quiet that she gave it no thought. Then, suddenly, as if she had been
+awakened from a dream, she became conscious of the presence of some one
+near her.
+
+Turning, her eyes met those of a very stately person who stood only a
+few feet away leaning on the back of a chair. She had silvery hair and a
+proud, handsome face, and for a second or two Frances continued to gaze
+at her, the two pairs of eyes holding each other as if by some magnetic
+power.
+
+Then it flashed into Frances' mind that this must be Mrs. Marvin, and
+the spell was broken. She had come home--and what must she think of a
+girl who roamed about her house without leave! The child wanted to
+explain, but words were not easy to find, and the lady did not speak.
+
+"I did not know--" she began, then hesitated and tried again; "I
+thought--" her throat felt very dry, and she wondered if she had spoken
+at all. It was so strange and uncomfortable that tears rose to her eyes.
+
+"I wish you would tell me who you are;" the lady spoke in a strange,
+cold voice.
+
+The feeling that she was not being fairly treated, together with her
+determination not to cry, made Frances intensely dignified, and it was
+with a haughtiness almost equal to the lady's own that she replied, "My
+name is Frances Morrison," and with a movement of her head which seemed
+to add, "it is useless to try to explain," she turned away.
+
+A singular expression came into the stranger's face; she sat down in
+the nearest chair. "I wish you would not go," she said; "I am afraid I
+startled you as much as you did me. Come and tell me how you happen to
+be here." Her tone was no longer cold, and she held out her hands
+appealingly.
+
+The smile transformed her face, which was all sweetness and graciousness
+now, and impulsive little Frances was instantly won. She went quickly to
+the lady's side, saying in a breathless way she had when excited, "I
+thought perhaps you did not like it,--but I didn't know any one was
+here, and I wanted to see the picture again, so while Emma was upstairs
+I thought I'd just peep in, but I'm sorry--" she paused; evidently her
+words had not been heard. This strange person held her hands and gazed
+at her in the oddest way.
+
+"And so you are a real little girl!" she said at length.
+
+The child smiled uneasily, and seeing it, the lady put her arm around
+her and drew her closer. "Forgive me, dear, for not listening," she
+said. "You came with--whom?"
+
+Again Frances explained, but perhaps she did not make it very clear, for
+her companion still looked puzzled.
+
+"Do you live here?" she asked.
+
+"No, we are spending the winter here, mother and I."
+
+"Your mother and you--" the questioner repeated.
+
+"Yes, while father is away; he has gone to Honolulu. We stopped here
+because mother was ill, and then the _Eastern Review_ wanted father to
+go to Hawaii, so we thought we'd just stay. We have a flat at the
+Spectacle Man's--I mean Mr. Clark's--and it is very nice."
+
+"Is it?" The stranger's eyes travelled over the dainty figure. "You will
+think I am asking a great many questions, but where did you get your
+name?" she added.
+
+"It was my great-grandmother's. Mother wanted to put Chauncey in. That
+is father's name, John Chauncey Morrison. Perhaps you have read his
+stories." Again Frances saw that strange expression in the face before
+her.
+
+"Do you know who I am?" the lady asked.
+
+"I suppose you are Mrs. Marvin. Emma said you had not come home yet, but
+that you were coming very soon, and when I saw you I knew who it must
+be, and-- I hope you'll excuse me," she added, remembering she had
+offered no apology.
+
+Emma and Zenobia, who had been standing in the door for several minutes,
+now succeeded in catching Frances' eye. "I must go," she said, "they are
+waiting for me."
+
+Mrs. Marvin glanced in their direction. "Will you come to see me again?"
+she asked.
+
+"I don't know whether mother will let me," Frances replied doubtfully.
+
+The lady suddenly took the child's face in her hands and kissed her
+lips,--such a strange, passionate kiss it was; and then Frances felt
+herself almost pushed away.
+
+She had hardly any answer for Emma's excited questions, which began as
+soon as they were outside the door, but walked along with an absent
+expression that was rather provoking.
+
+"I can't see what makes you so funny, Frances," said her friend.
+
+"Why, Wink, how late you are!" Mrs. Morrison exclaimed, meeting them at
+the head of the steps, having spent the last half hour at the window.
+
+Frances put her arms around her mother's neck. "Oh, mother, I have seen
+such a beautiful lady, and she kissed me, and it made me feel like
+crying!"
+
+By degrees Mrs. Morrison had the whole story, and looked rather grave
+over it. "I am sorry you went in at all, dear, and it was very wrong to
+go wandering about the house, even though you thought the owner was
+away."
+
+"But I don't think she minded; at least she asked me to come again, so I
+think she must have liked me."
+
+Mrs. Morrison smiled as she kissed her little daughter; she saw nothing
+improbable in this.
+
+"I think I won't tell Jack about it," she said to herself, "For it would
+only worry him; but I'll be careful to have it understood that Frances
+is not to go into any house unless I am with her or have given my
+permission. It can't happen again. Marvin is not a name I ever heard
+Jack mention, I am quite sure of that."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVENTH
+
+MRS. MARVIN IS PERPLEXED.
+
+
+"Jack's little girl! can it be? It is the strangest thing that ever
+happened to me. I do not understand it." Mrs. Marvin paced restlessly
+back and forth, an expression of pain and perplexity on her handsome
+face.
+
+"Why should I care?" she thought; "what is it to me? I gave it all up
+long ago.-- And yet--that dear little girl--those eyes--a Morrison every
+inch of her! There can be no mistake, but it is all a mystery how she
+happened to come here. How weak I am! why should it torture me so? Oh,
+Jack, Jack!" She hid her face in her hands.
+
+It showed, however, no trace of emotion when half an hour later she
+encountered her housekeeper in the upper hall.
+
+"Caroline, who is the little girl who came to see you this afternoon?"
+she asked.
+
+"I suppose it was Emma Bond, Miss Frances; her mother has been
+hemstitching some pillow cases."
+
+"Do you know anything about the child who was with her? I think she said
+she lived in the same house."
+
+"I don't know who she is, Miss Frances. She is a pretty child, but I
+don't remember her name if I ever heard it."
+
+"I saw her and was rather attracted to her. She seemed not quite the
+sort of child you would expect to find in a tenement house. There was a
+very respectable looking maid with her."
+
+Caroline smiled. She was a bright-faced Swiss woman who had lived with
+her mistress for nearly thirty years, knew her thoroughly, and loved her
+devotedly. She was not deceived by the air of indifference with which
+the lady moved away; she understood that for some reason her mistress
+wished to find out all she knew about this little girl.
+
+"It isn't what you'd call a tenement house," she said; "the man who owns
+it has made it into flats. He lives there himself, and has his shop, and
+Mrs. Bond keeps house for him. It is a real nice place."
+
+"I fail to see the difference," was the reply; "but, Caroline, why did
+she think I was Mrs. Marvin? She called me so."
+
+"I don't know, Miss Frances, unless it was Emma Bond's mistake. Her
+mother did some sewing for Mrs. Marvin when she was staying here."
+
+"Well, Caroline, if you see Mrs. Bond you need not say anything about
+the mistake. You understand? I have a reason for wishing them to think I
+am Mrs. Marvin, as in fact I am."
+
+"I should like to know what it means," Caroline said to herself as her
+mistress walked away.
+
+"This is all very melodramatic and absurd, but I must have time to
+consider," the lady was thinking as she entered her own room, and closed
+the door behind her. "I must contrive to see her again."
+
+Going to a cabinet, she took from an inner compartment a box, then she
+had a long search for the key, and after it was found she sat with the
+box on her lap gazing absently before her.
+
+It was thirteen--almost fourteen years since she had lifted that lid.
+She had thought never to open it, unless--well, unless the impossible
+happened, and now a pair of brown eyes had aroused an irresistible
+longing to look once more on something that lay hidden there. In vain
+she told herself it was foolish, idle, worse than childish. She recalled
+the burning anger and resentment with which she had put the box away so
+long ago. Yes, and had she not just cause? But the touch of those young
+lips was still fresh upon her own, and whether she would or not, was
+carrying her back, back to the dear old days.
+
+There was really very little in it, she reflected, as she began to look
+over the contents; but a few trifles can mean so much sometimes. There
+was a light brown curl, some photographs that showed how a certain
+chubby, dimpled baby had developed into a manly boy of sixteen, a bundle
+of letters in a schoolboy hand, and down at the very bottom, the thing
+she was so anxious to see again, a lovely miniature of a boy of seven.
+
+She gazed at it long and earnestly. Such a dear little face! and this
+afternoon she had seen the same smile, had looked into the same eyes!
+Jack's daughter! was it possible?
+
+He had called her Frances, too; he had not quite forgotten. It was, of
+course, a family name, and with all his independence Jack had a great
+deal of family pride. And the air with which she had said, "Perhaps you
+have read his stories,"--she could have laughed, but for the pain of the
+thought that she who had once been first had now no part in his life.
+Others had the right to be proud of him, but not she.
+
+She closed the lid and put the box away: the past could not be recalled,
+she must try to forget, as she had tried all these years; but even as
+she made the resolve her heart was saying, "I must see that child
+again,--I must, must!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELFTH.
+
+AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
+
+
+"Hurrah!" said the Spectacle Man, "Mark's coming home for Christmas." He
+waved a letter above his head as he spoke, and looked as if he might be
+going to dance a jig.
+
+"Is he? I am very glad," replied Frances, who had run down to speak to
+the postman, and now paused in the open door of the shop.
+
+"I was really afraid we couldn't manage it, travelling costs so much,
+but one of his friends has given him a pass. Mark is a great fellow for
+such things!" Mr. Clark's face beamed with pleasure.
+
+Frances wished she might bring her books and study her lessons in the
+shop, it was so sunny and cheerful, with Peterkin stretched out in lazy
+comfort before the fire, his master busy at his work-table over some
+lenses.
+
+"Mother, do you know it will be Christmas in two weeks?" she asked, as
+she entered the sitting room; "and Mark is coming home," she added. "Do
+you think he will be nice?"
+
+"We may as well give him the benefit of any doubt," said Mrs. Morrison,
+answering the last question. "What do you want to do for Christmas,
+Wink?"
+
+"What can we do without father?" the little girl exclaimed, thinking of
+the merrymakings of other years in which he had always been prime mover.
+
+"We are so glad to know how well and strong he is getting that we can
+manage to have some sort of a happy time without him, I think," her
+mother replied. "Suppose you ask Miss Sherwin if she and Miss Moore will
+be here through the holidays."
+
+The air was full of Christmas plans, the streets were full of Christmas
+shoppers, and the dwellers in the house of the Spectacle Man could not
+escape the contagion. The girls on the third floor were not going home,
+and were very willing to unite with their neighbors in a little
+festivity.
+
+Miss Moore proposed a tree, which, in kindergarten fashion, they should
+all unite in trimming. Emma and Frances immediately offered to string
+pop-corn and cranberries, and went to work with great ardor, having at
+the same time to bribe the General to attend to his own affairs, with
+wonderful stories of Santa Claus, and the toys he had in store for good
+boys.
+
+Emma was as happy as a lark. In past years the Sunday-school tree had
+been all she had to look forward to, and the thought of having one in
+the house was almost too much. Gladys also condescended to help with the
+pop-corn, although she was rather scornful of such home-made
+decorations.
+
+"I suppose I may invite Gladys to our tree, mayn't I?" Frances asked one
+evening of the busy circle gathered around the table in Miss Sherwin's
+studio.
+
+"I should think so," her mother replied.
+
+"I know a girl I'd like to ask. She is in my class, and she lives in
+Texas, and I do not believe she has a single friend in the city." As she
+spoke, Miss Moore carefully smoothed out the photograph she was
+mounting.
+
+"You do it beautifully," said Mrs. Morrison, looking over her shoulder.
+
+"It is the 'Holy Night' by Plockhorst, as you see; we are going to give
+one to each of our infants, and I offered to mount them. I like to
+paste; it is my one talent."
+
+"For a Christmas picture, this is my favorite," and Miss Sherwin took
+from a portfolio a photograph of the Magi on the way to Bethlehem.
+
+Emma and Frances left their cranberries to look at it.
+
+"How wonderfully simple and dignified it is! The wide sweep of the
+desert, and the stately figures of the Wise Men, as they follow the
+star," remarked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"But no one has answered Miss Moore. Wouldn't it be nice to invite her
+girl?" said Frances, going back to her work again.
+
+"Why, of course, and perhaps we'll find some one else who is not likely
+to have a happy day," her mother answered.
+
+"There's Mrs. Gray," said Frances meditatively; "I wonder if she likes
+Christmas trees?"
+
+So it began, and before they knew it the original plan was quite
+outgrown.
+
+When Mark arrived he proved to be a tall, bright-faced boy of sixteen,
+overflowing with good spirits, who contrived to get acquainted with all
+the inmates of the house before twenty-four hours had passed.
+
+He took a lively interest in the tree, and suggested having it in his
+uncle's study. Then on Christmas Eve the cases could be moved out of the
+way in the shop, and both rooms be given up to the frolic.
+
+As the Spectacle Man was more than willing, this was decided upon; and
+as it would give them so much more room, Miss Moore thought she'd like
+to ask two other young women, who were studying in a business college,
+and boarded in the same house with her Texas friend. Mark knew two
+fellows he'd like to have, and his uncle wished to invite a young man
+who had come once or twice to his Bible class, and who was a stranger in
+town.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mrs. Morrison, when they were discussing it, "we had
+better limit our invitations to those who are not likely to have a merry
+Christmas."
+
+"My young man doesn't look as if he knew the meaning of merry," said Mr.
+Clark.
+
+"My girls may know its meaning, but they haven't much chance to practise
+it, in the dingy boarding house," added Miss Moore.
+
+"I am sure Mrs. Gray doesn't have any fun," said Frances, who clung to
+her idea of asking the old lady.
+
+There couldn't have been found a merrier party in the whole city than
+that at work in the Spectacle Man's study on Christmas Eve. Mark had
+brought in a quantity of cedar and mistletoe, and while Mrs. Morrison
+and Miss Sherwin trimmed the tree, the children and Miss Moore turned
+the shop into a bower of fragrant green.
+
+Mark was full of mischief, and romped with Frances, and teased Emma
+until she wished she could crawl under the bookcase as Peterkin did
+under the same circumstances. The General trotted about in a gale of
+delight, getting in everybody's way, and was most unwilling to leave the
+scene of action when his mother came to take him to bed.
+
+Mrs. Bond lifted her hands in dismay at so much work for nothing.
+
+"But isn't it pretty?" asked Mrs. Morrison, from the top of the
+step-ladder.
+
+"It is pretty enough, but it all has to come down, and then what a
+mess!" was the reply.
+
+"Still, it is fun, and Christmas comes but once a year. Here, Mark, this
+is to decorate the immortal George. Can you reach?" and Miss Moore held
+out a beautiful branch of holly.
+
+"You'll come to the party, won't you, Mrs. Bond?" Frances asked.
+
+"Come? of course she will; no one in this house can be excused," said
+Mr. Clark, entering the room with some interesting packages under his
+arm.
+
+The little girls were extremely curious about some work Miss Sherwin and
+Mrs. Morrison had been doing, which they kept a secret from everybody,
+and now the sight of a number of flat parcels in tissue paper tied with
+red ribbon excited them afresh.
+
+"Is that what you have been making?" asked Frances.
+
+"Just part of it," Miss Sherwin replied, as she hung them on the tree.
+
+"Emma, what do you suppose they are? Everybody is to have one, for I
+have counted," Frances whispered.
+
+"I don't know, I am sure; but isn't it fun!" and Emma spun around like a
+top in her excitement.
+
+"And she says it is only part," continued Frances.
+
+"I believe we have done all that can be done to-night," said Mrs.
+Morrison, crossing the room to get a better view of the tree.
+
+"It will be a beauty when it is lighted. I think even Gladys will
+admire it," remarked Miss Moore.
+
+Wilson, who had come in to sweep up, looked at it critically. "We had a
+tree at the Institute last year that was lighted with inclandestine
+lights," he said.
+
+Mark giggled, and Mrs. Morrison looked puzzled for a minute, then she
+smiled as she said, "Yes, I have heard of lighting them by electricity,
+but ours is a home-made affair."
+
+"Isn't Wilson absurd?" laughed Miss Sherwin as they all went into the
+next room. "What do you think he said to me the other day? He complained
+that Mrs. Bond was too unscrupulous to live with, and when I asked him
+what he meant, he said she required him to wash off the front porch
+every morning before he went to school, and that made him late for his
+Greek lesson, and in his opinion it was very unscrupulous."
+
+"If it wasn't for Zenobia I think he would try to find a place where
+more respect was shown to Greek," said Mrs. Morrison.
+
+Mrs. Marvin's housekeeper came in to see Mrs. Bond that evening, and on
+her way out she had full view of the study, where work was still going
+on. Seeing Frances and recognizing her, she asked her name, and seemed
+very much surprised at Mrs. Bond's reply.
+
+"Frances Morrison!" she repeated, "why that is--" she checked herself,
+but stood watching the group as if deeply interested.
+
+"Do you know her?" asked Mrs. Bond.
+
+Caroline shook her head. "The name's familiar, that is all," she
+replied.
+
+Christmas Day was gloomy as to weather, but that was a small matter with
+so much merriment going on indoors. After the excitement of examining
+stockings was over the party was the event of the day, and was looked
+forward to with eager anticipation by the children.
+
+It was to be an early party, the guests having been invited to come at
+six o'clock. Gladys was the first to arrive, and the three little girls
+sat on the big hall sofa and waited for the others to come. The shop was
+brilliantly lighted and looked quite unfamiliar with all the show-cases
+moved back against the wall, and its trimmings of cedar and holly. In
+the centre of the room on a table was the secret which had so excited
+Emma and Frances. A dozen or more cards were arranged around a central
+one, upon which was printed, "A Christmas Dinner"; on each of the other
+cards was a picture representing some part of the dinner. Miss Sherwin
+presided over this, and Frances presented each guest, as he or she
+arrived, with a pencil and a blank card on which the names of the
+various dishes were to be written as they were guessed. The one
+guessing the largest number was to have a prize, and everybody was to
+try except Mrs. Morrison and Miss Sherwin, who had prepared the
+pictures, and of course knew what they meant.
+
+This served to break the ice, and Miss Moore's girls, and Mark's
+friends, and the Spectacle Man's shy student, all became sociable
+directly, as they moved about the table.
+
+To the delight of Frances, Mrs. Gray came. She was quite apologetic over
+it, saying it seemed ridiculous for her to be going anywhere, but she
+didn't know when she had seen a Christmas tree, and so at the last
+minute she had decided to come.
+
+"We take it as a great compliment," Mrs. Morrison said, helping her with
+her wraps and leading her to Mr. Clark's arm-chair.
+
+She was a sweet-looking old lady in her white cap and embroidered
+kerchief, and Miss Sherwin said her presence gave just the grandmotherly
+touch their party needed. Miss Moore decorated her with a sprig of
+holly, and every one tried to make her have a good time. The guests were
+all brought to her corner and introduced, and then, while the rest were
+busy trying to guess the menu, Mr. Clark came and sat beside her and
+talked of old times, and the changes that had come to the city since
+they were young.
+
+It may have been an odd sort of party, but it was a success; and the shy
+young man proved himself more clever than any one else, for he guessed
+all the dishes. Some of them were very easy, the first, for instance,
+which was simply some points cut out of blue paper and pasted on a card.
+
+"I know what they are," said Mark, "but three wouldn't be enough for
+me."
+
+Every one knew the map without a name must be _Turkey_, but the small
+strips of different shades of green did not at first suggest _olives_; a
+cat on the back of a chair puzzled some, but meant _catsup_ at once to
+others. An infant in a high chair yelling for dear life, was of course
+_ice cream_, but the medical student was the only one to guess the
+meaning of a calf reposing on the grass. He explained his cleverness by
+saying that his mother often made _veal loaf_, and he was very fond of
+it.
+
+When he had received his prize, which was a box of candy, it was time
+for the tree. While they were all thinking of something else, Mr. Clark
+had slipped in and lighted it, and there it was, all in a blaze of
+glory!
+
+The Spectacle Man was master of ceremonies, and it was worth something
+to see his face as he stepped about taking things from the tree and
+calling out names.
+
+For each there was a photograph of the Magi on the way to Bethlehem,
+and, besides these, there were other things both useful and amusing,
+that had been picked up at the ten-cent store, or manufactured at home.
+
+No one enjoyed it more than Mrs. Gray, unless it was the General, whose
+enthusiasm knew no bounds, and who pranced about with a woolly lamb in
+one hand and a Japanese baby in the other. Even Mrs. Bond relaxed, and
+for at least an hour did nothing but look on and be amused.
+
+When the tree was exhausted they had some light refreshments, and then
+played old-fashioned games in which all could join.
+
+"I don't know when I have had such a good time," said Mrs. Gray, as she
+was getting ready to go; "and I don't see how you happened to think of
+me."
+
+"We had made up our minds to be lonely and homesick, but we have
+laughed so much I don't see how we can ever be doleful again," remarked
+Miss Moore's friend.
+
+"It is the funniest party I ever went to," Gladys whispered to Frances,
+"but I have had the loveliest time!"
+
+The shy student had enjoyed himself more than he could express in words,
+and his face spoke for him as he said good night.
+
+"I am going to have a Christmas tree every year of my life till I die,"
+the Spectacle Man declared; and if he had had the least encouragement,
+he would have gone to work on the spot to plan another party.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
+
+ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
+
+
+In Frances' very own book there was a story of a boy who had a beautiful
+voice, and who with a great many other boys sang in the choir of Christ
+Church. The story was somewhat sad, for the boy, who loved dearly to
+sing, lost his sweet voice one day and never found it again; but the
+memory of the music as it floated up to the Gothic arches, and of the
+sunlight from the great stained window falling a shaft of crimson and
+gold across the chancel at vesper service, remained with him, and out of
+it grew the story.
+
+And the story became very real indeed to Frances when one Sunday
+afternoon her father took her to the very church where the boy used to
+sing. It was such a pleasure to her that after this she and her mother
+often went together, and Frances pretended that one of the choir boys,
+who happened to have dark eyes and a high clear voice, was little Jack,
+and there were certain hymns she loved to hear because he used to sing
+them.
+
+It was the Sunday after Christmas, and Emma had just come up to know if
+she might go to church with Frances, when Gladys walked in, gorgeously
+arrayed in velvet and silk. Though rather over-dressed she looked very
+pretty, but as soon as she spoke it became evident that she was not in a
+very good humor.
+
+"I don't like Sunday," she asserted, with the air of wishing to shock
+somebody.
+
+Emma exclaimed, "Oh, Gladys!" and looked at Mrs. Morrison to see the
+effect of this remark upon her; but apparently it hadn't any, for the
+lady went on turning the leaves of the book she held, half smiling.
+
+"I do; why don't you like it, Gladys?" asked Frances.
+
+"You can't do anything you want to do, and everybody is cross or taking
+a nap. Mamma has a headache, and she said I shouldn't come over here,
+but I just told her I was coming. I knew she wouldn't care if I didn't
+bother her."
+
+"Your mother is pretty funny, Gladys," Frances observed.
+
+"Suppose you go with us to service this afternoon and hear the Christmas
+music; we can stop and ask your mother on the way," Mrs. Morrison
+suggested.
+
+"Do come, Gladys, it is lovely to hear the choir boys, and perhaps they
+will sing 'O little town of Bethlehem,'" said Frances, adding, with a
+nod to Emma, who knew the story, "That is one of them."
+
+Gladys did not decline the invitation, but she did not seem
+enthusiastic, and presently announced, "Emma says you ought to like to
+go to church better than to the circus, or anywhere, to any
+entertainment, but I don't."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Frances, with a long-drawn breath, "I suppose you ought
+to, but-- Mother, ought you to like church better than tableaux? Don't
+you remember those beautiful ones we saw in North Carolina?"
+
+Emma again looked at Mrs. Morrison, confident in the strength of her
+position. "Oughtn't you?" she urged.
+
+"Let me ask you a question. Which would you rather do, stay at home
+to-morrow afternoon, or go to see 'The Mistletoe Bough'?"
+
+"'The Mistletoe Bough!'" cried three voices.
+
+"Does that mean that you care more for tableaux than you do for your
+homes?"
+
+"No, mother, of course not, only--" Frances hesitated.
+
+"No, of course you do not, but for the time the tableaux are more
+amusing. It seems to me we must make a distinction between caring for
+things and finding them entertaining. You may care a great deal for
+church and yet not find it as amusing as some other places."
+
+"I never thought of it in that way," said Mark, who had come in while
+they were talking.
+
+"We ought not to care too much for amusement, but try to learn to take
+pleasure in other things," continued Mrs. Morrison. "We do not love
+persons or things because we ought to, but because they seem to us
+lovely; and yet when we think for how long people have gone on building
+churches--plain little chapels, grand cathedrals--and have worshipped
+God in them, and found help and blessing, surely we ought not to be
+willing to say, 'I don't like church,' but should try to find out its
+beautiful meaning for ourselves."
+
+"I am afraid I am a good deal like Gladys; I have found it rather a
+bore," said Mark.
+
+"You remember our Christmas picture of the Wise Men," Mrs. Morrison went
+on. "They had learning and wealth and distinction, and yet they took
+that long, weary journey for what?"
+
+"The star," said Gladys.
+
+"To find Jesus," said Frances.
+
+"Yes, with all their riches and learning they felt the need of something
+else, and the star was sent to guide them. And to-day each one of us has
+some heavenly vision which he must obey and follow as the Wise Men
+followed the star."
+
+Frances shook her head. "I never had a vision," she said.
+
+"Yes, I think you have sometimes felt what a beautiful thing it would
+be to be good. Perhaps when you have listened to the Christmas story you
+have determined to let the Christ-Child into your heart. If you have, it
+is your vision; and if you obey it, it will grow stronger and clearer.
+In the midst of all our work and play, the vision often grows dim, but
+going to God's house and thinking of Him and what He wants us to do,
+helps to keep it bright."
+
+"I wish we had a real star to follow; it would be easier," said Gladys.'
+
+"We'd probably forget to watch it," said Mark. "I know how it is at
+school. A fellow makes up his mind to grind away and do his very best,
+and then before he knows it, the edge of his resolution wears off, and
+he finds himself skinning along, taking it easy."
+
+Mrs. Morrison smiled. "Yes, that is the way with most of us: we forget
+so easily. And now let's go to church and try to think what the
+Christmas star means for us."
+
+The Spectacle Man who happened to be at the shop window when the little
+party started out, smiled to himself at sight of Mark walking beside
+Mrs. Morrison. "That is just what my boy needs," he said. "It isn't much
+influence an old uncle can have."
+
+The church was fragrant and beautiful in its Christmas dress, the light
+came softly through the stained windows, and above the festoons and
+wreaths of cedar shone the brilliant star. The children sat very still,
+with earnest faces, till the service began, then, to Frances' delight,
+the processional was "O little town of Bethlehem."
+
+With their heads together over the book, she and Gladys sang too. At the
+last stanza Frances, who knew the words, gazed straight at the star,
+forgetful of everything but the music:--
+
+  "We hear the Christmas Angels
+  The great glad tidings tell;
+  Oh, come to us, abide with us,
+  Our Lord Emmanuel."
+
+But at the Amen something drew her eyes to the other side of the aisle
+where, stately and handsome, stood Mrs. Marvin, watching her. She longed
+to call her mother's attention to this lady of whom she had thought and
+talked so much, but as Gladys sat between it was not possible.
+
+All through the short service she kept stealing glances across the
+aisle, but Mrs. Marvin did not turn again. The sight of the bright child
+face had stirred the memory of an earnest little chorister who used
+sometimes to smile at her over his book as he passed, and she did not
+want to remember those old days; she wished she had not come.
+
+Gladys, who did not often go to church, was interested and touched by
+the simple service. She slipped her hand into Mrs. Morrison's when it
+was over and whispered, "I am glad I came, and I mean to be good."
+
+Perhaps her ideas of goodness were somewhat vague, and certainly there
+was much in her surroundings to cloud the vision, but who can tell what
+fruit an earnest wish may bear.
+
+Frances hoped Mrs. Marvin would speak to her, but the crowd separated
+them, and though she kept a careful watch she did not see her again.
+
+As they walked home in the twilight Mark, who was still beside Mrs.
+Morrison, said, "I'm afraid I don't care enough for church and that sort
+of thing, and though I know of course there must be a great deal in it
+for some people, I never thought of trying to find out what it was, as
+you said. It seemed to me it was something that came of itself, if it
+came at all." He spoke with real earnestness.
+
+"Yet it doesn't seem quite logical to take care of our minds and bodies
+and never think of our souls, does it?" his companion asked. "I remember
+my own schooldays well enough to know how difficult it is not to be
+entirely absorbed in what are called secular things. But after all, it
+is the motive of a life that makes it fine; and if, in all you do, you
+follow the best you know, are faithful and true and kind, that is
+religion. The caring for church and things called sacred will come in
+time; you can't be grown up spiritually all at once, any more than you
+can physically."
+
+"You make it seem reasonable and almost easy," Mark said; "but I thought
+one had to understand a lot of things. You see my mother died when I was
+a little chap, and there was only Aunt Emily. Uncle George is very
+kind, but you can't believe he knows how a boy feels; people forget."
+
+"Perhaps they remember more than impatient young persons give them
+credit for," answered Mrs. Morrison, smiling. "There is one thing, Mark:
+whatever you do, be in earnest."
+
+In the city streets the electric lights had come out one by one, and
+overhead the stars were shining. They walked the last block in silence,
+and when they separated at the door, Mark said, "Thank you, Mrs.
+Morrison."
+
+"What was he thanking you for?" Frances asked.
+
+"I don't know, Wink, unless it was for some advice."
+
+"I think Mark is a nice boy; I am glad he came home," Frances remarked
+as she took off her hat.
+
+At the same moment, down in the study, Mark was saying: "How did you
+ever happen to find them, Uncle George?-- Mrs. Morrison and Frances, I
+mean. They are not like--everybody; they are the real thing. That
+Frances is a regular little princess! How did they happen to come here?"
+
+"I, too, have wondered at it, my boy, but I have learned to take the
+good things that come my way without asking many questions," was the old
+man's reply.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
+
+THREE OF A NAME.
+
+
+Frances stood thoughtfully looking out of the window. To-morrow would be
+New Year's Day and also her mother's birthday, and she had not
+remembered it till this morning. She wondered if she could not in some
+way get some flowers for her. She had her Christmas money from Uncle
+Allan in California, and there was nothing her mother enjoyed more than
+flowers, but who would go with her to get them? Zenobia was busy, and
+Emma was taking care of the General, who had had an attack of croup.
+
+As she stood there Mark came up the walk and lifted his hat to her.
+"Perhaps he will take me," she said, and running into the hall she
+called from the head of the stairs: "Mark, are you very busy? Could you
+do something for me?"
+
+"I am at your ladyship's command," was the reply.
+
+"Then I'll come down and tell you, for it is a secret."
+
+"Is it? Well, I'm splendid at keeping secrets."
+
+Descending, Frances stated the case, and Mark not only said he would be
+glad to go with her, but he knew a place where she could get flowers
+much cheaper than down town.
+
+"I'm so much obliged to you, and now I must ask mother if I can go,"
+Frances said. "I can say you _want_ me to go, can't I? It will be true,
+won't it?" she stopped halfway up the steps to inquire.
+
+"Nothing could be truer," said Mark, laughing.
+
+It did not take long to get her mother's permission, and in a very few
+minutes she came flying down to join her escort at the door.
+
+As they walked up the street, talking merrily, more than one passer-by
+smiled at the pleasant sight, and turned to look again at the tall boy
+and the bright-eyed little girl.
+
+In these two weeks they had come to be great friends. Frances rather
+enjoyed his teasing ways, which so alarmed Emma, and had always a saucy
+reply of some sort ready. She liked to be called your ladyship, and
+accepted his mock homage with a most regal air.
+
+"What kind of flowers are you going to buy?" Mark asked.
+
+"Violets, I think, because mother is specially fond of them."
+
+"Aren't they rather expensive?"
+
+"I don't know. I have two dollars; won't that be enough?" she asked
+anxiously.
+
+"Dear me, I had no idea you were so rich! Are you going to spend all
+that?"
+
+"I don't think that is too much to spend on your mother," she replied
+with emphasis.
+
+"Certainly not, I wasn't objecting in the least."
+
+"No, it wouldn't do any good," she asserted with dignity.
+
+Mark laughed, and inquired what flowers she liked best herself.
+
+"Great big red roses," was the prompt answer.
+
+"Commend me to a princess for extravagant tastes!" Mark exclaimed,
+laughing.
+
+The greenhouse was an enchanting place, and after the violets were
+ordered Frances wandered up and down the fragrant aisles, quite
+unwilling to leave. Mark at length grew impatient. "I am afraid it is
+going to storm; we must go," he said.
+
+Sure enough, before they had gone two blocks it began to rain. Mark
+glanced uneasily at the clouds and then at his companion. Neither of
+them had thought of bringing an umbrella.
+
+"We can take the car at the next corner unless it begins to pour; in
+that case we shall have to go in somewhere," he said, taking her hand.
+
+They were hurrying down the avenue when they heard some one call,
+"Frances! Frances!" and there was Mrs. Marvin just leaving her carriage
+at the gate. "You must come in and wait till the storm is over," she
+said, and almost before they knew what had happened they found
+themselves standing on the porch with her, while the rain swept down in
+torrents.
+
+"I am grateful to the wind for blowing you in my direction," Mrs. Marvin
+said, looking at Frances with her intent gaze.
+
+The little girl smiled, and then remembering that Mrs. Marvin did not
+know Mark, she introduced him.
+
+The lady was very gracious and asked him in to wait till the storm was
+over, but Mark said he had an engagement at home to meet a friend, and
+did not mind the rain for himself; so, being provided with an umbrella,
+he went off, promising to return for Frances when it cleared. This Mrs.
+Marvin assured him would not be necessary, as she would send her home.
+
+"I am always getting caught in the rain," said Frances, as she went
+upstairs, her hand clasped in Mrs. Marvin's. "That was the way I
+happened to get acquainted with the Spectacle Man."
+
+"I am glad something brought you to me; I have been wondering if I
+should ever see you again."
+
+When her own room was reached the lady sat down and drew the child to
+her. "Have you forgotten me in all these weeks?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, no, I couldn't do that," was the reply.
+
+"You couldn't? Why not?" and she was drawn closer.
+
+Frances thought this was not the sort of person to be easily forgotten,
+but she only smiled.
+
+"I'd better not take it off," she said, as Mrs. Marvin began to unfasten
+her coat. "Mark will be back."
+
+"But you couldn't go out in such a storm, dear; you are going to take
+lunch with me."
+
+Clearly there was nothing to do but submit, and Frances was not
+unwilling. Mrs. Marvin looked at her fondly; the slender little figure
+in the blue sailor suit quite satisfied her fastidious taste. It puzzled
+her, too, for such daintiness and grace seemed to her altogether
+incompatible with what she had heard of the child's surroundings. Her
+sympathies were narrowed by her sensitiveness to anything that fell
+below her own standard of taste. She had yet to learn that there was a
+broader culture than hers. No wonder she was bewildered as she listened
+to Frances' frank chatter.
+
+That this young person was very much of a chatterbox could not be
+denied. Her father often said it would not take a Philadelphia lawyer to
+find out all she knew, and on this occasion she had an interested
+hearer.
+
+"Emma and I think this is a lovely house," she remarked, as they went
+down to lunch. "I like our flat," she added loyally, "only of course
+there isn't so much room in it."
+
+This, to her, made the chief difference,--more room, more things. Her
+own home life had always been harmonious, had expressed grace and
+refinement in a simpler way, indeed, but as truly as Mrs. Marvin's; and
+so having always had the emphasis laid upon the best things, she felt no
+embarrassment, but only a frank enjoyment in this beautiful house.
+
+When lunch was over, Mrs. Marvin led the way to the library, where the
+wood fire burned, and the little girl smiled down from above the mantle,
+and a great bunch of American Beauties bent their stately heads over a
+tall vase. What a combination of delights! Frances hung over the flowers
+with such pleasure in her eyes that her hostess said: "Do you like
+roses? You must take those with you when you go."
+
+Mrs. Marvin took out a portfolio of photographs she thought might be
+interesting, and they went over them together. She knew perfectly how to
+be entertaining, and Frances enjoyed it very much, but when they came to
+the last one she said: "Mrs. Marvin, won't you tell me now about that
+portrait? I like it better than any picture I ever saw."
+
+"Why, certainly, dear; that is my mother when she was a child. It is one
+of my greatest treasures."
+
+Frances felt disappointed. "Then she is not a little girl now," she
+said.
+
+"No; the picture was painted many years ago, in London, when my
+grandfather was Minister to England. My mother was an only child."
+
+"I am an only child, too," Frances remarked, her eyes fixed on the
+portrait.
+
+"Perhaps you will be interested to know that her name was the same as
+your own."
+
+"Was it? And your name, too, is Frances, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, we are three of a name," was Mrs. Marvin's answer.
+
+"I suppose--" Frances hesitated.
+
+"What, dear?"
+
+"I was going to ask if the little girl was alive now."
+
+"No; she lived to grow up and marry, and died while she was still very
+young and beautiful, leaving three little children."
+
+It was hard to realize that so much had happened to this bright-eyed
+girl; Frances wrinkled her brow in the effort, and sat very still. After
+a while she said, "I am glad her name was Frances; she always makes me
+think of the Girl in the Golden Doorway."
+
+"What is that?" Mrs. Marvin inquired.
+
+"It is one of father's stories," was the answer, and without much urging
+she told it, and told it well, because she was so fond of it. "It makes
+me want to see him so," she added with a sigh, at the end.
+
+Mrs. Marvin listened, her face almost hidden by the screen she held.
+"Did your father ever tell you anything more of his childhood?" she
+asked.
+
+"Not very much. He went to live somewhere else, I think, and I don't
+know what became of the picture. There is something about it I don't
+understand, but some time I know he will tell me. I think a certain
+person has something to do with it."
+
+"Whom do you mean by a certain person?"
+
+"It is some one who was once a friend of father's, but is not now. That
+is all I know, except that I heard him tell mother he did not mind our
+staying here, because a certain person was abroad; but I guess maybe I
+oughtn't to say anything about it," Frances concluded uneasily.
+
+The conversation was interrupted by a servant who announced a young man
+to take the little girl home.
+
+"It is Mark," Frances exclaimed, jumping up.
+
+While they had been talking the wind had grown quiet, and the rain had
+turned to a wet snow. Mark had brought her waterproof and overshoes, but
+Mrs. Marvin insisted upon ordering the carriage. She held Frances in her
+arms and kissed her as if she could not bear to let her go.
+
+"I have had a beautiful time, and I am so much obliged for the roses,"
+the child said, when at last she was released.
+
+They drove home in state through the wet streets. "I tell you this is
+fine!" said Mark; "I mean to be rich some day."
+
+"So do I," replied Frances from behind her roses, and neither of them
+dreamed what a lonely heart they had left behind them in that beautiful
+house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
+
+A CONFIDENCE.
+
+
+This second encounter with Mrs. Marvin both annoyed and puzzled Mrs.
+Morrison. It had come about naturally enough, yet she could not help
+feeling that this lady's interest in a child she had not seen or heard
+of six weeks ago was extraordinary; and though she did not wish to spoil
+Frances' pleasure in her roses, she shook her head at the thought of
+what they must have cost.
+
+The violets which arrived early on New Year's morning gave great
+satisfaction, although they were, after all, the cause of her
+disquietude. Half an hour later came an express package from Honolulu,
+containing some trifles of native manufacture in sandalwood and ivory, a
+number of photographs, and a long birthday letter.
+
+"I almost wish," Mr. Morrison wrote, "that our new home was to be on
+this enchanting island. The box is for Frances' jewels when she gets
+them, the other things to be divided as you see fit. If it were not for
+the thought of two small persons in the house of the Spectacle Man away
+off in the United States, I should be strongly tempted to run over to
+China, it seems so near. But never mind! when Frances is grown we'll
+make a journey around the world."
+
+"I think father is so nice," Frances remarked, as if she had but
+recently made his acquaintance, locking and unlocking her box with as
+much pleasure as if it had been full of jewels.
+
+Mrs. Morrison laughed happily; she knew what her daughter meant but
+could not express the charm of sympathetic companionship. "Oh, Frances!"
+she exclaimed quite gravely the next moment, "it has been good for us
+to do without him for a while. We are so happy together I am afraid it
+makes us selfish."
+
+Mark left for school the first of the next week. His parting words to
+Mrs. Morrison were: "You have been awfully good to me, and I'll not
+forget some of the things you have said. The house has been a different
+place with you and the Princess here, and I hope I shall find you when I
+come back."
+
+"I don't know about that," was the reply. "Just at present we are
+wanderers, but we must look out for a home before long; and wherever it
+is we'll be glad to see you."
+
+After this, things quieted down into the old routine, only now Frances
+began to count the weeks that must pass before her father's return. By
+the first of April, if not sooner, he had promised.
+
+She came down from her drawing lesson in great glee one morning. "Miss
+Sherwin's story has been taken, mother, and they are going to print it
+in March; aren't you glad? And they like the illustrations, too, and say
+they will be glad to hear from her again; I saw the letter."
+
+"It shows their good taste; I must go up and congratulate her," said
+Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"She did not seem to care much about it, mother. I don't think she is
+quite happy," Frances remarked with an air of great penetration.
+
+Mrs. Morrison had become very fond of Lillian. Over their Christmas work
+they had found each other out, and a real friendship had begun. Beneath
+the girl's somewhat cold and reserved manner there was a genuine
+sweetness and charm which had at once responded to the unaffected
+friendliness of the older woman.
+
+Miss Moore professed to be extremely jealous, saying that already
+Lillian cared more for Mrs. Morrison than she did for her; and on the
+other hand, although she herself had been sociable to the last degree
+with her neighbors, they openly preferred her taciturn companion. "It is
+well that virtue is its own reward, for it certainly does not get any
+other, in my experience," she remarked whimsically.
+
+"Don't be such a goose, Mary; you know everybody likes you," replied
+Miss Sherwin.
+
+"Oh, yes, they like me, and say I am good-natured, because there is
+nothing else to be said. It is my fate to be commonplace, and I must
+make up my mind to it," and Miss Moore hurried away to her afternoon
+class with her usual cheery face. Her moody friend was a puzzle to her,
+and she by no means begrudged her any companionship that would make her
+happier.
+
+Miss Sherwin sat at her desk. Before her lay the envelope containing
+the check in payment for "The Story of the Missing Bridge," but she did
+not look like one whose efforts had been crowned with success. After a
+few ineffectual attempts to go to work, her head went down among the
+papers, and it was thus Mrs. Morrison found her.
+
+"I knocked and thought I heard you answer," she said, "but even if I did
+not, I can't go away now without trying to comfort you."
+
+The pressure of the arm around her, the touch of the soft hand, was too
+grateful to be resisted; Lillian leaned her head against her friend as
+she sobbed, "It is only that I am such a goose!"
+
+"I know all about that, dear, we so frequently are," Mrs. Morrison
+replied, smiling a little all to herself. "But," she added, "you ought
+to be happy to-day. I came up to congratulate you on your story."
+
+"I have had three taken this week, and instead of being happy I hate it
+all!" Lillian's head went down on the papers again.
+
+By dint of much patient encouragement and real sympathetic interest the
+story came out by degrees; all the hidden sorrow of months found an
+outlet in the broken little confession. Not very clearly told, it was
+yet plain enough in a general way.
+
+A boy and girl friendship had grown into something stronger. Only a year
+ago they had made happy plans for the future they meant to spend
+together. Then came the misunderstanding--a trifling thing in the
+beginning, but which grew until she was convinced she had made a
+mistake, that she had never really cared. She felt she needed freedom to
+go her own way and do her own work. She would be independent and try
+life for herself.
+
+He had laughed at first, and this hurt her pride. She would show him
+she was not a weak dependent creature, and with some bitter words they
+had parted.
+
+"I thought I did not care--that I could be happy in my work. I meant to
+be famous and I did not mind being lonely," said Lillian; "but now that
+I am having a little success it means nothing because--" she hesitated,
+and Mrs. Morrison said softly--
+
+"Success doesn't mean much unless there is some one to share it and be
+glad with us.
+
+"Yes, that is it. Perhaps if I were a genius it would be different, but
+I have only a poor little talent, after all. And I see how I was most to
+blame. I was hateful and proud--and now there is no help for it. I don't
+know why I should tell it, except that you are so kind, for it cannot be
+undone, and I must learn to bear it."
+
+"It is so much better for you to speak of it, dear. And do you know
+what I am thinking? That it is not easy to destroy the bridge between
+two hearts that really love; isn't that it? All you can do is to wait
+and be patient, going on with your work and making yourself worthy of
+the best that can happen to you."
+
+"But when one makes a mistake one has to bear the consequences," said
+Lillian, sadly.
+
+"The pain and self-accusation--yes, but how often we are given the
+opportunity of undoing our mistakes. It is a hard, hard lesson you have
+to learn, but isn't there a star of hope somewhere that you can fix your
+eyes upon. Forgive me for pressing your own moral upon you, but it has
+helped me and I want you to take comfort."
+
+As Mrs. Morrison went slowly down stairs again, she said to herself,
+"Poor little girl! I wish I could help her; but if her lover is what he
+ought to be, he will come back, I am sure."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.
+
+HARD TIMES.
+
+
+Bad weather was predicted by the almanac for the first week in February,
+and bad weather prevailed both indoors and out.
+
+Frances had an attack of grip which came near being pneumonia, and
+caused her mother some anxious days. Miss Sherwin, going in one evening
+to ask Zenobia about the patient, found Mrs. Morrison herself in the
+kitchen, crying as if her heart would break, her face buried in one of
+her little daughter's white aprons that lay on the ironing-board.
+
+"Is she worse?" Lillian exclaimed, much alarmed, for surely it must be
+something serious to unnerve this bright, hopeful person.
+
+"I don't know--the doctor didn't say so--but she is ill, and one can
+never tell. Oh, my darling baby!--if she should get worse, and Jack
+away--why did I let him go!" she began a trembling search for her
+handkerchief. "I left her with Zenobia-- I couldn't stand it any longer,
+but I must go back now," she said, wiping her eyes. "I know I am
+foolish, but I can't help it."
+
+"You are not foolish at all, but tired and anxious, poor child," said
+Lillian, with her arms around her. "Now listen to me; Frances is going
+to pull through, I am certain of it. The doctor would have said so, if
+he thought her very ill; but I am going to stay with you. I am a good
+nurse,-- I took care of my little cousin only a year ago, in just such
+an attack, and you may lie on the sofa and watch me."
+
+"Oh, thank you, but--"
+
+"Please don't say a word, dear, for I know I can help. I am going to
+take Zenobia's place now, and you may come when you have bathed your
+face."
+
+There was strength in Lillian's quiet, confident tone; Mrs. Morrison
+smiled through her tears: "You will think me a great fraud, after all my
+good advice to you. Like the physician who gave up his profession to
+enter the ministry, I find it easier to preach than to practise."
+
+"I am glad you are human," Lillian answered, and dropping a kiss on her
+forehead, she went to relieve Zenobia.
+
+She was quite right in thinking she could help, and during the few days
+while Frances lingered on the brink of a serious illness she was a tower
+of comfort and strength. The experience drew them closer together; and
+when the worst was over, and the patient convalescing, Mrs. Morrison
+said she believed it was worth all the anxiety to have found out this
+side of Lillian.
+
+"I do want you and Jack to know each other," she said, and this meant
+that her new friend had been taken into the inner circle.
+
+About this time the Spectacle Man sat at his desk in the room below with
+an anxious look on his usually cheery face. The storm cloud had settled
+upon him, too, and his trouble was a question of money.
+
+The directors of a certain institution in which he owned a good deal of
+stock had thought it wise to pass their semi-yearly dividend, and with
+hard times affecting everything more or less, he could not see how Mark
+was to be kept at school. Sitting there, he tortured himself with the
+thought of what he might have done if he had only foreseen. He called
+himself an old fogy, and wished he might be twenty years younger.
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
+
+The song rose to his lips unconsciously, and he hummed it in a dreary
+fashion that caused Peterkin to open his eyes. At least he did open
+them, and there was something in the serenity of those yellow orbs that
+recalled the Spectacle Man to himself.
+
+"You are right, Peterkin, I am foolish, and I thank you for telling me
+so," he said, stooping to caress the smooth head. "There is always a
+way, and you'll find it if you'll keep your eyes open, and don't let the
+clouds of despair and distrust gather and hide it," he continued to
+himself, and he began to sing again, this time in a cheery tone.
+
+That same evening he went to see Mrs. Gray. It was a business call, for
+the old lady needed some stronger glasses, and could not get out in bad
+weather to attend to it herself; but after he had tried her eyes, they
+fell to talking about other matters.
+
+Mrs. Gray was lonely and unhappy. Her only son was going to be married,
+and she knew she was a burden to him, and she wished she was dead. She
+had not meant to tell it, but the benevolent face of the Spectacle Man
+invited confidence.
+
+He confessed to being blue himself, and then he told her briefly the
+story of the bridge.
+
+"You may say it is all made up, but some way I know it is true," he
+added earnestly. "There is always a way, if only we are patient and
+don't give up. You haven't begun to be a burden yet, and I haven't had
+to bring Mark home. We can't _see_ the way, but if we go on a step at a
+time, we'll find it."
+
+Emma was also having a taste of bad weather. In the first place, the
+General had an illness much like Frances', and this meant that he must
+be kept in bed and amused from morning till night. Then Emma's teacher
+decided to have her pupils give an entertainment on Washington's
+Birthday, and Emma was selected among others to take part. It was an
+event of great importance to the school children, and at recess nothing
+else was talked about.
+
+As Emma expressed it, she had never been _in_ anything before in her
+life, and no prima donna was ever more excited over her debut than she
+at the thought of this little recitation; but her pleasure met with a
+sudden check upon the discovery that a white dress would be necessary.
+She hadn't a white dress, and she knew it was hopeless to think of
+getting one in time, still she couldn't help mentioning it to her
+mother.
+
+"A white dress! Will you tell me how on earth you could get one? Even if
+I had the money to buy it, where would I find time to make it? It is all
+nonsense anyway." Mrs. Bond was tired out and spoke with more emphasis
+than she would otherwise have used.
+
+Her daughter turned away quite crushed by the pitiless logic. She should
+have to tell Miss Ellen and the girls that she couldn't be in it
+because she hadn't any dress. She couldn't help shedding some bitter
+tears, and that was how the Spectacle Man found out about it.
+
+Her mother sent her into the shop to get some change, and his supply
+being low Mr. Clark despatched Dick to get some; then noticing the red
+eyes, he asked what the trouble was, and something in his kind,
+sympathetic face drew forth the story.
+
+As he listened an idea came to the Spectacle Man. "Now, Emma," he said,
+"don't worry any more about this till--well, till Monday morning. This
+is Friday, so you won't have to do anything about it till then, and in
+the meantime something may happen. Indeed, I'm almost sure something
+will."
+
+All this may not have been very logical, but Emma carried away her
+change with a much lighter heart.
+
+That evening when Mrs. Morrison went in to pay her rent, she stopped to
+chat with the optician. Frances was eating oyster soup upstairs with
+Miss Sherwin and Zenobia in attendance, and her mother was feeling very
+happy.
+
+"Mrs. Morrison," Mr. Clark began in a somewhat embarrassed manner as she
+was about to leave, "you know more of the value of such things than I
+do; do you think any of these old belongings of mine are worth anything?
+In money, I mean." By a wave of his hand he seemed to indicate all that
+was in the room.
+
+"I should think so. The portrait, of course, is, and that cabinet looks
+very handsome to me. Are you thinking of selling?" she asked.
+
+"I may have to, the times are so hard, and Mark must be kept at school.
+Some of my investments aren't paying anything now." He paused a moment,
+then added, "You wouldn't believe what a foolish old fellow I am, but
+I'd rather set my heart on giving that portrait to some collection. I
+have liked to think how it would look on the catalogue,--'Presented by
+George W. Clark'--all nonsense, of course. Some ladies were here to-day
+to ask if I would exhibit it. The Colonial Dames are to have a Loan
+Exhibit."
+
+"I hope you will not have to sell it, but if you should, that will be an
+excellent way of advertising it. Oughtn't you to let Mark know the state
+of affairs? Don't spoil him; he is such a fine fellow," answered Mrs.
+Morrison.
+
+"There's time enough for that," said Mr. Clark, and then added, "I want
+to speak to you about something else," and he told the story of Emma's
+trouble. "I thought perhaps you could--"
+
+"Yes, indeed, I'm sure I can. Thank you for telling me," she held out
+her hand. "How kind you are, Mr. Clark! Good night."
+
+This makes it quite plain how Mrs. Morrison happened to walk into Mrs.
+Bond's domain the next day with a white dress over her arm.
+
+"I want you to look at this, Mrs. Bond," she said. "It is a dress I
+had made for Frances last spring, and by a mistake it was cut so
+short it had to be faced. Now she has outgrown it, and nothing can
+be done. Do you think Emma could wear it? Frances is a good deal
+taller. I have thought of offering it to you before, and now it has
+occurred to me that Emma may not have a dress ready to wear to the
+school entertainment,--Gladys was telling us about it yesterday,--and
+if you will accept it, it will be doing me a great favor. I dislike so
+to have it wasted."
+
+"It is a very pretty dress; it is too bad Frances can't wear it," Mrs.
+Bond remarked, examining it critically.
+
+"Then you will let me give it to Emma?"
+
+Emma's mother was not hard hearted; she liked to see her children happy,
+but she had a stern feeling that hardship was likely to be their lot in
+this world, and the sooner they became used to it the better. However,
+when her pride was convinced that Mrs. Morrison could not use the dress,
+she accepted it gratefully.
+
+Emma's joy was beyond words, and she very much wondered how the
+Spectacle Man could have known that something was going to happen.
+
+When the eventful day came, Mrs. Morrison rolled her hair for her and
+tied her long braids with butterfly bows of red, white, and blue, and
+when she was dressed, Frances said, "Why, Emma, I believe you are as
+pretty as Gladys!"
+
+Certainly no little girl waved her flag with more enthusiasm, or
+rejoiced more truly in the celebration of Washington's Birthday.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
+
+AT THE LOAN EXHIBIT.
+
+
+Before the end of February there began to be hints of spring in the air;
+now and then there came a day so mild and fair it seemed to belong to
+April, and as the winter passed it carried with it some at least of the
+cares that had for a while rested upon the inmates of the optician's
+house.
+
+Frances and her mother rejoiced because every day brought nearer their
+traveller's return; Miss Moore, busy with the Easter work in her
+kindergarten, was finding a new meaning in the season; and even Lillian
+Sherwin felt now and then a thrill of joy that was like a prophecy of
+days to come, to her sore heart.
+
+Mr. Clark was cheerful because he loved sunshine; and though he could
+not as yet see the way through his difficulties, he felt sure it was
+there, and that in good time he should find it.
+
+The pleasure of Washington's Birthday lingered with Emma; the General,
+restored to health and amiability, was no longer such a care, and she
+found time once more to spend in that haven of delight upstairs with
+Frances.
+
+George Washington was sent to the Loan Exhibit, together with the
+cabinet, some silver candlesticks, and the Wedgwood cream jug and sugar
+dish. With the blank space over the mantel the study looked deserted;
+and the owl, deprived of his resting-place on the cabinet, perched
+forlornly on a corner of the bookcase.
+
+Frances took great interest in the Exhibit, and insisted upon going,
+chiefly it seemed for the purpose of seeing how Washington looked in
+his new surroundings. As Mrs. Morrison was housed with a cold, Miss
+Sherwin offered to take her.
+
+They found a beautiful display of valuable and interesting things
+arranged in a large, handsomely decorated hall; but not until Frances
+had viewed the portrait and made a diligent search for Mr. Clark's other
+possessions would she give any attention to less familiar things.
+
+She and Lillian were bending with delight over a case of miniatures when
+she heard her name spoken, and turning, saw Mrs. Marvin.
+
+"Do you like the miniatures?" the lady asked. "Then come over to the
+other side; there is one there I want you to see."
+
+[Illustration: "She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds"]
+
+She pointed out a picture, set in diamonds, of a lovely young woman.
+
+"How pretty! Is it you?" Frances asked, seeing a resemblance to the
+handsome face beside her.
+
+Mrs. Marvin smiled. "No, it is my mother,--the little girl you are so
+fond of, after she was grown. They wanted the portrait too," she added,
+"but I have decided not to trust it out of my hands again."
+
+She pointed out several other miniatures in which she thought Frances
+would be interested, all the while keeping the child's hand clasped in
+her own. Miss Sherwin, seeing her charge had found an acquaintance,
+moved on down the aisle.
+
+"Your friend seems to be interested in the manuscripts; suppose we rest
+a few minutes," and Mrs. Marvin drew Frances down beside her on a settee
+that stood near a tall case of lace and embroidery.
+
+"Who is the young lady with you?" she asked.
+
+Frances' explained, and Mrs. Marvin remarked that she was a handsome
+girl.
+
+"And she is clever, too, for she writes lovely stories and illustrates
+them," said Frances, impressively.
+
+"Does she, indeed?"
+
+"Yes, she wrote one for us about a song the Spectacle Man--I mean Mr.
+Clark--sings. It is a fairy tale, and _The Young People's Journal_ took
+it and are going to publish it next month. It has a beautiful moral to
+it."
+
+"What do you know about morals?" laughed Mrs. Marvin.
+
+"I found this one out when I had a quarrel with Gladys. Mr. Clark helped
+me to see it," was the reply; and then, as her companion looked
+interested, Frances continued:
+
+"It is hard to explain it because you haven't read the story. It is
+called 'The Missing Bridge,' and is about a young man who couldn't get
+across the river that was between him and the girl he was going to
+marry, because there wasn't any bridge. That is he _thought_ there
+wasn't, though it really was there all the time, and had just been made
+invisible by a magician.
+
+"Well, you know Gladys said she never would speak to me again, and that
+was like having the bridge broken between us; don't you think so? But
+Mr. Clark said he thought it was only hidden by the clouds of anger and
+unkindness. I think it is very uncomfortable to quarrel, don't you?"
+then, seeing an odd expression in her companion's face, Frances hastened
+to add: "Of course I know you wouldn't quarrel with any one _now_, but I
+thought maybe you had when you were a little girl. But don't you think
+it is a nice moral? and--oh, yes--the last of it is that love and
+courage can always find a way."
+
+"And how about you and Gladys?"
+
+"We made up. If you would like to read the story, Mrs. Marvin, it will
+be out next week. The March number of _The Young People's Journal_, and
+it's only twenty-five cents."
+
+Mrs. Marvin smiled. "I shall certainly get a copy," she said, adding, "I
+see your friend looking this way. Suppose we go to her; I should like to
+meet her."
+
+Why she said this she couldn't have told, and she half repented it the
+next minute; but when Frances introduced Miss Sherwin she was all
+graciousness.
+
+"Frances and I have an odd way of meeting every now and then, and have
+become great friends. I have been showing her a miniature of my mother,
+and she has been telling me about your story."
+
+"Why, Frances!" said Miss Sherwin, a pretty color coming into her face.
+
+This girl was extremely attractive, Mrs. Marvin decided, and found a
+good deal to say to her over the collection of ancient missals. After a
+while Frances wandered off to look at the portraits.
+
+Mrs. Marvin's eyes followed her as, with her hands clasped behind her,
+she stood gazing at an old pioneer.
+
+"She is a very charming child," she remarked.
+
+"She is, and she ought to be, for her mother is one of the sweetest
+women in the world," Miss Sherwin responded, in eager praise of her
+friend, but the next moment she had the feeling of having somehow said
+the wrong thing. Was it some change of expression in the handsome face,
+or simply the silence that followed her little outburst, which caused
+her discomfort? She could not tell. She had been wonderfully charmed by
+this stately person, but now the spell was broken; with one impulse they
+moved toward Frances.
+
+"I don't believe I like her, after all," Lillian thought; and yet there
+was a marvellous sweetness in the smile that greeted the child, and
+brought her with instant response to Mrs. Marvin's side.
+
+As they were making their way to the door after taking leave of Mrs.
+Marvin, Miss Sherwin saw a lady step out from a group of people, and
+exclaim: "Why, Mrs. Richards! how do you do? It was only the other day I
+heard of your unexpected return." And the person to whom this greeting
+was addressed was no other than Mrs. Marvin herself. It puzzled her, but
+she said nothing about it to Mrs. Morrison when they related their
+morning's adventures.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
+
+THE MARCH NUMBER OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S JOURNAL.
+
+
+Mrs. Marvin was in a sadly restless state of mind. She wished again and
+again that chance had not brought this child in her way. Having seen
+her, she could not forget her, and each meeting cost her fresh pain.
+
+And what was to be the outcome of it? Nothing? Frances had said they
+would soon be going away. Perhaps then she might be able to settle down
+again into the old life of resolutely putting aside the past.
+
+She was not so strong as she used to be, yet she must endure it as she
+had done for so many years. There was nothing she could do. Her pride
+told her this with added emphasis each time the half-formed question
+rose in her mind.
+
+She actually fretted herself into a fever which the doctor pronounced
+malarial, advising change of air,--a prescription Mrs. Marvin had no
+thought of trying at present.
+
+After several days in bed, she was lying on her couch weak and languid
+one morning, when she suddenly remembered the March number of _The Young
+People's Journal_. She would send for it and read the story.
+
+When it was brought there came with it the swift recollection that Jack
+used to take it. She could see him now poring over the puzzle column,
+looking up with such a triumphant light in his brown eyes when he
+discovered an answer.
+
+She held the paper for a long time without opening it, lying quite still
+with a desolate look on her face that was more than Caroline, her
+faithful nurse, could stand.
+
+"I declare, if Miss Frances doesn't cheer up, I don't know what I shall
+do," she said to the seamstress.
+
+After a while Mrs. Marvin began to turn the pages, till she found the
+story of "The Missing Bridge," with the gay little tune for a heading.
+
+It is doubtful if under ordinary circumstances she would have had
+patience to read the simple story through, but to-day she found
+something soothing in its very simplicity.
+
+"No power can destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts." She
+lay thinking of what Frances had said about her quarrel with Gladys. Ah!
+many another bridge had been made invisible by clouds of anger and
+pride. The paper slipped from her grasp. "I _did_ love him so dearly,"
+she cried, clasping her hands; "and I thought he cared for me, but now
+he has probably forgotten."
+
+"Faith and courage can find the way--" so said the story.
+
+"But I have neither," sighed Mrs. Marvin.
+
+Her unquiet mind seized upon the words of the little song, and all
+through the day she said them over and over:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it."
+
+The clock ticked:--
+
+  "The bridge is broke and I have to mend it, mend it,   mend it, mend
+    it."
+
+Even the horses' hoofs on the asphalt street rang out the same refrain.
+
+Mrs. Marvin rose from her couch in some respects a changed woman. It
+seemed to her she had lived years in that illness of two weeks. In her
+soul a battle had been waged, and the struggle had left her passive and
+unresisting; she was waiting. The outward result was a strange, new
+gentleness of manner.
+
+At the time of the Loan Exhibit she had been commissioned by a friend
+to purchase a wedding gift, which was to be, if possible, something
+antique. The silver candlesticks belonging to Mr. Clark rather pleased
+her; and thinking he might have other interesting things, she had
+written his address in her note-book, intending to go and see for
+herself, but her illness had interfered. When she was once more able to
+be out this was her first thought.
+
+In the meantime the March _Journal_ was being read by a good many
+persons who ordinarily never looked at it. The household at the
+Spectacle Man's naturally took a deep interest in it; and Miss Sherwin
+said she felt she ought to divide the profits, for if it had not been
+for the song and Mrs. Morrison's suggestion, the story would never have
+been written.
+
+Frances laid emphatic commands upon her father to buy a copy the minute
+he landed in San Francisco; and Mr. Clark was also charged to remind
+Mark of the story, when he wrote.
+
+In the hurry of sending telegrams, attending to his baggage, and making
+arrangements for an early start eastward, Mr. Morrison forgot this
+important matter, and it did not occur to him till, halfway on his
+homeward journey, he one morning saw the paper among others the train
+boy was carrying through the cars. He promptly purchased it, for it
+would never do to meet his little daughter without having read the story
+which was, she said, almost as good as one of his own.
+
+Soon after leaving San Francisco, Mr. Morrison had made the acquaintance
+of a young civil engineer who was on his way to his home in Tennessee
+for a visit. He had frank, gentlemanly manners, and the cheerful,
+self-reliant air of a trained worker who loves his work, and the
+travellers were at once attracted to each other. As so often happens,
+they discovered mutual friends, and also that they had the same
+affection for Southern life and ways. Alexander Carter, as he gave his
+name, had recently accepted a position with a Western mining company,--a
+place of trust and responsibility of which he was justly proud in a
+modest way.
+
+"You seem to have found something amusing," he remarked, seeing Mr.
+Morrison smiling over the magazine.
+
+"Well, no, it happens to be a rather serious story, but something
+reminded me of my little daughter," was the reply. "By the way, Carter,"
+he added, "it is odd, but the hero of this tale bears a remarkable
+resemblance to you--I mean in the illustration. See here!" Mr. Morrison
+held before him the picture of the young farmer as he knelt to release
+the white rabbit. "This is your profile exactly. Don't you see it
+yourself?"
+
+Mr. Carter laughed. "I believe there is a faint likeness, which only
+goes to show that I have a very ordinary countenance."
+
+"That is just what you have not, which is the curious part of it," said
+Mr. Morrison.
+
+"Who wrote the story?" his companion asked.
+
+"It is unsigned, and I have forgotten the name. She is a young lady of
+whom my wife and daughter are very fond."
+
+At St. Louis the travellers separated with cordial good-byes, feeling
+like old friends, and Mr. Morrison rushed off to catch the train that
+would take him to his destination some hours earlier than he had
+expected to arrive.
+
+Mr. Carter, gathering up his things in a more leisurely way, noticed
+_The Young People's Journal_ lying on the seat, and put it in his bag.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
+
+SURPRISES.
+
+
+"Expect me Wednesday evening; will wire from St. Louis," so read the
+telegram from San Francisco; and on Wednesday morning Frances had just
+exclaimed over her oatmeal, "O dear, what a long day this will be!" when
+the door opened and there stood a familiar figure, looking, oh, so
+bright and well!
+
+After some moments of rapturous hugs and incoherent remarks, the
+traveller was allowed to have some breakfast, while Mrs. Morrison and
+Frances looked on, too happy to eat.
+
+"I had to surprise you, for a despatch sent after I left St. Louis would
+have aroused you in the night, or else not have reached you till about
+this time," Mr. Morrison explained as he helped himself to a muffin.
+
+"Jack, how brown you are, and how well you look! It is a delight to see
+you," said his wife.
+
+"I never was better in my life; but I can't tell you how I have wished
+for you and Frances."
+
+"Next time you'll take me, won't you, father?" Frances asked.
+
+"Yes, indeed. Wink, I believe you have grown a foot! You'll soon be a
+young lady, and I don't like it; people will begin to think your mother
+and I are elderly, when we are really in the heyday of youth."
+
+In this irrelevant fashion conversation went on through the day. There
+were all the winter experiences to be related, and Frances could not
+rest till each person in the house had been brought in to see her
+father. First of all Mr. Clark ran up to say how glad he was to see the
+traveller back again; and on her way to school Miss Moore looked in with
+a merry greeting; then Emma and the General were waylaid in the hall
+and introduced, the former in a dreadful fit of shyness; and last, Miss
+Sherwin was pounced upon and dragged reluctantly into the sitting room.
+
+To her Mr. Morrison's return meant the breaking up of the pleasant
+companionship of the winter, and she was not in the least glad to see
+him. Mrs. Morrison's exclamation as she entered was somewhat
+disconcerting.
+
+"Jack, I want you to know Lillian, she has been so good to me!"
+
+"Good! I?" Miss Sherwin cried in a tone that made them all laugh, and
+then her hand was given a cordial grasp by a tall man with a boyish
+face, who said, "We shall have to take each other on sufferance, Miss
+Sherwin, till we can find out for ourselves how much truth there is in
+what our friends say of us."
+
+"I am very glad we came here; it has really been a delightful
+winter,--all but those two dreadful days when Frances was so ill,--but I
+don't think I can ever let you go again," Mrs. Morrison said. It was
+after lunch, and Frances had gone to get ready for a walk with her
+father.
+
+"Then, will you go to New York with me next week?" asked her husband.
+
+"I may have to stand that. It will depend on how soon we must leave here
+permanently. Jack, there is one rather strange thing I must tell you--"
+but just here Frances danced in, and her mother did not finish her
+sentence.
+
+When they returned from their walk late in the afternoon they stopped in
+the shop for a moment to speak to Mr. Clark. Peterkin was the only
+person to be seen, but the door into the study stood open, and,
+supposing the Spectacle Man was there, Frances and her father entered.
+Some one was standing before the mantel looking up at the portrait of
+Washington, and Frances gave an exclamation of surprise, for it was not
+the optician, but, of all persons, Mrs. Marvin!
+
+It was not very light, and for a second she thought she must be
+mistaken, then something very strange happened. Mrs. Marvin turned, and
+with a little cry stepped forward, holding out her hands appealingly.
+"Jack, O Jack!" she said.
+
+The astonished child saw the light in her father's eyes as he exclaimed,
+"Auntie!" and then his arms were around her, her cheek pressed to his.
+
+"Jack, I have wanted you so;" the words came with a sob.
+
+"Dear auntie, I am so glad!"
+
+Mrs. Marvin was not one to lose her self-control for long; she presently
+lifted her head, with one hand on his shoulder she looked at him. "You
+have not changed," she said, "but I have grown old."
+
+In truth, she was very white now the first flush of excitement was
+fading, and with gentle hands Jack put her into the shabby leather
+chair, and drew another to her side.
+
+"I wonder if I shall wake and find it a dream," she said, smiling up at
+him.
+
+"It is better than any dream," he answered, bending over her.
+
+"I have been so lonely,--it has been so long. I thought perhaps you had
+forgotten, and-- I am sorry-- Jack." It was the proud woman's surrender,
+and John Morrison was touched to the heart. Tears rose to his eyes.
+
+"It was more my fault than yours, dear,--the years have taught me that,
+and I have often wished I could tell you so," he said.
+
+Frances had stood an amazed spectator of this scene. What did it mean?
+Ought she to stay? It was plain she was forgotten. After a little she
+touched her father's arm, saying softly, "Daddy, I'm here, you know."
+
+The plaintive tone recalled both her companions; her father drew her to
+his side, but before he could speak Mrs. Marvin took her hand.
+
+"Frances darling, you will love me, won't you? You are my own little
+niece. The day when I first saw you in my library you reminded me of my
+dear Jack."
+
+It was Mr. Morrison's turn to be surprised as his daughter impulsively
+threw her arms round the lady's neck, exclaiming, "I do love you, but I
+didn't know you knew father."
+
+"And I didn't know you knew each other," he said.
+
+"And I don't understand how you happened to come here," added his aunt.
+
+"Why, we live here, Mrs. Marvin," Frances replied.
+
+"Mrs. Marvin!" echoed Mr. Morrison.
+
+"That is a mistake which I encouraged because I wanted to see more of
+her," his aunt said; adding, "Is this really the house of the Spectacle
+Man?"
+
+There was so much to be explained it seemed almost hopeless; Mr. Clark
+came in and went out again unobserved. It was not an opportune time for
+selling candlesticks, evidently.
+
+"We will not try to unravel the tangle all at once," Mr. Morrison said,
+rising. "Auntie, will you come upstairs? I want you to meet Katherine."
+
+This was hardest of all. It brought back one of her old disappointments;
+and without doubt Katherine Morrison was aware how Jack's aunt felt
+about his marriage, but she did not hesitate. It was not her custom to
+do things by halves.
+
+Mrs. Morrison, sitting in the twilight lost in happy thoughts, was
+aroused by Frances' excited voice: "Mother, what do you think has
+happened?"
+
+Surprised at sight of the stranger, she rose; her husband met her and
+drew her forward: "Auntie, this is my wife, to whom I owe my greatest
+happiness."
+
+His aunt understood. This fair, girlish looking little person filled the
+first place in his heart; whatever else was changed, this was not.
+
+"You must try to love me for Jack's sake," she said, taking Katherine's
+hand with that new gentleness her nephew found so touching.
+
+It won his wife. "I shall not have to try," she answered.
+
+"Are you willing to forget and begin again?--that is what we are going
+to do, is it not, Jack?" his aunt looked from his wife to him. "It will
+make a great difference in my life," she continued; "I have been very
+lonely, and I want this little girl;" she put her arm around Frances.
+
+"Then she will certainly have to take us, too; won't she, Katherine?"
+and Mr. Morrison laughed happily.
+
+Frances still seemed puzzled. "If this is my Aunt Frances--" she said
+slowly, "who is the little girl? Is she the Girl in the Golden Doorway,
+truly?--the portrait, I mean.
+
+"I think she must be, and she is also your great-grandmother," her aunt
+replied.
+
+"Then who is a Certain Person. You said he was abroad, father." Frances
+evidently thought it time all mysteries were solved.
+
+"Why, yes, auntie, how does it happen you are not abroad? I heard last
+summer on the best authority that you would spend the winter in Egypt,"
+said her nephew.
+
+"I fully expected to be gone eighteen months when I left, but the death
+of the mother of my friend, Mrs. Roberts, changed our plans. I did not
+wish to go alone."
+
+Frances was listening intently. "Father! you don't mean Aunt Frances is
+a Certain Person?" she cried. "I thought it was a man."
+
+"It is a character we are going to forget. I am your father's aunt and
+yours, dear, and I am not Mrs. Marvin, but Mrs. Richards. Mrs. Marvin is
+my cousin. You understand it all now, don't you?"
+
+Frances was not quite certain of this, but there was no doubt about her
+pleasure in her new relative; and when her father went home with his
+aunt she was rather impatient at not being allowed to go too.
+
+"Come sit beside me, Wink, and have a little talk," Mrs. Morrison
+suggested when they were alone.
+
+Frances came and nestled down beside her mother; the day had been so
+full of excitement she found it hard work to keep still.
+
+"You know, dear, that Aunt Frances and father have not seen each other
+for years,--not since before you were born,--and of course they have a
+great deal to say to each other. There was some trouble--a
+misunderstanding--but now it is over--"
+
+"They have found the bridge like Gladys and me," Frances put in.
+
+"Yes; but what I was going to say is this: we mustn't be selfish. We
+must let Aunt Frances have father to herself sometimes. Don't you think
+so?"
+
+As they sat quietly there in the twilight Mrs. Morrison saw opening
+before her a path she would not have chosen. She was a person of simple
+tastes and wide sympathies, and the world of wealth and convention to
+which her husband would return so naturally had few attractions for her.
+She would have need of love and courage, she told herself.
+
+"What do you think, Kate; auntie wants me to take you to New York with
+me and leave Frances with her!" said Mr. Morrison, coming in.
+
+"She has never been away from me in her life. What do you say, Wink?"
+and her mother lifted the face that rested against her shoulder and
+kissed it.
+
+"I don't know; I believe I'd like it, for then I could see the little
+girl every day," was the reply.
+
+"I think her great-grandmother has cut out all the rest of her
+relations," her father remarked, laughing.
+
+"I don't see how she _could_ be my great-grandmother," Frances said
+meditatively.
+
+Mrs. Richards remembered the candlesticks next day, and they gave her an
+excuse for an early visit to Mr. Clark. She felt in love and charity
+with all men, and, finding the optician at leisure, she entered into
+conversation with him in her most gracious manner. His old-fashioned
+courtliness pleased her, and she recalled him as one of the proprietors
+of the large jewellery store of Mason and Clark, years ago.
+
+Mr. Clark remembered her father, Judge Morrison, and all together she
+spent an exceedingly pleasant hour looking over his valuables and
+talking of old times. She purchased the candlesticks, and also the two
+pieces of Wedgwood which exactly matched some her grandfather had
+brought from England.
+
+"You have shown me all you care to sell?" she asked, rising.
+
+"I believe there is nothing else, madam, except the house. I should like
+very much to sell it," was Mr. Clark's reply.
+
+When Zenobia ushered her into the sitting room upstairs some minutes
+later, Mrs. Richards was struck with its cosey beauty. Truly, there were
+ways of living--pleasant ways--of which she had not dreamed.
+
+Frances was washing the sword fern while she recited her history lesson
+to her mother, who was sewing.
+
+"I have come to take you home with me to lunch; I can't do without
+you," Mrs. Richards announced.
+
+"Why don't you stay with us--auntie?" Frances spoke the new title
+hesitatingly.
+
+"That will be much the better plan, and it will please Jack," added Mrs.
+Morrison, cordially, and Mrs. Richards stayed.
+
+The next time she and her nephew were alone together she said to him:
+"Jack, there is something I want you to explain to Katherine. I do not
+think I could make any difference in my manner of living at my age, even
+if I wished to, and I do not; but I am beginning to see that there may
+be a charm about--other ways."
+
+"Yes, auntie," as she paused, "the years I have spent knocking about
+without any money, having to work hard for Kate and the baby, have been
+the happiest and best of my life. There was only one drawback to it
+all--" he laid his hand on hers.
+
+She smiled fondly at him. "I want you to say to Katherine that I know I
+must seem narrow to her; I realize that she may perhaps fear my
+influence upon Frances--" her nephew began a protest, but she silenced
+him. "No, let me finish. I have come to see things differently; I want
+you to live your own lives in your own way; I want Frances to go on as
+she has begun--sweet, generous, unconscious, and I only ask to be near
+you."
+
+When Mr. Morrison repeated this to his wife, tears rose to her eyes. "I
+haven't been fair to her," she said. "I have been afraid, but I shall
+not be any more. I shall love her dearly."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
+
+CAROLINE'S STORY.
+
+
+"Well, I suppose you have heard the news?"
+
+Caroline's pleasant face was more beaming than usual as Emma ushered her
+into the room where Mrs. Bond sat with her sewing, the General being
+safe in dreamland.
+
+"No, I haven't heard any so far as I remember," was her reply.
+
+Emma gave the visitor a chair, and retreated with her books to a corner
+behind her mother, in the hope that she might not be sent away. She knew
+something had happened.
+
+"Then you don't know that Mr. Morrison has turned out to be our Mr.
+Jack, Miss Frances' nephew?"
+
+"Who is her nephew, did you say?" asked Mrs. Bond, going on with her
+work.
+
+"Mr. Morrison, to be sure, the father of little Frances, bless her!"
+
+"He is Mrs. Marvin's nephew?"
+
+"Yes," said Caroline, laughing; "only she isn't Mrs. Marvin at all, but
+Mrs. Richards. It is as good as a play."
+
+Mrs. Bond actually dropped her hands in her lap, as she asked, "Do you
+mean there isn't any such person as Mrs. Marvin?"
+
+"Of course there is a Mrs. Marvin. She was staying at our house while
+Miss Frances was abroad,--she is her cousin,--and the first sewing you
+did was for her. I did not think of explaining, so you went on supposing
+it was all for Mrs. Marvin. Then when Miss Frances found out that
+Frances thought she was Mrs. Marvin, she asked me not to tell you any
+different. I couldn't understand why, then."
+
+"Why should she care who I thought she was?" Mrs. Bond asked, taking up
+her sewing.
+
+"It is plain enough now. You see, she and Mr. Jack had had a quarrel
+years ago, and she had not seen or heard of him since; then one day, you
+know, Frances came to our house with Emma, and Mrs. Richards saw her and
+knew right away who she was, and was mightily taken with her, but she
+didn't want Frances or her mother to know that she was Mr. Morrison's
+aunt; don't you see?
+
+"You may say it happened," Caroline continued, "but I say the Lord
+brought it about. Why should that child walk into the library and stand
+before her great-grandmother's portrait, and Miss Frances come in and
+find her there, looking as much like Mr. Jack when he was little as two
+peas! Isn't he a splendid man! and just his old self. Why, when he came
+out yesterday, he ran upstairs to my room calling out just as he used
+to do,--'Where's Caroline?' It made me too happy to sleep."
+
+"Did Mr. Morrison live at your house once?" Emma ventured to ask.
+
+"Of course he did. When his mother died Miss Frances adopted him. He was
+six years old, and it was the same year I went to live with her,--thirty
+years this spring. You see, Mr. Jack's father, who was Mrs. Richards'
+favorite brother, was thrown from his horse and killed when his little
+boy was only three. It was a dreadful blow to the whole family; his wife
+did not outlive him long, and his father, Judge Morrison, never
+recovered from the shock, for his only other son was an invalid.
+
+"I used to think nobody had as much trouble as Miss Frances. She married
+very young and was left a widow before she was twenty-two, and it seemed
+as if Mr. Jack was her only comfort, for her father's mind began to
+fail, and the old home was so changed she couldn't bear to go there; but
+she was wrapped up in the child.
+
+"In those days he wasn't hard to manage, though he had a quick temper;
+you couldn't help loving him on account of his sweet ways. He was
+devoted to Miss Frances, and gave up to her wonderfully, so I suppose
+she got to thinking she would always have things her own way with him,
+as she had with every one else.
+
+"There were gay times, I can tell you, when he came home for his
+holidays, after he began to go away to school. He might bring home as
+many friends as he pleased, and there wasn't anything he couldn't have
+for the asking. Yet he wasn't half as spoiled as you'd think.
+
+"The trouble began about the time he left college, but I didn't know
+much about it then. Miss Frances had set her heart on his being a
+lawyer like his grandfather; but though he studied it to please her, he
+did not take any interest in law. Then I think she wanted him to marry a
+niece of her husband's who used to be at the house a great deal. That
+is-- I don't think she really wanted him to marry at all, but was just
+afraid he'd take to some one she did not like. He had always been fond
+of Miss Elsie, and it did look contrary in him to turn around and be so
+indifferent when he found how his aunt felt.
+
+"Mr. Jack went abroad for a year, and it was soon after he came back
+that they had the trouble. I happened to pass the library door one
+evening when I heard Miss Frances say, 'If you have no regard for my
+wishes perhaps you had better provide for yourself in the future--' and
+he answered back as cool as you please, 'Thank you for suggesting it,
+Aunt Frances; I have been an idler on your bounty quite too long.' I
+never forgot those words. They didn't either of them mean what they
+said, but were too proud to take it back. Miss Frances had never denied
+him anything, and had more than enough for both, yet it was natural for
+her to think he ought to go her way.
+
+"I never knew any more about it, except that Mr. Jack came to my room to
+tell me he was going, with a face as white as a sheet. He had some
+property of his own, though not much, for his grandfather made way with
+almost everything before he died--no one knew how. He had softening of
+the brain, brought on by grief.
+
+"The next I knew Mr. Jack sent me a paper with a notice of his marriage.
+Mrs. Morrison was the daughter of one of the professors in the college
+where he went. But--" Caroline concluded, with a sigh of content, "it is
+all right now, and maybe it has all been for the best."
+
+"I suppose they'll be going away soon?" said Mrs. Bond.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Morrison and his wife are going to New York, and Frances is
+coming to stay with us."
+
+Emma listened to this story with breathless interest. It seemed to her
+quite the most natural and suitable thing that such good fortune should
+come to Frances, but it made her feel sorrowful to think she was going
+away.
+
+After their visitor had gone Mrs. Bond said, as she folded her work:
+"Now, Emma, I do not want you to be foolish. Make up your mind not to
+see anything of Frances after this, and you'll not be disappointed."
+
+"Why, mother?"
+
+"Because they are rich and we are poor, and it is not to be expected
+that they will care for your society. I never go where I am not wanted,
+and I do not choose to have you. Understand, I am not saying anything
+against the Morrisons. Frances is a nice child, and her mother is very
+pleasant and kind, but you can't change the world; birds of a feather
+will flock together."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
+
+OVERHEARD BY PETERKIN.
+
+
+Peterkin was taking a nap in one corner of the big sofa in the hall. It
+was a delightful spring afternoon and everybody was out; he knew this,
+for he had seen them go. First Miss Moore hurried away with some books
+under her arm; next Frances danced downstairs, followed by her father
+and mother; a little later Emma and the General started out for a walk;
+and last of all came Miss Sherwin, and sat beside him while she put on
+her gloves.
+
+She stroked him gently for a minute before she left, and, bending over
+him till her face touched his soft fur, said, "Oh, pussy, pussy! so many
+things are happening, and it's going to be so lonely. It must be nice to
+be a cat."
+
+Peterkin rubbed his head sympathetically against her hand, for her tone
+was sad. He had had confidences made to him before and knew how to
+receive them. He understood it all as well as if she had spent hours in
+the telling, an advantage a cat possesses over a human confidant.
+
+He had been dozing undisturbed for a long time when he heard the door
+open again, and a man's voice he did not recognize say: "How fortunate
+that I met you! I seem to have had the wrong number."
+
+It was Miss Sherwin who replied, "I am very much surprised; I did not
+know you were in this part of the country."
+
+Then they came and sat on the sofa, and the stranger, who, Peterkin saw,
+was a pleasant looking young fellow, said he had been back only a short
+time. "I stopped in Maryville a day, and then at home for two more," he
+added.
+
+"You have been to Maryville?" Miss Sherwin's voice showed surprise.
+Then she began to ask questions about the people there, and to talk of
+the delightful weather, in all of which her companion seemed to feel
+little interest. Presently there came a silence.
+
+The young man leaned forward, one elbow on his crossed knee that he
+might the better look into Miss Sherwin's face, the light in the hall
+being a little dim. "Lillian," he began, "in this past year I have had a
+good deal of time for thinking, and naturally our--disagreement has been
+often in my mind. When I last saw you I thought it was all over forever,
+and though I had come to look at it differently in these months--feeling
+that perhaps there had been a mistake--still I don't know that I
+ever--that is-- I mean the possibility of undoing it never occurred to
+me till I was on my way home. I hope you don't mind listening to this;
+I'll try to be brief.
+
+"Perhaps you know I got my position in March,--the one I had been hoping
+and working for,--and with it the opportunity to come East for a month
+or two. I can't say I wanted very much to come. The thought of our old
+plans made it rather bitter, but I owed it to the people at home.
+
+"Not to make the story too long, I picked up on the train a magazine
+belonging to one of my fellow travellers, and read a little story. It
+was called 'The Missing Bridge,' and was a sort of fairy story. It seems
+rather absurd, but there was something in it that impressed me
+strangely. It was the thought that even when people seem hopelessly
+separated from each other, if they are brave enough and true enough to
+try, they will find a way across all barriers.
+
+"I may not be making this clear, for you have not read the story; but
+you will understand me when I say it made me feel unwilling to have
+anything I may have said or done in the past, stand between us now; I
+was to blame for much of the quarrel, and I am sorry for it all. I know
+how clever you are,--they were all talking about it in Maryville,--and
+it may seem only a foolish dream to you now, but I want to tell you--"
+he paused with his eyes on the floor, as if afraid to read his answer in
+the face beside him.
+
+It was very still in the hall, and, when he looked up after a moment,
+Lillian had bowed her head in her hands.
+
+"I don't want to pain you," he began.
+
+"O Aleck!" she cried, putting out one hand, "it was _my_ story!"
+
+At this point Peterkin, seeing matters were likely to be settled
+satisfactorily, and feeling no interest in details, dozed off again. The
+next thing he knew the gas was lit, and Mr. Morrison was saying, "Why,
+how are you, Carter? Delighted to see you. Where did you come from? Let
+me present you to Mrs. Morrison," and Miss Sherwin, with a becoming
+color in her face, was explaining that Mr. Carter was an old friend, and
+they were all talking and laughing at once in the absurd way people have
+sometimes, so that it was next to impossible to understand anything.
+
+When Mr. Carter left, after declining the Morrisons' invitation to spend
+the evening, Peterkin followed him out on the porch to get a little air.
+The Spectacle Man, coming in from a walk, found him sitting there,
+looking like some dignified old Quaker in his gray coat and white
+necktie.
+
+Mrs. Morrison slipped her hand into Miss Sherwin's as they went
+upstairs. "Am I right in what I guess?" she whispered.
+
+"How could you know it?" Lillian asked, with an answering clasp.
+
+"My dear, if you could see your face!--but I felt certain he would
+come!"
+
+"O Miss Sherwin!" called Mr. Morrison, who, with Frances, had lingered
+at the door, "your acquaintance with Mr. Carter partly explains
+something that puzzled me. I was struck with the resemblance between him
+and the young farmer in the first illustration in your story. Did he sit
+for the portrait?"
+
+"Jack, you must be dreaming!" his wife exclaimed.
+
+"I don't understand at all," Lillian said, in great confusion.
+
+"Could it possibly have been accidental?" A mischievous light shone in
+Mr. Morrison's eyes.
+
+His wife shook her head at him, but Frances ran off to find the
+magazine. Miss Sherwin recovered herself, and explained with a great
+deal of dignity that, if it were so, it was quite accidental. That she
+had known Mr. Carter since they were children, and was, of course, very
+familiar with his face; then she said good evening, and left them.
+
+"Very well done," Mr. Morrison exclaimed.
+
+"Why, where is Miss Lillian," asked Frances, coming back; "I want to
+show her the picture. It is like Mr. Carter."
+
+"Not now, dear,--another time," said her mother; adding, "You were
+aching to tease her, Jack, and I am glad she did not give you an
+opportunity."
+
+Mr. Morrison laughed. "I suppose congratulations are next in order. It
+is at least a natural inference when you find a young man's image so
+deeply graven upon the heart of a young woman that she unconsciously
+reproduces it in her drawing."
+
+"I am sure he is to be congratulated," remarked Mrs. Morrison.
+
+"Unless I am very much mistaken, so is she," her husband added.
+
+Frances was listening with wide-open eyes. "Is Miss Sherwin going to be
+married to Mr. Carter?"
+
+"I shouldn't be a bit surprised, Wink, if she were," replied her father,
+"but you and I are supposed to know nothing about it."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-SECOND.
+
+THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN DOORWAY.
+
+
+It was evident, Mr. Morrison said, that he and his wife could not get
+away too soon to please his aunt, and this was true for two reasons.
+Mrs. Richards wished her nephew to meet his old friends under her
+roof--there would be less talk; and before their return the six months'
+lease on the flat would have expired and they would naturally come to
+her for a while at least. She also wanted Frances all to herself. The
+great house would be another place with the sound of a child's voice to
+charm away its loneliness.
+
+She spent much time and thought in plans for her little niece's
+entertainment, which were quite unnecessary, for Frances was as happy
+as a lark, and found the hours brimful of amusement. To hear Caroline
+tell of her father when he was little Jack; to go shopping or driving
+with Aunt Frances; to romp with the fox terrier in the garden which the
+crocuses and hyacinths were making beautiful; and then, when the day was
+almost over, to rest in the depths of some great chair and look up at
+the girl in the golden doorway,--this was unalloyed happiness.
+
+One Friday they drove to the house of the Spectacle Man and carried Emma
+away to stay till Monday. How she ever came to let her go Mrs. Bond
+couldn't understand; she believed she was bewitched. Emma, however, had
+a blissful holiday, and before it was over she found courage to ask
+Frances a question.
+
+"Do you like me as much as you used to, Frances?" she said.
+
+"What makes you ask such a funny question? Of course I do."
+
+"I thought maybe you wouldn't care so much now."
+
+"Why not?" insisted Frances, greatly puzzled.
+
+Emma thought of quoting her mother's proverb about birds of a feather,
+the application of which she did not exactly understand; but she only
+said, "Oh, because you are rich, I suppose."
+
+"But I'm not rich,--any richer than I ever was."
+
+"Your aunt is."
+
+"But why should that make me not like you? I don't like you to think
+such a thing about me," and Frances looked aggrieved.
+
+"I didn't really think it, only--sometimes it does make a difference,
+you know," Emma said.
+
+"Well, it won't to me, for I shall always like you, Emma," was Frances'
+reassuring reply, and Emma was satisfied.
+
+Among other pleasant things, Frances and her aunt were arranging a
+little surprise for Mr. Morrison's birthday, which was to be celebrated
+by a dinner to which a number of cousins and old family friends were
+asked.
+
+The travellers, who returned the night before, found a very happy little
+girl waiting for them in the carriage at the station.
+
+"I have the loveliest secret, father, but you are not to know it till
+your birthday!" She couldn't help telling this much, but all his teasing
+could not extract any more; and, as it was not mentioned again, Mr.
+Morrison forgot it.
+
+The next evening he dressed early, and went to the library to write a
+letter, and when it was finished he fell into a pleasant revery. He
+thought of his struggles and disappointments, and of the bright future
+that seemed to be opening before him. The little girl smiled down upon
+him in the twilight, and he recalled his old dream.
+
+It was surely a most living portrait. This little maiden, painted nearly
+seventy years ago, looked as if about to speak. Was she laughing at him
+still? would she presently come down? Surely he was dreaming, for there
+she stood on the rug beside him! He could see the pattern of the rich
+lace that fell from the neck of her quaint brocaded gown.
+
+She came nearer, and he watched her, almost afraid to breathe; it was,
+he thought, a most interesting illusion. He put out his hand, expecting
+the vision to vanish, when, instead of thin air, his fingers closed upon
+a round arm of real flesh and blood, and a laughing voice exclaimed,
+"Why, father, I thought you were asleep!"
+
+"Wink! is it really you?" he said, pulling her down on his knee. "I
+thought the girl in the golden doorway had come down once more. Where
+did you get this dress?"
+
+"This is the secret, father. Aunt Frances found it among my
+great-grandmother's things. It was made for the picture, and was copied
+from another portrait that the little girl's father liked. It almost
+fitted me. Do you really think I look like her?"
+
+"Indeed you do, Wink; it is wonderful."
+
+Frances leaned her head on his shoulder, and looked up at her
+great-grandmother in great content.
+
+"Do you know, Wink," said her father, presently, "I believe my old dream
+has come true, and at last I have caught the girl in the golden
+doorway."
+
+"How nice!" cried Frances, "for that puts me into the story. You will
+have to write a sequel to it, father. Jack never guessed the girl would
+turn out to be his own daughter, did he?"
+
+"He certainly did not," answered Mr. Morrison, laughing.
+
+They were pleasing themselves with these fancies when lights and Mrs.
+Morrison, in her pretty evening gown, appearing together, put an end to
+them. Some minutes later Mrs. Richards walked in upon a charming family
+group. Life was becoming very full and sweet to her, and she looked very
+handsome and happy. She felt proud of her children, most of all of that
+graceful little person in the old brocade who ran to meet her.
+
+"Auntie, what do you think? We have found the sequel to 'The Girl in the
+Golden Doorway.' The dream has come true: Jack has caught her, and she
+turns out to be me." Frances made a courtesy, laughing merrily.
+
+"There is some more to it," she added. "Father, can't you tell it?"
+
+"Tell it yourself, Wink," was the smiling reply, and three pairs of
+eyes watched her fondly as she stood, a finger on her lips, an intent
+expression on her face.
+
+"Oh, yes! I remember. And together they are going to explore the House
+of the Golden Doorway, and find out all its secrets."
+
+Mrs. Richards took the rosy face between her hands. "You have opened the
+golden door to me, too, my darling," she said.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-THIRD.
+
+"THE DUCKS AND THE GEESE THEY ALL SWIM OVER."
+
+
+  "Out of a song the story grew,
+  Just how it happened nobody knew,
+  But, song and story, it all came true.
+
+  "Out of sight till time of need
+  The story lay hid like a little seed;
+  And then it grew that all might read--
+
+  "Might read and learn--however gray
+  The clouds may hang, or how dark the day,
+  That love and courage can find the way."
+
+No one suspected the Spectacle Man of poetical aspirations until Miss
+Moore one day picked up these verses from the hall floor. "Dear me, what
+are we all coming to!" she exclaimed. "Here is Lillian the strong-minded
+going to be married, the Morrisons have found a fairy godmother, and
+now Mr. Clark has taken to verse! If I were not so commonplace I'd
+expect something to happen to me."
+
+Things were happening; there was no doubt about that.
+
+Soon after her nephew's return, Mrs. Richards made Mr. Clark an offer
+for his house which he thought it wise to accept, and by the time summer
+was fairly begun it was rapidly disappearing in a cloud of dust and
+mortar to make room for a five-story office building.
+
+Frances could not be reconciled to this, nor was she the only one who
+felt sad at sight of yawning vacancy where the dignified old mansion had
+stood. The feelings of the optician were mixed; he was fond of the
+place, but its sale solved some of the difficulties that had weighed
+upon him, and when Mrs. Bond took a small house farther out, where there
+were trees and a garden for the General to play in, he furnished two
+rooms for himself, and, after the first wrench of leaving, he and
+Peterkin found it very comfortable. His show-cases and other fixtures
+were moved to a shop not far from the old one.
+
+Before this, however, something even more interesting had occurred.
+
+As Mr. Carter had only six weeks' leave, he and Lillian decided to have
+a quiet wedding the last of April, making a short visit at his home on
+their way West.
+
+"I am very much alone in the world, and there are no people I care more
+to have at my wedding than you and Mary," Lillian said to Mrs. Morrison;
+"and it is easier and simpler to have it here."
+
+Miss Moore professed to be highly indignant at the whole affair. "Here I
+have been upholding her in her independence, taking her side, and she in
+the basest manner deserts and goes over to the enemy," she exclaimed.
+
+Lillian laughed shamelessly. "Never mind, dear, when you have finished
+your course you are coming out to me, and we'll start the most ideal of
+kindergartens in our wild Western town."
+
+She went about her preparations with a light heart, growing prettier and
+brighter each day. As for Mr. Carter, he won golden opinions from
+everybody, even from the critical Wilson, who was one day moved to
+confide that he and Zenobia were contemplating the same step.
+
+No one showed a more genuine interest in the wedding preparations than
+Mrs. Richards. She had taken a fancy to Lillian, and declared that her
+love affair was delightfully interesting and novel for these unromantic
+times. She lent her carriage to facilitate the shopping, and the evening
+before the wedding day entertained the bride and groom elect.
+
+Just such a gathering had never before been seen in Mrs. Richards's
+beautiful home, for it was Frances who had the naming of the guests, and
+she chose to have their friends of the winter. There was the Spectacle
+Man, of course, and Emma and Gladys and Miss Moore,--it was too bad Mark
+couldn't get home in time,--and Mrs. Gray, because she was the beginning
+of it all, and Frances was fond of her. This was the party, with their
+own family and the bride and groom.
+
+Caroline said that if Mrs. Richards had been going to entertain the
+Queen and the President together, she couldn't have been more particular
+about everything, and indeed she spared no trouble or expense.
+
+The table was exquisite in its bridal decorations of lilies of the
+valley, and the whole house was fragrant with flowers; the guests all
+looked their best, and it was throughout a most festive and happy
+occasion.
+
+Frances fluttered about in her great-grandmother's dress, evidently
+considering it her party; the Spectacle Man beamed on everybody; and old
+Mrs. Gray, in a new silk gown, looked on in quiet enjoyment. Miss Moore
+was, if possible, merrier than usual, but this may have been because she
+was trying not to think how far away Lillian was going.
+
+When the supper was over and the healths of the bride and groom had been
+drank, "The Story of the Missing Bridge" was proposed, and the optician
+rose to respond.
+
+"It has occurred to me as a somewhat strange thing," he began, "that
+seven or eight months ago we, who now feel like old friends, had not
+met. In this time we have learned to know one another, and a little
+story, which grew out of a foolish old song, has become a bond between
+us,--something we shall carry with us wherever we go. We have learned
+lessons of courage and cheer; some of us have found bridges over our
+difficulties and troubles where we had supposed there were none; and I
+can at least say for myself that hereafter, into whatever perplexities I
+may fall, I shall remember the lesson of the story, that there is always
+a way, and love and courage can find it."
+
+He sat down amid applause, and Frances said, "I am going to remember it,
+too, for I did find a way when Gladys and I quarrelled."
+
+"I can add my testimony that ways open in the most unpromising places,"
+put in her father.
+
+"Perhaps if I had heard the story sooner my broken bridge would have
+been mended long ago," said Mrs. Richards.
+
+"It is wonderful," Mrs. Gray took courage to say, "how things turn out
+sometimes. I feel like telling everybody how sweet and kind my new
+daughter is. She really seems fond of me already, and I was so dreadful
+afraid of her."
+
+"When we look back we can't help seeing that we have been guided by a
+higher Power, who could see the path that was dark to us," Mrs. Morrison
+said softly; and the Spectacle Man added, "That's true."
+
+"Every one knows how much I owe to the story," Mr. Carter began, but
+Lillian blushed and shook her head at him.
+
+"I am too commonplace to have interesting experiences," Miss Moore
+announced, "so, as I haven't anything to relate, with Mr. Clark's
+permission I'll read a poem;" and thereupon she read the verses she had
+found in the hall.
+
+The Spectacle Man was quite embarrassed, and insisted that he was not in
+the habit of dropping into verse, and that this had not been intended
+for the public.
+
+"I want them, Mr. Clark, for the book I mean to write when I have time,
+about our winter at your house," Miss Sherwin said.
+
+"Are you really going to do that, Miss Sherwin? How lovely!" cried
+Frances. "And you must begin with Mrs. Gray's glasses, and put Emma and
+Gladys and me in,--and Peterkin."
+
+Lillian laughed, and promised that when the story was written they
+should all be in.
+
+The next morning was as beautiful as if it had been ordered for the
+occasion, and the small number of persons gathered in the church saw a
+charming bride, who seemed with her golden hair and her shimmering gown
+of soft green tones, to be herself a part of the springtime.
+
+She walked up the aisle with her maid of honor, Miss Moore, preceded by
+Frances and Emma in a state of unutterable bliss, while Gladys looked on
+from a front pew. Mr. Clark gave the bride away, and nothing happened
+to mar the simple and beautiful ceremony.
+
+When Mr. and Mrs. Carter had driven off in a shower of rice the
+Spectacle Man returned to his shop and began that very afternoon to pack
+up. As he worked he sang cheerily:--
+
+  "The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
+  The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
+    Fol de rol de ri."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Spectacle Man, by Mary F. Leonard
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