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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35045-8.txt b/35045-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98dcb65 --- /dev/null +++ b/35045-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4767 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hazeley Family, by A. E. Johnson + +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 Hazeley Family + +Author: A. E. Johnson + +Release Date: January 23, 2011 [EBook #35045] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HAZELEY FAMILY *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 23.] + + + + + THE HAZELEY FAMILY + BY + Mrs. A. E. JOHNSON + + _PHILADELPHIA_ + American Baptist Publication Society + _1420 CHESTNUT STREET_ + + + + + THE HAZELEY FAMILY + + BY + + MRS. A. E. JOHNSON + _Author of Clarence and Corinne_ + + PHILADELPHIA + AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY + 1420 CHESTNUT STREET + + + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by the + AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + CHAPTER I. + THE HAZELEY HOME, 5 + + CHAPTER II. + FLORA AT HOME, 15 + + CHAPTER III. + RUTH RUDD, 26 + + CHAPTER IV. + FLORA'S FIRST SUNDAY, 37 + + CHAPTER V. + THE BEGINNING, 46 + + CHAPTER VI. + SOME RESULTS, 58 + + CHAPTER VII. + A VISIT TO MAJOR JOE, 67 + + CHAPTER VIII. + MORE RESULTS, 79 + + CHAPTER IX. + RUTH'S NEW HOME, 89 + CHAPTER X. + LOTTIE PIPER, 97 + + CHAPTER XI. + CHANGES, 106 + + CHAPTER XII. + LED AWAY, 117 + + CHAPTER XIII. + IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUT AGAIN, 124 + + CHAPTER XIV. + A CHAPTER OF WONDERS, 132 + + CHAPTER XV. + GOING HOME, 142 + + CHAPTER XVI. + LOTTIE'S TRIALS, 151 + + CHAPTER XVII. + MORE SURPRISES, 162 + + CHAPTER XVIII. + A CHRISTMAS INVITATION, 171 + + CHAPTER XIX. + A HOMELY WEDDING, 180 + + + + +THE HAZELEY FAMILY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE HAZELEY HOME. + + +Sixteen-year-old Flora Hazeley stood by the table in the dingy little +dining room, looking down earnestly and thoughtfully at a shapely, +yellow sweet potato. + +It was only a potato, but the sight of it brought to its owner, not only +a crowd of pleasant memories, but a number of unpleasant anticipations. +Hence, the earnest, thoughtful expression on her young face. + +Flora was the only daughter. She had two brothers, one older and one +younger than herself, Harry and Alec, aged respectively, eighteen and +thirteen. The mother was of an easy-going, careless disposition, and +seemed indifferent to the management of her household. Especially did +she dislike responsibility of any kind. She was well pleased, therefore, +to receive one day a letter from her sister, Mrs. Graham, a childless +widow, offering to take Flora, who was then just five years old, +promising to rear her as if she had been her own daughter. + +Mrs. Graham was well off. In her case this meant that she lived in a +pretty home of her own, with a nice income, not only supporting herself +in comfort, but permitting her to provide a home for her elder sister +for many years, who had entire charge of the housekeeping. This sister, +Mrs. Sarah Martin, was also a widow and childless. The resemblance went +no further, for they differed, not only in manner, but opinions, +thoughts, and character. + +Mrs. Graham, after a great deal of careful thought, had come to the +conclusion to adopt her little niece. In fact she had often thought it +over ever since the child first began to walk, and call her by name. She +was a sensible woman, and it always annoyed her when she would visit her +sister to see the careless way in which the children were being trained. +Seeing this, she had long wished to take and train Flora according to +her own idea of what constituted the education of a girl. + +"It will be so much worse for her than for the boys," she had said one +day to Mrs. Martin. "I do dislike to see such a bright little child +brought up to be good for nothing; and that is just the way in which it +will be, if I do not take charge of her myself." + +The latter clause was intended to draw indirectly from her sister an +opinion of such a proceeding, for Mrs. Martin was by no means partial to +children. However, it was received with the indifferent observation: + +"Esther never did have any interest in children anyhow. She never had +any idea how to take care of herself, much less anybody else," to which +was added a remark to the effect that if her sister Bertha chose to +burden herself with a troublesome child, she was sure she had nothing to +do with the matter, and did not intend to have. + +Mrs. Graham was rather surprised to have her suggestion received so +coolly. She had expected a great deal of trouble in getting Sarah to +consent, even provisionally. She was very glad to meet no more serious +opposition, for, although she had fully decided in her own mind +regarding the matter, yet her peace-loving nature dreaded unpleasant +scenes. She purposely and entirely overlooked the expression of stern +determination in the sharp-featured countenance of her sister, and +forthwith resolved to send for Flora without further loss of time. + +Thus it was that Flora Hazeley changed homes. She was not legally +adopted by her aunt, but was simply taken with the understanding she +would be returned to her parents in case Mrs. Graham should in any way +change her mind, or weary of her charge. This provision was inserted by +Mrs. Martin, who determined, in spite of her seeming indifference, not +to be ignored by her sister, upon whose bounty she considered she had a +primary claim. + +For eleven years Flora lived in the pretty home of her Aunt Bertha. Her +time was filled by various occupations, school, caring for the flowers +in the garden, and dreaming under the old peach tree, which never bore +any peaches, but grew on contentedly in the farthest corner of the yard. + +However, these were by no means the only ways in which Flora spent her +time, for Mrs. Martin, notwithstanding her stern resolve not to have +anything to do with her, had suddenly taken an equally stern +determination to do her share toward "bringing sister Esther's child up +properly." + +This was fortunate for Flora. Aunt Sarah instructed her thoroughly and +carefully in the details of housekeeping, cooking, serving, washing, in +fact, everything she knew herself. How fortunate it was that she learned +how to do these things, Flora realized some time afterward, as Mrs. +Martin had intended she should. While she was learning them, Flora's +progress was due rather more to the awe she felt of her stern aunt than +to the desire to excel. + +Mrs. Martin was ever ready to scold and find fault. Mrs. Graham never +criticised, but always had a bright smile and something pleasant to say. +As a natural consequence, she was dearly loved by her niece. + +Mrs. Hazeley, Flora's mother, delighted to be relieved of her +troublesome little girl, settled down more contentedly than ever, to +enjoy the quiet of her daughter's absence, and became daily more and +more indisposed to exert herself in order to make her home attractive. + +It was usually pretty quiet now, because neither of the boys stayed in +the house a moment longer than necessity demanded. Mr. Hazeley was +employed on the railroad, and consequently was away from home a great +deal. Mrs. Hazeley did little but turn aimlessly about, making herself +believe that she was a very hard-working woman and then imagining +herself much fatigued, found it necessary to rest often and long. She +was at heart a good woman, when that organ could be reached, but +possessed a weak, vacillating disposition, entirely lacking the gentle +firmness of her sister, Mrs. Graham, or the uncompromising energy of +Mrs. Martin. + +Mr. Hazeley had long ceased to complain of his home and its management, +for his words had no further effect than to bring upon himself a storm +of tearful scolding, which drove him out of the house to seek more +genial quarters. He was by nature a peaceable man, and when he found +that neither ease nor peace could be had at home, remained there as +little as possible. In fact, as Mrs. Hazeley's sisters had often said, +"if the whole family did not go to ruin, it would not be Esther's +fault." + +Flora's life at her aunt's pleasant home had been a very happy one, and +the time passed rapidly away. She was nearly through school, and looked +eagerly forward into the future, that to her was so full of brightest +hopes. It was her ambition to be of some use in the world. Just what she +wanted to do, she did not know--she had not yet determined; but that it +was to be something great and good, she was confident, for small things +did not enter into her conception of usefulness. + +Aunt Bertha was her confidante for all her plans, or rather, dreams; she +could do nothing without Aunt Bertha, for had not she the means? Flora +felt sure nothing great could be done without money, that is, nothing +she would care to do. + +But, alas! Her summer sky, so promising and brilliant with hopes and +indefinite plans, was suddenly overcast. Aunt Bertha was taken ill one +day; the doctor said it was prostration, and he feared she might not +rally. Flora was told. Her Aunt Bertha, whom she loved so dearly, and +who loved her so much! Must she die? "I love her far more than my +mother," she whispered to herself. This seemed very disloyal in Flora. +But in truth, she had little cause to love the mother who had been so +eager to relinquish her claim, and who, in all these years, had never +expressed a wish to have her daughter at home. + +During her sister's illness, Aunt Sarah spent her time in constant +attendance upon her. She was cold, stern, and unapproachable as ever, +giving the child little information in regard to the sick one who had +been so kind to her. She was not allowed to enter the sick room during +the first of her aunt's illness, although Mrs. Graham had often asked to +see her niece. + +One day, just before the spirit passed away, the sick woman called her +sister, and said in a weak, trembling voice: + +"Sister, I suppose you know I cannot live long, and that my will is +made." + +Mrs. Martin silently nodded. + +"Well," continued Mrs. Graham, "I have left everything to you--I thought +it would be best." + +Again a silent nod. + +"But, Sarah, I want you to promise one thing; that you will see Flora +has what she needs to carry out her plans. The dear child has so longed +to carry out some of her plans. I want her to have means to make +whatever she may decide upon a success. And one more thing," she +continued, pausing for breath, and looking pleadingly into the face +above her, "I do hope, Sarah, that you will keep Flora here with you. Do +not send her back to her home. I have left all I own in your hands, and +I trust to you, sister, to do what I wish." + +This long expression of her wishes had so taxed the fast-failing +strength of the invalid, that she sank back, exhausted. No answer was +expected, and Mrs. Martin was silent; and silent too, because she had +not the slightest intention of doing as her sister wished. It was truly +heartless; but Mrs. Martin was one of those people who do not present +the harsh side of their nature in all its intensity until the reins of +power are placed in their hands. So long as Mrs. Graham held the +purse-strings, she acquiesced with as much grace as possible in her +sister's plans. Was not the money Mrs. Graham's to do with as she +pleased? It was quite a different thing, however, to feel that now +everything would be in her hands to use as she chose. No matter if the +donor was still looking into her face, her mind was made up that things +should be ordered in the future according to her good pleasure. It was +not at all her wish to burden herself with Esther's child, and forthwith +she decided that back to her home Flora should go. However, she did not +allow these unworthy thoughts to disturb the last moments of her +tender-hearted sister, by giving expression to them. So good Mrs. Graham +passed peacefully away. + +Flora was allowed to see her shortly before she died. The kind voice +whispered words of comfort, telling her that Aunt Sarah would take care +of her. These words fell unnoticed at the time upon the ear of the +sobbing girl, who had been so accustomed to have Aunt Bertha think and +plan for her. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +FLORA AT HOME. + + +Mrs. Graham's life had been a quiet, unobtrusive, but truly Christian +one. She had neglected no opportunity to implant in her young niece a +love and reverence for holy things; and now that she was about to die, +she felt that she had nothing to regret, that she had left no duty +unfulfilled, so far as Flora's training was concerned. It was with a +heart full of peace that she commended her charge to the "One above all +others" and took her leave of earth. + +Flora was almost inconsolable. She had no one to comfort her, for Aunt +Sarah was as distant as ever, being entirely too much occupied with +plans for the future to care about Flora. Her mother came to the +funeral, but neither was overjoyed to see the other after their long +separation. It could scarcely be otherwise. Natural affection had never +been conspicuous in the Hazeley home, and the influence of these years +apart had not helped matters at all. Indeed, they were little more to +each other than strangers. + +After they returned from the cemetery, however, Aunt Sarah informed +Flora she was to return with her mother to her former, and as she deemed +it, rightful home. The feelings with which the girl received this +intelligence were by no means pleasant ones. But there was no use in +crying or fretting about it, for when Aunt Sarah said a thing, she meant +it, and could not be induced to alter her decision, even if Flora had +felt inclined to ask her to do so. This she had no thought of doing, for +she was not at all anxious to make her home with her cold, distant aunt. + +"It is too bad!" she exclaimed, as she thought of all the bright helpful +plans she and Aunt Bertha had made together, and which they had hoped to +be able to carry out. "It is too bad!" she sobbed, as she bent over her +trunk in her pretty little bedroom, the tears falling on the tasteful +dresses, and the many loving tokens that had been given her by the dear +hands now at rest beneath the unfeeling earth in the churchyard. + +Mrs. Martin was surprised that Flora's mother made no objection to +taking her daughter home. The truth was Mrs. Hazeley had been wanting +this very thing for some time. It was not, however, because of any +particularly affectionate or motherly feeling toward her child; but she +had been thinking that Flora, of whose ability she had heard much, would +be a very great help to her in caring for the house. Thus it was that +Flora returned to the home she had left eleven years before. + +Just as the train was preparing to leave the station, Lottie Piper, one +of Flora's friends and admirers, came running to the car, and tossed +something through the open window into Flora's lap, saying hurriedly and +pantingly, as she pressed the hand held out to her: + +"There, Flora, take that. Don't laugh. I raised it all myself, and I +want you to have it; but don't eat it! Keep it to remember me by. +Good-bye," she called, as the train moved off. + +Flora waved her handkerchief out of the window to Lottie, until her arm +was tired. As she looked about the cars her attention was attracted by a +titter from the opposite side. At first she could not understand why the +girl who sat there should look at her and smile. As her neighbor gazed +at her lap, Flora's eyes followed, and there she saw the cause of the +merriment in Lottie's parting gift--a yellow sweet potato. + +At first she felt inclined to be provoked with Lottie for bringing such +a thing and causing her to be laughed at. However, the remembrance of +her parting words, "I raised it all myself; but don't eat it!" made her +smile in spite of herself. This encouraged the girl opposite to slip +over to the seat beside Flora, as Mrs. Hazeley was occupying the one in +front, and the two girls, although entire strangers to each other, +chatted away busily, until the train stopped at one of the stations, +where the girl and her father, who sat farther back, left the car. Soon +after, Flora found herself at home, Bartonville and Brinton being but a +short distance apart. + +This brings us to the opening of our story. + +It was Lottie's potato that lay upon the table, and Flora had been +wondering what to do with it. The memories it awakened were of Brinton +and the many pleasant strolls and romps she had enjoyed with Lottie in +her father's fields, which joined Mrs. Graham's, of Aunt Bertha herself, +and much more. + +"But what am I to do with the potato?" she questioned. "I am not to eat +it. I don't care to, either. Oh! I know, I will plant it in a jar of +water and let it grow. That would please Lottie, I guess." + +She soon found a jar such as she wanted, and after washing it clean and +bright, filled it full of clear water, and carefully placed the potato, +end up, in it, and then looked about for a suitable place for it. + +"That window has a good broad seat," she said to herself; "and it is +sunny, but the glass is so grimy! However, it will do. Better yet, I +will open the window." + +This was more easily said than done, for, although the weather was still +warm--it being September--the window did not appear to have been opened +for some time. + +Flora struggled and pushed, and at length succeeded in opening it, +making noise enough as she did so, to attract the attention of a young +girl who was passing. She stopped, looking up, inquiringly. + +Flora was heated with her exertions and the thought of having attracted +attention, so that before she realized what she was doing, she was +smiling and saying: + +"This old window was very hard to raise, but I was determined to do it." + +"No," said the girl, looking as if she was not quite sure that it was +the right thing to say. + +"What is that in the jar?" she asked, as she came closer, and looked at +the potato curiously, and then at Flora in a friendly way that pleased +her. + +"This," said Flora, patting the vegetable; "it is a potato." + +"But what have you put it in there for?" persisted the girl. + +"To grow, to be sure." + +"Will it grow?" + +"Of course it will," replied Flora, with an important air. "See! water +is in this jar, and soon this potato will sprout, send roots down and +leaves up, and then--and then--it will just keep on growing, you know." +And Flora felt sure that she had put quite an artistic finish to her +description of potato culture. + +"Oh, yes," cried her new acquaintance, with an intelligent light in her +eyes; "I know very well what will happen then." + +"What?" asked Flora, rather dubiously. + +"Why, little sweet potatoes will grow on the roots, of course." + +"I--I don't think they will," said Flora, hesitatingly, not being well +versed on the subject. + +"Yes; but they must--they always do," returned the girl, positively. + +"Well, but there would be no room in the jar for potatoes to grow," said +Flora. + +"That's so." And the girl looked puzzled; then they both laughed, not +knowing what else to do. + +"What is your name?" asked Flora, by way of changing the subject, for +she was a little fearful she might be asked to explain why little sweet +potatoes would not grow in her jar. + +"My name is Ruth Rudd," was the answer. "What is yours?" + +"Flora Hazeley." + +"Is it? Well, I live just back of your house, on the next street. +Good-bye. I guess I will see you some other time." And she hurried away. + +"She is a real nice girl," Flora thought, as she turned away from the +window; "I hope I can see her again." + +She stood for an instant looking about the room. It was nicely +furnished, but it looked neglected and untidy, and Flora, having been so +long accustomed to the attractiveness and order of her aunt's house, +felt home-sick. Her loneliness came over her in a great wave of +feeling, and running through the kitchen, out of the door, went into +the yard, which was a good-sized one, but so filled with rubbish and +piles of boards, scarcely noticed through her tears, that she met with +many a stumble before she reached the farther end. She wanted some quiet +place in which to sit and think, as she used to do under the old peach +tree at Brinton. She was sure she "could think of nothing in that +house," and the best she could do was to seat herself on an old block at +the very back of the yard. She felt she could think better out in the +open air, under the sky, for she was a great lover of nature, and loved +to look at the blue sky. The sun was under a cloud, but the air was warm +and pleasant. + +How different were her thoughts now from what they had been under the +old peach tree! Then she had reveled in rose-colored dreams; now she was +confronted by gray realities. Her thoughts went rapidly over her life +since Aunt Bertha's death. + +She had been here not quite a week, and she found it such a different +place from the home she had so lately left, that she was almost +unwilling to call it "home." But while she considered her present home +not very desirable, she had given no thought to the inmates, whether or +not they had found in _her_ a very desirable addition to the circle. + +She was young, and she soon wearied of her sombre thoughts, which could +avail her nothing, and she glanced at the houses on each side of her +own. There was a marked difference. It was not in the style of the +building, for hers was the most attractive. It was, however, in the +general appearance, and Flora felt she would like to begin at the +topmost shingle and pull her home down to the ground. But the thought +came to her that then she would have no home. She knew there was no room +for her with Aunt Sarah, who was, no doubt, at this very moment enjoying +her absence. + +"No, indeed, I do not want to live with Aunt Sarah," she thought; and +then began to wonder vaguely if she had not better go to work and try to +make her present home a more congenial one. + +The more she thought about it, the better the idea pleased her. Just as +she was endeavoring to decide upon something definite to do, she was +startled by seeing a board in the fence, just behind her, pushed aside. +Before she could move, a round, fat, little face was thrust through the +opening, and a pair of inquisitive brown eyes were fastened upon her. +For a moment they looked, and then the owner squeezed through, and stood +still, eyeing Flora complacently. + +"Well, and who are you? and what do you mean by coming in here that +way?" asked Flora, amused at the odd-looking little creature. + +"I'm Jem," answered the midget, coolly; "and I didn't mean nuffing." + +"Jem? I thought you were a girl," said Flora, looking at the quaint, +short-waisted dress, that reached almost down to the copper toed shoes, +and the funny, little, short white apron, tied just under the fat arms, +which were squeezed into sleeves much too tight for them. + +"So I am a girl," answered Jem, indignantly; "don't you see I've gut a +napron on wif pockets in?" And she thrust her chubby little fingers into +one of them. + +"But you said your name was 'Jem,' and that's a boy's name," persisted +Flora, enjoying her odd companion. + +"'Tain't none," was the sententious reply; "it's short for 'Jemima'; +that's what my really name is." + +"Well, Jemima, what do you want in here?" + +"Nuffing." + +"Nothing? Well, that isn't in here." + +"There ain't anythin' else's I can see," retorted Jem, turning down the +corners of her mouth very far, and looking about disdainfully. + +Flora laughed outright at this, but her visitor's countenance lost none +of its solemnity. + +"You do not seem to admire my yard, Jem." + +"Don't see anythin' to remire," retorted Jem. "You'd just ought to peep +in ours," and she moved over to the fence, and pulling away the board +with a triumphant air, motioned Flora to look. Flora looked, but the +first thing she saw was not the yard, but the young girl with whom she +had been talking not an hour since. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +RUTH RUDD. + + +Ruth, standing by a long wooden bench, in the neat, brick-paved yard, +was engaged in watering some plants that were her especial pride. + +Hearing a noise at the fence, she turned, and recognizing Flora, smiled +and asked: + +"Won't you come in?" + +"Thank you," replied Flora, smiling in return. "I think I will." + +Jem looked on wonderingly as her sister and the visitor, whom she +considered her especial property, chatted. + +She could not understand how they knew each other. At length, as they +took no notice of her, she determined to assert herself; so, going up to +Flora, she demanded: + +"What do you think of _my_ yard?" + +"Oh," said Flora, recollecting for what purpose they had come, "I like +it very much indeed, Jem." + +"It's a pretty good yard, I think," said Jem, with much emphasis on the +pronoun. "Come and look at the flowers, and I'll tell you the names of +them." And she drew Flora nearer the bench. + +"This is a gibonia," she continued, pointing with her fat finger to the +flower named. + +"You mean a 'begonia,' don't you, Jem?" said Flora. + +"Yes," answered Jem, without changing countenance in the least, or +seeming in any way abashed; "and this is a gerangum." + +"A geranium," corrected Flora. "Yes, I see." + +"And this is a chipoonia," pointing to a petunia, "and--Oh, there's +Pokey!" and breaking away in the midst of her explanations, she gave +chase to a fat little gray kitten that just then scampered across the +yard, and into the house. + +"What a cute little girl Jem is," said Flora to Ruth; "is she your +sister?" + +"Yes, that is, she is my half-sister; her mother was not my own mother, +you know." + +"Oh, she is your step-mother," said Flora. + +"She was," corrected Ruth; "but she has been dead ever since Jem was a +little baby. My own mother died when I was quite small," she added, +with an elderly air. + +"Who keeps house for you?" asked Flora, in surprise. + +"I do," replied Ruth. "I keep house for father, and take care of Jem. +She is all the company I have." + +"What a smart girl you are. How old are you, Ruth?" + +"I'm sixteen, but I feel ever so much older. You see, it is a great +responsibility to have everything at home resting upon one," and Ruth +looked very wise. + +"I should think so," said Flora, thoughtfully. "I am sixteen too." + +"Are you? That's nice. We ought to be good friends," returned Ruth, +smiling. + +"Yes, I am sure we shall be," replied Flora, earnestly. "I like you ever +so much, Ruth. I am very lonely here. I know nobody in this place except +my home folks." + +"How strange," said Ruth, in a puzzled way. "Tell me about it." + +Flora was glad to tell her story. + +"You poor child!" exclaimed matronly Ruth, taking her hand between both +her own, and pressing it. "How sorry I am for you." + +"Are you?" said Flora, laughing nervously, for she felt more like +crying. "I was just feeling sorry for you." + +"Sorry for me? Why?" + +"Because you have to live here all alone, or almost alone, and have so +many responsibilities. You must get very lonely." + +"Oh, but my responsibilities keep me so busy I have no time to be +lonely. Besides, I like responsibilities." + +"You do? Perhaps if I had a few I wouldn't be so lonely either; but then +you see I have none." + +"I think you have," returned Ruth, soberly, and added, after a moment's +thought, "I think you have a great many." + +"What are they?" + +"Your mother, and father, and brothers, and your home. You are +responsible for your conduct toward your parents. It is your duty to be +a good daughter. There's your home, it is your duty to make it pleasant +and comfortable. And there are your brothers----" + +"Oh, do stop, Ruth!" cried Flora. "You have told me enough. You talk as +if you were thirty years old instead of sixteen. No, no! I will not +hear any more to-day about responsibilities; I have had enough for one +day," and she playfully placed her hand over Ruth's lips. + +"I wasn't going to say any more about them," said Ruth. "I was only +going to ask you to come into the house, for I must begin to prepare our +supper." + +"No, thank you!" replied Flora; "I must go now; but I should like to +come again soon." + +"Indeed, come as often as you please; the oftener you come the better I +shall like it. Come right through the fence whenever you want to; you +will almost always find me here." + +"Thank you," said Flora. She bade Ruth good-bye, and returned home the +same way she had come, entirely unconscious of the look of disapproval +with which little Jem was regarding her from the window of an upper +room, whither she had retreated with her precious Pokey. + +Jem felt quite slighted. Flora and Ruth had been so much occupied with +each other as to forget entirely her important little self, and she +determined to severely punish "Sister Ruth" for her conduct. She +immediately proceeded to put her determination into execution by +stowing herself and Pokey away in the darkest corner under the bed, and +there she remained in spite of Ruth's coaxing calls. + +Ruth found her there fast asleep, when she went to look for her at +teatime. Ruth was well acquainted with Jem's various modes of punishing +her, and she readily guessed the cause of her little sister's present +displeasure; and likewise knowing her well, she decided to let her alone +until she was ready to come down. At last Jem came down while Ruth was +washing the dishes. She was in perfectly good spirits, for she felt +satisfied that her sister had been sufficiently punished in having been +deprived of her company for so long a time. She sat down quietly and ate +her supper, which had been set aside for her. She did not say anything +about the events of the afternoon and neither did Ruth, who was busy +thinking about Flora. Strangely enough, influenced by some unseen power, +Flora was at the same moment thinking of Ruth. When our young friend +entered her home, she found her father had returned in her absence. Her +mother was hurrying about in an aimless, impatient way, trying to get +supper and at the same time set the table. These two occupations were +not progressing very rapidly in her nervous hands. + +Harry and Alec were both in the dining room; the former sitting by the +window reading, and the latter whittling a bit of wood with his +pocket-knife, and letting the chips fly and settle where they would. It +was not a very inviting picture, but with Ruth's gentle face before her, +and her words "It is your duty to be a good daughter" in her mind, Flora +stoutly determined she would begin immediately and undertake her +responsibilities in the very best way she could. With these thoughts she +quietly said to her mother she would finish setting the table. It was +not much to do, but she felt a great deal better in making this first +effort to be of use in her home. + +"What have I been thinking about not to have been doing this before? It +is an actual treat to be busy," she continued to herself, as she placed +the plates, cups, and saucers on the table. She did not know it, but +both Harry and Alec were watching her whenever they were sure she was +not looking. + +The boys had not paid any attention to their sister since her return +home; in fact, they both thought it a bother to have a girl about the +place. Moreover, Flora had made no effort to prove herself a very +valuable addition to the little family. But this evening, as she moved +back and forth, the neat and tasteful way in which she arranged the +table, was so different from the usual careless manner, that both boys +were favorably impressed. Mrs. Hazeley too, when she hurried in with the +supper, gave a sigh of relief, as she noted that everything was ready. +And the father, although preoccupied with his own thoughts, glanced +about with a pleased look in his eyes. + +Although Flora was not aware of all this, she did not fail to notice +there was a difference from the ordinary meal. The boys refrained from +their usual snappish behavior, the mother was less peevish, and her +father's face wore a look of quiet approval. On the whole, there was +change enough to cause Flora to determine she would follow out the +suggestion of her friend Ruth, and endeavor to make her home what she +desired it to be. + +When supper was over, Harry and Alec took their hats and went out, no +one asking where they were going, or when they would return. + +"How queer," thought Flora, who had volunteered to clear the table and +wash the dishes, "how queer, that neither mother nor father seems to +care where the boys go, or what they do." And realizing the +indifference of her parents, Flora began to feel an interest in the +pursuits of her brothers. + +When Flora retired to rest that night, she felt quite pleased with her +experience of the afternoon and evening, and she intended that this +should be the beginning of a new departure in her life; and she felt +glad that she had found such a friend as Ruth. She arose early the next +morning, and was downstairs before her mother was stirring. It was +Sunday, and the entire family were in the habit of rising later than +usual on that day. + +"What a dingy old place this is, to be sure," said Flora. "I'll make the +fire and straighten things up a little." + +When she had finished she looked about, and shook her head. + +"It doesn't look a bit comfortable, or homelike. No wonder the boys go +out every evening. I do wish I knew where to begin to improve things, +but I don't, and I have no one to ask about it, except Ruth; yes, I will +talk to her about things. Perhaps she can help me." + +When Mrs. Hazeley came downstairs, to her surprise and unbounded delight +she found the fire burning, the kettle boiling, and the table daintily +laid, ready for breakfast. + +"Why, Flora! I did not know you were up," she said, looking around, +well-pleased with the generally improved condition of the room. + +"I do believe your aunt has made quite a housekeeper of you," she +continued, a moment later, as she inwardly congratulated herself upon +the circumstance which had sent her daughter home. + +Flora flushed at this unexpected, and for her mother, somewhat unusual +word of commendation, but made no reply, for the simple reason that she +did not know what to say. In spite of this feeling of pleasure that her +effort was appreciated, she could not help wishing herself back in her +aunt's home,--not as it now stood, with Aunt Sarah at its head, but as +it had been under Aunt Bertha's gentle control. The more she thought of +it, the more intense became the longing to be there in the old, happy, +care-free life at Brinton. But there was nothing to be gained by +wishing: Aunt Bertha was dead; Aunt Sarah was there, and there to stay; +and she was at home, and here to stay; so there was nothing to do but to +make the best of things, and get as much comfort out of life as she +could. Then she thought of Ruth's life, and her brave effort to make a +home for her father and Jem, and inwardly Flora determined to emulate +her example. How well she succeeded the future will show. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +FLORA'S FIRST SUNDAY. + + +Breakfast over, and the dishes cleared away, Flora looked about, +wondering what else there was for her to do. Her father was reading a +paper, and the boys had gone away. She went to the window where Lottie's +potato stood in its jar. The sight of it carried her thoughts back so +vividly to the old days, that she half resolved to look at it no more. + +She felt dull and spiritless to-day; it was no wonder, for there was +little to make her feel otherwise. At Aunt Bertha's, every one had been +accustomed to attend church, and Flora remained to Sunday-school. She +had been converted and received into the church about a year before her +aunt's death. Her sudden sorrow, her hasty trip from Brinton, and her +unfamiliar surroundings in her new home, caused her to feel as if she +had been removed to a heathen land. + +None of the Hazeley household attended church, and Flora knew of no +place to which she could go, for all was so new and strange to her, and +being somewhat timid, she would not go alone. + +Still standing at the window, and looking drearily out on the quiet +street, she saw Ruth and little Jem passing, on their way to church. +When they saw Flora they stopped, and she, glad to see a friendly face, +hastened to open the door. + +"Would you not like to come with us to church, this morning?" asked +Ruth. + +"Indeed I should," replied Flora. "I was just wondering what I was going +to do with myself to day. Wait a minute; I will be ready in a very short +time." + +As good as her word, she was soon ready. "I am so glad that you stopped +for me, Ruth," said she, as they walked along. "I know nothing about the +churches here, and no one goes from our house." + +"That is too bad," returned Ruth, sympathizingly. + +Flora was indeed glad that she had come when, as they ascended the +church steps, she heard the deep tones of the organ pealing out a +welcome to all who entered. As they walked up the aisle, it seemed as if +the sweet notes of the music twined around them, as though enfolding +them in a loving embrace. A feeling of quiet content filled the heart +of the young girl, and for a time the realities were forgotten in the +soothing sense of rest that stole over her. Nor did she attempt to +arouse herself until the opening services were ended, and the minister +arose to announce his text. + +In clear, distinct tones he read: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do +it with thy might." Twice he slowly read the words, until Flora thought +he surely must have pressed them right into her brain, for she felt that +they were indelibly imprinted on her memory. Whether the sermon was +intended especially for young people, or not, she did not know, but she +felt that it was peculiarly adapted to herself. I have no doubt that the +older folks felt the same with regard to themselves. It was one of those +texts and sermons that suit everybody. + +"I wonder how many of my hearers can say truthfully that they have done +with their might 'whatsoever' their hands found to do," said the +minister, looking, as Flora thought, directly at her. + +She dropped her eyes uneasily to the floor, and mentally admitted, "I, +for one, have not, unless it was to grumble and fret with all my might. +I have done that, but nothing else, at least since I came home." + +"I am sure you cannot say that your hand has found nothing to do. You +can perhaps say that your hand has not found what you wished it to do; +but that is not what the words of the text teach. It says '_whatsoever_ +thy hand finds to do.' Then too, it is to be done 'with thy might'; not +half-heartedly." + +"Oh," commented Flora to herself, "why _should_ he talk so straight at +me? If he is not describing Flora Hazeley, I am mistaken." + +"Did you ever notice," the minister continued, "that when you did a +thing heartily, even though it was not the most agreeable occupation to +you, it became more easy and pleasant to you?" + +Flora thought of the little help she had voluntarily given her mother +the previous evening, and again inwardly agreed with the speaker. The +minister said a great many things that morning, some of which had never +entered Flora's mind, and they made her very thoughtful; so thoughtful +that she paid but little attention to the strains of the organ that +accompanied her out of the church. She remembered he had spoken of many +kinds of work the hands might find to do, and which were to be done +faithfully and heartily. Perhaps it would be church work; perhaps +professional work; perhaps mechanical work; and perhaps house-work and +home-work. The last two, he thought, ought to go together, as neither +could do very well without the other, although each differed in +character. "House-work," he said, "as all knew, was sweeping, dusting, +cooking, and the other duties connected with caring for the house; but +home-work was the making and keeping a home; helping those in it to be +contented and happy; brightening and making it cheery by both word and +deed; shedding a healthful and inspiring influence, so that those around +us may be the better for our presence." + +"According to that, we _all_ have a 'whatsoever,'" said Flora, +emphatically to herself; "and the sooner I decide to start on my own +part, the better it will be for me." + +With her mind busy with many things, Flora was very quiet on her way +home. The sermon to which they had listened was plain and practical. It +was not brilliant, but it was helpful. The ideas were not necessarily +new, but the words fell upon at least one heart already prepared and +softened by circumstances to receive and profit by them. To Flora they +were seed, falling upon the prepared ground of her heart, and in due +time the fruit came forth. Most of the suggestions were new to her, for +never before had she viewed them in this particular light. + +Ruth respected her friend's silence, for she saw that she was busy with +her thoughts, and guessing something of what they were, she was also +quiet. Jem was unaffected by the silence of her elders. She walked along +at Ruth's side, with her hand closely holding her sister's. Her happy +life caused her every now and then to lapse from her dignified walk, and +give a little jump and a skip. A continual volley of questions was +thrown at Ruth, whose replies were not always as obvious as occasion +demanded. + +Jem's quick retort, "No, it isn't, Ruth," brought her to a realization +of her abstractedness, and she resolved to be more attentive. + +They left Flora at her door, Ruth asking if she had enjoyed the service, +and added: + +"Will you not come to Sunday-school with us this afternoon?" + +"I did enjoy the sermon very much," Flora replied, "and I shall be +pleased to go to Sunday-school. If you will call for me, Ruth, I will be +ready when you come." + +A number of things grew out of Flora's experience on this Sunday. Its +influence stayed with her, and had no small part in shaping her future +life. She soon became an earnest worker to make the world better for her +living in it; striving patiently and faithfully to render her daily life +a power for good to those around her. How she succeeded our story will +tell. Last, but not least, a strong affection sprang up between Ruth and +herself, which proved a blessing to both. + +Ruth taught a class in the Sunday-school, and persuaded Flora to consent +to take one also, if the necessity arose. She introduced her to the +superintendent, who welcomed her cordially to the little band of +Christian toilers. + +"One class is in need of a teacher," he said; "will you not take it? It +is composed of girls from ten to twelve years of age." + +"Oh, I should not dare to undertake a class of girls so old!" exclaimed +Flora. "I am too young myself. Give me little girls, such as Ruth has." + +"But," said Mr. Gardiner, "there is no such class in need of a teacher. +Besides, it is not the age that has to do with your success as a +teacher; it is the earnestness, perseverance, patience, and true piety +which you bring to the work that will bring forth the results you +desire." + +"I am so inexperienced," murmured Flora. + +"Neither has that anything to do with the matter," contended the +gentleman, smiling. "Experience will come, all in good time," he added. + +"Well," said Flora, "I will do my best." + +"That is right," answered Mr. Gardiner, heartily. He felt sure that the +young girl before him would succeed, for energy, conscientiousness, and +determination could be read plainly in her bearing, and these, he knew, +were characteristics of a successful teacher. He was glad, therefore, he +had persuaded her. + +Ruth, also, was pleased, for now her friend would be also a co-worker. + +Flora felt sad when she thought that her family were the only ones of +those who knew her who were entirely indifferent as to what she did or +where she went. + +"Only think, Ruth," she said to her friend, "it doesn't matter to them, +whether I go wrong or right. What encouragement is there for a girl in +my place to try to do right?" + +"It does seem hard, dear," the gentle friend replied; "but then you will +shine out all the brighter in the end for doing right in the face of +discouragements; and God cares, you know." + +They were at the gate, and bidding Ruth good-bye, Flora slowly went up +the path to the house, her brain very active with new thoughts and +purposes. + +"Yes, God will help me, if I ask him," said Flora, softly, as she went +to her room, and after doffing her hat and jacket, she knelt beside her +bed, and asked the dear Lord to bless and strengthen her in her new +surroundings, and let her life tell for him. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE BEGINNING. + + +Monday morning was cloudy. Flora felt gloomy and dispirited, and +notwithstanding her good resolutions, not in a mood to make any extra +exertion. + +Mr. Hazeley had gone to his work, Harry and Alec to school, and the +mother was in bed with a sick headache. Flora was lonely. There was much +to be done, she realized, but just where to begin she did not know. +There was no one to tell her what to do, and everything looked very dark +to her on this Monday morning. + +The dishes were nicely washed, and carefully put away. The little dining +room had been swept and dusted, and looked somewhat more inviting. The +window where the sweet potato, the last link binding her with the past +at Brinton, stood, had been washed until the glass fairly shone, and now +she stood gazing listlessly out into the street. + +Presently she saw Ruth, on her way home from market. When in front of +the house, Ruth looked up, and saw Flora's woe-begone face at the +window. She stopped, and gave her a smiling little nod. Flora's +countenance brightened immediately, and she hastened to meet her. + +"You look lonely, this morning," was Ruth's greeting. + +"Indeed, I feel so," admitted Flora. + +"If you are not busy come home with me for a while." + +"I should like nothing better," cried Flora. "Just wait until I tell +mother." + +In a moment she was back, and the two walked on, Flora insisting on +helping Ruth with her market-basket. + +Jem met them at the door of the tiny house, and conducted them in with +great dignity. Flora was delighted with everything. + +"What a dear little house," she exclaimed, glancing about her +admiringly. + +"I am glad you like it," said Ruth, looking pleased. + +"And what a dear, little, old-fashioned housekeeper you make!" + +"Do you really think so?" + +"Of course I do," said Flora, heartily. "Ruth, dear," she continued, +abruptly changing the subject, "I want a talk with you." + +"I shall be so glad to have you," said Ruth, seating herself, with a +pan of apples in her lap. "Sit down beside me, and you can talk while I +pare these apples." + +"I will help," replied Flora. "Run, Jem dear, and get another knife for +me, like a good girl." + +Jem obeyed, and soon returning, brought with her a box filled with bits +of calicoes, and various odds and ends, seated herself also, and +proceeded to fashion what she was pleased to call "doll's clothes." + +"Ruth," began Flora, after they were all settled and busy, "I like you +ever so much, and I hope we always will be friends. You seem to know so +much, and you have had so much experience, that I am sure you can help +me a great deal, if you will." + +"Of course, dear," was her gentle reply, "I would be glad to help you +all I can, and I shall be as pleased as possible for us to be friends. +As to my knowing much, you are mistaken; I know but very little of +anything; and experience,--well, I have had some, I suppose; but then, +it isn't the sort that would help you, I am afraid. However, I shall be +glad to do anything I can for you." + +"I am sure you can help me, Ruth. You have helped me already," said +Flora, decidedly. "And I mean to do as you suggested, and try to make my +home just what I would like to have it. I don't know how to begin +exactly; and then, mother never seems to care how things go, and that +makes me feel as if I did not care either." + +"I don't like to hear you talk about your mother so, Flora dear," said +Roth, in a troubled tone. + +"How are you to help me, if I don't tell you just what I think and +feel?" + +"Perhaps, if you were to let your mother see and know that you wanted to +help her, and make things bright, and talk with her----" + +"Talk!" interrupted Flora; "I don't believe she would do it, even if I +were to try." + +"Oh, but _have_ you tried yet?" asked Ruth, looking up archly. "You +cannot tell until you do." + +"Very well," said Flora, laughing, "I guess I shall try. But there is +another thing," and the troubled look returned to her face. "It is about +the boys, my brothers. They stay at home scarcely ever. I don't know +where they go so often, and I am sure mother does not, and I don't +believe she cares--you need not look grave again, Ruth--I don't. Harry +and Alec seem to be good boys, and it is a pity they are not restrained. +They may get into bad company--if they are not in it already--and do +something dreadful, and bring disgrace on us all. What can I do about +that?" + +"It would take a wiser head than mine to tell you that," Ruth answered; +"but you might try and see if you could not make it so pleasant at home +they would not care to be away so much." + +"It seems pretty plain to me that that is easier to say than to do," +retorted Flora, just a little impatiently. + +"Yes, I know," assented Ruth, meekly; "I don't pretend to be a Solomon; +I only said you might try." + +"I don't believe they would stay for me," contended Flora, stubbornly. + +"That is another thing you have never tried yet," said Ruth, smiling +mischievously. + +"That is so," laughed Flora, as she took two or three curly parings, and +put them on Ruth's hair, to show penitence for her contrariety. "I guess +I had better not talk any more, until I have tried to do something. I +don't know how to begin my reformatory measures, but I suppose all will +be well if I start with 'whatsoever.'" + +By this time the apples were finished, and she rose to go. + +"You haven't remired my doll's things," said Jem, reproachfully. + +"So I have not," said Flora, and she sat down beside the little +seamstress, and began to "remire" the various articles held up for +inspection. She was compelled to see through Jem's eyes, however, for +the shapes of the garments were not so striking or familiar as to +suggest their names. + +When at length she reluctantly took her leave, Ruth invited her to come +soon again, to which she laughingly replied she certainly should. After +this, matters went on more pleasantly at Flora's home. She busied +herself with making the house look as cosy and as attractive as the +shabby furniture and worn carpet would admit. She succeeded beyond her +own expectations. She was gratified also that her brothers seemed to +enjoy the improved condition of affairs, and so did her father when he +was at home. Lottie's potato was now adding its mite to the general +reform, and was sprouting nicely, sending its delicate white roots +downward into the clear water, and its closely folded leaflets upward, +to grow green in the warm sunlight. It seemed to be quite at home in the +bright window. Flora had ceased to dream when she looked at her quaint +friend. The days now, were too full to build air-castles. Mrs. Hazeley +was pleased to shift her responsibility to Flora, who enjoyed nothing +better than to have all her time occupied. Often, when tangles would +come, Flora would run over to the ever-sympathetic Ruth, and receive +advice from her. Thus, in being busy, Flora became more content, and +often, as she thought of Aunt Sarah, she knew she would not be found +fretting. + +She had not yet attempted to influence the boys by word, but they soon +noticed the new air of homeliness pervading the rooms, and consequently +did not go out so much as had been their custom. Alec, the younger boy, +was very mercurial and mischievous, while Harry, the elder, was quiet, +and fond of reading. + +One evening Harry seemed to be more than usually inclined to be +sociable, and gave his mother and sister an animated account of +something that had happened "down town," that day. When he finished he +took up his book, and was just preparing to read, when Flora, eyeing the +volume distrustfully, asked: + +"What are you reading, Harry?" + +Harry looked up at her quizzically, and answered her question by +another. + +"Why? What is it to you, anyway?" + +"Nothing," said Flora, rather disconcerted. She was unaccustomed to +boys, and had but little tact in dealing with them. + +"I thought so," replied Harry, coolly, returning to his book. + +"Will you not tell me what you are reading?" again asked Flora, not +willing to be so easily vanquished. + +"Why do you want to know?" demanded Harry, looking at her suspiciously. + +Flora's lips again framed "nothing," but no sound came, for like a flash +she thought, "If I say that, he will say, 'I thought so,' as he did +before. No, I will give a reason," so she said: + +"You seemed to be so interested in it, I thought it must be very +entertaining." + +"So it is," replied Harry, throwing a mischievous glance over to the +corner at Alec, where he sat thoroughly engrossed in his favorite +pastime of whittling, and in serene thoughtlessness allowing the +clippings to fall according to their own sweet will. + +Harry was confident that Flora intended to "read him a lecture upon +trashy literature," as he afterward privately told Alec. He replied: + +"It is interesting, Flo, about murders, and bears, cut-throats and +burglars, and other horrors that would make you nervous to read about." + +"I am not made nervous so easily as you may think, my dear boy," +retorted Flora, condescendingly, and at the same time glancing +cautiously at Harry, to see what effect this would have. + +She had determined to try and gain an influence over her brothers, and +felt that to show an interest in their occupations would be a good +beginning. She realized the task she thus imposed on herself, but she +meant to do her best, for this was another "whatsoever." + +Harry was for a moment too much surprised to speak. Then he said, +saucily: + +"Ah, indeed! Well, let me read some to you." + +"I shall be glad for you to read to me, if you will read a story I have +just started. I feel sure you will enjoy it. If yours is a book for boys +only, I fear I could not appreciate it." + +"Oh, you couldn't?" said Harry. "Why not, may I ask?" + +But Flora was up and away ere the sentence was completed. Harry +congratulated himself on having put her to flight, and returned to his +book with a self-satisfied smile. Flora, however, had only gone to her +room for a paper. Hurrying back, she spread it before astonished Harry, +and, pointing to its columns, said, in a peculiarly persuasive manner: + +"Now, Hal, I would be ever so glad if you would read that story aloud to +us, while I crochet, and Alec whittles on the floor." + +Alec looked confused, and began to pick up some of the litter he had +made. + +"Never mind, Alec," said Flora, laughing, "I will clear it up this time. +Could you not put a newspaper under you to catch the cuttings, another +time?" + +"All right," said Alec, looking relieved. + +"We are all ready, Harry," said Flora, sitting down and taking up her +work. + +"Humph!" said Harry, glancing carelessly down the page. "There's nothing +in such a story. I don't want to read it. It is too flat." + +"You are mistaken," replied Flora, spiritedly. "It's not a bit flat, and +there is something in it. It is about a brave boy who saved a train." + +"Oh, yes, I know," said Harry, skeptically, "and was not hurt." + +"Yes, but he did get hurt. Why not read it, and see?" suggested Flora. + +"Yes, read it, Hal," said Alec; "let's see what it is, anyway." + +"All right," and Harry began to read with a comical nasal twang, very +rasping to Flora's feelings, but she had the wisdom to say nothing. She +was very glad, later, because Harry gradually dropped the false tone, +and she could see by his manner that he had become interested, in spite +of himself. Alec too, had ceased whittling, and was listening intently. + +Forgetting to criticise, Harry read the entire story, which, in truth, +was a pathetic little incident, very gracefully and entertainingly told. +He was silent, as he laid the paper on the table, but his thoughts were +busy. + +"I was right, was I not, Harry?" asked Flora. + +"Yes," drawled Harry, smilingly, "you were. I did enjoy it, and I am +glad you asked me to read it. But, let me see," he added, turning to the +clock, "what time is it? Well," and he laughed, "I was good. It is +nearly ten. Guess I will retire; I was going out, but it is too late." + +Flora was secretly rejoiced to hear this, but she simply said, +"Good-night." She felt a glow of satisfaction as she realized a +beginning had been made toward gaining the hold upon her brothers she so +much desired. + +"Flora, will you lend me that paper?" asked Alec, as she was preparing +to go to her room. Flora willingly placed the paper in his hand, +remarking, as she did so, + +"I am glad you like the story. I have others, if you want them. Aunt +Bertha kept me well supplied." + +"Good night," returned Alec, and he was gone. + +Flora was more nearly content than she had been for some time, as she +sank into peaceful slumber that night. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SOME RESULTS. + + +"I believe I am going to realize some of the dreams I used to have, +after all," Flora said to herself, as she laid her head upon her pillow +that night. + +She was right. The first step had been taken by her in the path of +becoming an earnest worker, and to influence those about her as she had +planned she would like to do, although not in such a way as this, nor in +such surroundings. Her cherished dream of being instrumental in leading +others into a higher and better life was now, she began to realize, +leading her into the lines of duty in her own home, and among her own +people. She could not wish for more. + +She would not be like so many others, who in their desire to do great +things, neglect the opportunities near at hand, and who, in longing to +lead the heathen to a higher plane of life, forget those at home, who +possibly for want of a word or act, have slipped, stumbled, and fallen +on life's pathway. + +Flora was growing, and with an earnest prayer to the Christ for +guidance, strength, and tact, she cheerfully assumed more duties in the +home, and greater responsibility. Her bright, sunny disposition, her +pleasant face, her extreme willingness to respond to requests, gradually +won a place for her in the hearts of those in her home. + +The class in Sunday-school was assumed with a feeling of great +apprehension. It was composed of five girls between the ages of ten and +twelve. At first sight of their youthful teacher, these girls had been +inclined to be displeased, but when they grew to know the sunny, sweet +good-nature, born of the great desire to do them good, and which shone +out of the earnest eyes, they loved her dearly. The teaching of this +class was fraught with great good, both to the teacher and scholars, and +this meeting with the eager, bright girls was soon eagerly looked +forward to by Flora from week to week. + +"How things have improved at Mr. Hazeley's!" soon grew to be a common +remark among the neighbors. + +"Yes, since Flora came home, it has become very different from what it +formerly was," would be the spirit, if not the words of the reply. + +Flora overheard a similar remark one day, and it gave her a feeling of +great joy to know the change was becoming apparent. Her resolution was +strengthened to sustain this newly made reputation. + +It must not be supposed that she always had an easy time. This was not +so, for as she often said to Ruth, "When mother and Harry are not in a +good humor, things do become tangled." + +However, to do the family justice, they were beginning to see and to +more fully appreciate the changes made in their home since Flora, who +had left them a small maiden, had returned with her thoughtful ways and +mature manner. They forgot sometimes that she was but sixteen, and would +fancy she was older than she really was. In fact, almost imperceptibly, +she assumed all responsibility, and they deferred to her judgment in +many things. Best of all, however, they began to love her. + +Her younger brother Alec seemed to have entirely surrendered to her +gentle, loving rule, and was ever willing to listen to her advice. He +was always ready to help her by running errands, chopping wood, drawing +water, and performing a dozen other little tasks quite new to him, for +he had never aided his mother in any way. In fact she had never asked +her boys to assist her, or to save her extra steps or work, forgetting +it ought to be required from them. + +Mrs. Hazeley also had changed under the magic wand of Flora's sunny +influence and determination to win the love of all. She had become at +least a willing agent to the general change taking place in her home, +and which recommended itself to her because her responsibilities were +lightened and carried by other shoulders. + +The house itself was transformed. Even cynical little Jem was becoming +satisfied with it. It still contained the same furniture, but there was +an air of comfort and home life about it never there before, but +introduced by the magic of Flora's presence. + +Lottie's sweet potato added its share to the general improvement which +was going on. The long thread-like roots looked very white in the jar of +water in which they were growing, and the graceful tendrils and +light-green leaves were quite refreshing to the eyes. Flora had trained +the vine about the window on small cords, and already it had nearly +covered the lower part with its delicate branches. Flora would have felt +lonely without it to care for; especially after being accustomed to have +plants in profusion around her at her old home. Then too, it carried +her back to the happy days at Aunt Bertha's, bringing a feeling of joy +that she had been permitted to live there so long, and to be trained in +such a gentle, firm, loving manner. Frequently she mentally contrasted +her care-free life there, and her life of responsibility now, and she +determined, with the help that is from above, she would not sink to her +surroundings, but would elevate them to her level. Bravely, patiently, +hopefully did she go forward with this end in view. + +She was really surprised to find how fond she had grown of her brothers, +and they of her. She could think of her mother very differently now, and +she in turn began to show signs of an awakening affection for her +daughter. + +As to Ruth, she was ever the same, a quiet little home body, whose hands +were always too full to allow her to come to Flora, but whose demure +little face never failed to smile a welcome to her friend, and whose +wise brain could turn over Flora's tangles and straighten them. + +The two girls loved each other dearly; and no safer, truer friend and +guide could Flora have found than Ruth Rudd, who, although no older than +she herself, was very mature in thought, manner, and speech. Her face +however, was childlike and innocent, reflecting the pure soul within. +Flora was fortunate indeed in having her for a friend and confidante. + +Harry Hazeley was a manly fellow with fine qualities. He had been +allowed to do as he pleased, and had not been greatly benefited by this +freedom. No restraining hand or guiding voice had been held out to him, +or to cheer him on his way. Not being evil minded, he had taken but few +wrong steps, and now his attention had been attracted to higher and +better things. + +As I have said, Harry had good qualities; one of which was a kind +disposition, and although it was not always apparent to his every-day +associates, was brought into play whenever he met any one who seemed in +need of assistance. + +One morning, as he was walking through the market on his way to school, +his attention was attracted by an old man. One of his feet was swathed +in bandages, and he was hobbling painfully back and forth, from his +wagon to the stall, where he was trying to arrange a quantity of +vegetables and some flowering plants which formed his stock in trade. + +Harry had a quarter of an hour to spare, and he immediately offered to +help the old man, who was only too glad to accept the proffered +assistance, and who introduced himself, between the journeys from stall +to wagon, as "Major Joe Benson, a gardener on a small scale." + +Major Joe was an old ex-soldier, who had been wounded, and later +imprisoned. The title "Major" was only a nominal one, and not indicative +of any rank. His name, as he informed Harry, was Joseph Major Benson, +Major being his mother's maiden name. He preferred to transpose this and +call himself Major Joseph Benson, shortened for convenience to "Major +Joe." + +"It sounded sort of big, you know," he said, drawing himself up and +looking dignified, until reminded by a sharp twinge in his foot that +"rheumatiz" and dignity did not agree. + +Major Joe was very talkative, and would not cease his persuasions until +Harry had promised to drive out to his home with him some day, and see +his nice little farm and Mrs. Benson, and he added: + +"She will be delighted to see you, because you possess such a kind +heart, and because you helped me. You must come." + +"Yes, I will," returned Harry, "but I must be off to school now. +Good-bye." And away he went, mentally pronouncing the major "a jolly old +chap." + +The visit was made, and strange though it seemed, a fast friendship +sprang up between the two, and the visits became quite frequent. Harry +had taken Alec with him several times, and he too had greatly enjoyed +the trip. Major Joe could tell any number of quaint tales and +reminiscences of interest to the brothers. Mrs. Benson, who was more +active than her husband, was always desirous for Harry and Alec to +remain to tea. Her heart had been reached by the kindness of Harry to +her "Major," as she lovingly called him, and she could not do enough for +them. + +Harry had passed his old friend's stall a number of times since Flora's +return, and had of course told him about his sister. The major had a +strong desire to see this wonderful girl, as he deemed her to be, from +the glowing descriptions that came to him. Finally he insisted, and Mrs. +Benson sent in a kind invitation that the three, Harry, Flora, and Alec +must come home with him to spend the afternoon and take tea. + +He chose a beautiful day in early summer for the visit, and Flora was +anticipating it with no small degree of pleasure, for it would be the +first real holiday she had had since coming home. The thought that the +boys cared enough about her to plan a trip for her was a very pleasant +one. Her mother seemed as much pleased with the idea as the rest, and +had insisted upon her going, so Flora felt warranted in thoroughly +enjoying her new experience. Mrs. Hazeley was daily becoming more +energetic, and seemed really arousing to the fact that she had a place +to fill in her home. + +Major Joe was to call for his three young friends on his way home from +market. He had promised to be on hand by noon, and as punctuality was an +economizer of time, in the old gentleman's opinion, it was barely twelve +o'clock when he drew up with a great attempt at flourishing before the +Hazeleys' door. + +[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 67.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +A VISIT TO MAJOR JOE. + + +Quite an effort was necessary in order to arrange the board for an extra +seat for Flora and Alec. At length it was made ready, and Flora was +helped in, and Alec followed, while Harry took his place beside the +major, who commented as follows: + +"So this is your sister, Harry? Well, well, she's a sister to be proud +of; and I haven't a doubt but you are proud of her. Here, you Jacob, git +up, will you?" and he shook the reins vigorously over his horse's back. +"You never do come to a standstill but what you think it's meant for you +to go to sleep." + +Jacob, roused from his intended doze, lazily shook his fat sides, and +slowly moved along. It was a lovely June day, and the little party had a +very pleasant ride of about an hour and a half, Jacob not being inclined +to hurry. + +Major Joe was conversationally inclined, and nothing pleased him more +than to hear the sound of his own voice. He chatted continually: now +about the orchards they passed, and their probable yield of fruit; now +about the styles of the houses, as they came into view, and interspersed +these remarks with reminiscences of the time when he was in the army. + +The ride seemed quite a short one to Flora, who had enjoyed it +thoroughly. + +Mrs. Benson stood at the gate, watching for them; and in her white +kerchief and neat cap, looked good-natured and comfortable. A saucy +little spaniel sat in the middle of the road, watching too; and he was +the first to catch sight of the wagon. He gave notice of the same by a +sharp bark, and springing to his feet, doubled himself together, and +bounded away, raising a cloud of dust in his haste to reach and greet +his master. How happy he was when he reached the carriage! He sprang up +at old Jacob, who paid no attention to such a small animal, but merely +turned away his head with an air of supreme indifference. + +"Jump, Dolby, jump!" said Major Joe. After several ineffectual trials, +and two or three hard falls into the dusty road, Dolby landed beside his +owner, who had made room for him, and gave himself a vigorous shake, +which sent the dust he had gathered in his long hair, over Flora's +clothes and into her face, causing her to choke, and a moment later to +laugh. Dolby concluded this was in recognition of himself, and turning +around, eyed Flora quizzically, and gave a satisfied little friendly +bark. + +The garden and nursery belonging to Major Joe were not large, but they +were very fruitful, enabling him to realize considerable from the sale +of his flowers and vegetables. He did not carry on his trade in a +scientific manner, but merely for his love of the beautiful and useful +things of the vegetable kingdom, and because to be inactive was for him +to be unhappy. His receipts from the sale of the products of his land, +together with his pension, enabled himself and Mrs. Benson to live very +comfortably in their own snug little cottage, and, in addition, to lay +aside something for a rainy day. + +"Well, mother, here we are," said Major Joe, throwing the reins over +Jacob's back. + +"So I see," answered Mrs. Benson, nodding smilingly to the entire party. +"Just come right in," she added, as Alec sprang out on one side of the +wagon, and Harry helped Flora from the other. + +The young people followed their hostess through the gate, and up the +box-bordered walk into the cosy little cottage. Flora was soon seated +in a low rocking-chair by the window, whose broad sill was filled with +potted plants. + +There Harry and Alec left her in good Mrs. Benson's care, while they +went for a walk over the place. + +Flora soon discovered that her hostess was as sociable as the major, and +but a short time passed before they were chatting like old friends. + +By-and-by, Alec thrust his merry face in at the door, and said: + +"Come out here, Flora; the major wants you to see his garden." + +"Yes, dear, go, if you are perfectly rested," said Mrs. Benson. "I will +stay here, and see about preparing our early tea." + +Flora joined her brother out of doors, and found Major Joe and Harry +waiting. + +"Come and see my little green-house," said the old man, waving his hand, +and looking at them from over his spectacles with an important air. +Flora complied quite willingly, for she was very fond of flowers, and +immediately won the major's good opinion with her enthusiasm over his +pet plants, and the interest with which she listened while he enlarged +upon his management of them. The care of his garden was a tax upon his +time, and really constituted quite a little labor. Then, outside, it was +so pleasant to walk up and down among the neat flower-beds, in the +small, but nicely kept orchard; and in the kitchen garden, for the major +prided himself on his choice vegetables, some of which frequently took +prizes at the county fair. + +The major himself was in his glory, for he had someone to whom he could +talk. Talking was an occupation of which he never wearied, and now he +chatted about the various departments of his labors, and how pleasant it +was to watch the growth and development of the plants. + +His tongue was still going very fast, when Mrs. Benson appeared in the +doorway, and called to them that tea was ready. Reluctantly the old +gardener relinquished his young listeners, who were, however, quite +willing to vary the program, for they were hungry. The sight of the +pleasant room, neat tea-table, and their genial, motherly hostess, was a +very inviting one. In a lull of the conversation, during the progress of +the meal, Mrs. Benson remarked, with a sad little smile, that Flora +reminded her of her Ruth. + +"So she does," exclaimed her husband. "I knew she made me think of +somebody, but couldn't make it clear who it was." + +"Is Ruth your daughter?" asked Flora. + +"She is, or leastways she was," said Mrs. Benson, heaving a sigh, and +adding, in a low voice, "She's dead now." + +"I am very sorry," said Flora, with ready sympathy. + +"Yes, our Ruth was a fine girl, but a little headstrong. We did all we +could to make her happy and contented at home, but it seemed as if we +did not succeed, and so, one day she ran off to marry a man we couldn't +care for, because we were sure he wouldn't treat our girl kind--not that +there was anything against him, but he was so cold and unfeeling. But +she wouldn't listen to us, and went off, and we never saw her again." + +"How sad!" said Flora; "but couldn't you go to see her?" + +Mrs. Benson shook her head. "No; he said we were not to have anything to +do with Ruthie, after he married her, and they moved away somewhere, we +never knew where, until we heard in a roundabout way that she was dead." +Here Mrs. Benson paused to wipe away a tear. "I had hoped she would at +least have stayed near home, and been a comfort to us in our old age; +but, I suppose it's all right, and for the best. But excuse me for +telling you so soon of our great sorrow. I should not have done it. Have +you ever heard," she continued--and soon all were laughing heartily at +her quaint sayings. + +Flora, however, could not send from her thoughts this sad story. When +the pleasant visit was drawing to an end, and they all were bidding Mrs. +Benson good-bye, promising to come again, it still lingered with her. As +old Jacob was soberly and deliberately trotting homeward, she revolved +it over and over in her mind. Somehow it fastened itself upon her in a +way she did not understand, and not until she was home, and had retired +to her room for the night, did she arrive at even a partial solution of +the perplexing problem. Then it dawned upon her with surprising +clearness, that it certainly was because of the similarity of names in +Mrs. Benson's daughter and her friend and adviser, Ruth Rudd. + +This was very slight ground on which even to build an air-castle, but +Flora did not stop to consider that, but in the midst of her dreaming +resolved to go the next day, and rehearse to Ruth the story she had +heard from Mrs. Benson. + +Accordingly, next morning, after the work was done, and her mother was +seated with her sewing, Flora donned her hat, and went to see her +friend, expecting to find her busy as usual. She was, therefore, very +much surprised to be met at the door, even before she had knocked, by +Ruth herself, whose gentle face wore a troubled, anxious look, and she +spoke in a low tone, as she responded to Flora's query: + +"What is it, Ruthie?" + +"Father is very sick." + +"Oh, I am so sorry! What is the matter? When was he taken ill? Was it +suddenly?" + +"Yes and no," said Ruth, answering simply the last question put by +Flora. "He was compelled to stop work yesterday, and come home. He has +been in poor health for a long time. I have been afraid, for quite a +while, that he would break down." + +"The doctor does not think he will die, does he?" whispered Flora, in an +awed tone. + +"Yes, he does," said Ruth, as she wiped her eyes with the corner of her +apron. + +The two girls, with their arms entwined, and a deep tenderness in their +voices, then went into the little kitchen, where Jem sat, holding her +beloved kitten close to her for comfort. + +"Yes, the doctor says that he cannot last long. But what bothers me is, +there seems to be something on his mind, and I can see he is worried." + +"What about? Do you know?" asked Flora, sympathizingly. + +"Well, I can guess," Ruth answered, taking from a work-basket a stocking +of Jem's, and beginning to darn it in an abstracted, mechanical way. + +"You see," she continued, "father married my mother--my own mother, I +mean--against her parents' wishes--she was young--and he never would be +reconciled to them, because they had objected to him. Neither would he +allow them to have anything to do with each other afterward. He was very +stern, and it all made mother so unhappy it just broke her heart, I am +sure. She died when I was very small. He has told me, since Jem's mamma +died, he wished he had tried to pacify my grandparents. But he had moved +far away from them, and now, if he should die, he has nobody with whom +to leave Jem and me. But he was always so proud; and now we shall be all +alone," and she gave a sorrowful little sigh. + +"See here, Ruth," exclaimed Flora, a sudden thought flashing across her +mind. "What was your mother's name?" + +"Ruth, it was the same as mine," was the reply. + +"Yes, but what was her last name?" + +"Benson, I think." + +"Well, then, I think I know your grandparents," cried Flora. + +"You do? How? Where?" returned Ruth, in a puzzled, disjointed way. + +"Wasn't, or isn't, your grandfather named Joseph Benson?" asked Flora. + +"Yes, Joseph Major Benson; but how did you know?" + +"Oh, I found out," was the answer. "And they live just a little way out +in the country." + +"But, how do you know all that?" persisted Ruth, incredulously. + +"Because I was there yesterday." + +"Oh, Flora, are you sure? Don't raise my hopes and then disappoint me." + +"My dear, you will not be disappointed; I should not like to do that," +said Flora, gravely; "but let me tell you, and you can see for +yourself." And then she told the story Mrs. Benson had told her, ending +with, "So, you see, there can be no mistake." + +Ruth was delighted, and thanked her friend again and again. + +"Just see how God works," she said. "Who can tell what he will bring +about. How glad I am! I must not tell father anything about it just yet. +We must manage to send word to grandfather, and have him here before we +tell. It would not do to excite father unnecessarily; he is so very +weak." + +"That is so, Ruthie," said Flora; "you are wise, as usual, in thinking +of that. I should have done quite differently. I should have rushed +right in at once and told him." + +"Not if you had been in my place," was the gentle answer. "You see, I +have been accustomed to think about such things ever since Jem's mother +died, as father never took much interest in the management of our +household affairs." + +After some more talk, it was arranged that Flora should go and bring +Major Joe to see his son-in-law in the morning, and then the friends +parted, Flora to hurry home and enlist her brothers' aid in her new +project; and Ruth to return to the bedside of her father, with the +pleasant hope of not only easing his mind, but the feeling that should +he die, she would not be left entirely alone in the world; a possibility +which she had dreaded more because of her little sister, than on her own +account. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +MORE RESULTS. + + +When Flora entered the house she found her brothers there before her, +and both very quiet. It had grown to be such a pleasant thing to find +their cheery sister at home when they came in, that they had almost +unconsciously commenced to look forward to seeing her, and hearing her +merry voice. They hastened home from school, and felt, but never +expressed, disappointment when she was not there. + +Flora, while not yet so wise and thoughtful as her friend Ruth, was +daily learning lessons of usefulness, and continually using and +developing new powers heretofore latent, and with her natural tact +refrained from commenting upon many changes easily observed, going on in +the habits of her brothers. And now she simply smiled at Harry, and +pinched Alec's ear playfully, as she passed him. + +Then she went to her room to remove her hat, and hastened back to help +her mother with the dinner. While putting the dishes on the table she +imparted her news to Harry and Alec, between her trips from table to +pantry. They were both well pleased to have the prospect of being able +to brighten the lives of Major Joe and Mrs. Benson. They considered +Flora very bright to come to the conclusion she did. + +"I forgot all about that story soon after I heard it," said Alec, +conscious stricken. "Didn't you, Hal?" + +"I am afraid I did," laughed his brother. "But what else was there for +me to do? I knew no way in which I might help, as Flora did." + +"That's so," rejoined Alec, in a relieved tone, willing to share in his +brother's self-absolution. + +"Of course neither of you could have done anything, for you did not know +Ruth. But tell me, what will be best to do?" asked Flora, pausing with a +dish she was carrying to the table. + +"I know," said Harry. "To-morrow is Saturday and market day also, and we +all can go and see Major Joe in his stall, and tell him what we have +heard, and what we think. If he is interested, one of us can stay at his +stall while he goes and sees Ruth." + +"How glad he will be; and how glad I am," said Flora. "It would be +dreadful for Ruth and poor little Jem to be left with no one to take +care of them." + +Thus the question was decided. + +The next morning Major Joe was surprised by a visit from all three of +his young friends, and none the less delighted to see them, however, +because they came unexpectedly, and he gave them a hearty welcome. It +was understood beforehand that Flora was to be the one to open the +subject, and explain matters. She did not tell everything at once, as +Alec thought she ought to do, but approached the object of their visit +in a delicate way. + +"Major Joe; guess what brought us here to-day." + +"I'm sure I can't say," answered the old man, rubbing his rough hands +together, with a beaming smile. "Maybe to see your old friend?" + +"To be sure; we're always glad to do that," replied Flora, as she placed +the little bunches of parsley and thyme in more perfect order. "We have +come for something else. Something very important," she added, seeing +that Major Joe had no curiosity as to the nature of their errand with +him. + +"What would you say if I told you we had found somebody who belongs to +you?" + +"To me?" queried the puzzled man. "I don't see how you could do that." + +"Yes, but I have," said Flora. "I am sure of it." + +The old major shook his head doubtingly. + +"And I want you to come with me and see if what I said is not true," +persisted Flora, coaxingly. + +"But how can I?" questioned Major Joe in reply. "I cannot leave my +stall--who would wait on my customers?" + +"Why not let me take charge until you return," asked Harry, speaking for +the first time. + +"And I can help," added Alec. + +"Now you see it's all fixed," said Flora. + +"Surely you're not afraid to trust us, are you?" asked Harry, as he saw +his old friend still undecided. + +"No, no; it's not that, my boy; only----" + +"Only nothing," interrupted Flora, laughingly. "You must come, so say no +more about it." And she caught his arm and led him away, an unwilling +and unbelieving captive. + +Ruth opened the door in answer to Flora's gentle tap. The latter could +no longer restrain her impatience. + +"Now, Major Joe," she exclaimed, softly, for fear of disturbing the +sick man, "whom does this little sobersides remind you of?" + +At first the old man looked from one to the other in a bewildered +manner. Then his eyes rested on Ruth's face long and attentively. The +tears gathered, and he involuntarily held out his hand, and said, +softly, "Ruthie." + +Scarcely realizing what she was doing, Ruth, probably drawn by the +tender, loving tone that touched her heart, put her own in it. + +"Who is she? What does it all mean?" asked the major, looking helplessly +at Flora. + +"It means," answered Flora, softly, "that this is truly Ruthie. Not your +own Ruth, but her daughter and namesake--your grand-daughter Ruth." + +"Is that so? Are you sure? Don't say so if you ain't," pleaded the old +man. And then the thought flashed across Flora's mind that perhaps after +all she was mistaken, and had only brought her old friend there to be +disappointed. + +"Ruth dear," she said, dropping into a chair, weakened by the very +thought, "tell him--tell him all about yourself; your mother's name, and +everything. Do, please, quick!" + +Ruth told the history of her dead mother's life, as she had heard it +from her own lips. + +Eagerly Major Joe listened, and when she was through, he held out his +arms to her, saying: + +"You are my poor Ruth's daughter," and the tears prevented him from +adding more. Ruth and Flora wiped their eyes in sympathy: Ruth rejoicing +in the possession of a grandfather; Flora, that provision was thus made +for Ruth. + +This tearful trio was interrupted a moment later by the entrance of Jem, +carrying her doll under one arm, and her beloved Pokey under the other. + +"Why, Ruth Rudd, I'm extonished at you, hugging a old market man!" and +Jem looked at her sister with unbounded disapproval. + +"Hush Jem, you must not talk so," said Ruth. "This is our grandfather." + +"Not mine," returned matter-of-fact Jem, standing still in the middle of +the room, and looking suspiciously at the visitor. "Not mine. I never +had any, and don't want one." + +"Who is this?" asked Major Joe, looking at the defiant little figure +dubiously. + +"She is my half-sister," answered Ruth. + +"Well, well," said her grandfather, "she ain't Ruth's child, so I've no +call to take her when I take you, Ruth. Her father can send her to his +own people." + +"Then, grandfather, I cannot go with you," said Ruth, sadly, but firmly. +"I will never leave Jem." + +"Ruth, you're not going to leave me, are you?" cried the little girl. + +"No, indeed, dear, I shall not leave you. It was not very nice for you +to speak of grandpa as you did just now. You should always be polite to +an old person. Remember this, Jem." + +"I don't care," said Jem, defiantly. "He's horrid. He wants to take you +away, and you're all I've got 'cept father, and--and he's going to die," +she sobbed, hiding her face in Ruth's arms. + +"Don't cry, Jem. I will not leave my little sister. What could I do +without you?" + +"No, no, little one, Ruth's grandfather won't part you, if you're so +fond of each other." And the major came over and patted the sobbing +child's head, soothingly. His was too tender a heart to withstand the +sight of a child in distress, so it was soon settled that he was to be +Jem's grandfather also, which arrangement was accepted by the little +girl as readily as she had rejected the idea a moment before. + +Then the major, his heart made very tender by memories of the past, was +ready to visit the invalid. + +John Rudd had always been a quiet man, but willful and determined to +succeed in whatever he undertook. He was not bad at heart, and when a +wrong act was committed it was invariably caused by obstinacy. He +usually quickly repented of his course, and made all reparation in his +power. + +Knowing that Mr. and Mrs. Benson did not like him as well as he had +hoped, he determined to marry Ruth, and to prohibit all intercourse with +her family. In everything else he was thoroughly honorable, but he +tenaciously held to this point. Ruth Benson, loving him devotedly, and +believing all he said or did was infallible, implicitly obeyed this +strange request without a question, and neither did she hear of or from +her parents. + +That the unnecessary sacrifice did not add to her happiness, was proven +by the fact that she lost her free, light-hearted ways, and became quiet +and melancholy, after a year or two of married life. Her husband was +proud--too proud to admit that he had made a mistake, until it was too +late for such an admission to do any good, and so after a few years she +died, leaving behind her little namesake, Ruth. She seemed to have +transmitted to the child in a large measure her own disposition, for +Ruth was always a grave, silent, little thing, entirely unlike other +children, and quite old for her years. + +It was nice too, she possessed such a sweet disposition and even temper, +for when her father brought home a new mother for the little Ruth, many +changes were made in the home, and great would have been the discord but +for Ruth's peaceful characteristics. Shortly after his second marriage, +John Rudd moved to Bartonville, whether for business openings, or to be +near the early home of Ruth's mother, no one ever knew. + +Ruth knew the story of her mother's married life, of the home of her +girlhood, and of the kind parents, but she did not know where the home +was. + +Whatever the reason for his coming, it was well for Ruth and Jem, for as +I have said, provision was now made for them both at Major Joe's farm. + +Ruth's life thus far, since the cares of the home were put upon her at +the death of Jem's mother, had been an uneventful one. She had no +companion but her little sister, who so filled her brain, and heart, and +time, that she had no opportunity to grow lonesome. Personally, Ruth +would have felt happier if her father had allowed the love, she doubted +not he held for her, to find expression in a word of praise, a tender +kiss, or appreciation of her efforts. But her father never thought of +this longing of his daughter: he was so self-contained himself, and +unemotionally inclined, that he could not have understood this craving, +even had he known of its existence, which it is needless to say, he did +not. + +It was rather hard for so young a girl to persevere in her home-making +with such a singleness of purpose as Ruth displayed, to give up her +beloved studies without a sigh of regret, and to strive to train her +younger sister, knowing she would receive no word of approbation from +her father. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +RUTH'S NEW HOME. + + +Flora was very glad to know that at last her tender-hearted, patient +Ruth had found some one to love her as well as to require of her duties. +Love is a lightener of labor, and Flora felt that, in this respect at +least, she was more fortunate than her friend. She felt sure, moreover, +she was fast gaining the affection of her brothers and of her mother, +who was gradually awaking to love for Flora and the desire to make the +home attractive. She had something to work for. But Ruth--she had no one +to whom to look for love, except Jem, as it was impossible to think of +their quiet, undemonstrative father ever expressing any of his love for +his daughters. One could only judge from his manner, for he never said +much, and that was the same as when she first knew them. + +John Rudd apparently took it as a matter of course that Major Benson +came to see him as he lay ill, and expressed neither pleasure nor +displeasure when he stated that should he not recover Ruth and Jem +would be well cared for. He accepted, without feeling, the heartily +expressed forgiveness from the major, thinking that perhaps it was due +in some degree to the presence of two faces standing near by with +earnest, pleading looks at the newly found grandfather, who, deprived of +his daughter, would fill the vacancy in his heart with Ruth and Jem. + +It was very difficult for Major Joe, with his tender heart, to leave his +grandchildren. At last, however, he did, promising to return in the +afternoon with Mrs. Benson, who would be overjoyed to see them, +especially Ruth, who was so like her mother at her age. + +As they returned to the market, Major Joe was prolific in his +expressions of gratitude to Flora for her part in bringing about this +delightful re-union, for had this not been done, Ruth and Jem would have +suffered, and would have been left without parents or home. + +Harry and Alec were well pleased with their new position, and because +trade had been very flourishing during their period of power. Major Joe +heartily thanked them all for their kind help to him this morning. Flora +then returned home, but Harry and Alec remained to do anything else +possible for Major Joe, as he wished to go home at once, and must pack +his wares. + +It is neither necessary to recount in detail all that pertained to the +last hours of John Rudd, nor how attentive Grandfather Joe was to his +newly found grandchildren; nor how overjoyed Mrs. Benson was when she +first saw them. It will be enough to say that all that could be done +toward rendering the dying man's last moments peaceful was done. Toward +the last he roused, and in a simple, but earnest way, expressed himself +content to die. He said that, although he had not spoken of the matter +for fear of distressing the children, he had known for some time that it +was to be so, and that long ago he had made his peace with God. He +regretted his past careless life, both as to his duty to his Maker and +to the children intrusted to him; "but," he continued, "God is good, and +ever willing to forgive, and to accept a truly contrite spirit, and my +trust is stayed on him." He expressed himself as very grateful to him +for his goodness in providing for his children. He blessed them all with +his last breath and passed peacefully away. + +When the last sad rites had been performed, Ruth's grandparents +immediately began preparations to take her and Jem home. + +The modest furniture of her home was entirely removed, although it +somewhat crowded the cottage, but Ruth could not now part with these +mementos of her former life, which had been her mother's. + +At last, everything was ready, the little house was given up, and Ruth +was spending a few moments with Flora, who, although instrumental in +finding a new home for Ruth and Jem, was full of sorrow at the prospect +of her loss in the parting with her friend. + +"Don't look so sad, Flora dear," said Ruth. "Think what a blessing it is +that poor little Jem and I have not been left altogether alone in the +world. Had God not led you to find our dear grandparents, how very +wretched we should be now. Besides, you know, we are not to be so far +away; we can see each other often." + +"That is true," returned Flora, brightening up; "I am glad of that; but +it will be so lonely not to have you near me. Besides, I don't know any +other girl as intimately as I do you." + +"Oh, you will," said Ruth. "I am sure you will meet and become +acquainted with some one as you did me. I hope, if you do, you may be +permitted to do them as much good as you have done me." + +"And me too, Ruth," said an unexpected voice behind them. + +Both turned, and saw Mrs. Hazeley standing in the doorway with a smile +upon her lips and tears in her eyes. + +"I used to be very unhappy, as you both know, and it was because I +expected life to form itself for me--either for pleasure or unhappiness. +Then Flora came," and she went over to her daughter and placed an arm +about her, and looked lovingly in her eyes; "I watched her closely, +and I soon discovered that she had determined to make this house a +home, and a delightful one. No untoward circumstances seemed to +discourage, but she was ever cheery and sprightly. We have gained +by her home-coming--how much I cannot tell. She seems to have the +mere power of will to mold circumstances as she chooses----" + +"Not my will, mother," softly interrupted Flora, her face suffused with +happy smiles; "it is God's will." + +"Yes, yes, my dear," said Mrs. Hazeley, "I believe it. I want his will +to mold my life too. A godless life is a wretched life, my children." + +Harry and Alec had entered during the conversation, and were standing +listening in amazement to what they heard from their mother. + +"And the boys too," continued Mrs. Hazeley; "I am sure they have been +helped by their sister's example." + +"I know I have!" exclaimed Alec. Harry's only reply was to remark that +the major was at the door waiting for Ruth. Then he turned and went out. + +Flora felt a strange mixture of feelings at that moment. She was glad to +know she had helped Ruth; unutterably grateful for her mother's words; +and hurt at the seeming indifference of her brother. It was not her way, +however, to dwell on what she could not prevent, so she only determined +to strive harder than before to penetrate the armor of cold indifference +worn by Harry of late. + +As Harry left, they all went to the gate to wave a good-bye to Ruth. In +the wagon was Jem, perched on a seat beside her grandfather, to whom she +had clung with all the strength of her loving little heart. Immediately +after the funeral she had gone home with him, taking "Pokey," and +leaving Ruth in peace to pack. This was really a comfort to Ruth, as +Jem's presence would not have been of any great assistance. + +Soon everything was settled, and with many injunctions to come soon, the +party drove off, little Jem holding the reins with a steady hand, and a +determination to drive all the way home. + +A new life thus opened for the orphans, Ruth and Jem--a life of freedom +from care, of joyous liberty to run at will in the garden of their +grandfather, who delighted in the company of Jem, and who returned his +affection in full measure. The life at the cottage was blessed by the +loving guardianship of the grandmother, who saw in Ruth her own daughter +of long ago. + +Under this beneficent influence Ruth lost some of her seriousness, +becoming more like other girls, and grew rosy and stout. + +The life at the farm had so absorbed Jem's mind and time that, for the +time being, "Pokey" was forgotten, much to the latter's satisfaction, +for now she could lie in the sun and sleep in peace without fear of +being unceremoniously awakened by her erratic little mistress. + +Flora watched the wagon containing Ruth and Jem until it was out of +sight, and then went into the house. Alec and Harry had gone away. Mrs. +Hazeley was sewing, and Flora, having no especial duty, and caring for +none, went over and stood at the window, listlessly gazing into space. +Her eyes soon dropped, and her attention was attracted by the yellow +leaves on the sweet-potato vine. Flora felt as if all to which she had +clung was leaving her in her loneliness. She looked closer. The potato +was still firm and hard, and the jar was quite packed with roots, but +the leaves on the vine were dying. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +LOTTIE PIPER. + + +Flora had stood for some little time, mechanically caressing the vine, +when she was surprised to hear near at hand, in a voice strangely +familiar, the words: + +"Well, I declare!" + +Looking up quickly, but scarcely crediting her own eyes, she exclaimed: + +"Lottie Piper!" + +"Flora Hazeley!" returned the voice, and in a moment the friends were +locked in each other's arms. + +"Where did you come from? What are you doing here?" asked Flora, +eagerly, in her desire to account for Lottie's presence in the village. + +"Only one question at a time, if you please," laughingly returned +Lottie. "Can you not guess?" she added, glancing at her gown, and for +the first time Flora noticed it was black. + +The quick tears sprang to Flora's eyes. + +"Oh, Lottie, who is it? Not your mother?" she said, sympathetically, +her arm tightening in its grasp, and her thoughts running back to her +sorrow when Aunt Bertha passed away. + +"Yes," returned Lottie, sadly, "mother is dead. Father felt that he +could not be happy at home, and so he went away out West, and left me +with my aunt, Mrs. Emmeline Durand. And Flora, if you want to know what +misery is, just you come and take my place for a while." And she looked +at Flora with such a mingled expression of regret at her lot, and +assumed resignation, that Flora was tempted to laugh, in spite of her +sorrow in learning of the death of Mrs. Piper. + +"If you want to laugh, you may," said Lottie, seeing her difficulty, and +appreciating it, as was shown by the merry twinkle in her bright black +eyes. + +"No, no, I must not laugh," said Flora, squeezing her friend's arm +affectionately. "I'm so sorry that your mother is dead. Where does your +aunt live? I will come and see you." + +"No, you--I mean you--can't--that is, she won't let you," stammered +Lottie, blushing hotly. + +"Yes, I understand. It is all right. It is not your fault," said Flora, +hastily, appreciating the situation; and wishing to relieve the +embarrassment of the other, she added, "You can come and see me." + +"I don't know," answered Lottie, glad to find that Flora understood. "I +hardly think she would let me come. I have not asked her to go anywhere, +as yet. I have been with her about five weeks, and this is the first +time I have been out, except on an errand. She says she doesn't approve +of girls 'gadding the streets.' I must go now. I have stayed longer than +I ought to already, for I had a long walk before I saw you. Flora," she +added, an instant later, as she glanced at the window, "isn't that a +potato in that jar?" + +"Yes," answered Flora, "it is the same one you gave me when I was +leaving Brinton." + +"Really? The very same?" + +"Yes. You know you told me not to eat it, and I didn't know what to do +with it at first. Then I thought it would look very nice if I put it in +the window; I did, and it has grown splendidly and has kept green all +winter." + +"I am so glad you thought of that, Flora, because that was what I first +noticed as I passed. And I thought it looked like a sweet-potato vine. +And then, you know," Lottie continued, "if you hadn't I should not have +stopped or seen you ever, because I did not know where you were going +when you came away. But what will my aunt say? I guess I'll not get +anything for supper but a bit of tongue, and I don't fancy that, I can +tell you. Good-bye." And with a hurried kiss, and a warm embrace, Lottie +hurried down the street. + +She was sorry to go, as it was so good to meet somebody she +knew--somebody connected with the old, happy home-life, for while +Lottie's mother lived, she had been very happy. But now she was so +lonely. + +She hurried along the streets until she came to one near the suburbs of +the town. This street had trees on either side, and was very quiet. The +houses were small and nearly all set back from the street. + +Lottie walked along briskly, turning deftly in and out, and at length +arrived safe and sound at the little gate leading into her aunt's yard. +This gate opened upon a small space, which doubtless had been intended +by the builder of the house to be beautified with flowers; but Mrs. +Durand's front yard was closely paved with red brick. Not a flower, or a +vine, or a bush broke the monotony, which, however, was not wearisome, +as the yard was small. + +A high board fence enclosed the little yard on each side. Close to the +gate stood a large, old poplar, strangely drawn toward the quiet narrow +street, as if weary of the unattractiveness of the house. + +Lottie was nervous; she dreaded the reception she felt sure awaited her. +The only thing that occurred to her to do was to knock, and she did so. + +Receiving no response, she knocked again and waited. There was still no +response, and thinking she had not been heard, she knocked again and +again. + +At length, just as she had decided that her aunt must be out, a calm +voice from behind the door said in deliberate tones: + +"If you will take the trouble to turn the knob, the door might open." + +This idea had not occurred to Lottie, and the knowledge that the door +was not locked somewhat confused her. However, she opened the door, and +went in. + +"There is a mat in front of the door," suggested the voice in the same +slow, measured tones. + +After wiping off the infinitesimal amount of dust from her shoes, Lottie +timidly ventured into the room. + +"Go to your room, if you will, and lay aside your wraps," came the +voice, in an authoritative way. + +Without speaking, Lottie obeyed. She felt as she slowly climbed the +stairs that she had become a veritable automaton, without volition or +energy, and compelled to do certain things. This grated on the sensitive +nature of the girl, to whom, in the happy days that had passed, freedom +to live in and enjoy the open air was everything. And now--and Lottie +inwardly groaned at the thought--her actions were directed by one who +seemed to forget her own girlhood, or that she had ever enjoyed the +bright blue sky, the green fields, the merry, twittering birds, or the +companionship of those who were of her own age. + +Lottie had often wondered in her own mind if her aunt had ever been +young, and if she had enjoyed her youth. There was no one to whom she +could go for an answer. Had there been, Lottie would have been surprised +to learn that she had been full of bright, merry fun, and had enjoyed +life as she had at home. + +"At home," Lottie thought, and paused, thinking of her mother, of the +comforts and freedom of home, and then she looked in the glass to see if +she was not old, for those happy days _did_ seem so far away. + +Mrs. Durand had met with many disappointments and a great deal of +trouble in her life, of which Lottie knew nothing, and which had +embittered her disposition, making her crabbed and disagreeable. As she +now was, Lottie supposed she had ever been. + +For some moments Lottie had looked in the glass, musingly. Now, as her +thoughts returned to herself and her surroundings, she saw a dreary, +woe-begone face looking at her from the quaint, cracked, old-fashioned +mirror on her bureau. It was so doleful and forlorn, that Lottie nearly +cried in sympathy with the miseries of the face before her. In a moment, +realizing that it was her own reflection she saw, and enjoying her +mistake, she laughed heartily, whereat the face in the mirror smiled +pleasantly in return. + +"Humph!" said the voice downstairs. + +"Oh dear!" exclaimed Lottie softly; "I have made her think that I don't +care about staying out so long." And she slowly turned from the bureau +and her mirth-provoking _vis à vis_, and leaving her room, slowly +descended the stairs to her aunt. + +The room in which her aunt sat was furnished very plainly. Some +cane-bottomed chairs, a black horse-hair sofa, a small wooden stand, +adorned with a red cloth on which was the family Bible; two or three +pictures upon the dingy walls, a pair of tall lamps with a bit of red +flannel in the bottom, graced the mantelpiece. A dull ingrain carpet, +and some home-made mats covered the floor. These, with a cloth-covered +brick used to keep the door open, completed the furnishing of Mrs. +Durand's parlor. + +Mrs. Durand herself was a small, thin, wiry woman. Her features could +hardly be called attractive; her lips were thin and tightly shut; her +eyes were colorless, and she wore three stiff, little curls on each side +of her face. She wore a dark gown, over which was a black apron, and on +her head was a black lace cap. She was busily engaged in making another +mat to adorn the floor, from long, bright-colored strips of cloth. + +For some time she continued her work in silence. Lottie would have +spoken had she had anything to say. + +Presently, to Lottie's great surprise and relief, her aunt remarked: + +"You may as well set the table, as you are here." + +Lottie was glad to have something to do, as she was so much happier when +employed. + +"She hasn't scolded me yet, but it will come, that's certain," she said +to herself, as she placed the dishes on the little round table in the +back room which answered for both kitchen and dining room. + +While at supper, Mrs. Durand questioned her niece about her walk, and +Lottie told her, not forgetting the chance meeting with her friend, +Flora Hazeley. + +After supper, as was her duty, Lottie washed and put away the dishes, +without further conversation with her aunt. That done, she took up a +book and began to read. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +CHANGES. + + +Time passed on, and with it as usual came changes. The summer was gone +and it was November, and the weather was cold and dreary. + +Lottie's life was much the same from day to day; there was little +variety to make the life of the young girl pleasant. True, she did not +have a hard time, nor was she overworked, nor did she ever go hungry; +but the atmosphere of the house was always chill and drear, and Mrs. +Durand was as unsociable and unsympathetic as ever. + +It was perhaps true, that Lottie was somewhat prone to slightly +exaggerate her unhappiness, and to dwell upon it until it seemed almost +unendurable. + +One morning, as she was dressing, she heard her aunt call, and upon +going to her room, discovered that she was suffering from an attack of +acute rheumatism. Then, indeed, Lottie was sure her misery was at such a +height, that it could go no further. + +As may be supposed, the sharp pain she endured did not render Mrs. +Durand a more pleasant companion, and Lottie found that while it had +been difficult to please her before it seemed utterly impossible to do +so now. + +Lottie did her best, with a determination pleasant to witness, and with +the knowledge that it was her duty to care for her aunt under such +painful conditions. + +Lottie was lonely; she seemed to be entirely cut off from everybody she +knew and cared for. She seldom heard from her father, and never from her +brother, who had left his home when she was quite a little girl. She +sometimes wondered if he was dead. She was industrious, and soon learned +to keep house for her aunt very acceptably. She was not hard to please +and was of a loving, sociable disposition. If her aunt had only made an +effort to be agreeable and interested in her, Lottie would have been +perfectly content. + +If the months had brought but little change to Lottie, they had wrought +a number of very important ones in the life of our friend Flora. + +First, the news had reached them one day that the husband and father was +killed in a railroad accident. This, of itself, completely +revolutionized affairs at the Hazeleys'. And then, just as they were +trying to become a little accustomed to the sad change in the household, +Harry disappointed them. + +This was indeed a great blow, for Harry was, in a large measure, their +main dependence. He was now about twenty years old and had been steadily +at work for some time, and seemed on a good road to a successful +business career. At first, he gave his earnings to his mother, only +reserving enough to clothe himself neatly and comfortably, for he felt +anxious to supply, as far as he could, her loss in the death of his +father. This money, added to what Mrs. Hazeley and Flora made by doing +plain sewing, and what Alec could earn out of school hours by keeping +his eyes open, and his willingness to be of assistance to any one, was a +great help toward keeping things going. For, although the little home +was their own, of course there were the extra incidental expenses. + +Mrs. Hazeley and Flora soon grew to depend on Harry, far more than they +realized, until taught by his increasing fondness for remaining from +home in the evening, and not unfrequently, all night. Great, indeed, +was their sorrow when they learned how these evenings were spent--in the +gambling house and the saloon. Had it not been for their hope in the +Christ and his saving power, they would not have seen the faintest +brightness in this cloud, which was a great burden to each, a sorrow +about which they hardly dared speak. + +Flora spoke earnestly and lovingly to her brother several times about +the way he was conducting himself, but, as we have seen, he was not one +to take this kindly, and knowing this, Flora felt she could do nothing +but pray for her erring brother, who was so young, and yet so willful. + +She never lost hope, nor did her firm belief that his better, nobler +nature would prevail, weaken through those long, dark, hard days. + +Mrs. Hazeley and Flora were compelled to devote all their attention to +their work, as Harry could no longer be trusted to aid them financially; +and, despite their brave, uncomplaining efforts, it was ofttimes +difficult to make both ends meet. + +Aunt Sarah had not visited them for some time, in fact, not since Flora +came home, nor did they hear from her; and though knowing she might help +them in their need, they could not bring themselves to inform her of +their condition. + +At length, one night they watched and waited for Harry to come home. + +He did not come that night, nor the next, nor the one following; nor +could they hear anything of him, except that he had not been around for +days. + +Where had he gone and what would he do? These were questions that Flora +asked herself with a sick heart. + +Mrs. Hazeley, with her naturally weak disposition, would have given way +to despair under this new trouble and drifted back into the same +condition in which we first found her, had it not been for her newly +found trust and hope in her Heavenly Father, and the inspiring example +of her courageous, self-reliant daughter. Flora seemed to grow stronger +and more dignified under the added trials, and her mother, now a true +Christian, was to her a great help and comfort; in fact, the two were +all in all to each other, and the home that had at one time appeared to +Flora most miserable, was now a haven of rest; and the mother from whom +she had once turned away coldly, was now warmly loved and loving. +Truly, there was sweetness mixed with her cup of bitterness. + +Major Joe Benson, who had kept up his acquaintance with his young +friends whom he greatly admired, and who by this time was considered +quite a friend of the family, offered to take Alec to live with him. +There was a very good school, he said, at no great distance from his +home, and he would be glad to have the boy's help on his little place, +especially now that Zeke was getting on in years, and had gotten above +doing the many odd jobs he had performed when a boy, which state, while +it was not many years distant, sufficed to make Zeke act, as Major Joe +said, "very mannish." + +No sooner was the proposition mentioned in Alec's hearing, than he was +all enthusiasm, for nothing did he desire more than to live in the +country. His mind was fully made up to become a farmer, and no recital +of the hardships connected therewith, could divest such a life of its +charms for him. + +So it was settled, and it was really a great comfort to have at least +one of the family well provided for, with the prospects of seeing him an +upright and industrious man. + +Now that provision was thus made for Alec, and he was but little expense +to them, Flora and Mrs. Hazeley could manage very well by practising +strict economy. + +Life progressed very evenly and uneventfully, we might almost add +happily, except for the sorrow caused by their ignorance of Harry's +whereabouts. + +One day, into their quiet and peaceful lives, very unexpectedly came +Mrs. Sarah Martin, who was surprised at their comfortable surroundings. + +She was greeted pleasantly by Flora and Mrs. Hazeley, who were +determined to forgive and forget her treatment of them, but the warmth, +which affection gives, was lacking. This did not fail to make itself +manifest to Mrs. Martin, and, strange to say, instead of displeasing +her, it seemed to have quite a softening effect upon her callous heart. +The memory of this visit, and the picture of her niece's heroic efforts +to keep her mother and herself from want, proved a veritable +ever-present and sharp thorn in the side. + +"Here I am, alone in the world, with plenty to supply all my wishes and +some to spare," she thought one evening. We must do her justice; she was +not miserly, but she was selfish--she wished to insure for her lifetime +comfort for herself, and the gratification of her desires. "Here am I +with plenty and to spare, while those of my own flesh and blood are +struggling to keep the wolf from the door," she mused. + +Having commenced to reproach herself she did not hesitate, for at every +step seeing herself as others saw her, she discovered more cause to +regret her attitude toward her sister. + +"Have I been false to my trust?" she soliloquized, questioningly. +"No--not exactly--because I gave no promise. And yet--Bertha supposed I +would follow her request. However, I am not bound to do as she wished. + +"Bertha would not have left me in charge had she supposed I would not +carry out her wishes," she continued. "Probably she would not have given +her property to Esther. She is so careless and extravagant that such a +course would have been equal to her throwing the money away. Suppose the +money had been left in trust to Flora? Would Esther have done more than +I have done? No, she would have wasted it. What is the difference? +Nothing; I am doing as Esther would have done. Anyway, I will leave all +to Flora, who will enjoy it after I am dead, and that will make it all +right." + +Another thing Mrs. Martin tried to argue in support of the idea that she +had done all for the best, was that Flora had developed such astonishing +qualities of self-government and ability. "She has almost made another +woman of that mother of hers," she said to herself. "One can easily see +that the material for a real, sound, sensible, practical woman is not in +Esther, and if Flora were not there with her she would be the same as +before, only worse." + +There was a good deal of truth in what Mrs. Martin said. Some people +cannot do or be anything without a definite motive, or an active +example. But what did all this arguing amount to? Nothing at all, save +to keep her mind in a constant state of turmoil, by her efforts to ease +her conscience. + +At last, with the constant strain she became mentally exhausted, and in +spite of her efforts to the contrary for a long time lay upon the bed, a +sufferer from nervous prostration. Her brain was unnaturally active, and +she gained but little benefit from her enforced quiet. A neighboring +physician was called, but found it impossible to benefit her in her +present condition. He might prescribe medicines to meet certain symptoms +in her case, but he could not reach the seat of the trouble. She did not +consider that it was her business to add a description of her mental +condition to that of her physical one. She grew no better, and finally +she decided to take a course of heroic treatment. + +First, she proceeded to pay her physician and to inform him that she had +no further need of his services, much to that gentleman's disgust, who +left muttering that it was queer that the patient should be the one to +decide whether or not the doctor had been of service to her. + +Next, she wrote in a feeble, trembling, and unintelligible way, the +following short, blunt note: + + "NIECE FLORA:--I am sick. I want to see you. + "S. MARTIN." + +Flora and her mother were sitting sewing very busily that afternoon when +the postman rapped on the door. + +The sun was streaming in at the window, no longer adorned by the sweet +potato, which was long since dead, but touching brightly the green +leaves and scarlet blossoms of some geraniums--some of Ruth's +"gerangums," according to Jem, that held the place of honor. + +"From Aunt Sarah, mother," said Flora, carelessly, handing it to Mrs. +Hazeley, who in turn read the short note. + +"Well, Flora dear; what will you do about it?" she questioned, resuming +her work. + +"Oh, I guess I had better go and see her; hadn't I?" asked Flora, as she +cut her thread. + +"You may do as you please about the matter," returned Mrs. Hazeley, and +there the matter dropped. + +They continued their work in silence, their thoughts as busy as their +fingers. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LED AWAY. + + +And what had become of Harry Hazeley in all this time? Let us go back a +little. + +Probably all would have gone well with the lad, who was beginning to see +a new life stretching out before him under the sunny influence of his +sister, had his father lived. + +While Mr. Hazeley exercised but little restraining power over his son +during his life, the fact that he had a father had considerable +influence over Harry. When Mr. Hazeley was killed, Harry realized that +he was thrown on his own resources, and the fact that he was subject to +no higher authority, took a firm hold upon him. At first, the idea +aroused in him an innate, but undeveloped manliness, and he determined +to stand by his mother and sister, and be a comfort to them as well as a +support. + +But the inherent weakness in his character soon gained the supremacy, +and for the time over-ruled all his resolutions, which had been made in +his own strength. + +It was inevitable that he should mingle with his companions in work, and +soon they gained an influence over him that was not for his highest +good. Being somewhat older than he himself was, they instilled into him +a false idea of their superiority, and it was by this means they +retained him in their "set"--a set of wild, dissipated young men. + +Where was his judgment? Alas! he had inherited sufficient of his +mother's weak disposition to over-rule it, and consequently, he was one +of the kind most easily deceived and led. + +One of the youths, whose name was Edward Hopkins, gained considerable +influence over Harry. He it was who persuaded him to leave his mother +and sister, and seek employment in another town, where, he said, work +could easily be secured, with shorter hours and greater pay. This seemed +very inviting to Harry, who, at that time, never thought of deserting +his home, but was anxious to earn more money, and thus become better +able to care for the family and have more for what he called +pleasure--cards and gaming and wine, for he had now become addicted to +the use of the latter, through whose insidious influence he was fast +losing his manly bearing. + +Poor boy! How many noble men has Satan conquered and then cast off? How +many homes has he ruined, and hearts broken, and hopes destroyed? + +But I am glad to say that I shall not be obliged to trace Harry Hazeley +to the bottom of the pit into which he had fallen, for God had most +graciously heard the prayers of his loving, trusting sister, who had +first set the example of prayer to the mother, who now frequently joined +her, and he was not permitted to reach its utmost depths. + +True, he went down pretty far, and his rescue was effected by rather +severe means; but what mattered that, so he was saved? + +After leaving home, Harry plunged into his new, reckless life, with a +strength that not only surprised, but very soon disgusted Hopkins, who +wished to preserve the appearance, at least, of a gentleman. + +Harry had been able to secure a first-class, remunerative position very +readily, but so much went to satisfy his craving for excitement, that +none was left to send home to make life a little easier for Mrs. +Hazeley and Flora. + +After a while, however, his increasing unsteadiness secured for him +dismissal from the shop where he had been employed. He was fortunate in +securing place after place, but unfortunate in being unable to retain +them, until at length he did but little work and a good deal of +gambling. The work he then did was around and about the saloons where he +had chances to game and drink. + +One bitter cold night in December, a group of men stopped in front of +one of these places, and after some discussion, entered. It proved to be +Harry's stopping place, and he was sitting by the fire, for the time +being idle. + +To look at the sunken cheeks, restless eyes, and uncared-for appearance, +one would never suppose this was the once straight, tall, active Harry +Hazeley, so greatly was he changed. + +The leader of the group of young men who entered the bar-room appeared +to be attracted by the forlorn figure near the stove, as soon as he came +in. He seemed to know him, for presently he walked over to him and +tapping him familiarly on the shoulder, cried: + +"Why, hello, old chap! How are you?" + +Harry immediately recognized his old acquaintance, Edward Hopkins. He +did not appear particularly glad to see him, however. + +"Say, old fellow, you don't seem ready to shed tears of joy at seeing +your old chum," remarked Ed, in a jovial tone, sitting down beside him. + +Harry said nothing, but sat looking into the fire. + +"Look here, now, Hal; you do look a little hard up. Haven't been getting +along so well lately, I guess?" + +"No, I haven't," said Harry, without turning around. + +"Well, listen to me," resumed Ed. "The old proverb, 'a friend in need is +a friend indeed,' is true, isn't it?" + +"What of it?" questioned Harry, still apathetic. + +"Just this," replied Ed, bringing his hand heavily down on his knee, +"that I'm going to be a friend to you now." + +Harry smiled incredulously. His confidence in the friendship of such a +flashily-dressed fellow as Ed was, had been shaken. + +"Come, don't be so glum, Hal. I've something to say to you," Ed +continued, glancing around the room. + +His comrades were all occupied in another part of the room. + +"Now," went on Hopkins, lowering his voice, "we fellows," nodding toward +the group, "are planning a little business. And if you want to, you can +help us." + +"What is it?" asked Harry, indifferently. + +Edward took no notice of his manner, but went on: + +"Well, we're going to--er--ah--walk into a small establishment, you +know," and he winked slyly at Harry. + +"Steal?" asked Harry, in a cold tone. + +"If you like to put it that way, yes." + +"Look here, Ed Hopkins," and Harry turned in scorn upon this +hypocritical friend, who seemed so desirous of ruining him entirely. +"Look here," he repeated, "let me tell you I don't want to share any of +your 'little plans.' I've fallen low, I know, but I'm not a thief yet," +and Harry straightened himself up and looked with a flashing eye into +the crafty face beside him. + +Hopkins was angry, as much because he had partially let Harry into his +secret, as because he had refused to join him. However, he congratulated +himself that he had not gone very far, and he left him abruptly, in a +high temper, going over to the group at the other end of the room. + +A heated discussion was progressing there about something in connection +with the game of cards they were playing. They appealed to Hopkins as +he joined the group. This did not seem to add peace to the scene, for +the quarrel waxed hotter, and the voices grew louder. + +Presently there was the sound of a scuffle, during which was heard the +report of a pistol. Immediately there was a stampede, and when the +officer, who had been attracted to the spot by the noise, rushed in, +followed by a small crowd of men and boys, no one was to be seen but +Harry Hazeley. He was lying on the floor by the stove, and gave no sign +of life as the officer rolled him over. Whether the pistol had been +fired accidentally or intentionally, nobody knew. The shot, however, was +certainly not intended for the one who received it. It was found on +examination that Harry was wounded in the side. He had also, in falling +struck his head against the edge of the stove, and cut it. + +"Well," said the officer, "I guess we'll have to take this young fellow +to the hospital. From his looks he'll not be likely to have a better +place to go to, even if he could tell where he belonged." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUT AGAIN. + + +When Harry Hazeley returned to consciousness, he found himself in bed in +one of the wards of a hospital, with his head bound up, and a dull +aching in his side. He was in too much pain to wonder how he came there, +so he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep, but he could not. It +seemed as if his mind had never been so active as it was now that he +longed to forget everything, in the hope that this might ease his +throbbing head. But that troublesome thing, memory, would assert itself, +and his thoughts would travel back to the home he had left, and the +sorrowing ones in it, and,--perhaps it was owing to the weak state of +his system,--the tears forced themselves from underneath his eyelids, +and rolled down his cheeks. But what is the good of thinking about these +things? he mentally asked, and so he impatiently brushed the tears away. + +Poor Harry had a hard time of it. He did not improve very rapidly, +although he had the best of attention and nursing. His system was so +poisoned by the use of alcohol, and he was so weak from having been so +long without nourishing food that, while his wound was not a very +serious one, it nearly cost him his life. + +The pain from his wound, together with a low fever, racked his system +until it was almost unbearable. His brain, however, was unusually +active, and over and over again did he recall his life since he left +home, and each time his repugnance grew; and when he began to +convalesce, and he realized there was hope for him, he determined to +lead a different life as soon as he was able to be around again. He +sincerely and deeply repented of the past, and he felt the need of a +Saviour, as he had never done before. He longed for some one to come and +tell him of the Christ and of his saving power. He fully realized that +he must have a helper, stronger than his will or his resolutions. + +One morning, when Harry was getting a little more strength, there +hobbled over to his bedside a crippled young man, who supported himself +upon crutches. His body was distorted, and his legs were drawn up and +twisted in a sad manner; but his face was bright and cheerful and +intelligent, and his shoulders, arms, and hands had a look of manliness +and strength about them that was greatly at variance with the feebleness +of the rest of his frame. + +"Well, friend," said this odd mixture of strength and weakness, as he +seated himself slowly and cautiously by the bed. "Well, friend, how goes +the world with you?" + +"I'm sure I don't know," replied Harry, drearily. "I haven't been caring +much about the world lately. I ain't in much of a hurry to care either. +There'll be time enough when I get out in it again." + +"Time enough! Time enough! Yes, that's the cry," said the young man. +"That's what has caused more misery in the world than anything else; +it's a rope that has lost many a soul forever." + +Harry turned away impatiently. He did not want to hear. + +"Of course you don't want to hear me talk that way," said the lame man +bluntly, divining his thought. "I didn't suppose you did. But, let me +tell you, young fellow, there's enough of that rotten rope left for you +to lose your soul with. Will you turn your head away when you feel it +snap, and find yourself dying, with nothing to hold on to, I wonder?" +Without more ado he grasped his crutches, and painfully hobbled away. + +Harry tried to be glad he was gone. He did not succeed as easily, +however, in dismissing from his mind the words he had heard. Perhaps it +was the odd, abrupt way in which they were spoken, that made them fasten +themselves so tenaciously on his memory. Certainly he would have been +angry had any one else spoken so plainly and unceremoniously to him. The +sight of his body, telling such an eloquent tale of suffering, made it +almost impossible for any one to be angry with Joel Piper. Harry +presently found himself wondering about him, and wishing he would come +back and talk to him again. + +He did not come, and one day Harry found courage to ask the nurse, who +was busied near him, to tell him the name of the lame young man who +talked to him one day. + +"Oh, do you mean Joel Piper?" she asked in return. + +"I didn't know that was his name," replied Harry, looking amused. + +"Yes, it is," replied the nurse. "It's an odd name, I know, but he is +just as nice as he can be. He's had a world of trouble and pain; but +he's come out pure gold." + +"Wasn't he always that?" asked Harry, curiously. + +"No, indeed, he wasn't. He was one of the wildest young men, and it was +that which brought on the sickness--rheumatic fever--which twisted him +up so. It was this illness too, that brought about his conversion; and +now he likes to visit the hospitals and talk to all the young men he can +find, and try to get them to turn about. He says he's trying to make up +for lost time. Some think he's crazy, but he isn't--only eccentric." + +"Does he come here often?" asked Harry. + +"Well, sometimes he does," was the answer. "Would you like to see him +again?" + +"I wouldn't mind having a little talk with him," admitted Harry. + +"I'll tell him," said the kind woman. + +Joel came; but Harry could not tell from his manner whether he was +pleased or not at his having expressed a desire to see him. + +Now that he was there, what should he say? Harry asked this question, +but no answer came. + +But Joel seemed to understand all about the matter, and began right +away: + +"You've had a rough time, eh? Didn't expect it, now, did you, when you +started out? Going to have a good time, enjoy yourself, and all that? +Well, it's all right. You've had about enough of that sort of thing, I +guess. You'd like to turn right about face now, and go back to your +mother, perhaps?" + +"Who told you I had a mother?" asked Harry, sharply. + +"Nobody," was the calm rejoinder. + +"How did you know?" + +"I didn't know; I only guessed. Somehow or other, you look as if you +had. Have you?" + +"Yes, I have," groaned Harry, "and a sister too; but I came away and +left them, and now I'm ashamed to go back." + +"Well, if you're made of the right kind of stuff you'll go to work as +soon as you're out of this, and fix things so you'll not be ashamed to +go back," said Joel. "Between us," he went on, bending over and looking +at Harry with one eye shut up tightly, "I've got a mother and sister +too. I did pretty much as you did, only worse, I guess. I've been +working hard to make a man of myself before I go back to them. I'm +going soon too." + +"To work!" exclaimed Harry, looking at the crooked figure +pityingly. "What can _you_ do?" + +"Do?" repeated Joel, raising his brows, and opening wide his eyes. +"Look," and he held up his long slim fingers. "I can write beautifully," +he continued, with the simplicity of a child. "And I'm a clerk in a +large clock and jewelry establishment. A good kind friend who came to +see me at the hospital when I was so ill, secured the situation for me. +And if you mean to turn about sure enough, and no going back about it, I +will try and get you taken on as a salesman." + +Harry was completely won by Joel's plain, straight-forward manner and +hearty kindness, and gave his promise to turn over a new leaf. What is +of more importance he kept the promise faithfully. + +When Harry was discharged from the hospital, he looked quite different +from what he did when he first entered it, or rather when he was carried +there. He was worn almost to a shadow, it is true; but his sickness had +taken from him the look of the outcast, and his intercourse with his new +friend, and the hopes he had for the future restored to him once more +the ability to look the "whole world in the face." + +He was clad in a suit that had been worn by Joel ere his body was so +distorted by rheumatism. It was not a perfect fit, but it was clean and +neat, and gave to Harry a very presentable air. + +True to his promise, Joel tried and succeeded in getting the situation +he spoke of for his young friend toward whom he had been strongly +attracted. + +Harry was also naturally smart and intelligent, and now that he had put +off the shackles of the false friends with whom Satan had provided him, +promised to do well in his new position. Joel was determined that +through no fault of his should Harry fail. He never lost sight of him +for any length of time. The two boarded at the same place, and Joel +insisted on his accompanying him to church. They read, talked, and +walked together, and as a natural consequence became much attached to +each other. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A CHAPTER OF WONDERS. + + +It was a dull, gray, rainy morning when our friend Flora found herself +standing in front of the house that had been her home for so many years. + +What a flood of memories the sight of the familiar scene brought to her! +She paused a moment or two to revel in the pleasure she thus felt. She +did not feel at all excited, or even curious as to the cause for, or the +probable result of her trip. Turning to the house, she stepped to the +door, and lifted the knocker. + +The door was opened by the neat, but uncommunicative maid, who was in +charge of affairs during Mrs. Martin's illness; and who silently, and +apparently acting on previous arrangement, led the way direct to the +sick room. + +Although the day was dark and cloudy, the window shades were down, and +heavy curtains lent their aid to darken the room still more. + +Mrs. Martin's greeting was somewhat of a surprise to Flora as she stood +on the threshold, scarcely knowing whether to enter the darkened chamber +or not. + +"Why don't you come in and shut the door?" came in fretful tones from +the bed. + +"I should like to do it, indeed, Aunt Sarah, if I could only see my +way," returned Flora, mischievously. She wondered at her own temerity. +At one time she would not have dared use such liberty of speech with +this punctilious aunt. But she had grown to be very independent since +she had been thrown so entirely upon her own resources, and had become +accustomed to think and act both for herself and others. She felt that +she had grown, in that she no longer stood in awe of Aunt Sarah's cold +tones. Why should she? She had come to ask no favor. + +"Well," came in questioning tones from the invalid. + +"May I draw up the shades, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, advancing slowly +into the room and closing the door softly. + +"I suppose so. You can draw up anything you like, it makes no difference +to me," was the somewhat ungracious reply. + +Flora paid no attention to the tone, but drew up the shades, making it +possible to see what was in the room. + +"Aunt Sarah, how thin you are!" she cried, incautiously. "Why, you have +been sick." + +"Of course I have. You didn't suppose I was pretending, did you?" +retorted Mrs. Martin. + +"No," said Flora, "I did not, nor did I know you were so ill. And now +tell me, can I do anything to render you more comfortable?" + +"No, I think not," she replied. "Yes, you might bring me some toast and +a cup of tea," she added a moment later. + +As she turned at once to leave the room, Flora wondered in her own mind, +whether Mrs. Martin really wished for something to eat. The truth was, +Mrs. Martin, now that Flora was here in the house, even in her very +room, wished to decide how she could broach the subject which had lain +on her heart so long. She was thinking deeply, and did not notice +Flora's entrance until she heard: + +"Here they are, Aunt Sarah, nice and hot." + +"What?" the invalid returned, in a surprised way. + +"The toast and tea," replied Flora. + +"Oh yes, put them on the table." + +Flora did so, daintily arranging them so as to be inviting to the eye as +well as the palate, and inwardly wondering what new caprice her aunt +would develop next. However, she had decided to yield to all her +peculiarities, and to bear with her whims, and so with unruffled face, +she turned to arrange the room, as only a woman's hand can. The grace +and care were not lost upon her aunt, whose eyes closely followed every +motion as she moved silently about the room. + +"Sit down," said Mrs. Martin, after a few moments' silence. + +Flora did so; and after a slight hesitation, Mrs. Martin began, having +concluded to open the subject at once, for nothing was to be gained by +delay. + +"Niece Flora," she said, looking in the young girl's face, "I sent for +you to tell you I feel that I have done what I had no business to do." + +"What have you done, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, half suspecting what she +wished to say to her. + +"I mean in sending you away from here as I did," was the blunt reply. + +"You had a right to do whatever you wanted to," stammered Flora. She +could stand unmoved before the cold, hard Aunt Sarah; Aunt Sarah +repentant, she did not know how to meet. + +"No, I had no right to do it," continued Mrs. Martin. It was plain she +did not intend to spare herself in the least. "I had no right to do it. +Sister Bertha wanted you to stay, and I know she did. I had no right to +take her money, and live in her home, and use her things when I knew she +only left them to me because she trusted me to do what she wanted." + +"Never mind, Aunt Sarah; I knew nothing about it, so do not worry. It is +all right." And Flora moved nearer the bed, and took her hand in her own +and tenderly held it. + +Instead of complying, Mrs. Martin seemed to gain strength, and she went +on: + +"No; you knew nothing about her wishes, but I did. And, Flora, I have +not been happy in this house. In fact, I did not deserve to be." + +"You can talk about that when you get well." + +"I will never be well unless I make right what I have made wrong," +returned Mrs. Martin. "I want to know, Flora, if you can forgive your +selfish old aunt for driving--yes, driving is the word," as Flora +started to speak--"you from the home which was intended for you? Will +you not come back to it?" And the tears began to gather in the eyes that +had long been strangers to such an expression of emotion. + +Flora felt very helpless now in the face of all these different moods. +She could think of nothing else to do but stroke the sick woman's +forehead gently and soothingly. After a moment or two of silence, she +said: "I forgive you, Aunt Sarah, if you think there's anything to +forgive. Everything has turned out for the best, at least so far as I am +concerned. As to coming back, I think I don't care to--that is, I +couldn't leave mother, you know." + +"I don't want you to leave your mother, child. Why can't she come too?" + +"Do you mean to come here to live?" + +"Yes; here to live." + +"She would like that, I know," said Flora, adding mentally, "providing +you were different." + +She soon discovered that her unspoken thought had been realized before +it had been expressed. + +"Now," said the sick woman, drawing a breath of relief, "I can be at +peace. It is not too late for me to make amends and carry out sister +Bertha's wishes. Ah, child, you do not know what I have suffered of +late; but it's all right now." + +"Try to go to sleep now, won't you?" asked Flora, coaxingly, fearing the +effect of the conversation upon the invalid. + +"No; I don't want to go to sleep," said Mrs. Martin, with a shade of her +old firmness; "I just want to lie here and think." + +She did go to sleep, however, very soon, and awoke greatly refreshed, +for her mind was at ease, and she was surprised to find how much more +pleasant the prospect of recovery was since she had something to look +forward to. + +And Flora? She was delighted, for to her the old home had never lost its +charm. + +Faithfully she nursed the sick woman, who, in spite of her efforts to +the contrary, now and then yielded to her old-time habit of +fault-finding, when nothing pleased her. Mrs. Martin was very regretful +for these outbursts, and after each, more carefully watched her own +tongue, and the movements and manner of her young nurse and daily +became more attached to her; and the more necessary it seemed to her to +retain her sunshiny presence. + +Flora was as happy in her present position, and at her future prospects, +as it was possible for her to be with the ever-present feeling of +uncertainty and sorrow at the absence of her dearly loved brother, from +whom she had expected such great things. She was a very sensible girl, +and had learned long before this that to waste her time in worriment +over what she could not help in any way, would not enable her to +discharge her present duties as she would wish. Knowing this, as I say, +so well, she put Harry into the charge of the One "who never slumbers +nor sleeps," and went about her daily duties with a light step and merry +smile. For days she planned her mother's coming, and how she would enjoy +the life here. Her own pleasant little room was hers again, and many +were the happy hours she passed there. Every few moments throughout the +day she would be in her aunt's room reading to her, or perhaps giving +her a daintily arranged meal, or placing the pillows more comfortably. + +One of her greatest pleasures was in arranging her Aunt Bertha's old +room, preparatory to the coming of her mother, to whom she had assigned +it. Very lovingly and carefully did she do this, for her heart was +filled with tender memories of the past. + +Mrs. Martin had told her to fix everything to suit herself, and refused +to have a word to say further than to heartily approve of all her +arrangements. + +"I have been at the head of affairs a long time," she had said; "it is +time now for us to change places." + +"I think you are trying to spoil me, Aunt Sarah," remarked Flora, one +day, when she had been told a number of times to do just as she liked. + +"I think there is no danger of that, my dear," said Mrs. Martin. + +She was right, for the experience Flora had gained in the years since +she had been home had so strengthened and developed her that it would +have been well-nigh impossible to "spoil her," as she had termed it. + +As soon as her aunt was able to sit up, Flora was to return home to get +her mother, and in fact the whole family, if she could find them, and +bring them to Aunt Sarah's, to live there. + +Mrs. Martin insisted that she wanted a house full; adding, smilingly: + +"The more, the merrier, my dear." + +Flora wished this could be possible--she longed to be able to bring +Harry back with them; and, safe in that peaceful home, win him from his +evil ways. She sighed, even as she thought, "That is quite impossible." +She had forgotten for the moment that "With God, all things are +possible." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GOING HOME. + + +During all these weary months, Harry Hazeley had not once written home; +and neither his mother nor sister knew where he was. + +His friend, Joel Piper, had written to his mother, but to his regret, +had as yet received no reply. This saddened him, as in his letter he had +told of the changes in him, not only in his body, but in his heart and +life, for he wished his mother, who had done so much for him, to know. + +Harry as yet had no news to write home. Joel was working slowly, it is +true, to induce Harry to attend some meetings which were being held +successively in different churches. Harry became interested, and later +he had the happiness of knowing that he had accepted Christ, and been +received by him. + +In the meantime he had applied himself steadily and faithfully to his +business, and not only earned the respect of his employers, but saved a +good share of his money. + +"And now," he thought, triumphantly, "there is nothing to prevent me +from going home." + +This thought took complete possession of him, and in his leisure moments +he did little else than picture to himself his home-coming, and the +sight of mother, sister, and brother. They would rejoice, he was sure, +in his new life. He wondered if Flora had changed much, and in what way +Alec passed away the days. + +These thoughts of home and home-folks, together with the great desire to +see them again, gradually wore away the feeling of shame with which he +had been assailed whenever his thoughts had turned that way before. + +"Joel!" he exclaimed, as they were sitting together, one pleasant +evening, "I see no other way but to do it!" + +"What is it you mean, my boy?" asked Joel, as he looked at Harry for a +moment, and then returned to his book. + +"To go home, and see them all," returned Harry. + +"Believe I will too," said Joel, slapping his book by way of emphasis. +"By the way, Harry," he continued, "my home isn't so very far from +yours; only a couple of hours' ride. You live at Bartonville and I live +at Brinton, or rather, I did." + +"Is that so? Well, then, let us go together." + +"What do you intend to do? Give up your situation here for good, or just +ask for leave of absence?" asked Joel. + +"Oh, I shall give it up entirely," was the answer. "I prefer to get +something to do nearer home. What will you do?" + +"I shall come back," said Joel, decidedly. "My people are farmers. I +could be of no service now on a farm, you know, even if I cared for it, +which I don't." + +Thus the matter was decided, and arrangements were made accordingly. + +One evening, as Mrs. Hazeley sat in her home, all alone, stitching away +busily, she was startled to hear a loud rap on the door. + +"Who can it be?" she thought, rising to answer the knock. She found +herself confronted by a tall, rather slight young man, with a grave +face, which, however, was now illuminated by a smile of expectancy. + +"Harry! Harry! my boy Harry!" she cried, holding open her arms. The +mother's quick instinct and penetrating love could not be deceived by +appearances, no matter how altered. The form might be changed, and the +features matured, but there was something that brought to her the memory +of her child, the baby of long ago. + +After the first greetings were over, Harry settled down, and prepared to +unburden his mind. His mother noticed that he glanced about him +wistfully and inquiringly. + +"No," said Mrs. Hazeley, answering the query in his eyes, "Flora is not +here. She went to stay with your Aunt Sarah, who is very ill. I am +expecting to go myself, whenever I hear from her to that effect. Alec +too, is away. He is living with that good old man, 'Major Benson,' you +used to call him, you remember. Alec enjoys a country life. He intends +to be a farmer, he says. It was very kind of him to give the boy such an +opening. The poor child was so afraid of being a burden to us. I have +every reason to be grateful for my children." + +"Except me, mother," said Harry. + +"No, my boy," returned his mother, looking keenly at him. "I am sure I +have reason to be grateful for you too. But tell me, Harry, where have +you been, and why did you not write to us, and keep us posted?" + +The entire absence of reproach or fault finding, and the warm affection +with which he was received by his mother, touched the young man very +deeply, and with his heart made tender with these thoughts, he +determined to confide fully all his past to his mother, from whom he +felt sure he would receive ready sympathy. + +When the story was told, Mrs. Hazeley could but exclaim, "Bless the +Lord, oh my soul!" + +"And forget not all his benefits," added Harry reverently. + +They were interrupted at that moment by a knock upon the door--a quick, +business-like, energetic knock. + +"I know who that is," said Mrs. Hazeley, smilingly, as she arose to +admit the new-comer. It was Flora. + +"Did ever returned prodigal receive a more hearty welcome than I?" +exclaimed Harry, laughingly, but gratefully. + +His old habit of reserve was being gradually overcome, and he was +becoming accustomed to express his feelings quite freely, much to the +present and subsequent delight of his family. + +This evening, a memorable one in the history of the little family, was +by no means over. Just as the happy trio were seated, with heads bowed +reverently in thankfulness to the Giver of all good, the knocker was +raised another time. + +As the heads were lifted, and Flora arose to open the door, she +remarked, merrily: + +"That must be Alec. I suppose the magnetism of our presence is drawing +him to us." + +It was not Alec It was our good friend Joel Piper. + +"I was told Mrs. Hazeley lived here," said he. + +"So she does," answered Flora, trying to recall where she had seen the +familiar face before her. Joel was doing the same. He was the first to +ask, however, "Haven't I met you before?" + +"I was just thinking I had seen you somewhere," said Flora, looking +puzzled. + +"In Brinton, perhaps?" suggested Joel. + +"That is just it--you know--Lottie Piper," exclaimed Flora +disconnectedly. + +"Yes, yes," said Joel, eagerly; "I'm her brother. I remember now. You +are Flora Hazeley. Well, well," he cried, accepting Flora's invitation +to enter the room, where he saw his friend Harry, for whom he was +hunting. "I was just looking for you, Hal," said he, having first been +presented to Mrs. Hazeley, who was delighted to welcome the young man +who had done so much for her Harry. "I was looking for you, Hal, but I +had no idea I should meet an old acquaintance, in the shape of your +sister. But that reminds me," he added, sadly, "I have been to the old +home. No wonder I didn't hear from them. Sickness, death, and +desolation! I found the home, but no one in it." + +"How could that be?" asked Harry. + +"I know," said Flora, gently. "I saw Lottie for a few moments the other +day, and she told me all about it. I am so sorry." + +"Is my sister here?" Joel asked, eagerly. + +"Yes, she is here--in Bartonville; she is living with her aunt." + +"I know," said Joel, "my father's sister. I shall be glad to see Lottie; +but mother is gone, and now it is too late." + +"No, no, Joel, don't talk that way," said Harry, soothingly. "You have +no need to say that. You haven't come home as you left it. And suppose +your mother is not here, don't you think she knows all about it? And +then, there is your sister, you know." + +"That is all true, Harry. It would have been hard to have come back as I +went away, and found her gone. I could not have helped the little girl +then. But one thing more," he said, turning to Flora, who was wiping +her eyes in sympathy. "Where is my father?" + +"Lottie says he went away somewhere, to work." + +"Then I shall hope to see him, some day, and that will be one +consolation." Joel was comforted by his friends, and his own kind, +helpful deeds were bearing fruit for him. + +It was arranged that Joel should board--he would hear of no other +arrangement--with Mrs. Hazeley until he should find his sister, and see +how she was situated, before returning to his employment. + +Flora's news was almost forgotten in the general rejoicing over Harry's +unexpected return and the equally unexpected addition to the little +household in Joel. But when things were somewhat quieted down, she had +something wonderful to relate also. + +"Well, well, well," said Mrs. Hazeley. "To think of sister Sarah +softening, at her age. When will wonders cease!" + +Harry did not approve of this proposed breaking up of their own little +home. He feared it might be but a passing whim of Aunt Sarah's. + +"Oh, no," maintained Flora, stoutly. "Whatever else Aunt Sarah is, she +is not fickle. When she says she means to do a thing, that thing is as +good as done." + +"That's very true," said her mother. So it was settled that, after due +preparation, the family should move to Brinton. + +The only regret that Flora felt at leaving her home in Bartonville was +that she would be obliged to part with her class of girls, whom she +loved and who loved her. She comforted herself with the thought that she +would have another, if possible, in Brinton. The girls she left behind +always cherished the memory of their young teacher, and strove to +imitate her gentle, earnest ways, and noble traits. Surely, the seed she +had sown in their hearts would spring up, blossom, and bear fruit for +the Master's kingdom. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +LOTTIE'S TRIALS. + + +"Well! Things have come to a pretty pass! Here I've been running up and +down, here and there and everywhere, like a chicken with its head cut +off, trying to please Aunt Emmeline, and I'm just about as near doing it +now as I was when I commenced. It's grumble, grumble, grumble, every +minute in the day; and I will not stand it--not a day longer, now!" and +Lottie gave the fire a vigorous shake that sent the sparks darting +hither and thither, in every direction. + +It was hard for her. Lottie conscientiously did all she could for the +fretful invalid upstairs. But her efforts were not appreciated. Instead, +Mrs. Durand seemed to grow more irritable daily. Nothing Lottie did +pleased her; the tea was either too weak or too strong; the toast either +too hot or too cold; the beef-tea was too highly seasoned, or not +enough. Thus the fault-finding continued, day in and day out. + +Heretofore Lottie had succeeded in bearing with her captious patient +fairly well, her natural patience and sweetness of disposition being a +great help to her. But this day her task seemed a little harder to bear +than usual, and a short time before the outburst at the opening of the +chapter the climax was reached, when her aunt struck her with the cane +she used to aid her in getting about the room, for she was able to go +about a very little during the day. + +Lottie had been sent for some water, and in her zeal to please her aunt +by being quick about it, had spilled a few drops in that good woman's +lap, and she, without stopping to think, had given her niece a rap with +her stick. + +"No, I shall not stand it another minute," muttered Lottie, as she +angrily paced the floor of the little room, whither she had rushed from +her aunt's presence. + +Apparently she had determined to do something, for she went to work +energetically to put everything to rights. She put more coal on the +fire, and, in fact, did everything she deemed necessary. Then she stole +quietly up to her room, packed some things in a bundle, and noiselessly +left the house. + +[Illustration: Hazely Family. Page 153.] + +Where was she going? She did not know. What was she going to do? She +only knew that she was going far away from her Aunt Emmeline's, where +she had been insulted. The old poplar solemnly waved its long, bare arms +over her head, as if wishing her "good-bye." She had a vague idea she +would go and find her friend Flora; she would at least advise her what +to do, for, after once fairly in the street, the fact that she had no +home but the one she was leaving behind, made itself felt very plainly. + +She had not seen Flora since that first day when they had met +accidentally, and she had almost forgotten the way she had come, for she +had been in such a hurry she gave little heed to anything. She would go +as best she could remember. It seemed to her that she was walking a +great distance, and when at length she came to a small public square, +she sat down upon one of the cold, damp seats, almost discouraged, and +utterly unhappy. No mother, no home--nothing but misery. The tears were +very near the surface, when she heard her name called at no great +distance. + +That was strange, though the voice sounded familiar. Stranger still, +however, was the sight of a young man making his way rapidly toward her +with a shuffling gait, and leaning upon two canes. Although the face +seemed familiar, Lottie was frightened, and was preparing to run away +when her steps were arrested by the strange young man saying, in +half-laughing, half-vexed tones: + +"Why, Lottie, girl, don't you know your brother Joel?" + +"What? Not my brother Joel?" exclaimed Lottie, joyously, yet +distrustfully. + +"The very same, and yet not the same," replied Joel, sadly, as he +remembered how great was the physical change in him, and which was so +apparent. + +"I was straight and strong when you last saw me, Lottie," he said, +looking down at his twisted limbs. "I was straight and strong when I +left the old home, and now you see what I am." And he seated himself +beside Lottie, who had remained on the bench. + +"Oh, Joel, what made you so?" she cried, in a distressed voice. + +"Never mind about that now, little sister. I will tell you all about it +some time. But mother----" + +"Didn't you know? She is dead." And Lottie burst into tears, while the +half-repressed sobs of the utterly miserable girl, shook her slender +frame. + +"Yes, I know," answered her brother, softly. + +"How did you know?" asked Lottie, as she raised her tear-stained face +in surprise at his knowledge, when she knew he had been away so long. + +"Never mind that, either," returned Joel; "but tell me everything." + +Lottie told about the death of their mother, then added: + +"Oh, Joel, she so wanted to see you before she died, and now it's too +late." + +"Yes, too late." The words found an echo in the young man's own breast. +He had put it off too long, this home-coming. Hoping and wanting to come +back to his home and parents, well able to take care of himself and to +help them too, he had waited, and worked, and saved, and now she for +whom he so longed was not here to bid him welcome. The thought also came +to him that it was well this "too late" came only in the disappointment +of earthly hopes. Suppose it meant the loss of his soul as well? Then +another thought came, this time full of comfort and peace: + +"She will know I am changed, and I shall meet her in heaven." + +Then he turned to his sister, feeling that here was a work for him--a +legacy left him by his mother. + +"Where is father, Lottie?" he asked a moment later, inwardly wondering +at her presence here. + +"Father? Oh, after mother's death he couldn't stay there any more, he +said, and so he went away to work. Out west, I believe," she added, +rather glad than otherwise to break the silence that had followed her +last words. "I haven't seen him since he brought me to live here." + +"Live here? With whom?" inquired her brother. + +"With Aunt Emmeline." And then she poured forth into sympathetic ears a +recital of her woes, inflicted largely by her aunt. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Joel, when she finished. "Are you +going back?" + +"No, I am not. That settles it!" + +"Never?" + +"No, never!" + +Joel was amused. He well knew that the angry girl would be obliged, +sooner or later, to modify her emphatic and hasty assertions. However, +he thought it best to make no criticism, at least until she should see +her folly and mistake herself; so he only said: + +"Well, I guess you had better come with me just now. Both of us will +catch cold if we stay here much longer." + +Unquestioningly, Lottie arose. She did not care where she went, so long +as she was with Joel, who now was all she had to cling to. + +The sight of poor, deformed Joel, hobbling painfully along, touched +Lottie's heart as nothing else could have done, as she contrasted his +shrunken body with her own strong, robust self. She felt almost glad her +mother could not see him now--she had been so proud of Joel's strength. + +At length they halted before a small house that appeared strangely +familiar to Lottie, and Joel rapped on the door. What was her surprise +and delight to see the door opened by Flora Hazeley. + +"Lottie!" the latter exclaimed. + +"Flora!" + +Joel stood by, smilingly, while Lottie was introduced to the rest of the +family. + +"It seems so strange that both your brother and mine should be returned +runaways, doesn't it, Flora?" remarked Lottie, when all were seated. + +"How about Lottie?" slyly whispered Joel, as he sat by her side. + +Lottie deigned no reply, but tossed her head willfully, while she +thought: "No, I will never go back to Aunt Emmeline's." + +It was a very pleasant little home party that sat and chatted in the old +dining room that evening, but it was not until Lottie and Flora were +alone in the room which they were to share for the night, that Lottie +opened her heart, and poured out her woes into Flora's sympathetic ear. + +"Oh, Lottie, how could you?" asked Flora, when the recital was over. + +"Oh, Flora, of course I could do it, and so would you have done, in my +place," returned Lottie, in an injured tone. + +"Is it possible that you have left your poor, sick aunt all alone?" + +"She isn't very sick; she only thinks she is," said Lottie, sulkily. +"She can get about her room well enough. It won't hurt her to go a bit +farther, and go downstairs." + +Flora, after a few more ineffectual words, saw Lottie was feeling too +bitter and hurt to be ashamed of her desertion of her poor, sick aunt, +and, with her customary tact, dropped the subject entirely. For a few +moments there was silence, each busy with her own thoughts. + +As Flora was brushing her hair, of which she was justly proud, she said: + +"Lottie, let us sit here in front of the fire. I often do, and watch the +sparks as they flit here and there. I feel like talking to-night. I have +listened to your story. Now, you come here with me; I want to tell you +mine." + +Nothing loth, Lottie seated herself, and listened attentively while her +friend told of her own life, with all of its disappointments, hardships, +and trials. + +"What has all this to do with me?" asked Lottie, suspiciously, for she +had a vague idea that Flora had an object in view. + +"It has this to do with you, Lottie dear," answered Flora, as she put +her own shapely hand, gently but firmly, over the rebellious one in +Lottie's lap. "It will show you that none of us can have things exactly +as we want them, and we are cowards if we run away from our duties. Had +I been left to choose what I wished, I should not have chosen a single +thing that came to me, and yet I am sure everything turned out for the +very best. In the first place, Aunt Sarah's sending me home made me +think and act for myself and others, and in doing so I became far +stronger than I would have been had I stayed with, and depended on Aunt +Bertha, if she had lived. In doing the second, I found pleasure, and now +that after all our worrying Harry has come back so changed, I am just as +happy as I can be. But suppose I had run away, when things were dark and +discouraging, would I now have anything to be happy over?" + +"But nobody ever struck you, Flora. That is different," said Lottie, +looking less stubborn. + +"No," replied Flora; "that is very true, dear; nobody ever struck me. +But I have had other things quite as hard. Indeed, things that I thought +I could not possibly endure. But, you know who helped me bear them, +don't you, Lottie dear?" + +"Yes," was the subdued reply. "You mean God helped you." + +"Yes, and he will help you too, Lottie, if you will let him. But you +must take up your duties again, you know." + +"What? go back to Aunt Emmeline?" + +"Yes, I mean just that. I am sure she did not intend to treat you badly. +She will tell you so, I have no doubt, some day." + +"I don't know about that," said Lottie; "but, I guess I ought to go. +But, suppose she will not have me back again; what then?" + +"Oh, don't borrow trouble. It will be time enough to think about that +when it happens," replied Flora. "But come, it's time we were asleep." + +Sleep, however, did not come to Lottie as soon as it did to her friend. +Her mind was too busy, turning over the events of the day, and +anticipating the possible ones of the morrow. Nevertheless, Lottie was +not really a coward, and when she had decided on a certain course, she +kept to it, as we have already seen. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +MORE SURPRISES. + + +Next day, Lottie informed her brother of her decision to return to her +aunt, and apologize for her unceremonious departure. + +Joel was very glad that she had come to this conclusion of her own free +will, for he had feared he might have trouble in bringing her to it. He +more than half-suspected that Flora had a good deal to do with his +sister's present submissive state, and was accordingly grateful. + +Lottie bade her friends good-bye, and with Joel to keep her courage up, +turned her face determinedly toward her aunt's home, only making a +comical grimace, as Flora whispered to her some words of encouragement, +adding the assurance that all would come out right. + +The brother and sister walked on together in silence, for some time; and +then it was Joel who talked, for Lottie was too busy thinking to care +for conversation. She acted as guide until they stood under the old +poplar in front of the quiet little house, and then she took refuge +behind her brother, who marched undauntedly up to the door, and gave a +knock, which said plainly: "Here are some people who mean business." + +The knock evidently surprised Mrs. Durand, for she opened the door +herself, instead of telling them to "Come in," as was her usual custom. + +At first she saw no one but Joel, and seemed strongly inclined to close +the door upon him; but when she caught sight of Lottie, standing +demurely behind him, she steadied herself firmly upon her canes, and +inquired, "What do you want?" + +"In the first place, Aunt Emmeline," said Joel, calmly, "I suppose you +know me?" + +"No, I can't say I do," was the reply. + +"I am not much surprised. It has been some time since we met. I am Joel +Piper, your nephew, and Lottie's brother." + +Mrs. Durand said nothing, but only stood and looked. + +"Lottie, come here; Aunt Emmeline, Lottie has something to say to you." + +Lottie came from behind her brother, and speaking rapidly, as if she +were afraid she would lose courage if she did not talk fast, said: "I've +come to say that I am sorry I acted so badly, Aunt Emmeline, and if you +will let me, I'll come back again." + +"Come in," was the brusque command. Joel and Lottie entered, and Mrs. +Durand closed the door. Then she turned to them, and said, simply: + +"If you want to come back, I guess you may." + +Lottie shrugged her shoulders. She wanted so much to say that she did +not come back because she wanted to, but because she thought she ought, +and she bit her tongue, by way of admonishing that unruly member to keep +still. + +Joel guessed something of what was passing in his sister's mind, and +hastened to engage Mrs. Durand in conversation. + +She seemed really touched as the young man recounted the history of his +sickness and sufferings in a strange city; and Lottie, sitting silently +listening, was more than half convinced that she had judged her aunt too +severely. By the time Joel was ready to go, she was quite satisfied that +she _did_ want to come back. Then the old house really looked homelike, +especially after the feeling of loneliness and homesickness she had +experienced the day before as she walked the streets not knowing which +way to look for shelter. + +That evening, after everything was done, as Mrs. Durand was seated by +the fire in her easy chair, and Lottie was hemming a table-cloth, Mrs. +Durand asked abruptly: + +"Why did you come back?" + +Lottie looked up in astonishment, scarcely knowing what to say. But +deeming it best to tell her exact reason, she said: "Because I thought +it was my duty to do it." + +For a while there was silence, during which Lottie glanced up timidly to +see the effect of her words upon her aunt, but she could discover +nothing. + +"I suppose you were pretty angry with me, when you went?" was the next +remark. + +"Awful!" said Lottie, catching her breath at her own temerity. + +Again there was silence. + +"Well," returned Mrs. Durand, "if you hadn't been in such a hurry, I +should have told you I didn't mean to strike you; but, I suppose I can +tell you so now, can't I?" + +"Oh dear, Aunt Emmeline, you needn't say anything at all about it," said +Lottie, eagerly. "I acted just horrid; I know I did." + +"I can't blame you much, child. Old people like me, with the rheumatism, +are apt to be snappish. But I guess we both have had a lesson we will +not be likely to forget. Come, now, I think it is time you were in bed, +so put away your sewing, and go." + +"Can I get you anything, aunt?" asked Lottie, as she prepared to obey. + +"Nothing at all, my dear," was the soft reply, that sent Lottie upstairs +in a state of pleasurable surprise at the turn things had taken. Never +had she felt more glad of anything than she was to find herself in the +little chamber again, because it was home. + +Joel, in the meantime, after he had seen his sister fairly reinstated in +her old place, returned to Mrs. Hazeley's, where he duly reported the +success of his visit. + +Flora was very glad things were straightening out for her young friend, +Lottie, for she was really fond of her, because of her open, truthful +nature. + +A few days more Joel spent with his friends, and then, after arranging +with his aunt for his sister's future, insisting on supplying her needs +outside of her board, for which Mrs. Durand would accept nothing, he +left, to return to his work, feeling at least contented, if not carrying +back with him the memory of a happy home welcome and reunion. It was +good to have somebody to work for and care for, and Joel was accustomed +to placing full value upon present blessings or privileges, and his +example had not been lost upon Lottie, whose lot, while greatly changed +and improved, was by no means entirely freed from thorns, for Aunt +Emmeline was still Aunt Emmeline, and was likely to continue to be so. +However, since Lottie's return, she had treated the girl with a fair +amount of consideration, much to her satisfaction and enjoyment. Lottie +was beginning to feel at home. In fact, as the months rolled by, and she +grew in age and experience, Lottie gradually became the household +manager, and her aunt was content to oversee. + +After a time, Mr. Piper grew tired of "rolling around," as he informed +his sister and daughter, and determined to marry a second time. He +moreover informed Lottie that it would be more agreeable to all +concerned if she would conclude to remain with her aunt. + +"Humph!" said that good woman. "It's well that it is agreeable to all; +but suppose it wasn't? As it is, child," she added, "you know you are +welcome to a home with me just as long as you want it. I have no wish to +part with you. But I must say, your father is pretty cool." + +At one time Lottie's heart would have beaten tumultuously at the +prospect of a permanent home with Aunt Emmeline, but it was not so now, +and she felt very grateful, when she lay down that night, that God had +so cared for her, when she could not care for herself. + +To return to our friends, the Hazeleys. They had all removed to Brinton, +all but Alec, who seemed so well-contented with his quarters at Major +Joe's, that he did not wish to change. There was really no necessity for +him to do so. He was doing well at school, although he was by no means +what might be considered a brilliant pupil. In fact, his own prediction +that he would be no scholar, but a practical farmer, seemed likely to +come true. + +Major Joe had other help now, and Alec gave his time out of school and +during holidays, to the owner of a large farm in the immediate +neighborhood, where he was learning many things that were needful to +know in his chosen calling. He always came home at night, and was known +all around as a "fine lad." Major Joe had grown too feeble to attend +market any longer, and so he had turned that part of his business over +to the young man, who now had charge of his garden, and who, it seemed +more than likely would have charge of Ruth some time in the future, when +he had grown able to do so. The major remained at home, alternately +nursing his rheumatic limbs, and helping "mother" and Ruth with the +poultry, of which they raised a quantity, and, as Jem said, were +"getting awful rich off the eggs and things." Ruth was a thrifty, +thorough-going little housekeeper, one after her grandmother's own +heart, while Jem was just a lively little girl, who insisted on +bestowing her help, which, however, usually proved more of a hindrance. +She was, however, the pet of the old people, and made things merry in +the little cottage. + +Alec Hazeley had gone to see his brother as soon as he had heard of his +return, and had spent some days at home prior to the removal of the +family. And he was the last object they saw as they steamed out of the +station. Mrs. Martin was no longer the active, stirring woman she had +been before her illness, but was now a confirmed invalid. She was much +altered, in every way, and was very glad to have her sister and family +with her; and they were altogether a peaceful, happy, little household. + +It was not Harry's intention to remain at home long after he had seen +his mother and sister settled. But, somehow--perhaps it was because +every one seemed glad to have him there--he stayed longer than he had +intended; and, surprising to himself, and altogether delightful to +Flora and his mother, he one day informed them that he felt he had +received a decided call to the ministry. + +"Oh, Harry!" cried his sister. "How sudden! I wasn't dreaming of such a +thing; but I am _so_ glad." + +"Yes," answered Harry, seriously, "I feel as if I must prepare myself to +preach. Something tells me, and I feel sure it is the voice of God, that +I shall prosper at nothing else but winning souls for Christ. As I was +snatched from the toils of the Evil One, so must I help save others. I +believe that God rescued me for that very purpose." + +Aunt Sarah was delighted, and would hear of nothing but that he should +immediately begin to fit himself for his new work. The family circle was +again broken, but this time, how different the circumstances, and how +hopeful the future appeared, with all united in the bond of love for +Christ and a hope for his re-appearing. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +A CHRISTMAS INVITATION. + + +Years have passed, and long since the grass was green over Mrs. Martin's +grave. Side by side she lay with her gentle sister, and over the two +graves the graceful branches of the willow drooped, and in summer the +sod was starred with daisies. + +It was December. The trees were bare of leaves, and the grass was +withered. The weather was cold. The folks in Brinton predicted a hard +winter. In the cosy home where Mrs. Hazeley now presided with a calm +demeanor, and Flora flitted about happy and contented, there seemed no +need to fear the searching winds of winter. Flora was no longer a girl, +but a well-grown young woman--changed, and yet not changed. She had +matured with years; but it was easy to discern the same merry, +thoughtful Flora of the old days. + +Shortly after his conversion, Harry had heard and followed the voice of +his Master to "preach the gospel," and now he was the pastor of the +church where Aunt Bertha had sat and listened to the gospel, eagerly +taking in the blessed words of life--the same church where Aunt Sarah +had listened, stern and cold, with her hard features turned upward to +the minister; and the same church where two happy faces--one of a quiet +and attractive-looking matron: the other of a fair, bright-eyed younger +woman--were seen every Lord's Day. + +Very proud was Flora of her manly, earnest brother who had won so +completely the hearts of the people; and equally proud was Harry of his +sister, who was loved and respected by all. They saw but little of Alec, +who had never outgrown his love for the country, and who still lived in +Brinton. He was industrious and economical, and his friends were sure he +would some day be a wealthy man. + +It wanted but a few days to Christmas, when, one afternoon, during a few +idle moments, Flora stood by the window lightly drumming against the +pane, and smiling, as if her thoughts were very pleasant. + +She had not been standing there long when the front gate opened, and +Harry came toward the house. + +Flora hurried to open the door for him, and pausing to remove his +overcoat, he said: + +"Here is a letter for you, Flo." + +"A letter for me?" she repeated. "I wonder from whom it can be." She +returned to the room with the letter in her hand. + +"A letter, Flora?" inquired her mother. "Who is writing to you, dear?" + +"It is from Alec, mother," was the answer, a moment later. + +"What does the dear boy say--anything of importance?" asked Mrs. +Hazeley. + +"It is a very short letter. Shall I read it?" + +"Never mind, Flora; just tell us what he wants." + +"It is simply a very short, but very urgent, invitation for us all to +spend Christmas with him. You, especially, Harry." + +"Me? I wonder why?" + +"Shall we go, mother?" + +"Of course. I would not disappoint the boy for anything; besides, we +have not seen him for so long." + +All were satisfied with this arrangement. + +Christmas morning dawned bright and clear, but very cold. + +Harry held service in the morning in his church, and of course Mrs. +Hazeley and Flora were present. Everything was in readiness to start +away immediately at its close. + +"It will not really matter; and we cannot miss seeing our Harry conduct +his first Christmas service," said Flora, positively. + +The exercises were simple but impressive; the singing sweet and +solemn--the sermon earnest and tender. It seemed to Flora as if she were +shut in from everything, and that she really moved among the +circumstances connected with the Saviour's birth. It seemed to her that +she was with the wise men who brought gifts, and came to worship the +infant Jesus; and the words of the anthem, "Glory to God in the highest, +peace on earth, good will to men," echoed and re-echoed through her +whole being. "Truly," she thought, "that peace has entered my soul, and +how can I have aught but 'good will to men'?" + +Mrs. Hazeley's feelings found expression by the tears rolling down her +cheeks under her veil. Flora saw them, but knew they were for joy. + +Never had Harry spoken as he spoke that morning. He scarcely recognized +himself in the preacher whose impassioned words were holding spell-bound +the people who filled the church, drawing from them alternately tears +of sympathy and smiles of joy. + +When the service was at an end, and the usual interchange of Christmas +wishes over, the young minister joined his mother and sister, who were +waiting for him, and, with one upon each arm, directed his steps to the +depot, where they boarded the cars for Alec's home. + +Flora felt too peaceful and happy to talk, and, in fact, they were all +disinclined for conversation, and so the short journey was made in +silence. True to his word, Alec was at the station to welcome them, and +delighted that they had all come. + +He conducted them to a carriage he had in waiting, and helped them in. + +"What do you want to ride to Major Joe's for?" asked Harry. "It is such +a short distance." + +"Oh, I want you to ride to-day, so ask no more questions," was the saucy +reply. + +"Alec has some new project in his head," whispered Flora to her mother, +who nodded and smiled, as if anything and everything were in order, so +far as she was concerned. + +Harry asked no more questions, but was busy looking about him, and +trying to decide where they were going; if to Major Joe's, why take +such a roundabout course? All to no avail, however, and he abandoned the +matter to the driver. + +There was no snow, to cover with its white, glittering blanket, the +rough spots, but the brightness of the sun made amends for this lack by +gilding the bare places. It was a green Christmas, but there was a +lurking promise of snows and storms yet to come, in the brisk, sharp +wind, that drove the withered leaves--reminders of the summer's +beauty--along, as Flora remarked, "like little, old women dressed in +brown, and caught in a wind-storm." Alec noticed, as they drove along, +that his brother still glanced about inquiringly, evidently not yet +satisfied as to the road to Major Joe's from the station. Alec was +amused. It was so long since Harry had been there, he felt sure he could +not remember. It was with a view to drawing his attention from this, and +thus prevent his asking more questions, that Alec began to talk +diligently. He pointed out the different objects of interest along the +way, and then would branch off into a series of remarks or conjectures +concerning them. + +"This now," he said, pointing to a pretty house they were passing, "is +Mrs. Brown's new residence. Isn't it tasteful? Contains all the latest +modern improvements--at least, so they say. And here is the homestead of +a well-to-do widow. Very benevolent. Quite a good thing for widows." He +was interrupted by Flora's inquiry: + +"Why widows especially?" + +"Oh, because, you see, all they need is to have just enough to keep them +comfortably while they live. They don't care about making improvements, +and buying or speculating as a general thing, like----" + +"Like what?" asked Harry, drily, as his brother paused. + +"Well, like me, for instance," returned Alec. + +"So, I suppose you think there is no necessity for you to be +benevolent." + +"It's not but that I should, so much as I cannot afford to be. You see, +I am a young man, and I need to be very prudent about the way I invest +what money I have, in order to accumulate a little more." + +"Oh, Alec," laughed Flora, "you certainly have accumulated a pretty good +stock of self-complacency, and have cultivated a fine opinion of +yourself." + +"Yes," returned Alec, good-humoredly, touching up his horse with the +end of his whip. "One must blow his own trumpet, if no one else will for +him." + +"Bad policy, my boy," interposed Harry, who seemed for the time being, +to feel himself a boy again. "Bad policy. It is better not to have a +trumpet blown at all, than to do it yourself. True worth will always +receive its proper recognition." + +"Not always; you are wrong there," said Alec, his eyes twinkling +mischievously at the success of his plan for diverting his brother's +attention. + +"Yes, always," persisted Harry. "Probably not from the direction you +desire, or are looking toward; but, if one looks in the right direction, +he will find that if he is worthy of esteem, honor, and respect, he will +get it from those upon whom his course has made an impression. The +trouble is, that people often look too far away. Either they do not +think to look among those immediately about them, and among whom they +live, or they do not place the proper value upon their opinions and +respect." + +"Well, well," said Alec, coolly, as he drew up before the gate of a new +and very pretty cottage. "I am very much obliged to you for your +valuable homily. I hope I shall profit by it. But, my dear brother, 'all +is well that ends well'; and as my chief object in engaging you in +conversation was to give you something to think about besides which way +we were going, I am delighted that I was successful." And with a polite +bow, the saucy fellow jumped down and proceeded to help his passengers +to alight. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +A HOMELY WEDDING. + + +No sooner had the little party alighted, than the cottage door flew +open, and a crowd of familiar faces met their astonished gaze. + +There was the old major, wrinkled and lame, leaning on his cane, but +smiling as if he had forgotten that there was any "rheumatiz" in the +world. + +There was the bright-faced little Jem of long ago, now grown into a +stout maiden, and looking as sober and matter-of-fact as ever. + +And motherly little Ruth was there, with her face wreathed in smiles. + +There was good Mrs. Benson, busy and bustling with the weight of some +unusual responsibility. + +Such a royal welcome as our friends received. Tongues were kept busy +with stories of the generosity of the dear old Saint Nicholas, and +wishes for the new year. + +"What a pretty house!" exclaimed Flora, as the hum of voices was +lessening. + +"I am glad you like it, sister mine," returned Alec who was at her side, +"because, you know, it belongs to me." + +"To you? Then you have been industrious in all these years. Are you +going to live here all alone?" + +"Yes, you are right there, Flora," Alec answered, totally ignoring her +question. "I have worked hard, and saved too. But, there! I am blowing +my own trumpet again, in spite of Hal's lecture!" And he glanced +roguishly at his brother. + +But Harry only smiled. + +"What on earth do you want with a whole house?" asked Flora, curiously. +"Are the major and Mrs. Benson going to live with you?" she added, +wishing to understand it all. + +"No," said Alec, "they are going back home." + +Flora and Harry were thoroughly puzzled, and from time to time glanced +at their brother questioningly, as if they feared he was joking them. +Flora noticed, however, what the others were all too busy to see, that +Alec was constantly glancing out of the front window, as if expecting +some one. + +At last her curiosity and his evident uneasiness were both satisfied; +for a buggy drove up to the door, and from it alighted a young girl and +an elderly woman, and--Joel Piper, who after dismissing the conveyance +came toward the house, where they were met by Alec, who presented them +triumphantly to the rest. + +"Lottie Piper, is this you?" cried Flora. + +The young girl was really Lottie, and the elderly woman was Mrs. +Emmeline Durand, her aunt. + +"Yes, it's me," answered Lottie, serenely and ungrammatically. + +"This is a delightful surprise. What next?" exclaimed Flora. + +"Shall I tell you?" asked Alec, coming forward and offering Lottie his +arm, who evidently understood the whole situation; "it is simply +this,"--and the two fine-looking young people walked toward the window +where Harry was standing, and paused before him,--"I love Lottie, and I +think she loves me." Lottie's bright eyes dropped to the floor, her face +suffused with blushes, with a bright little smile trembling around her +mouth. "I love Lottie; and, Harry, I want you to pronounce us husband +and wife." + +Mrs. Hazeley and Flora looked somewhat dazed, and then, turning to each +other, locked arms and walked toward the bridal pair, each face showing +surprise, but also betraying real joy at the event. + +The others were happy. All knew what the day would bring forth, and each +had united with the others in mystifying Mrs. Hazeley, Flora, and Harry. + +The last named, while much surprised, as was but natural, understood the +situation and the part he was expected to take, as Alec and Lottie +stepped toward him. + +"Very well, Alec. I am glad you have made such a happy choice. Are you +both ready? Please stand here. That is it. So." + +Then, amid the hush that fell upon the little company, Harry's voice was +clearly heard, saying: + +"'What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.'" + +At the close of the short, but very impressive service, Harry offered a +short prayer that the "great All-Father would watch over, guard, and +guide these two lives that had linked themselves together for all time." + +Then came congratulations, and everybody tried to talk at once. Then +came dinner. This was in charge of Mrs. Benson, and it is only necessary +to say that it was one long to be remembered; for she was an excellent +cook. + +In the course of the dinner, Alec was pressed by Flora to tell how he +had become acquainted with Lottie. He quite willingly complied. + +"I first met her on the day I came down to see you off on the cars when +you all left for Brinton; and just as the train was disappearing around +a curve, and I was turning about to go home, a girl came running up all +out of breath. + +"'Oh,' said she, 'has the train gone?' I said, 'Yes; did you want to get +on?' + +[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 184.] + +"'No,' said she; 'but my friend is on it, and I wanted to say Good-bye.' +'I'm sorry,' said I, 'but who is your friend?' Not that it was any of my +business to know, but somehow or other I felt interested, and she didn't +seem to mind, but said: 'Flora Hazeley.' 'That's my sister,' said I; 'do +you know her?' 'I guess I do,' was the answer. 'It is too bad; but it +can't be helped, I suppose. I'm always late when I should be early, and +early when I should be late.' + +"This sounded so odd that we both laughed, and then she turned and was +out of sight in a very few seconds. I didn't see her again until one day +several years afterward, when I was doing business for myself--taking my +vegetables and things to town to sell, you know. It happened on this +morning I had some fine, fresh vegetables left over from market, and I +wanted to sell them before going home. I went through several streets, +knocking at the doors and asking if the folks would like to buy what I +had. At one of the houses I met Lottie again. She did not recognize me +at first, but amused me very much by the close bargains she drove. +'Well,' said I, 'you are a case.' She looked up at me suddenly, as if +she would like to give me a bit of her mind, and she saw who I was. +Then, of course, she began to ask after you all; and that is the way we +became acquainted. I always went there afterward when I had anything +left over, and, when I saw what a close bargain she could drive, and +what a good housekeeper she made for her aunt, I thought: 'Lottie is the +girl to help a fellow get on in the world.' So, after a while, with the +consent of the good aunt and no objections from our brother Joel here, +to whom we wrote about the matter, and who came on to see us and give us +his blessing, we made the arrangements that you see have been carried +out to-day." + +"How about Lottie's father?" said Flora, slyly. + +"We wrote to him too, and he didn't object, either--that that is, he +didn't answer--and silence is consent, you know." + +"Alec," said Harry, gravely, "I am glad, of course, to see you doing +well; but it hurts me to hear you talk so much about getting rich and +saying nothing about higher and better things. What is to become of you +when you are called to lay aside the possessions you are striving so +hard to get?" + +"Now, never you mind Alec, my good preacher brother," interposed Lottie, +looking at him with a complacent smile. "Alec is fond of mystifying +people. He is just as good a Christian as ever a young man was. He and I +both--to set your mind at rest--were converted over a year ago, at a +revival in Bartonville. We mean to try and live right--don't we, Alec?" +And she beamed on everybody, in no way abashed by her frank confession. +It was plain that Lottie would be matter-of-fact and practical to the +end of her days. + +"My dear Alec, give me your hand!" cried Harry. And the two brothers +clasped hands warmly, while Joel nodded approvingly. Flora, who sat next +to Lottie, slipped her arm around her waist and gave her a sisterly +embrace; and Mrs. Hazeley exclaimed, wiping the tears away: "If ever a +woman was blessed in her children, I am that one. Truly, God is good." + +"That he is," rejoined Mrs. Benson. "My husband and I can testify to +that." And her eyes rested lovingly upon Ruth and little Jem. + +"Well," put in Mrs. Durand, Lottie's aunt. "_You_ are all rejoicing; but +I am not so sure that I can join you. I lose my housekeeper and the only +companion I have when I lose Lottie. One doesn't mind living alone so +much when one is used to it; but when you have had company for so long, +it comes awkward to go back to the old habits." + +"Remember the old proverb, Aunt Emmeline, 'Never cross the bridge until +you come to it,'" laughed Lottie. Then, turning to Alec, who sat quietly +smiling, she said: "Tell her, Alec, do." + +"Aunt Emmeline, come with me a moment; I have something to show you," +and offering her his arm they left the room. Crossing the wide hall, +they ascended the stairs, and stopping at a closed door, Alec said, as +he pushed it open: + +"This room is for Aunt Emmeline, as long as she will occupy it. We could +not do without her." + +Mrs. Durand's fears were thrown to the wind when she heard this, and saw +the dainty room. Turning to Alec, with her eyes bright with tears, she +said, as she threw her arms around his neck: + +"Oh, Alec, I do not deserve this. But it makes me very happy to know you +think enough of me to do this for me." + +As they entered the room, where all was gayety, her face wreathed in +smiles, Mrs. Durand said: + +"Now I can join in the general rejoicing. I have a new home--this +one--with Lottie and Alec." + +Everybody was pleased, and Lottie looked her happiness; for her face was +ever very expressive of her feelings. + +For a long time Jem, who was as quiet and quaint in her ways as ever, +had been occupied in the effort to make peace between Dolby and Pokey, +who were now old and feeble, but very dear to the heart of their +mistress, who had insisted that they must come to the wedding. + +During Alec's story, Flora had caught a look of decided disapproval on +Jem's face, and determining to ascertain the cause, she asked: + +"Jem, dear, does anything trouble you? What do you think of this?" + +"Do you mean the wedding?" Jem questioned. + +"Yes." + +"Well, then,"--and the words came slowly, distinctly, and +decisively,--"I think it was a very disinteresting one." + +"How would you have had things, if you could have had your way?" asked +Flora, much amused at Jem's positive tone. + +"Oh, _I'd_ have had white satin, and orange blossoms, and lots of +presents, and a great big wedding cake, with a beautiful ornament on +top, and all such, you know." In her earnestness she had forgotten that +Pokey was on her lap, hidden under the table-cloth, for fear her +indulgent grandma would see her and be disgusted, and banish her from +the room. Pokey, feeling that the little hands were no longer pressing +her down and reminding her that she must lie still, quietly dropped to +the floor, and began cautiously to explore. + +"Now, Jem," went on Flora, argumentatively, "suppose we did have all the +fine things you named, how much happier would that make us all?" + +"Oh, I don't know anything about that. I only know it would have been +prettier, and more to my taste as a guest, you see," returned Jem with +dignity, much to the amusement of her listeners. + +"Ah, Jem," said Harry, shaking his head at her, and pretending to be +very serious: "Ah, Jem, you little know how much unhappiness often +follows the orange blossoms and satin." + +"I don't know anything about that, either," was the cool rejoinder. "I +only know they are prettier to look at." + +"Everybody to his taste, say I, Jem," remarked Alec, solemnly; which bit +of philosophy was promptly put into practice by Dolby, who evidently +found it to his taste just then to spring upon Pokey while her young +mistress was busy talking, and who received a sharp box on the ear for +his pains. Of course such behavior necessitated the removal of poor +Pokey in disgrace by Jem. + +Before anybody was ready for it, the hour of separation had come. After +a great deal of talking and a good many "good-byes," the Hazeleys were +on the cars, being carried back to Brinton, and the unique reunion was +over. + +"What a queer Christmas party we have been to!" laughed Flora, when they +were again at home. "But I enjoyed it." + +"Yes," answered Harry. "So did I." + +"And I," added his mother, "more than all. Just to think, what wonderful +things God does bring about!" + +"Yes," said Harry, reverently, "how well the words of Isaiah apply to +us: 'I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make +darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.'" + + +THE END. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Punctuation has been standardised. Both "to day" and "to-day" have been +retained as they appear in the original publication, as has "extonished". +On page 132 "let the way direct" has been changed to "led the way direct". + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hazeley Family, by A. E. 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E. Johnson + +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 Hazeley Family + +Author: A. E. Johnson + +Release Date: January 23, 2011 [EBook #35045] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HAZELEY FAMILY *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h1>The Hazeley Family</h1> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/gs01.jpg" width="400" height="622" alt="Page 23" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Hazeley Family.<br /> +<a href="#Page_23">Page 23.</a></span> +</div> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="400" height="591" alt="Title Page" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +THE HAZELEY FAMILY<br /> + +BY<br /> +Mrs. A. E. JOHNSON<br /> + +<i>PHILADELPHIA</i><br /> +American Baptist Publication Society<br /> +<i>1420 CHESTNUT STREET</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><span class="title1">THE HAZELEY FAMILY</span><br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +<span class="title2">BY</span><br /><br /> +<span class="title3 smcap">Mrs. A. E. JOHNSON</span><br /><br /> +<span class="title4"><i>Author of Clarence and Corinne</i></span><br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> +<span class="title5">PHILADELPHIA</span><br /> +<span class="title6">AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY</span><br /> +<span class="title7 smcap">1420 Chestnut Street</span></p> + + + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="center"> +Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by the<br /> +AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY,<br /> +In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.</p> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="contents" id="contents"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> +<th class="tdr" colspan="2">PAGE</th> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Hazeley Home</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#i">5</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Flora at Home</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#ii"> 15</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Ruth Rudd</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#iii"> 26</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Flora's First Sunday</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#iv"> 37</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Beginning</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#v"> 46</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Some Results</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#vi"> 58</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Visit to Major Joe</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#vii"> 67</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">More Results</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#viii">79</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Ruth's New Home</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#ix"> 89</a></td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER X.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Lottie Piper</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#x"> 97</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Changes</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xi"> 106</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Led Away</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xii"> 117</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">In the Hospital and Out Again</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xiii"> 124</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Chapter of Wonders</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xiv"> 132</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Going Home</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xv"> 142</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Lottie's Trials</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xvi"> 151</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">More Surprises</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xvii"> 162</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Christmas Invitation</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xviii"> 171</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIX.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Homely Wedding</span>,</td> +<td class="tdr"><a href="#xix"> 180</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +<a name="i" id="i"></a>THE HAZELEY FAMILY.</h2> + + + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h2>CHAPTER I.<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE HAZELEY HOME.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Flora Hazeley stood by the table in the dingy little +dining room, looking down earnestly and thoughtfully at a shapely, +yellow sweet potato.</p> + +<p>It was only a potato, but the sight of it brought to its owner, not only +a crowd of pleasant memories, but a number of unpleasant anticipations. +Hence, the earnest, thoughtful expression on her young face.</p> + +<p>Flora was the only daughter. She had two brothers, one older and one +younger than herself, Harry and Alec, aged respectively, eighteen and +thirteen. The mother was of an easy-going, careless disposition, and +seemed indifferent to the management of her household. Especially did +she dislike responsibility of any kind. She was well pleased, therefore, +to receive one day a letter from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> her sister, Mrs. Graham, a childless +widow, offering to take Flora, who was then just five years old, +promising to rear her as if she had been her own daughter.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graham was well off. In her case this meant that she lived in a +pretty home of her own, with a nice income, not only supporting herself +in comfort, but permitting her to provide a home for her elder sister +for many years, who had entire charge of the housekeeping. This sister, +Mrs. Sarah Martin, was also a widow and childless. The resemblance went +no further, for they differed, not only in manner, but opinions, +thoughts, and character.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graham, after a great deal of careful thought, had come to the +conclusion to adopt her little niece. In fact she had often thought it +over ever since the child first began to walk, and call her by name. She +was a sensible woman, and it always annoyed her when she would visit her +sister to see the careless way in which the children were being trained. +Seeing this, she had long wished to take and train Flora according to +her own idea of what constituted the education of a girl.</p> + +<p>"It will be so much worse for her than for the boys," she had said one +day to Mrs. Martin. "I do dislike to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> see such a bright little child +brought up to be good for nothing; and that is just the way in which it +will be, if I do not take charge of her myself."</p> + +<p>The latter clause was intended to draw indirectly from her sister an +opinion of such a proceeding, for Mrs. Martin was by no means partial to +children. However, it was received with the indifferent observation:</p> + +<p>"Esther never did have any interest in children anyhow. She never had +any idea how to take care of herself, much less anybody else," to which +was added a remark to the effect that if her sister Bertha chose to +burden herself with a troublesome child, she was sure she had nothing to +do with the matter, and did not intend to have.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graham was rather surprised to have her suggestion received so +coolly. She had expected a great deal of trouble in getting Sarah to +consent, even provisionally. She was very glad to meet no more serious +opposition, for, although she had fully decided in her own mind +regarding the matter, yet her peace-loving nature dreaded unpleasant +scenes. She purposely and entirely overlooked the expression of stern +determination in the sharp-featured countenance of her sister, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +forthwith resolved to send for Flora without further loss of time.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that Flora Hazeley changed homes. She was not legally +adopted by her aunt, but was simply taken with the understanding she +would be returned to her parents in case Mrs. Graham should in any way +change her mind, or weary of her charge. This provision was inserted by +Mrs. Martin, who determined, in spite of her seeming indifference, not +to be ignored by her sister, upon whose bounty she considered she had a +primary claim.</p> + +<p>For eleven years Flora lived in the pretty home of her Aunt Bertha. Her +time was filled by various occupations, school, caring for the flowers +in the garden, and dreaming under the old peach tree, which never bore +any peaches, but grew on contentedly in the farthest corner of the yard.</p> + +<p>However, these were by no means the only ways in which Flora spent her +time, for Mrs. Martin, notwithstanding her stern resolve not to have +anything to do with her, had suddenly taken an equally stern +determination to do her share toward "bringing sister Esther's child up +properly."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +This was fortunate for Flora. Aunt Sarah instructed her thoroughly and +carefully in the details of housekeeping, cooking, serving, washing, in +fact, everything she knew herself. How fortunate it was that she learned +how to do these things, Flora realized some time afterward, as Mrs. +Martin had intended she should. While she was learning them, Flora's +progress was due rather more to the awe she felt of her stern aunt than +to the desire to excel.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Martin was ever ready to scold and find fault. Mrs. Graham never +criticised, but always had a bright smile and something pleasant to say. +As a natural consequence, she was dearly loved by her niece.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley, Flora's mother, delighted to be relieved of her +troublesome little girl, settled down more contentedly than ever, to +enjoy the quiet of her daughter's absence, and became daily more and +more indisposed to exert herself in order to make her home attractive.</p> + +<p>It was usually pretty quiet now, because neither of the boys stayed in +the house a moment longer than necessity demanded. Mr. Hazeley was +employed on the railroad, and consequently was away from home a great +deal. Mrs. Hazeley did little but turn aimlessly about, making herself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +believe that she was a very hard-working woman and then imagining +herself much fatigued, found it necessary to rest often and long. She +was at heart a good woman, when that organ could be reached, but +possessed a weak, vacillating disposition, entirely lacking the gentle +firmness of her sister, Mrs. Graham, or the uncompromising energy of +Mrs. Martin.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hazeley had long ceased to complain of his home and its management, +for his words had no further effect than to bring upon himself a storm +of tearful scolding, which drove him out of the house to seek more +genial quarters. He was by nature a peaceable man, and when he found +that neither ease nor peace could be had at home, remained there as +little as possible. In fact, as Mrs. Hazeley's sisters had often said, +"if the whole family did not go to ruin, it would not be Esther's +fault."</p> + +<p>Flora's life at her aunt's pleasant home had been a very happy one, and +the time passed rapidly away. She was nearly through school, and looked +eagerly forward into the future, that to her was so full of brightest +hopes. It was her ambition to be of some use in the world. Just what she +wanted to do, she did not know—she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> had not yet determined; but that it +was to be something great and good, she was confident, for small things +did not enter into her conception of usefulness.</p> + +<p>Aunt Bertha was her confidante for all her plans, or rather, dreams; she +could do nothing without Aunt Bertha, for had not she the means? Flora +felt sure nothing great could be done without money, that is, nothing +she would care to do.</p> + +<p>But, alas! Her summer sky, so promising and brilliant with hopes and +indefinite plans, was suddenly overcast. Aunt Bertha was taken ill one +day; the doctor said it was prostration, and he feared she might not +rally. Flora was told. Her Aunt Bertha, whom she loved so dearly, and +who loved her so much! Must she die? "I love her far more than my +mother," she whispered to herself. This seemed very disloyal in Flora. +But in truth, she had little cause to love the mother who had been so +eager to relinquish her claim, and who, in all these years, had never +expressed a wish to have her daughter at home.</p> + +<p>During her sister's illness, Aunt Sarah spent her time in constant +attendance upon her. She was cold, stern, and unapproachable as ever, +giving the child<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> little information in regard to the sick one who had +been so kind to her. She was not allowed to enter the sick room during +the first of her aunt's illness, although Mrs. Graham had often asked to +see her niece.</p> + +<p>One day, just before the spirit passed away, the sick woman called her +sister, and said in a weak, trembling voice:</p> + +<p>"Sister, I suppose you know I cannot live long, and that my will is +made."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Martin silently nodded.</p> + +<p>"Well," continued Mrs. Graham, "I have left everything to you—I thought +it would be best."</p> + +<p>Again a silent nod.</p> + +<p>"But, Sarah, I want you to promise one thing; that you will see Flora +has what she needs to carry out her plans. The dear child has so longed +to carry out some of her plans. I want her to have means to make +whatever she may decide upon a success. And one more thing," she +continued, pausing for breath, and looking pleadingly into the face +above her, "I do hope, Sarah, that you will keep Flora here with you. Do +not send her back to her home. I have left all I own in your hands, and +I trust to you, sister, to do what I wish."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +This long expression of her wishes had so taxed the fast-failing +strength of the invalid, that she sank back, exhausted. No answer was +expected, and Mrs. Martin was silent; and silent too, because she had +not the slightest intention of doing as her sister wished. It was truly +heartless; but Mrs. Martin was one of those people who do not present +the harsh side of their nature in all its intensity until the reins of +power are placed in their hands. So long as Mrs. Graham held the +purse-strings, she acquiesced with as much grace as possible in her +sister's plans. Was not the money Mrs. Graham's to do with as she +pleased? It was quite a different thing, however, to feel that now +everything would be in her hands to use as she chose. No matter if the +donor was still looking into her face, her mind was made up that things +should be ordered in the future according to her good pleasure. It was +not at all her wish to burden herself with Esther's child, and forthwith +she decided that back to her home Flora should go. However, she did not +allow these unworthy thoughts to disturb the last moments of her +tender-hearted sister, by giving expression to them. So good Mrs. Graham +passed peacefully away.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +Flora was allowed to see her shortly before she died. The kind voice +whispered words of comfort, telling her that Aunt Sarah would take care +of her. These words fell unnoticed at the time upon the ear of the +sobbing girl, who had been so accustomed to have Aunt Bertha think and +plan for her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="ii" id="ii"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /> +<br /> +<small>FLORA AT HOME.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">MRS. GRAHAM'S life had been a quiet, unobtrusive, but truly Christian +one. She had neglected no opportunity to implant in her young niece a +love and reverence for holy things; and now that she was about to die, +she felt that she had nothing to regret, that she had left no duty +unfulfilled, so far as Flora's training was concerned. It was with a +heart full of peace that she commended her charge to the "One above all +others" and took her leave of earth.</p> + +<p>Flora was almost inconsolable. She had no one to comfort her, for Aunt +Sarah was as distant as ever, being entirely too much occupied with +plans for the future to care about Flora. Her mother came to the +funeral, but neither was overjoyed to see the other after their long +separation. It could scarcely be otherwise. Natural affection had never +been conspicuous in the Hazeley home, and the influence of these years +apart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> had not helped matters at all. Indeed, they were little more to +each other than strangers.</p> + +<p>After they returned from the cemetery, however, Aunt Sarah informed +Flora she was to return with her mother to her former, and as she deemed +it, rightful home. The feelings with which the girl received this +intelligence were by no means pleasant ones. But there was no use in +crying or fretting about it, for when Aunt Sarah said a thing, she meant +it, and could not be induced to alter her decision, even if Flora had +felt inclined to ask her to do so. This she had no thought of doing, for +she was not at all anxious to make her home with her cold, distant aunt.</p> + +<p>"It is too bad!" she exclaimed, as she thought of all the bright helpful +plans she and Aunt Bertha had made together, and which they had hoped to +be able to carry out. "It is too bad!" she sobbed, as she bent over her +trunk in her pretty little bedroom, the tears falling on the tasteful +dresses, and the many loving tokens that had been given her by the dear +hands now at rest beneath the unfeeling earth in the churchyard.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Martin was surprised that Flora's mother made no objection to +taking her daughter home. The truth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> was Mrs. Hazeley had been wanting +this very thing for some time. It was not, however, because of any +particularly affectionate or motherly feeling toward her child; but she +had been thinking that Flora, of whose ability she had heard much, would +be a very great help to her in caring for the house. Thus it was that +Flora returned to the home she had left eleven years before.</p> + +<p>Just as the train was preparing to leave the station, Lottie Piper, one +of Flora's friends and admirers, came running to the car, and tossed +something through the open window into Flora's lap, saying hurriedly and +pantingly, as she pressed the hand held out to her:</p> + +<p>"There, Flora, take that. Don't laugh. I raised it all myself, and I +want you to have it; but don't eat it! Keep it to remember me by. +Good-bye," she called, as the train moved off.</p> + +<p>Flora waved her handkerchief out of the window to Lottie, until her arm +was tired. As she looked about the cars her attention was attracted by a +titter from the opposite side. At first she could not understand why the +girl who sat there should look at her and smile. As her neighbor gazed +at her lap, Flora's eyes followed, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> there she saw the cause of the +merriment in Lottie's parting gift—a yellow sweet potato.</p> + +<p>At first she felt inclined to be provoked with Lottie for bringing such +a thing and causing her to be laughed at. However, the remembrance of +her parting words, "I raised it all myself; but don't eat it!" made her +smile in spite of herself. This encouraged the girl opposite to slip +over to the seat beside Flora, as Mrs. Hazeley was occupying the one in +front, and the two girls, although entire strangers to each other, +chatted away busily, until the train stopped at one of the stations, +where the girl and her father, who sat farther back, left the car. Soon +after, Flora found herself at home, Bartonville and Brinton being but a +short distance apart.</p> + +<p>This brings us to the opening of our story.</p> + +<p>It was Lottie's potato that lay upon the table, and Flora had been +wondering what to do with it. The memories it awakened were of Brinton +and the many pleasant strolls and romps she had enjoyed with Lottie in +her father's fields, which joined Mrs. Graham's, of Aunt Bertha herself, +and much more.</p> + +<p>"But what am I to do with the potato?" she questioned. "I am not to eat +it. I don't care to, either.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> Oh! I know, I will plant it in a jar of +water and let it grow. That would please Lottie, I guess."</p> + +<p>She soon found a jar such as she wanted, and after washing it clean and +bright, filled it full of clear water, and carefully placed the potato, +end up, in it, and then looked about for a suitable place for it.</p> + +<p>"That window has a good broad seat," she said to herself; "and it is +sunny, but the glass is so grimy! However, it will do. Better yet, I +will open the window."</p> + +<p>This was more easily said than done, for, although the weather was still +warm—it being September—the window did not appear to have been opened +for some time.</p> + +<p>Flora struggled and pushed, and at length succeeded in opening it, +making noise enough as she did so, to attract the attention of a young +girl who was passing. She stopped, looking up, inquiringly.</p> + +<p>Flora was heated with her exertions and the thought of having attracted +attention, so that before she realized what she was doing, she was +smiling and saying:</p> + +<p>"This old window was very hard to raise, but I was determined to do it."</p> + +<p>"No," said the girl, looking as if she was not quite sure that it was +the right thing to say.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +"What is that in the jar?" she asked, as she came closer, and looked at +the potato curiously, and then at Flora in a friendly way that pleased +her.</p> + +<p>"This," said Flora, patting the vegetable; "it is a potato."</p> + +<p>"But what have you put it in there for?" persisted the girl.</p> + +<p>"To grow, to be sure."</p> + +<p>"Will it grow?"</p> + +<p>"Of course it will," replied Flora, with an important air. "See! water +is in this jar, and soon this potato will sprout, send roots down and +leaves up, and then—and then—it will just keep on growing, you know." +And Flora felt sure that she had put quite an artistic finish to her +description of potato culture.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," cried her new acquaintance, with an intelligent light in her +eyes; "I know very well what will happen then."</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Flora, rather dubiously.</p> + +<p>"Why, little sweet potatoes will grow on the roots, of course."</p> + +<p>"I—I don't think they will," said Flora, hesitatingly, not being well +versed on the subject.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +"Yes; but they must—they always do," returned the girl, positively.</p> + +<p>"Well, but there would be no room in the jar for potatoes to grow," said +Flora.</p> + +<p>"That's so." And the girl looked puzzled; then they both laughed, not +knowing what else to do.</p> + +<p>"What is your name?" asked Flora, by way of changing the subject, for +she was a little fearful she might be asked to explain why little sweet +potatoes would not grow in her jar.</p> + +<p>"My name is Ruth Rudd," was the answer. "What is yours?"</p> + +<p>"Flora Hazeley."</p> + +<p>"Is it? Well, I live just back of your house, on the next street. +Good-bye. I guess I will see you some other time." And she hurried away.</p> + +<p>"She is a real nice girl," Flora thought, as she turned away from the +window; "I hope I can see her again."</p> + +<p>She stood for an instant looking about the room. It was nicely +furnished, but it looked neglected and untidy, and Flora, having been so +long accustomed to the attractiveness and order of her aunt's house, +felt home-sick. Her loneliness came over her in a great wave of +feeling,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> and running through the kitchen, out of the door, went into +the yard, which was a good-sized one, but so filled with rubbish and +piles of boards, scarcely noticed through her tears, that she met with +many a stumble before she reached the farther end. She wanted some quiet +place in which to sit and think, as she used to do under the old peach +tree at Brinton. She was sure she "could think of nothing in that +house," and the best she could do was to seat herself on an old block at +the very back of the yard. She felt she could think better out in the +open air, under the sky, for she was a great lover of nature, and loved +to look at the blue sky. The sun was under a cloud, but the air was warm +and pleasant.</p> + +<p>How different were her thoughts now from what they had been under the +old peach tree! Then she had reveled in rose-colored dreams; now she was +confronted by gray realities. Her thoughts went rapidly over her life +since Aunt Bertha's death.</p> + +<p>She had been here not quite a week, and she found it such a different +place from the home she had so lately left, that she was almost +unwilling to call it "home." But while she considered her present home +not very desirable, she had given no thought to the inmates, whether or +not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> they had found in <i>her</i> a very desirable addition to the circle.</p> + +<p>She was young, and she soon wearied of her sombre thoughts, which could +avail her nothing, and she glanced at the houses on each side of her +own. There was a marked difference. It was not in the style of the +building, for hers was the most attractive. It was, however, in the +general appearance, and Flora felt she would like to begin at the +topmost shingle and pull her home down to the ground. But the thought +came to her that then she would have no home. She knew there was no room +for her with Aunt Sarah, who was, no doubt, at this very moment enjoying +her absence.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, I do not want to live with Aunt Sarah," she thought; and +then began to wonder vaguely if she had not better go to work and try to +make her present home a more congenial one.</p> + +<p>The more she thought about it, the better the idea pleased her. Just as +she was endeavoring to decide upon something definite to do, she was +startled by seeing a board in the fence, just behind her, pushed aside. +Before she could move, a round, fat, little face was thrust through the +opening, and a pair of inquisitive brown eyes were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> fastened upon her. +For a moment they looked, and then the owner squeezed through, and stood +still, eyeing Flora complacently.</p> + +<p>"Well, and who are you? and what do you mean by coming in here that +way?" asked Flora, amused at the odd-looking little creature.</p> + +<p>"I'm Jem," answered the midget, coolly; "and I didn't mean nuffing."</p> + +<p>"Jem? I thought you were a girl," said Flora, looking at the quaint, +short-waisted dress, that reached almost down to the copper toed shoes, +and the funny, little, short white apron, tied just under the fat arms, +which were squeezed into sleeves much too tight for them.</p> + +<p>"So I am a girl," answered Jem, indignantly; "don't you see I've gut a +napron on wif pockets in?" And she thrust her chubby little fingers into +one of them.</p> + +<p>"But you said your name was 'Jem,' and that's a boy's name," persisted +Flora, enjoying her odd companion.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't none," was the sententious reply; "it's short for 'Jemima'; +that's what my really name is."</p> + +<p>"Well, Jemima, what do you want in here?"</p> + +<p>"Nuffing."</p> + +<p>"Nothing? Well, that isn't in here."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +"There ain't anythin' else's I can see," retorted Jem, turning down the +corners of her mouth very far, and looking about disdainfully.</p> + +<p>Flora laughed outright at this, but her visitor's countenance lost none +of its solemnity.</p> + +<p>"You do not seem to admire my yard, Jem."</p> + +<p>"Don't see anythin' to remire," retorted Jem. "You'd just ought to peep +in ours," and she moved over to the fence, and pulling away the board +with a triumphant air, motioned Flora to look. Flora looked, but the +first thing she saw was not the yard, but the young girl with whom she +had been talking not an hour since.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="iii" id="iii"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /> +<br /> +<small>RUTH RUDD.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">RUTH, standing by a long wooden bench, in the neat, brick-paved yard, +was engaged in watering some plants that were her especial pride.</p> + +<p>Hearing a noise at the fence, she turned, and recognizing Flora, smiled +and asked:</p> + +<p>"Won't you come in?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you," replied Flora, smiling in return. "I think I will."</p> + +<p>Jem looked on wonderingly as her sister and the visitor, whom she +considered her especial property, chatted.</p> + +<p>She could not understand how they knew each other. At length, as they +took no notice of her, she determined to assert herself; so, going up to +Flora, she demanded:</p> + +<p>"What do you think of <i>my</i> yard?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Flora, recollecting for what purpose they had come, "I like +it very much indeed, Jem."</p> + +<p>"It's a pretty good yard, I think," said Jem, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> much emphasis on the +pronoun. "Come and look at the flowers, and I'll tell you the names of +them." And she drew Flora nearer the bench.</p> + +<p>"This is a gibonia," she continued, pointing with her fat finger to the +flower named.</p> + +<p>"You mean a 'begonia,' don't you, Jem?" said Flora.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Jem, without changing countenance in the least, or +seeming in any way abashed; "and this is a gerangum."</p> + +<p>"A geranium," corrected Flora. "Yes, I see."</p> + +<p>"And this is a chipoonia," pointing to a petunia, "and—Oh, there's +Pokey!" and breaking away in the midst of her explanations, she gave +chase to a fat little gray kitten that just then scampered across the +yard, and into the house.</p> + +<p>"What a cute little girl Jem is," said Flora to Ruth; "is she your +sister?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is, she is my half-sister; her mother was not my own mother, +you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she is your step-mother," said Flora.</p> + +<p>"She was," corrected Ruth; "but she has been dead ever since Jem was a +little baby. My own mother died<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> when I was quite small," she added, +with an elderly air.</p> + +<p>"Who keeps house for you?" asked Flora, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I do," replied Ruth. "I keep house for father, and take care of Jem. +She is all the company I have."</p> + +<p>"What a smart girl you are. How old are you, Ruth?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sixteen, but I feel ever so much older. You see, it is a great +responsibility to have everything at home resting upon one," and Ruth +looked very wise.</p> + +<p>"I should think so," said Flora, thoughtfully. "I am sixteen too."</p> + +<p>"Are you? That's nice. We ought to be good friends," returned Ruth, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sure we shall be," replied Flora, earnestly. "I like you ever +so much, Ruth. I am very lonely here. I know nobody in this place except +my home folks."</p> + +<p>"How strange," said Ruth, in a puzzled way. "Tell me about it."</p> + +<p>Flora was glad to tell her story.</p> + +<p>"You poor child!" exclaimed matronly Ruth, taking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> her hand between both +her own, and pressing it. "How sorry I am for you."</p> + +<p>"Are you?" said Flora, laughing nervously, for she felt more like +crying. "I was just feeling sorry for you."</p> + +<p>"Sorry for me? Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because you have to live here all alone, or almost alone, and have so +many responsibilities. You must get very lonely."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but my responsibilities keep me so busy I have no time to be +lonely. Besides, I like responsibilities."</p> + +<p>"You do? Perhaps if I had a few I wouldn't be so lonely either; but then +you see I have none."</p> + +<p>"I think you have," returned Ruth, soberly, and added, after a moment's +thought, "I think you have a great many."</p> + +<p>"What are they?"</p> + +<p>"Your mother, and father, and brothers, and your home. You are +responsible for your conduct toward your parents. It is your duty to be +a good daughter. There's your home, it is your duty to make it pleasant +and comfortable. And there are your brothers——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do stop, Ruth!" cried Flora. "You have told me enough. You talk as +if you were thirty years old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> instead of sixteen. No, no! I will not +hear any more to-day about responsibilities; I have had enough for one +day," and she playfully placed her hand over Ruth's lips.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't going to say any more about them," said Ruth. "I was only +going to ask you to come into the house, for I must begin to prepare our +supper."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you!" replied Flora; "I must go now; but I should like to +come again soon."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, come as often as you please; the oftener you come the better I +shall like it. Come right through the fence whenever you want to; you +will almost always find me here."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Flora. She bade Ruth good-bye, and returned home the +same way she had come, entirely unconscious of the look of disapproval +with which little Jem was regarding her from the window of an upper +room, whither she had retreated with her precious Pokey.</p> + +<p>Jem felt quite slighted. Flora and Ruth had been so much occupied with +each other as to forget entirely her important little self, and she +determined to severely punish "Sister Ruth" for her conduct. She +immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> proceeded to put her determination into execution by +stowing herself and Pokey away in the darkest corner under the bed, and +there she remained in spite of Ruth's coaxing calls.</p> + +<p>Ruth found her there fast asleep, when she went to look for her at +teatime. Ruth was well acquainted with Jem's various modes of punishing +her, and she readily guessed the cause of her little sister's present +displeasure; and likewise knowing her well, she decided to let her alone +until she was ready to come down. At last Jem came down while Ruth was +washing the dishes. She was in perfectly good spirits, for she felt +satisfied that her sister had been sufficiently punished in having been +deprived of her company for so long a time. She sat down quietly and ate +her supper, which had been set aside for her. She did not say anything +about the events of the afternoon and neither did Ruth, who was busy +thinking about Flora. Strangely enough, influenced by some unseen power, +Flora was at the same moment thinking of Ruth. When our young friend +entered her home, she found her father had returned in her absence. Her +mother was hurrying about in an aimless, impatient way, trying to get +supper and at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> same time set the table. These two occupations were +not progressing very rapidly in her nervous hands.</p> + +<p>Harry and Alec were both in the dining room; the former sitting by the +window reading, and the latter whittling a bit of wood with his +pocket-knife, and letting the chips fly and settle where they would. It +was not a very inviting picture, but with Ruth's gentle face before her, +and her words "It is your duty to be a good daughter" in her mind, Flora +stoutly determined she would begin immediately and undertake her +responsibilities in the very best way she could. With these thoughts she +quietly said to her mother she would finish setting the table. It was +not much to do, but she felt a great deal better in making this first +effort to be of use in her home.</p> + +<p>"What have I been thinking about not to have been doing this before? It +is an actual treat to be busy," she continued to herself, as she placed +the plates, cups, and saucers on the table. She did not know it, but +both Harry and Alec were watching her whenever they were sure she was +not looking.</p> + +<p>The boys had not paid any attention to their sister since her return +home; in fact, they both thought it a bother to have a girl about the +place. Moreover, Flora had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> made no effort to prove herself a very +valuable addition to the little family. But this evening, as she moved +back and forth, the neat and tasteful way in which she arranged the +table, was so different from the usual careless manner, that both boys +were favorably impressed. Mrs. Hazeley too, when she hurried in with the +supper, gave a sigh of relief, as she noted that everything was ready. +And the father, although preoccupied with his own thoughts, glanced +about with a pleased look in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Although Flora was not aware of all this, she did not fail to notice +there was a difference from the ordinary meal. The boys refrained from +their usual snappish behavior, the mother was less peevish, and her +father's face wore a look of quiet approval. On the whole, there was +change enough to cause Flora to determine she would follow out the +suggestion of her friend Ruth, and endeavor to make her home what she +desired it to be.</p> + +<p>When supper was over, Harry and Alec took their hats and went out, no +one asking where they were going, or when they would return.</p> + +<p>"How queer," thought Flora, who had volunteered to clear the table and +wash the dishes, "how queer, that neither mother nor father seems to +care where the boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> go, or what they do." And realizing the +indifference of her parents, Flora began to feel an interest in the +pursuits of her brothers.</p> + +<p>When Flora retired to rest that night, she felt quite pleased with her +experience of the afternoon and evening, and she intended that this +should be the beginning of a new departure in her life; and she felt +glad that she had found such a friend as Ruth. She arose early the next +morning, and was downstairs before her mother was stirring. It was +Sunday, and the entire family were in the habit of rising later than +usual on that day.</p> + +<p>"What a dingy old place this is, to be sure," said Flora. "I'll make the +fire and straighten things up a little."</p> + +<p>When she had finished she looked about, and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look a bit comfortable, or homelike. No wonder the boys go +out every evening. I do wish I knew where to begin to improve things, +but I don't, and I have no one to ask about it, except Ruth; yes, I will +talk to her about things. Perhaps she can help me."</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Hazeley came downstairs, to her surprise and unbounded delight +she found the fire burning, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> kettle boiling, and the table daintily +laid, ready for breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Why, Flora! I did not know you were up," she said, looking around, +well-pleased with the generally improved condition of the room.</p> + +<p>"I do believe your aunt has made quite a housekeeper of you," she +continued, a moment later, as she inwardly congratulated herself upon +the circumstance which had sent her daughter home.</p> + +<p>Flora flushed at this unexpected, and for her mother, somewhat unusual +word of commendation, but made no reply, for the simple reason that she +did not know what to say. In spite of this feeling of pleasure that her +effort was appreciated, she could not help wishing herself back in her +aunt's home,—not as it now stood, with Aunt Sarah at its head, but as +it had been under Aunt Bertha's gentle control. The more she thought of +it, the more intense became the longing to be there in the old, happy, +care-free life at Brinton. But there was nothing to be gained by +wishing: Aunt Bertha was dead; Aunt Sarah was there, and there to stay; +and she was at home, and here to stay; so there was nothing to do but to +make the best of things, and get as much comfort out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> life as she +could. Then she thought of Ruth's life, and her brave effort to make a +home for her father and Jem, and inwardly Flora determined to emulate +her example. How well she succeeded the future will show.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +<a name="iv" id="iv"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /> +<br /> +<small>FLORA'S FIRST SUNDAY.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">BREAKFAST over, and the dishes cleared away, Flora looked about, +wondering what else there was for her to do. Her father was reading a +paper, and the boys had gone away. She went to the window where Lottie's +potato stood in its jar. The sight of it carried her thoughts back so +vividly to the old days, that she half resolved to look at it no more.</p> + +<p>She felt dull and spiritless to-day; it was no wonder, for there was +little to make her feel otherwise. At Aunt Bertha's, every one had been +accustomed to attend church, and Flora remained to Sunday-school. She +had been converted and received into the church about a year before her +aunt's death. Her sudden sorrow, her hasty trip from Brinton, and her +unfamiliar surroundings in her new home, caused her to feel as if she +had been removed to a heathen land.</p> + +<p>None of the Hazeley household attended church, and Flora knew of no +place to which she could go, for all was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> so new and strange to her, and +being somewhat timid, she would not go alone.</p> + +<p>Still standing at the window, and looking drearily out on the quiet +street, she saw Ruth and little Jem passing, on their way to church. +When they saw Flora they stopped, and she, glad to see a friendly face, +hastened to open the door.</p> + +<p>"Would you not like to come with us to church, this morning?" asked +Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I should," replied Flora. "I was just wondering what I was going +to do with myself to day. Wait a minute; I will be ready in a very short +time."</p> + +<p>As good as her word, she was soon ready. "I am so glad that you stopped +for me, Ruth," said she, as they walked along. "I know nothing about the +churches here, and no one goes from our house."</p> + +<p>"That is too bad," returned Ruth, sympathizingly.</p> + +<p>Flora was indeed glad that she had come when, as they ascended the +church steps, she heard the deep tones of the organ pealing out a +welcome to all who entered. As they walked up the aisle, it seemed as if +the sweet notes of the music twined around them, as though enfolding +them in a loving embrace. A feeling of quiet content<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> filled the heart +of the young girl, and for a time the realities were forgotten in the +soothing sense of rest that stole over her. Nor did she attempt to +arouse herself until the opening services were ended, and the minister +arose to announce his text.</p> + +<p>In clear, distinct tones he read: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do +it with thy might." Twice he slowly read the words, until Flora thought +he surely must have pressed them right into her brain, for she felt that +they were indelibly imprinted on her memory. Whether the sermon was +intended especially for young people, or not, she did not know, but she +felt that it was peculiarly adapted to herself. I have no doubt that the +older folks felt the same with regard to themselves. It was one of those +texts and sermons that suit everybody.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how many of my hearers can say truthfully that they have done +with their might 'whatsoever' their hands found to do," said the +minister, looking, as Flora thought, directly at her.</p> + +<p>She dropped her eyes uneasily to the floor, and mentally admitted, "I, +for one, have not, unless it was to grumble and fret with all my might. +I have done that, but nothing else, at least since I came home."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +"I am sure you cannot say that your hand has found nothing to do. You +can perhaps say that your hand has not found what you wished it to do; +but that is not what the words of the text teach. It says '<i>whatsoever</i> +thy hand finds to do.' Then too, it is to be done 'with thy might'; not +half-heartedly."</p> + +<p>"Oh," commented Flora to herself, "why <i>should</i> he talk so straight at +me? If he is not describing Flora Hazeley, I am mistaken."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever notice," the minister continued, "that when you did a +thing heartily, even though it was not the most agreeable occupation to +you, it became more easy and pleasant to you?"</p> + +<p>Flora thought of the little help she had voluntarily given her mother +the previous evening, and again inwardly agreed with the speaker. The +minister said a great many things that morning, some of which had never +entered Flora's mind, and they made her very thoughtful; so thoughtful +that she paid but little attention to the strains of the organ that +accompanied her out of the church. She remembered he had spoken of many +kinds of work the hands might find to do, and which were to be done +faithfully and heartily. Perhaps it would be church<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> work; perhaps +professional work; perhaps mechanical work; and perhaps house-work and +home-work. The last two, he thought, ought to go together, as neither +could do very well without the other, although each differed in +character. "House-work," he said, "as all knew, was sweeping, dusting, +cooking, and the other duties connected with caring for the house; but +home-work was the making and keeping a home; helping those in it to be +contented and happy; brightening and making it cheery by both word and +deed; shedding a healthful and inspiring influence, so that those around +us may be the better for our presence."</p> + +<p>"According to that, we <i>all</i> have a 'whatsoever,'" said Flora, +emphatically to herself; "and the sooner I decide to start on my own +part, the better it will be for me."</p> + +<p>With her mind busy with many things, Flora was very quiet on her way +home. The sermon to which they had listened was plain and practical. It +was not brilliant, but it was helpful. The ideas were not necessarily +new, but the words fell upon at least one heart already prepared and +softened by circumstances to receive and profit by them. To Flora they +were seed, falling upon the prepared ground of her heart, and in due +time the fruit came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> forth. Most of the suggestions were new to her, for +never before had she viewed them in this particular light.</p> + +<p>Ruth respected her friend's silence, for she saw that she was busy with +her thoughts, and guessing something of what they were, she was also +quiet. Jem was unaffected by the silence of her elders. She walked along +at Ruth's side, with her hand closely holding her sister's. Her happy +life caused her every now and then to lapse from her dignified walk, and +give a little jump and a skip. A continual volley of questions was +thrown at Ruth, whose replies were not always as obvious as occasion +demanded.</p> + +<p>Jem's quick retort, "No, it isn't, Ruth," brought her to a realization +of her abstractedness, and she resolved to be more attentive.</p> + +<p>They left Flora at her door, Ruth asking if she had enjoyed the service, +and added:</p> + +<p>"Will you not come to Sunday-school with us this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"I did enjoy the sermon very much," Flora replied, "and I shall be +pleased to go to Sunday-school. If you will call for me, Ruth, I will be +ready when you come."</p> + +<p>A number of things grew out of Flora's experience on this Sunday. Its +influence stayed with her, and had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> small part in shaping her future +life. She soon became an earnest worker to make the world better for her +living in it; striving patiently and faithfully to render her daily life +a power for good to those around her. How she succeeded our story will +tell. Last, but not least, a strong affection sprang up between Ruth and +herself, which proved a blessing to both.</p> + +<p>Ruth taught a class in the Sunday-school, and persuaded Flora to consent +to take one also, if the necessity arose. She introduced her to the +superintendent, who welcomed her cordially to the little band of +Christian toilers.</p> + +<p>"One class is in need of a teacher," he said; "will you not take it? It +is composed of girls from ten to twelve years of age."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should not dare to undertake a class of girls so old!" exclaimed +Flora. "I am too young myself. Give me little girls, such as Ruth has."</p> + +<p>"But," said Mr. Gardiner, "there is no such class in need of a teacher. +Besides, it is not the age that has to do with your success as a +teacher; it is the earnestness, perseverance, patience, and true piety +which you bring to the work that will bring forth the results you +desire."</p> + +<p>"I am so inexperienced," murmured Flora.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +"Neither has that anything to do with the matter," contended the +gentleman, smiling. "Experience will come, all in good time," he added.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Flora, "I will do my best."</p> + +<p>"That is right," answered Mr. Gardiner, heartily. He felt sure that the +young girl before him would succeed, for energy, conscientiousness, and +determination could be read plainly in her bearing, and these, he knew, +were characteristics of a successful teacher. He was glad, therefore, he +had persuaded her.</p> + +<p>Ruth, also, was pleased, for now her friend would be also a co-worker.</p> + +<p>Flora felt sad when she thought that her family were the only ones of +those who knew her who were entirely indifferent as to what she did or +where she went.</p> + +<p>"Only think, Ruth," she said to her friend, "it doesn't matter to them, +whether I go wrong or right. What encouragement is there for a girl in +my place to try to do right?"</p> + +<p>"It does seem hard, dear," the gentle friend replied; "but then you will +shine out all the brighter in the end for doing right in the face of +discouragements; and God cares, you know."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +They were at the gate, and bidding Ruth good-bye, Flora slowly went up +the path to the house, her brain very active with new thoughts and +purposes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, God will help me, if I ask him," said Flora, softly, as she went +to her room, and after doffing her hat and jacket, she knelt beside her +bed, and asked the dear Lord to bless and strengthen her in her new +surroundings, and let her life tell for him.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +<a name="v" id="v"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE BEGINNING.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">MONDAY morning was cloudy. Flora felt gloomy and dispirited, and +notwithstanding her good resolutions, not in a mood to make any extra +exertion.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hazeley had gone to his work, Harry and Alec to school, and the +mother was in bed with a sick headache. Flora was lonely. There was much +to be done, she realized, but just where to begin she did not know. +There was no one to tell her what to do, and everything looked very dark +to her on this Monday morning.</p> + +<p>The dishes were nicely washed, and carefully put away. The little dining +room had been swept and dusted, and looked somewhat more inviting. The +window where the sweet potato, the last link binding her with the past +at Brinton, stood, had been washed until the glass fairly shone, and now +she stood gazing listlessly out into the street.</p> + +<p>Presently she saw Ruth, on her way home from market. When in front of +the house, Ruth looked up, and saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> Flora's woe-begone face at the +window. She stopped, and gave her a smiling little nod. Flora's +countenance brightened immediately, and she hastened to meet her.</p> + +<p>"You look lonely, this morning," was Ruth's greeting.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I feel so," admitted Flora.</p> + +<p>"If you are not busy come home with me for a while."</p> + +<p>"I should like nothing better," cried Flora. "Just wait until I tell +mother."</p> + +<p>In a moment she was back, and the two walked on, Flora insisting on +helping Ruth with her market-basket.</p> + +<p>Jem met them at the door of the tiny house, and conducted them in with +great dignity. Flora was delighted with everything.</p> + +<p>"What a dear little house," she exclaimed, glancing about her +admiringly.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you like it," said Ruth, looking pleased.</p> + +<p>"And what a dear, little, old-fashioned housekeeper you make!"</p> + +<p>"Do you really think so?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do," said Flora, heartily. "Ruth, dear," she continued, +abruptly changing the subject, "I want a talk with you."</p> + +<p>"I shall be so glad to have you," said Ruth, seating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> herself, with a +pan of apples in her lap. "Sit down beside me, and you can talk while I +pare these apples."</p> + +<p>"I will help," replied Flora. "Run, Jem dear, and get another knife for +me, like a good girl."</p> + +<p>Jem obeyed, and soon returning, brought with her a box filled with bits +of calicoes, and various odds and ends, seated herself also, and +proceeded to fashion what she was pleased to call "doll's clothes."</p> + +<p>"Ruth," began Flora, after they were all settled and busy, "I like you +ever so much, and I hope we always will be friends. You seem to know so +much, and you have had so much experience, that I am sure you can help +me a great deal, if you will."</p> + +<p>"Of course, dear," was her gentle reply, "I would be glad to help you +all I can, and I shall be as pleased as possible for us to be friends. +As to my knowing much, you are mistaken; I know but very little of +anything; and experience,—well, I have had some, I suppose; but then, +it isn't the sort that would help you, I am afraid. However, I shall be +glad to do anything I can for you."</p> + +<p>"I am sure you can help me, Ruth. You have helped me already," said +Flora, decidedly. "And I mean to do as you suggested, and try to make my +home just what I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> would like to have it. I don't know how to begin +exactly; and then, mother never seems to care how things go, and that +makes me feel as if I did not care either."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to hear you talk about your mother so, Flora dear," said +Roth, in a troubled tone.</p> + +<p>"How are you to help me, if I don't tell you just what I think and +feel?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, if you were to let your mother see and know that you wanted to +help her, and make things bright, and talk with her——"</p> + +<p>"Talk!" interrupted Flora; "I don't believe she would do it, even if I +were to try."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but <i>have</i> you tried yet?" asked Ruth, looking up archly. "You +cannot tell until you do."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Flora, laughing, "I guess I shall try. But there is +another thing," and the troubled look returned to her face. "It is about +the boys, my brothers. They stay at home scarcely ever. I don't know +where they go so often, and I am sure mother does not, and I don't +believe she cares—you need not look grave again, Ruth—I don't. Harry +and Alec seem to be good boys, and it is a pity they are not restrained. +They may get into bad company—if they are not in it already—and do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +something dreadful, and bring disgrace on us all. What can I do about +that?"</p> + +<p>"It would take a wiser head than mine to tell you that," Ruth answered; +"but you might try and see if you could not make it so pleasant at home +they would not care to be away so much."</p> + +<p>"It seems pretty plain to me that that is easier to say than to do," +retorted Flora, just a little impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," assented Ruth, meekly; "I don't pretend to be a Solomon; +I only said you might try."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe they would stay for me," contended Flora, stubbornly.</p> + +<p>"That is another thing you have never tried yet," said Ruth, smiling +mischievously.</p> + +<p>"That is so," laughed Flora, as she took two or three curly parings, and +put them on Ruth's hair, to show penitence for her contrariety. "I guess +I had better not talk any more, until I have tried to do something. I +don't know how to begin my reformatory measures, but I suppose all will +be well if I start with 'whatsoever.'"</p> + +<p>By this time the apples were finished, and she rose to go.</p> + +<p>"You haven't remired my doll's things," said Jem, reproachfully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +"So I have not," said Flora, and she sat down beside the little +seamstress, and began to "remire" the various articles held up for +inspection. She was compelled to see through Jem's eyes, however, for +the shapes of the garments were not so striking or familiar as to +suggest their names.</p> + +<p>When at length she reluctantly took her leave, Ruth invited her to come +soon again, to which she laughingly replied she certainly should. After +this, matters went on more pleasantly at Flora's home. She busied +herself with making the house look as cosy and as attractive as the +shabby furniture and worn carpet would admit. She succeeded beyond her +own expectations. She was gratified also that her brothers seemed to +enjoy the improved condition of affairs, and so did her father when he +was at home. Lottie's potato was now adding its mite to the general +reform, and was sprouting nicely, sending its delicate white roots +downward into the clear water, and its closely folded leaflets upward, +to grow green in the warm sunlight. It seemed to be quite at home in the +bright window. Flora had ceased to dream when she looked at her quaint +friend. The days now, were too full to build air-castles. Mrs. Hazeley +was pleased to shift her responsibility<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> to Flora, who enjoyed nothing +better than to have all her time occupied. Often, when tangles would +come, Flora would run over to the ever-sympathetic Ruth, and receive +advice from her. Thus, in being busy, Flora became more content, and +often, as she thought of Aunt Sarah, she knew she would not be found +fretting.</p> + +<p>She had not yet attempted to influence the boys by word, but they soon +noticed the new air of homeliness pervading the rooms, and consequently +did not go out so much as had been their custom. Alec, the younger boy, +was very mercurial and mischievous, while Harry, the elder, was quiet, +and fond of reading.</p> + +<p>One evening Harry seemed to be more than usually inclined to be +sociable, and gave his mother and sister an animated account of +something that had happened "down town," that day. When he finished he +took up his book, and was just preparing to read, when Flora, eyeing the +volume distrustfully, asked:</p> + +<p>"What are you reading, Harry?"</p> + +<p>Harry looked up at her quizzically, and answered her question by +another.</p> + +<p>"Why? What is it to you, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," said Flora, rather disconcerted. She was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> unaccustomed to +boys, and had but little tact in dealing with them.</p> + +<p>"I thought so," replied Harry, coolly, returning to his book.</p> + +<p>"Will you not tell me what you are reading?" again asked Flora, not +willing to be so easily vanquished.</p> + +<p>"Why do you want to know?" demanded Harry, looking at her suspiciously.</p> + +<p>Flora's lips again framed "nothing," but no sound came, for like a flash +she thought, "If I say that, he will say, 'I thought so,' as he did +before. No, I will give a reason," so she said:</p> + +<p>"You seemed to be so interested in it, I thought it must be very +entertaining."</p> + +<p>"So it is," replied Harry, throwing a mischievous glance over to the +corner at Alec, where he sat thoroughly engrossed in his favorite +pastime of whittling, and in serene thoughtlessness allowing the +clippings to fall according to their own sweet will.</p> + +<p>Harry was confident that Flora intended to "read him a lecture upon +trashy literature," as he afterward privately told Alec. He replied:</p> + +<p>"It is interesting, Flo, about murders, and bears, cut-throats<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> and +burglars, and other horrors that would make you nervous to read about."</p> + +<p>"I am not made nervous so easily as you may think, my dear boy," +retorted Flora, condescendingly, and at the same time glancing +cautiously at Harry, to see what effect this would have.</p> + +<p>She had determined to try and gain an influence over her brothers, and +felt that to show an interest in their occupations would be a good +beginning. She realized the task she thus imposed on herself, but she +meant to do her best, for this was another "whatsoever."</p> + +<p>Harry was for a moment too much surprised to speak. Then he said, +saucily:</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed! Well, let me read some to you."</p> + +<p>"I shall be glad for you to read to me, if you will read a story I have +just started. I feel sure you will enjoy it. If yours is a book for boys +only, I fear I could not appreciate it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you couldn't?" said Harry. "Why not, may I ask?"</p> + +<p>But Flora was up and away ere the sentence was completed. Harry +congratulated himself on having put her to flight, and returned to his +book with a self-satisfied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> smile. Flora, however, had only gone to her +room for a paper. Hurrying back, she spread it before astonished Harry, +and, pointing to its columns, said, in a peculiarly persuasive manner:</p> + +<p>"Now, Hal, I would be ever so glad if you would read that story aloud to +us, while I crochet, and Alec whittles on the floor."</p> + +<p>Alec looked confused, and began to pick up some of the litter he had +made.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Alec," said Flora, laughing, "I will clear it up this time. +Could you not put a newspaper under you to catch the cuttings, another +time?"</p> + +<p>"All right," said Alec, looking relieved.</p> + +<p>"We are all ready, Harry," said Flora, sitting down and taking up her +work.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" said Harry, glancing carelessly down the page. "There's nothing +in such a story. I don't want to read it. It is too flat."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken," replied Flora, spiritedly. "It's not a bit flat, and +there is something in it. It is about a brave boy who saved a train."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I know," said Harry, skeptically, "and was not hurt."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +"Yes, but he did get hurt. Why not read it, and see?" suggested Flora.</p> + +<p>"Yes, read it, Hal," said Alec; "let's see what it is, anyway."</p> + +<p>"All right," and Harry began to read with a comical nasal twang, very +rasping to Flora's feelings, but she had the wisdom to say nothing. She +was very glad, later, because Harry gradually dropped the false tone, +and she could see by his manner that he had become interested, in spite +of himself. Alec too, had ceased whittling, and was listening intently.</p> + +<p>Forgetting to criticise, Harry read the entire story, which, in truth, +was a pathetic little incident, very gracefully and entertainingly told. +He was silent, as he laid the paper on the table, but his thoughts were +busy.</p> + +<p>"I was right, was I not, Harry?" asked Flora.</p> + +<p>"Yes," drawled Harry, smilingly, "you were. I did enjoy it, and I am +glad you asked me to read it. But, let me see," he added, turning to the +clock, "what time is it? Well," and he laughed, "I was good. It is +nearly ten. Guess I will retire; I was going out, but it is too late."</p> + +<p>Flora was secretly rejoiced to hear this, but she simply<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> said, +"Good-night." She felt a glow of satisfaction as she realized a +beginning had been made toward gaining the hold upon her brothers she so +much desired.</p> + +<p>"Flora, will you lend me that paper?" asked Alec, as she was preparing +to go to her room. Flora willingly placed the paper in his hand, +remarking, as she did so,</p> + +<p>"I am glad you like the story. I have others, if you want them. Aunt +Bertha kept me well supplied."</p> + +<p>"Good night," returned Alec, and he was gone.</p> + +<p>Flora was more nearly content than she had been for some time, as she +sank into peaceful slumber that night.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +<a name="vi" id="vi"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /> +<br /> +<small>SOME RESULTS.</small></h2> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 8px;"> +<img src="images/quote.png" width="8" height="7" alt="open quote" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="cap">I BELIEVE I am going to realize some of the dreams I used to have, +after all," Flora said to herself, as she laid her head upon her pillow +that night.</p> + +<p>She was right. The first step had been taken by her in the path of +becoming an earnest worker, and to influence those about her as she had +planned she would like to do, although not in such a way as this, nor in +such surroundings. Her cherished dream of being instrumental in leading +others into a higher and better life was now, she began to realize, +leading her into the lines of duty in her own home, and among her own +people. She could not wish for more.</p> + +<p>She would not be like so many others, who in their desire to do great +things, neglect the opportunities near at hand, and who, in longing to +lead the heathen to a higher plane of life, forget those at home, who +possibly for want of a word or act, have slipped, stumbled, and fallen +on life's pathway.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +Flora was growing, and with an earnest prayer to the Christ for +guidance, strength, and tact, she cheerfully assumed more duties in the +home, and greater responsibility. Her bright, sunny disposition, her +pleasant face, her extreme willingness to respond to requests, gradually +won a place for her in the hearts of those in her home.</p> + +<p>The class in Sunday-school was assumed with a feeling of great +apprehension. It was composed of five girls between the ages of ten and +twelve. At first sight of their youthful teacher, these girls had been +inclined to be displeased, but when they grew to know the sunny, sweet +good-nature, born of the great desire to do them good, and which shone +out of the earnest eyes, they loved her dearly. The teaching of this +class was fraught with great good, both to the teacher and scholars, and +this meeting with the eager, bright girls was soon eagerly looked +forward to by Flora from week to week.</p> + +<p>"How things have improved at Mr. Hazeley's!" soon grew to be a common +remark among the neighbors.</p> + +<p>"Yes, since Flora came home, it has become very different from what it +formerly was," would be the spirit, if not the words of the reply.</p> + +<p>Flora overheard a similar remark one day, and it gave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> her a feeling of +great joy to know the change was becoming apparent. Her resolution was +strengthened to sustain this newly made reputation.</p> + +<p>It must not be supposed that she always had an easy time. This was not +so, for as she often said to Ruth, "When mother and Harry are not in a +good humor, things do become tangled."</p> + +<p>However, to do the family justice, they were beginning to see and to +more fully appreciate the changes made in their home since Flora, who +had left them a small maiden, had returned with her thoughtful ways and +mature manner. They forgot sometimes that she was but sixteen, and would +fancy she was older than she really was. In fact, almost imperceptibly, +she assumed all responsibility, and they deferred to her judgment in +many things. Best of all, however, they began to love her.</p> + +<p>Her younger brother Alec seemed to have entirely surrendered to her +gentle, loving rule, and was ever willing to listen to her advice. He +was always ready to help her by running errands, chopping wood, drawing +water, and performing a dozen other little tasks quite new to him, for +he had never aided his mother in any way. In fact she had never asked +her boys to assist her,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> or to save her extra steps or work, forgetting +it ought to be required from them.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley also had changed under the magic wand of Flora's sunny +influence and determination to win the love of all. She had become at +least a willing agent to the general change taking place in her home, +and which recommended itself to her because her responsibilities were +lightened and carried by other shoulders.</p> + +<p>The house itself was transformed. Even cynical little Jem was becoming +satisfied with it. It still contained the same furniture, but there was +an air of comfort and home life about it never there before, but +introduced by the magic of Flora's presence.</p> + +<p>Lottie's sweet potato added its share to the general improvement which +was going on. The long thread-like roots looked very white in the jar of +water in which they were growing, and the graceful tendrils and +light-green leaves were quite refreshing to the eyes. Flora had trained +the vine about the window on small cords, and already it had nearly +covered the lower part with its delicate branches. Flora would have felt +lonely without it to care for; especially after being accustomed to have +plants in profusion around her at her old home. Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> too, it carried +her back to the happy days at Aunt Bertha's, bringing a feeling of joy +that she had been permitted to live there so long, and to be trained in +such a gentle, firm, loving manner. Frequently she mentally contrasted +her care-free life there, and her life of responsibility now, and she +determined, with the help that is from above, she would not sink to her +surroundings, but would elevate them to her level. Bravely, patiently, +hopefully did she go forward with this end in view.</p> + +<p>She was really surprised to find how fond she had grown of her brothers, +and they of her. She could think of her mother very differently now, and +she in turn began to show signs of an awakening affection for her +daughter.</p> + +<p>As to Ruth, she was ever the same, a quiet little home body, whose hands +were always too full to allow her to come to Flora, but whose demure +little face never failed to smile a welcome to her friend, and whose +wise brain could turn over Flora's tangles and straighten them.</p> + +<p>The two girls loved each other dearly; and no safer, truer friend and +guide could Flora have found than Ruth Rudd, who, although no older than +she herself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> was very mature in thought, manner, and speech. Her face +however, was childlike and innocent, reflecting the pure soul within. +Flora was fortunate indeed in having her for a friend and confidante.</p> + +<p>Harry Hazeley was a manly fellow with fine qualities. He had been +allowed to do as he pleased, and had not been greatly benefited by this +freedom. No restraining hand or guiding voice had been held out to him, +or to cheer him on his way. Not being evil minded, he had taken but few +wrong steps, and now his attention had been attracted to higher and +better things.</p> + +<p>As I have said, Harry had good qualities; one of which was a kind +disposition, and although it was not always apparent to his every-day +associates, was brought into play whenever he met any one who seemed in +need of assistance.</p> + +<p>One morning, as he was walking through the market on his way to school, +his attention was attracted by an old man. One of his feet was swathed +in bandages, and he was hobbling painfully back and forth, from his +wagon to the stall, where he was trying to arrange a quantity of +vegetables and some flowering plants which formed his stock in trade.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +Harry had a quarter of an hour to spare, and he immediately offered to +help the old man, who was only too glad to accept the proffered +assistance, and who introduced himself, between the journeys from stall +to wagon, as "Major Joe Benson, a gardener on a small scale."</p> + +<p>Major Joe was an old ex-soldier, who had been wounded, and later +imprisoned. The title "Major" was only a nominal one, and not indicative +of any rank. His name, as he informed Harry, was Joseph Major Benson, +Major being his mother's maiden name. He preferred to transpose this and +call himself Major Joseph Benson, shortened for convenience to "Major +Joe."</p> + +<p>"It sounded sort of big, you know," he said, drawing himself up and +looking dignified, until reminded by a sharp twinge in his foot that +"rheumatiz" and dignity did not agree.</p> + +<p>Major Joe was very talkative, and would not cease his persuasions until +Harry had promised to drive out to his home with him some day, and see +his nice little farm and Mrs. Benson, and he added:</p> + +<p>"She will be delighted to see you, because you possess such a kind +heart, and because you helped me. You must come."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +"Yes, I will," returned Harry, "but I must be off to school now. +Good-bye." And away he went, mentally pronouncing the major "a jolly old +chap."</p> + +<p>The visit was made, and strange though it seemed, a fast friendship +sprang up between the two, and the visits became quite frequent. Harry +had taken Alec with him several times, and he too had greatly enjoyed +the trip. Major Joe could tell any number of quaint tales and +reminiscences of interest to the brothers. Mrs. Benson, who was more +active than her husband, was always desirous for Harry and Alec to +remain to tea. Her heart had been reached by the kindness of Harry to +her "Major," as she lovingly called him, and she could not do enough for +them.</p> + +<p>Harry had passed his old friend's stall a number of times since Flora's +return, and had of course told him about his sister. The major had a +strong desire to see this wonderful girl, as he deemed her to be, from +the glowing descriptions that came to him. Finally he insisted, and Mrs. +Benson sent in a kind invitation that the three, Harry, Flora, and Alec +must come home with him to spend the afternoon and take tea.</p> + +<p>He chose a beautiful day in early summer for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> visit, and Flora was +anticipating it with no small degree of pleasure, for it would be the +first real holiday she had had since coming home. The thought that the +boys cared enough about her to plan a trip for her was a very pleasant +one. Her mother seemed as much pleased with the idea as the rest, and +had insisted upon her going, so Flora felt warranted in thoroughly +enjoying her new experience. Mrs. Hazeley was daily becoming more +energetic, and seemed really arousing to the fact that she had a place +to fill in her home.</p> + +<p>Major Joe was to call for his three young friends on his way home from +market. He had promised to be on hand by noon, and as punctuality was an +economizer of time, in the old gentleman's opinion, it was barely twelve +o'clock when he drew up with a great attempt at flourishing before the +Hazeleys' door.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/gs02.jpg" width="400" height="627" alt="Hazeley Family. + +Page 67." title="" /> +<span class="caption">Hazeley Family.<br /> + +<a href="#Page_67">Page 67.</a></span> +</div> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +<a name="vii" id="vii"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /> +<br /> +<small>A VISIT TO MAJOR JOE.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">QUITE an effort was necessary in order to arrange the board for an extra +seat for Flora and Alec. At length it was made ready, and Flora was +helped in, and Alec followed, while Harry took his place beside the +major, who commented as follows:</p> + +<p>"So this is your sister, Harry? Well, well, she's a sister to be proud +of; and I haven't a doubt but you are proud of her. Here, you Jacob, git +up, will you?" and he shook the reins vigorously over his horse's back. +"You never do come to a standstill but what you think it's meant for you +to go to sleep."</p> + +<p>Jacob, roused from his intended doze, lazily shook his fat sides, and +slowly moved along. It was a lovely June day, and the little party had a +very pleasant ride of about an hour and a half, Jacob not being inclined +to hurry.</p> + +<p>Major Joe was conversationally inclined, and nothing pleased him more +than to hear the sound of his own voice. He chatted continually: now +about the orchards they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> passed, and their probable yield of fruit; now +about the styles of the houses, as they came into view, and interspersed +these remarks with reminiscences of the time when he was in the army.</p> + +<p>The ride seemed quite a short one to Flora, who had enjoyed it +thoroughly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Benson stood at the gate, watching for them; and in her white +kerchief and neat cap, looked good-natured and comfortable. A saucy +little spaniel sat in the middle of the road, watching too; and he was +the first to catch sight of the wagon. He gave notice of the same by a +sharp bark, and springing to his feet, doubled himself together, and +bounded away, raising a cloud of dust in his haste to reach and greet +his master. How happy he was when he reached the carriage! He sprang up +at old Jacob, who paid no attention to such a small animal, but merely +turned away his head with an air of supreme indifference.</p> + +<p>"Jump, Dolby, jump!" said Major Joe. After several ineffectual trials, +and two or three hard falls into the dusty road, Dolby landed beside his +owner, who had made room for him, and gave himself a vigorous shake, +which sent the dust he had gathered in his long hair, over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> Flora's +clothes and into her face, causing her to choke, and a moment later to +laugh. Dolby concluded this was in recognition of himself, and turning +around, eyed Flora quizzically, and gave a satisfied little friendly +bark.</p> + +<p>The garden and nursery belonging to Major Joe were not large, but they +were very fruitful, enabling him to realize considerable from the sale +of his flowers and vegetables. He did not carry on his trade in a +scientific manner, but merely for his love of the beautiful and useful +things of the vegetable kingdom, and because to be inactive was for him +to be unhappy. His receipts from the sale of the products of his land, +together with his pension, enabled himself and Mrs. Benson to live very +comfortably in their own snug little cottage, and, in addition, to lay +aside something for a rainy day.</p> + +<p>"Well, mother, here we are," said Major Joe, throwing the reins over +Jacob's back.</p> + +<p>"So I see," answered Mrs. Benson, nodding smilingly to the entire party. +"Just come right in," she added, as Alec sprang out on one side of the +wagon, and Harry helped Flora from the other.</p> + +<p>The young people followed their hostess through the gate, and up the +box-bordered walk into the cosy little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> cottage. Flora was soon seated +in a low rocking-chair by the window, whose broad sill was filled with +potted plants.</p> + +<p>There Harry and Alec left her in good Mrs. Benson's care, while they +went for a walk over the place.</p> + +<p>Flora soon discovered that her hostess was as sociable as the major, and +but a short time passed before they were chatting like old friends.</p> + +<p>By-and-by, Alec thrust his merry face in at the door, and said:</p> + +<p>"Come out here, Flora; the major wants you to see his garden."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear, go, if you are perfectly rested," said Mrs. Benson. "I will +stay here, and see about preparing our early tea."</p> + +<p>Flora joined her brother out of doors, and found Major Joe and Harry +waiting.</p> + +<p>"Come and see my little green-house," said the old man, waving his hand, +and looking at them from over his spectacles with an important air. +Flora complied quite willingly, for she was very fond of flowers, and +immediately won the major's good opinion with her enthusiasm over his +pet plants, and the interest with which she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> listened while he enlarged +upon his management of them. The care of his garden was a tax upon his +time, and really constituted quite a little labor. Then, outside, it was +so pleasant to walk up and down among the neat flower-beds, in the +small, but nicely kept orchard; and in the kitchen garden, for the major +prided himself on his choice vegetables, some of which frequently took +prizes at the county fair.</p> + +<p>The major himself was in his glory, for he had someone to whom he could +talk. Talking was an occupation of which he never wearied, and now he +chatted about the various departments of his labors, and how pleasant it +was to watch the growth and development of the plants.</p> + +<p>His tongue was still going very fast, when Mrs. Benson appeared in the +doorway, and called to them that tea was ready. Reluctantly the old +gardener relinquished his young listeners, who were, however, quite +willing to vary the program, for they were hungry. The sight of the +pleasant room, neat tea-table, and their genial, motherly hostess, was a +very inviting one. In a lull of the conversation, during the progress of +the meal, Mrs. Benson remarked, with a sad little smile, that Flora +reminded her of her Ruth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +"So she does," exclaimed her husband. "I knew she made me think of +somebody, but couldn't make it clear who it was."</p> + +<p>"Is Ruth your daughter?" asked Flora.</p> + +<p>"She is, or leastways she was," said Mrs. Benson, heaving a sigh, and +adding, in a low voice, "She's dead now."</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry," said Flora, with ready sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, our Ruth was a fine girl, but a little headstrong. We did all we +could to make her happy and contented at home, but it seemed as if we +did not succeed, and so, one day she ran off to marry a man we couldn't +care for, because we were sure he wouldn't treat our girl kind—not that +there was anything against him, but he was so cold and unfeeling. But +she wouldn't listen to us, and went off, and we never saw her again."</p> + +<p>"How sad!" said Flora; "but couldn't you go to see her?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Benson shook her head. "No; he said we were not to have anything to +do with Ruthie, after he married her, and they moved away somewhere, we +never knew where, until we heard in a roundabout way that she was dead." +Here Mrs. Benson paused to wipe away a tear. "I had hoped she would at +least have stayed near home,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> and been a comfort to us in our old age; +but, I suppose it's all right, and for the best. But excuse me for +telling you so soon of our great sorrow. I should not have done it. Have +you ever heard," she continued—and soon all were laughing heartily at +her quaint sayings.</p> + +<p>Flora, however, could not send from her thoughts this sad story. When +the pleasant visit was drawing to an end, and they all were bidding Mrs. +Benson good-bye, promising to come again, it still lingered with her. As +old Jacob was soberly and deliberately trotting homeward, she revolved +it over and over in her mind. Somehow it fastened itself upon her in a +way she did not understand, and not until she was home, and had retired +to her room for the night, did she arrive at even a partial solution of +the perplexing problem. Then it dawned upon her with surprising +clearness, that it certainly was because of the similarity of names in +Mrs. Benson's daughter and her friend and adviser, Ruth Rudd.</p> + +<p>This was very slight ground on which even to build an air-castle, but +Flora did not stop to consider that, but in the midst of her dreaming +resolved to go the next day, and rehearse to Ruth the story she had +heard from Mrs. Benson.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +Accordingly, next morning, after the work was done, and her mother was +seated with her sewing, Flora donned her hat, and went to see her +friend, expecting to find her busy as usual. She was, therefore, very +much surprised to be met at the door, even before she had knocked, by +Ruth herself, whose gentle face wore a troubled, anxious look, and she +spoke in a low tone, as she responded to Flora's query:</p> + +<p>"What is it, Ruthie?"</p> + +<p>"Father is very sick."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so sorry! What is the matter? When was he taken ill? Was it +suddenly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes and no," said Ruth, answering simply the last question put by +Flora. "He was compelled to stop work yesterday, and come home. He has +been in poor health for a long time. I have been afraid, for quite a +while, that he would break down."</p> + +<p>"The doctor does not think he will die, does he?" whispered Flora, in an +awed tone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he does," said Ruth, as she wiped her eyes with the corner of her +apron.</p> + +<p>The two girls, with their arms entwined, and a deep tenderness in their +voices, then went into the little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> kitchen, where Jem sat, holding her +beloved kitten close to her for comfort.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the doctor says that he cannot last long. But what bothers me is, +there seems to be something on his mind, and I can see he is worried."</p> + +<p>"What about? Do you know?" asked Flora, sympathizingly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can guess," Ruth answered, taking from a work-basket a stocking +of Jem's, and beginning to darn it in an abstracted, mechanical way.</p> + +<p>"You see," she continued, "father married my mother—my own mother, I +mean—against her parents' wishes—she was young—and he never would be +reconciled to them, because they had objected to him. Neither would he +allow them to have anything to do with each other afterward. He was very +stern, and it all made mother so unhappy it just broke her heart, I am +sure. She died when I was very small. He has told me, since Jem's mamma +died, he wished he had tried to pacify my grandparents. But he had moved +far away from them, and now, if he should die, he has nobody with whom +to leave Jem and me. But he was always so proud; and now we shall be all +alone," and she gave a sorrowful little sigh.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +"See here, Ruth," exclaimed Flora, a sudden thought flashing across her +mind. "What was your mother's name?"</p> + +<p>"Ruth, it was the same as mine," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but what was her last name?"</p> + +<p>"Benson, I think."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I think I know your grandparents," cried Flora.</p> + +<p>"You do? How? Where?" returned Ruth, in a puzzled, disjointed way.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't, or isn't, your grandfather named Joseph Benson?" asked Flora.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Joseph Major Benson; but how did you know?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I found out," was the answer. "And they live just a little way out +in the country."</p> + +<p>"But, how do you know all that?" persisted Ruth, incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Because I was there yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Flora, are you sure? Don't raise my hopes and then disappoint me."</p> + +<p>"My dear, you will not be disappointed; I should not like to do that," +said Flora, gravely; "but let me tell you, and you can see for +yourself." And then she told the story<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> Mrs. Benson had told her, ending +with, "So, you see, there can be no mistake."</p> + +<p>Ruth was delighted, and thanked her friend again and again.</p> + +<p>"Just see how God works," she said. "Who can tell what he will bring +about. How glad I am! I must not tell father anything about it just yet. +We must manage to send word to grandfather, and have him here before we +tell. It would not do to excite father unnecessarily; he is so very +weak."</p> + +<p>"That is so, Ruthie," said Flora; "you are wise, as usual, in thinking +of that. I should have done quite differently. I should have rushed +right in at once and told him."</p> + +<p>"Not if you had been in my place," was the gentle answer. "You see, I +have been accustomed to think about such things ever since Jem's mother +died, as father never took much interest in the management of our +household affairs."</p> + +<p>After some more talk, it was arranged that Flora should go and bring +Major Joe to see his son-in-law in the morning, and then the friends +parted, Flora to hurry home and enlist her brothers' aid in her new +project;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> and Ruth to return to the bedside of her father, with the +pleasant hope of not only easing his mind, but the feeling that should +he die, she would not be left entirely alone in the world; a possibility +which she had dreaded more because of her little sister, than on her own +account.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +<a name="viii" id="viii"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> +<br /> +<small>MORE RESULTS.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">WHEN Flora entered the house she found her brothers there before her, +and both very quiet. It had grown to be such a pleasant thing to find +their cheery sister at home when they came in, that they had almost +unconsciously commenced to look forward to seeing her, and hearing her +merry voice. They hastened home from school, and felt, but never +expressed, disappointment when she was not there.</p> + +<p>Flora, while not yet so wise and thoughtful as her friend Ruth, was +daily learning lessons of usefulness, and continually using and +developing new powers heretofore latent, and with her natural tact +refrained from commenting upon many changes easily observed, going on in +the habits of her brothers. And now she simply smiled at Harry, and +pinched Alec's ear playfully, as she passed him.</p> + +<p>Then she went to her room to remove her hat, and hastened back to help +her mother with the dinner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> While putting the dishes on the table she +imparted her news to Harry and Alec, between her trips from table to +pantry. They were both well pleased to have the prospect of being able +to brighten the lives of Major Joe and Mrs. Benson. They considered +Flora very bright to come to the conclusion she did.</p> + +<p>"I forgot all about that story soon after I heard it," said Alec, +conscious stricken. "Didn't you, Hal?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid I did," laughed his brother. "But what else was there for +me to do? I knew no way in which I might help, as Flora did."</p> + +<p>"That's so," rejoined Alec, in a relieved tone, willing to share in his +brother's self-absolution.</p> + +<p>"Of course neither of you could have done anything, for you did not know +Ruth. But tell me, what will be best to do?" asked Flora, pausing with a +dish she was carrying to the table.</p> + +<p>"I know," said Harry. "To-morrow is Saturday and market day also, and we +all can go and see Major Joe in his stall, and tell him what we have +heard, and what we think. If he is interested, one of us can stay at his +stall while he goes and sees Ruth."</p> + +<p>"How glad he will be; and how glad I am," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> Flora. "It would be +dreadful for Ruth and poor little Jem to be left with no one to take +care of them."</p> + +<p>Thus the question was decided.</p> + +<p>The next morning Major Joe was surprised by a visit from all three of +his young friends, and none the less delighted to see them, however, +because they came unexpectedly, and he gave them a hearty welcome. It +was understood beforehand that Flora was to be the one to open the +subject, and explain matters. She did not tell everything at once, as +Alec thought she ought to do, but approached the object of their visit +in a delicate way.</p> + +<p>"Major Joe; guess what brought us here to-day."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I can't say," answered the old man, rubbing his rough hands +together, with a beaming smile. "Maybe to see your old friend?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure; we're always glad to do that," replied Flora, as she placed +the little bunches of parsley and thyme in more perfect order. "We have +come for something else. Something very important," she added, seeing +that Major Joe had no curiosity as to the nature of their errand with +him.</p> + +<p>"What would you say if I told you we had found somebody who belongs to +you?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +"To me?" queried the puzzled man. "I don't see how you could do that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I have," said Flora. "I am sure of it."</p> + +<p>The old major shook his head doubtingly.</p> + +<p>"And I want you to come with me and see if what I said is not true," +persisted Flora, coaxingly.</p> + +<p>"But how can I?" questioned Major Joe in reply. "I cannot leave my +stall—who would wait on my customers?"</p> + +<p>"Why not let me take charge until you return," asked Harry, speaking for +the first time.</p> + +<p>"And I can help," added Alec.</p> + +<p>"Now you see it's all fixed," said Flora.</p> + +<p>"Surely you're not afraid to trust us, are you?" asked Harry, as he saw +his old friend still undecided.</p> + +<p>"No, no; it's not that, my boy; only——"</p> + +<p>"Only nothing," interrupted Flora, laughingly. "You must come, so say no +more about it." And she caught his arm and led him away, an unwilling +and unbelieving captive.</p> + +<p>Ruth opened the door in answer to Flora's gentle tap. The latter could +no longer restrain her impatience.</p> + +<p>"Now, Major Joe," she exclaimed, softly, for fear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> disturbing the +sick man, "whom does this little sobersides remind you of?"</p> + +<p>At first the old man looked from one to the other in a bewildered +manner. Then his eyes rested on Ruth's face long and attentively. The +tears gathered, and he involuntarily held out his hand, and said, +softly, "Ruthie."</p> + +<p>Scarcely realizing what she was doing, Ruth, probably drawn by the +tender, loving tone that touched her heart, put her own in it.</p> + +<p>"Who is she? What does it all mean?" asked the major, looking helplessly +at Flora.</p> + +<p>"It means," answered Flora, softly, "that this is truly Ruthie. Not your +own Ruth, but her daughter and namesake—your grand-daughter Ruth."</p> + +<p>"Is that so? Are you sure? Don't say so if you ain't," pleaded the old +man. And then the thought flashed across Flora's mind that perhaps after +all she was mistaken, and had only brought her old friend there to be +disappointed.</p> + +<p>"Ruth dear," she said, dropping into a chair, weakened by the very +thought, "tell him—tell him all about yourself; your mother's name, and +everything. Do, please, quick!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +Ruth told the history of her dead mother's life, as she had heard it +from her own lips.</p> + +<p>Eagerly Major Joe listened, and when she was through, he held out his +arms to her, saying:</p> + +<p>"You are my poor Ruth's daughter," and the tears prevented him from +adding more. Ruth and Flora wiped their eyes in sympathy: Ruth rejoicing +in the possession of a grandfather; Flora, that provision was thus made +for Ruth.</p> + +<p>This tearful trio was interrupted a moment later by the entrance of Jem, +carrying her doll under one arm, and her beloved Pokey under the other.</p> + +<p>"Why, Ruth Rudd, I'm extonished at you, hugging a old market man!" and +Jem looked at her sister with unbounded disapproval.</p> + +<p>"Hush Jem, you must not talk so," said Ruth. "This is our grandfather."</p> + +<p>"Not mine," returned matter-of-fact Jem, standing still in the middle of +the room, and looking suspiciously at the visitor. "Not mine. I never +had any, and don't want one."</p> + +<p>"Who is this?" asked Major Joe, looking at the defiant little figure +dubiously.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +"She is my half-sister," answered Ruth.</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said her grandfather, "she ain't Ruth's child, so I've no +call to take her when I take you, Ruth. Her father can send her to his +own people."</p> + +<p>"Then, grandfather, I cannot go with you," said Ruth, sadly, but firmly. +"I will never leave Jem."</p> + +<p>"Ruth, you're not going to leave me, are you?" cried the little girl.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, dear, I shall not leave you. It was not very nice for you +to speak of grandpa as you did just now. You should always be polite to +an old person. Remember this, Jem."</p> + +<p>"I don't care," said Jem, defiantly. "He's horrid. He wants to take you +away, and you're all I've got 'cept father, and—and he's going to die," +she sobbed, hiding her face in Ruth's arms.</p> + +<p>"Don't cry, Jem. I will not leave my little sister. What could I do +without you?"</p> + +<p>"No, no, little one, Ruth's grandfather won't part you, if you're so +fond of each other." And the major came over and patted the sobbing +child's head, soothingly. His was too tender a heart to withstand the +sight of a child in distress, so it was soon settled that he was to be +Jem's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> grandfather also, which arrangement was accepted by the little +girl as readily as she had rejected the idea a moment before.</p> + +<p>Then the major, his heart made very tender by memories of the past, was +ready to visit the invalid.</p> + +<p>John Rudd had always been a quiet man, but willful and determined to +succeed in whatever he undertook. He was not bad at heart, and when a +wrong act was committed it was invariably caused by obstinacy. He +usually quickly repented of his course, and made all reparation in his +power.</p> + +<p>Knowing that Mr. and Mrs. Benson did not like him as well as he had +hoped, he determined to marry Ruth, and to prohibit all intercourse with +her family. In everything else he was thoroughly honorable, but he +tenaciously held to this point. Ruth Benson, loving him devotedly, and +believing all he said or did was infallible, implicitly obeyed this +strange request without a question, and neither did she hear of or from +her parents.</p> + +<p>That the unnecessary sacrifice did not add to her happiness, was proven +by the fact that she lost her free, light-hearted ways, and became quiet +and melancholy, after a year or two of married life. Her husband was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +proud—too proud to admit that he had made a mistake, until it was too +late for such an admission to do any good, and so after a few years she +died, leaving behind her little namesake, Ruth. She seemed to have +transmitted to the child in a large measure her own disposition, for +Ruth was always a grave, silent, little thing, entirely unlike other +children, and quite old for her years.</p> + +<p>It was nice too, she possessed such a sweet disposition and even temper, +for when her father brought home a new mother for the little Ruth, many +changes were made in the home, and great would have been the discord but +for Ruth's peaceful characteristics. Shortly after his second marriage, +John Rudd moved to Bartonville, whether for business openings, or to be +near the early home of Ruth's mother, no one ever knew.</p> + +<p>Ruth knew the story of her mother's married life, of the home of her +girlhood, and of the kind parents, but she did not know where the home +was.</p> + +<p>Whatever the reason for his coming, it was well for Ruth and Jem, for as +I have said, provision was now made for them both at Major Joe's farm.</p> + +<p>Ruth's life thus far, since the cares of the home were put upon her at +the death of Jem's mother, had been an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> uneventful one. She had no +companion but her little sister, who so filled her brain, and heart, and +time, that she had no opportunity to grow lonesome. Personally, Ruth +would have felt happier if her father had allowed the love, she doubted +not he held for her, to find expression in a word of praise, a tender +kiss, or appreciation of her efforts. But her father never thought of +this longing of his daughter: he was so self-contained himself, and +unemotionally inclined, that he could not have understood this craving, +even had he known of its existence, which it is needless to say, he did +not.</p> + +<p>It was rather hard for so young a girl to persevere in her home-making +with such a singleness of purpose as Ruth displayed, to give up her +beloved studies without a sigh of regret, and to strive to train her +younger sister, knowing she would receive no word of approbation from +her father.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +<a name="ix" id="ix"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /> +<br /> +<small>RUTH'S NEW HOME.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">FLORA was very glad to know that at last her tender-hearted, patient +Ruth had found some one to love her as well as to require of her duties. +Love is a lightener of labor, and Flora felt that, in this respect at +least, she was more fortunate than her friend. She felt sure, moreover, +she was fast gaining the affection of her brothers and of her mother, +who was gradually awaking to love for Flora and the desire to make the +home attractive. She had something to work for. But Ruth—she had no one +to whom to look for love, except Jem, as it was impossible to think of +their quiet, undemonstrative father ever expressing any of his love for +his daughters. One could only judge from his manner, for he never said +much, and that was the same as when she first knew them.</p> + +<p>John Rudd apparently took it as a matter of course that Major Benson +came to see him as he lay ill, and expressed neither pleasure nor +displeasure when he stated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> that should he not recover Ruth and Jem +would be well cared for. He accepted, without feeling, the heartily +expressed forgiveness from the major, thinking that perhaps it was due +in some degree to the presence of two faces standing near by with +earnest, pleading looks at the newly found grandfather, who, deprived of +his daughter, would fill the vacancy in his heart with Ruth and Jem.</p> + +<p>It was very difficult for Major Joe, with his tender heart, to leave his +grandchildren. At last, however, he did, promising to return in the +afternoon with Mrs. Benson, who would be overjoyed to see them, +especially Ruth, who was so like her mother at her age.</p> + +<p>As they returned to the market, Major Joe was prolific in his +expressions of gratitude to Flora for her part in bringing about this +delightful re-union, for had this not been done, Ruth and Jem would have +suffered, and would have been left without parents or home.</p> + +<p>Harry and Alec were well pleased with their new position, and because +trade had been very flourishing during their period of power. Major Joe +heartily thanked them all for their kind help to him this morning. Flora +then returned home, but Harry and Alec<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> remained to do anything else +possible for Major Joe, as he wished to go home at once, and must pack +his wares.</p> + +<p>It is neither necessary to recount in detail all that pertained to the +last hours of John Rudd, nor how attentive Grandfather Joe was to his +newly found grandchildren; nor how overjoyed Mrs. Benson was when she +first saw them. It will be enough to say that all that could be done +toward rendering the dying man's last moments peaceful was done. Toward +the last he roused, and in a simple, but earnest way, expressed himself +content to die. He said that, although he had not spoken of the matter +for fear of distressing the children, he had known for some time that it +was to be so, and that long ago he had made his peace with God. He +regretted his past careless life, both as to his duty to his Maker and +to the children intrusted to him; "but," he continued, "God is good, and +ever willing to forgive, and to accept a truly contrite spirit, and my +trust is stayed on him." He expressed himself as very grateful to him +for his goodness in providing for his children. He blessed them all with +his last breath and passed peacefully away.</p> + +<p>When the last sad rites had been performed, Ruth's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> grandparents +immediately began preparations to take her and Jem home.</p> + +<p>The modest furniture of her home was entirely removed, although it +somewhat crowded the cottage, but Ruth could not now part with these +mementos of her former life, which had been her mother's.</p> + +<p>At last, everything was ready, the little house was given up, and Ruth +was spending a few moments with Flora, who, although instrumental in +finding a new home for Ruth and Jem, was full of sorrow at the prospect +of her loss in the parting with her friend.</p> + +<p>"Don't look so sad, Flora dear," said Ruth. "Think what a blessing it is +that poor little Jem and I have not been left altogether alone in the +world. Had God not led you to find our dear grandparents, how very +wretched we should be now. Besides, you know, we are not to be so far +away; we can see each other often."</p> + +<p>"That is true," returned Flora, brightening up; "I am glad of that; but +it will be so lonely not to have you near me. Besides, I don't know any +other girl as intimately as I do you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you will," said Ruth. "I am sure you will meet and become +acquainted with some one as you did me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> I hope, if you do, you may be +permitted to do them as much good as you have done me."</p> + +<p>"And me too, Ruth," said an unexpected voice behind them.</p> + +<p>Both turned, and saw Mrs. Hazeley standing in the doorway with a smile +upon her lips and tears in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I used to be very unhappy, as you both know, and it was because I +expected life to form itself for me—either for pleasure or unhappiness. +Then Flora came," and she went over to her daughter and placed an arm +about her, and looked lovingly in her eyes; "I watched her closely, and +I soon discovered that she had determined to make this house a home, and +a delightful one. No untoward circumstances seemed to discourage, but +she was ever cheery and sprightly. We have gained by her +home-coming—how much I cannot tell. She seems to have the mere power of +will to mold circumstances as she chooses——"</p> + +<p>"Not my will, mother," softly interrupted Flora, her face suffused with +happy smiles; "it is God's will."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, my dear," said Mrs. Hazeley, "I believe it. I want his will +to mold my life too. A godless life is a wretched life, my children."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +Harry and Alec had entered during the conversation, and were standing +listening in amazement to what they heard from their mother.</p> + +<p>"And the boys too," continued Mrs. Hazeley; "I am sure they have been +helped by their sister's example."</p> + +<p>"I know I have!" exclaimed Alec. Harry's only reply was to remark that +the major was at the door waiting for Ruth. Then he turned and went out.</p> + +<p>Flora felt a strange mixture of feelings at that moment. She was glad to +know she had helped Ruth; unutterably grateful for her mother's words; +and hurt at the seeming indifference of her brother. It was not her way, +however, to dwell on what she could not prevent, so she only determined +to strive harder than before to penetrate the armor of cold indifference +worn by Harry of late.</p> + +<p>As Harry left, they all went to the gate to wave a good-bye to Ruth. In +the wagon was Jem, perched on a seat beside her grandfather, to whom she +had clung with all the strength of her loving little heart. Immediately +after the funeral she had gone home with him, taking "Pokey," and +leaving Ruth in peace to pack.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> This was really a comfort to Ruth, as +Jem's presence would not have been of any great assistance.</p> + +<p>Soon everything was settled, and with many injunctions to come soon, the +party drove off, little Jem holding the reins with a steady hand, and a +determination to drive all the way home.</p> + +<p>A new life thus opened for the orphans, Ruth and Jem—a life of freedom +from care, of joyous liberty to run at will in the garden of their +grandfather, who delighted in the company of Jem, and who returned his +affection in full measure. The life at the cottage was blessed by the +loving guardianship of the grandmother, who saw in Ruth her own daughter +of long ago.</p> + +<p>Under this beneficent influence Ruth lost some of her seriousness, +becoming more like other girls, and grew rosy and stout.</p> + +<p>The life at the farm had so absorbed Jem's mind and time that, for the +time being, "Pokey" was forgotten, much to the latter's satisfaction, +for now she could lie in the sun and sleep in peace without fear of +being unceremoniously awakened by her erratic little mistress.</p> + +<p>Flora watched the wagon containing Ruth and Jem until it was out of +sight, and then went into the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> Alec and Harry had gone away. Mrs. +Hazeley was sewing, and Flora, having no especial duty, and caring for +none, went over and stood at the window, listlessly gazing into space. +Her eyes soon dropped, and her attention was attracted by the yellow +leaves on the sweet-potato vine. Flora felt as if all to which she had +clung was leaving her in her loneliness. She looked closer. The potato +was still firm and hard, and the jar was quite packed with roots, but +the leaves on the vine were dying.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +<a name="x" id="x"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /> +<br /> +<small>LOTTIE PIPER.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">FLORA had stood for some little time, mechanically caressing the vine, +when she was surprised to hear near at hand, in a voice strangely +familiar, the words:</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare!"</p> + +<p>Looking up quickly, but scarcely crediting her own eyes, she exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Lottie Piper!"</p> + +<p>"Flora Hazeley!" returned the voice, and in a moment the friends were +locked in each other's arms.</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from? What are you doing here?" asked Flora, +eagerly, in her desire to account for Lottie's presence in the village.</p> + +<p>"Only one question at a time, if you please," laughingly returned +Lottie. "Can you not guess?" she added, glancing at her gown, and for +the first time Flora noticed it was black.</p> + +<p>The quick tears sprang to Flora's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lottie, who is it? Not your mother?" she said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> sympathetically, +her arm tightening in its grasp, and her thoughts running back to her +sorrow when Aunt Bertha passed away.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Lottie, sadly, "mother is dead. Father felt that he +could not be happy at home, and so he went away out West, and left me +with my aunt, Mrs. Emmeline Durand. And Flora, if you want to know what +misery is, just you come and take my place for a while." And she looked +at Flora with such a mingled expression of regret at her lot, and +assumed resignation, that Flora was tempted to laugh, in spite of her +sorrow in learning of the death of Mrs. Piper.</p> + +<p>"If you want to laugh, you may," said Lottie, seeing her difficulty, and +appreciating it, as was shown by the merry twinkle in her bright black +eyes.</p> + +<p>"No, no, I must not laugh," said Flora, squeezing her friend's arm +affectionately. "I'm so sorry that your mother is dead. Where does your +aunt live? I will come and see you."</p> + +<p>"No, you—I mean you—can't—that is, she won't let you," stammered +Lottie, blushing hotly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I understand. It is all right. It is not your fault," said Flora, +hastily, appreciating the situation; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> wishing to relieve the +embarrassment of the other, she added, "You can come and see me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered Lottie, glad to find that Flora understood. "I +hardly think she would let me come. I have not asked her to go anywhere, +as yet. I have been with her about five weeks, and this is the first +time I have been out, except on an errand. She says she doesn't approve +of girls 'gadding the streets.' I must go now. I have stayed longer than +I ought to already, for I had a long walk before I saw you. Flora," she +added, an instant later, as she glanced at the window, "isn't that a +potato in that jar?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Flora, "it is the same one you gave me when I was +leaving Brinton."</p> + +<p>"Really? The very same?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. You know you told me not to eat it, and I didn't know what to do +with it at first. Then I thought it would look very nice if I put it in +the window; I did, and it has grown splendidly and has kept green all +winter."</p> + +<p>"I am so glad you thought of that, Flora, because that was what I first +noticed as I passed. And I thought it looked like a sweet-potato vine. +And then, you know," Lottie continued, "if you hadn't I should not have +stopped or seen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> you ever, because I did not know where you were going +when you came away. But what will my aunt say? I guess I'll not get +anything for supper but a bit of tongue, and I don't fancy that, I can +tell you. Good-bye." And with a hurried kiss, and a warm embrace, Lottie +hurried down the street.</p> + +<p>She was sorry to go, as it was so good to meet somebody she +knew—somebody connected with the old, happy home-life, for while +Lottie's mother lived, she had been very happy. But now she was so +lonely.</p> + +<p>She hurried along the streets until she came to one near the suburbs of +the town. This street had trees on either side, and was very quiet. The +houses were small and nearly all set back from the street.</p> + +<p>Lottie walked along briskly, turning deftly in and out, and at length +arrived safe and sound at the little gate leading into her aunt's yard. +This gate opened upon a small space, which doubtless had been intended +by the builder of the house to he beautified with flowers; but Mrs. +Durand's front yard was closely paved with red brick. Not a flower, or a +vine, or a bush broke the monotony, which, however, was not wearisome, +as the yard was small.</p> + +<p>A high board fence enclosed the little yard on each side.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> Close to the +gate stood a large, old poplar, strangely drawn toward the quiet narrow +street, as if weary of the unattractiveness of the house.</p> + +<p>Lottie was nervous; she dreaded the reception she felt sure awaited her. +The only thing that occurred to her to do was to knock, and she did so.</p> + +<p>Receiving no response, she knocked again and waited. There was still no +response, and thinking she had not been heard, she knocked again and +again.</p> + +<p>At length, just as she had decided that her aunt must be out, a calm +voice from behind the door said in deliberate tones:</p> + +<p>"If you will take the trouble to turn the knob, the door might open."</p> + +<p>This idea had not occurred to Lottie, and the knowledge that the door +was not locked somewhat confused her. However, she opened the door, and +went in.</p> + +<p>"There is a mat in front of the door," suggested the voice in the same +slow, measured tones.</p> + +<p>After wiping off the infinitesimal amount of dust from her shoes, Lottie +timidly ventured into the room.</p> + +<p>"Go to your room, if you will, and lay aside your wraps," came the +voice, in an authoritative way.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +Without speaking, Lottie obeyed. She felt as she slowly climbed the +stairs that she had become a veritable automaton, without volition or +energy, and compelled to do certain things. This grated on the sensitive +nature of the girl, to whom, in the happy days that had passed, freedom +to live in and enjoy the open air was everything. And now—and Lottie +inwardly groaned at the thought—her actions were directed by one who +seemed to forget her own girlhood, or that she had ever enjoyed the +bright blue sky, the green fields, the merry, twittering birds, or the +companionship of those who were of her own age.</p> + +<p>Lottie had often wondered in her own mind if her aunt had ever been +young, and if she had enjoyed her youth. There was no one to whom she +could go for an answer. Had there been, Lottie would have been surprised +to learn that she had been full of bright, merry fun, and had enjoyed +life as she had at home.</p> + +<p>"At home," Lottie thought, and paused, thinking of her mother, of the +comforts and freedom of home, and then she looked in the glass to see if +she was not old, for those happy days <i>did</i> seem so far away.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Durand had met with many disappointments and a great deal of +trouble in her life, of which Lottie knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> nothing, and which had +embittered her disposition, making her crabbed and disagreeable. As she +now was, Lottie supposed she had ever been.</p> + +<p>For some moments Lottie had looked in the glass, musingly. Now, as her +thoughts returned to herself and her surroundings, she saw a dreary, +woe-begone face looking at her from the quaint, cracked, old-fashioned +mirror on her bureau. It was so doleful and forlorn, that Lottie nearly +cried in sympathy with the miseries of the face before her. In a moment, +realizing that it was her own reflection she saw, and enjoying her +mistake, she laughed heartily, whereat the face in the mirror smiled +pleasantly in return.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" said the voice downstairs.</p> + +<p>"Oh dear!" exclaimed Lottie softly; "I have made her think that I don't +care about staying out so long." And she slowly turned from the bureau +and her mirth-provoking <i>vis à vis</i>, and leaving her room, slowly +descended the stairs to her aunt.</p> + +<p>The room in which her aunt sat was furnished very plainly. Some +cane-bottomed chairs, a black horse-hair sofa, a small wooden stand, +adorned with a red cloth on which was the family Bible; two or three +pictures upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> dingy walls, a pair of tall lamps with a bit of red +flannel in the bottom, graced the mantelpiece. A dull ingrain carpet, +and some home-made mats covered the floor. These, with a cloth-covered +brick used to keep the door open, completed the furnishing of Mrs. +Durand's parlor.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Durand herself was a small, thin, wiry woman. Her features could +hardly be called attractive; her lips were thin and tightly shut; her +eyes were colorless, and she wore three stiff, little curls on each side +of her face. She wore a dark gown, over which was a black apron, and on +her head was a black lace cap. She was busily engaged in making another +mat to adorn the floor, from long, bright-colored strips of cloth.</p> + +<p>For some time she continued her work in silence. Lottie would have +spoken had she had anything to say.</p> + +<p>Presently, to Lottie's great surprise and relief, her aunt remarked:</p> + +<p>"You may as well set the table, as you are here."</p> + +<p>Lottie was glad to have something to do, as she was so much happier when +employed.</p> + +<p>"She hasn't scolded me yet, but it will come, that's certain," she said +to herself, as she placed the dishes on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> the little round table in the +back room which answered for both kitchen and dining room.</p> + +<p>While at supper, Mrs. Durand questioned her niece about her walk, and +Lottie told her, not forgetting the chance meeting with her friend, +Flora Hazeley.</p> + +<p>After supper, as was her duty, Lottie washed and put away the dishes, +without further conversation with her aunt. That done, she took up a +book and began to read.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +<a name="xi" id="xi"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /> +<br /> +<small>CHANGES.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">TIME passed on, and with it as usual came changes. The summer was gone +and it was November, and the weather was cold and dreary.</p> + +<p>Lottie's life was much the same from day to day; there was little +variety to make the life of the young girl pleasant. True, she did not +have a hard time, nor was she overworked, nor did she ever go hungry; +but the atmosphere of the house was always chill and drear, and Mrs. +Durand was as unsociable and unsympathetic as ever.</p> + +<p>It was perhaps true, that Lottie was somewhat prone to slightly +exaggerate her unhappiness, and to dwell upon it until it seemed almost +unendurable.</p> + +<p>One morning, as she was dressing, she heard her aunt call, and upon +going to her room, discovered that she was suffering from an attack of +acute rheumatism. Then, indeed, Lottie was sure her misery was at such a +height, that it could go no further.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +As may be supposed, the sharp pain she endured did not render Mrs. +Durand a more pleasant companion, and Lottie found that while it had +been difficult to please her before it seemed utterly impossible to do +so now.</p> + +<p>Lottie did her best, with a determination pleasant to witness, and with +the knowledge that it was her duty to care for her aunt under such +painful conditions.</p> + +<p>Lottie was lonely; she seemed to be entirely cut off from everybody she +knew and cared for. She seldom heard from her father, and never from her +brother, who had left his home when she was quite a little girl. She +sometimes wondered if he was dead. She was industrious, and soon learned +to keep house for her aunt very acceptably. She was not hard to please +and was of a loving, sociable disposition. If her aunt had only made an +effort to be agreeable and interested in her, Lottie would have been +perfectly content.</p> + +<p>If the months had brought but little change to Lottie, they had wrought +a number of very important ones in the life of our friend Flora.</p> + +<p>First, the news had reached them one day that the husband and father was +killed in a railroad accident.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> This, of itself, completely +revolutionized affairs at the Hazeleys'. And then, just as they were +trying to become a little accustomed to the sad change in the household, +Harry disappointed them.</p> + +<p>This was indeed a great blow, for Harry was, in a large measure, their +main dependence. He was now about twenty years old and had been steadily +at work for some time, and seemed on a good road to a successful +business career. At first, he gave his earnings to his mother, only +reserving enough to clothe himself neatly and comfortably, for he felt +anxious to supply, as far as he could, her loss in the death of his +father. This money, added to what Mrs. Hazeley and Flora made by doing +plain sewing, and what Alec could earn out of school hours by keeping +his eyes open, and his willingness to be of assistance to any one, was a +great help toward keeping things going. For, although the little home +was their own, of course there were the extra incidental expenses.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley and Flora soon grew to depend on Harry, far more than they +realized, until taught by his increasing fondness for remaining from +home in the evening, and not unfrequently, all night. Great, indeed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +was their sorrow when they learned how these evenings were spent—in the +gambling house and the saloon. Had it not been for their hope in the +Christ and his saving power, they would not have seen the faintest +brightness in this cloud, which was a great burden to each, a sorrow +about which they hardly dared speak.</p> + +<p>Flora spoke earnestly and lovingly to her brother several times about +the way he was conducting himself, but, as we have seen, he was not one +to take this kindly, and knowing this, Flora felt she could do nothing +but pray for her erring brother, who was so young, and yet so willful.</p> + +<p>She never lost hope, nor did her firm belief that his better, nobler +nature would prevail, weaken through those long, dark, hard days.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley and Flora were compelled to devote all their attention to +their work, as Harry could no longer be trusted to aid them financially; +and, despite their brave, uncomplaining efforts, it was ofttimes +difficult to make both ends meet.</p> + +<p>Aunt Sarah had not visited them for some time, in fact, not since Flora +came home, nor did they hear from her; and though knowing she might help +them in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> need, they could not bring themselves to inform her of +their condition.</p> + +<p>At length, one night they watched and waited for Harry to come home.</p> + +<p>He did not come that night, nor the next, nor the one following; nor +could they hear anything of him, except that he had not been around for +days.</p> + +<p>Where had he gone and what would he do? These were questions that Flora +asked herself with a sick heart.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley, with her naturally weak disposition, would have given way +to despair under this new trouble and drifted back into the same +condition in which we first found her, had it not been for her newly +found trust and hope in her Heavenly Father, and the inspiring example +of her courageous, self-reliant daughter. Flora seemed to grow stronger +and more dignified under the added trials, and her mother, now a true +Christian, was to her a great help and comfort; in fact, the two were +all in all to each other, and the home that had at one time appeared to +Flora most miserable, was now a haven of rest; and the mother from whom +she had once turned away coldly, was now warmly loved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> and loving. +Truly, there was sweetness mixed with her cup of bitterness.</p> + +<p>Major Joe Benson, who had kept up his acquaintance with his young +friends whom he greatly admired, and who by this time was considered +quite a friend of the family, offered to take Alec to live with him. +There was a very good school, he said, at no great distance from his +home, and he would be glad to have the boy's help on his little place, +especially now that Zeke was getting on in years, and had gotten above +doing the many odd jobs he had performed when a boy, which state, while +it was not many years distant, sufficed to make Zeke act, as Major Joe +said, "very mannish."</p> + +<p>No sooner was the proposition mentioned in Alec's hearing, than he was +all enthusiasm, for nothing did he desire more than to live in the +country. His mind was fully made up to become a farmer, and no recital +of the hardships connected therewith, could divest such a life of its +charms for him.</p> + +<p>So it was settled, and it was really a great comfort to have at least +one of the family well provided for, with the prospects of seeing him an +upright and industrious man.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +Now that provision was thus made for Alec, and he was but little expense +to them, Flora and Mrs. Hazeley could manage very well by practising +strict economy.</p> + +<p>Life progressed very evenly and uneventfully, we might almost add +happily, except for the sorrow caused by their ignorance of Harry's +whereabouts.</p> + +<p>One day, into their quiet and peaceful lives, very unexpectedly came +Mrs. Sarah Martin, who was surprised at their comfortable surroundings.</p> + +<p>She was greeted pleasantly by Flora and Mrs. Hazeley, who were +determined to forgive and forget her treatment of them, but the warmth, +which affection gives, was lacking. This did not fail to make itself +manifest to Mrs. Martin, and, strange to say, instead of displeasing +her, it seemed to have quite a softening effect upon her callous heart. +The memory of this visit, and the picture of her niece's heroic efforts +to keep her mother and herself from want, proved a veritable +ever-present and sharp thorn in the side.</p> + +<p>"Here I am, alone in the world, with plenty to supply all my wishes and +some to spare," she thought one evening. We must do her justice; she was +not miserly, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> she was selfish—she wished to insure for her lifetime +comfort for herself, and the gratification of her desires. "Here am I +with plenty and to spare, while those of my own flesh and blood are +struggling to keep the wolf from the door," she mused.</p> + +<p>Having commenced to reproach herself she did not hesitate, for at every +step seeing herself as others saw her, she discovered more cause to +regret her attitude toward her sister.</p> + +<p>"Have I been false to my trust?" she soliloquized, questioningly. +"No—not exactly—because I gave no promise. And yet—Bertha supposed I +would follow her request. However, I am not bound to do as she wished.</p> + +<p>"Bertha would not have left me in charge had she supposed I would not +carry out her wishes," she continued. "Probably she would not have given +her property to Esther. She is so careless and extravagant that such a +course would have been equal to her throwing the money away. Suppose the +money had been left in trust to Flora? Would Esther have done more than +I have done? No, she would have wasted it. What is the difference? +Nothing; I am doing as Esther would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> done. Anyway, I will leave all +to Flora, who will enjoy it after I am dead, and that will make it all +right."</p> + +<p>Another thing Mrs. Martin tried to argue in support of the idea that she +had done all for the best, was that Flora had developed such astonishing +qualities of self-government and ability. "She has almost made another +woman of that mother of hers," she said to herself. "One can easily see +that the material for a real, sound, sensible, practical woman is not in +Esther, and if Flora were not there with her she would be the same as +before, only worse."</p> + +<p>There was a good deal of truth in what Mrs. Martin said. Some people +cannot do or be anything without a definite motive, or an active +example. But what did all this arguing amount to? Nothing at all, save +to keep her mind in a constant state of turmoil, by her efforts to ease +her conscience.</p> + +<p>At last, with the constant strain she became mentally exhausted, and in +spite of her efforts to the contrary for a long time lay upon the bed, a +sufferer from nervous prostration. Her brain was unnaturally active, and +she gained but little benefit from her enforced quiet. A neighboring +physician was called, but found it impossible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> to benefit her in her +present condition. He might prescribe medicines to meet certain symptoms +in her case, but he could not reach the seat of the trouble. She did not +consider that it was her business to add a description of her mental +condition to that of her physical one. She grew no better, and finally +she decided to take a course of heroic treatment.</p> + +<p>First, she proceeded to pay her physician and to inform him that she had +no further need of his services, much to that gentleman's disgust, who +left muttering that it was queer that the patient should be the one to +decide whether or not the doctor had been of service to her.</p> + +<p>Next, she wrote in a feeble, trembling, and unintelligible way, the +following short, blunt note:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Niece Flora</span>:—I am sick. I want to see you.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">S. Martin.</span>"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Flora and her mother were sitting sewing very busily that afternoon when +the postman rapped on the door.</p> + +<p>The sun was streaming in at the window, no longer adorned by the sweet +potato, which was long since dead, but touching brightly the green +leaves and scarlet blossoms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> of some geraniums—some of Ruth's +"gerangums," according to Jem, that held the place of honor.</p> + +<p>"From Aunt Sarah, mother," said Flora, carelessly, handing it to Mrs. +Hazeley, who in turn read the short note.</p> + +<p>"Well, Flora dear; what will you do about it?" she questioned, resuming +her work.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess I had better go and see her; hadn't I?" asked Flora, as she +cut her thread.</p> + +<p>"You may do as you please about the matter," returned Mrs. Hazeley, and +there the matter dropped.</p> + +<p>They continued their work in silence, their thoughts as busy as their +fingers.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +<a name="xii" id="xii"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br /> +<br /> +<small>LED AWAY.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">AND what had become of Harry Hazeley in all this time? Let us go back a +little.</p> + +<p>Probably all would have gone well with the lad, who was beginning to see +a new life stretching out before him under the sunny influence of his +sister, had his father lived.</p> + +<p>While Mr. Hazeley exercised but little restraining power over his son +during his life, the fact that he had a father had considerable +influence over Harry. When Mr. Hazeley was killed, Harry realized that +he was thrown on his own resources, and the fact that he was subject to +no higher authority, took a firm hold upon him. At first, the idea +aroused in him an innate, but undeveloped manliness, and he determined +to stand by his mother and sister, and be a comfort to them as well as a +support.</p> + +<p>But the inherent weakness in his character soon gained the supremacy, +and for the time over-ruled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> all his resolutions, which had been made in +his own strength.</p> + +<p>It was inevitable that he should mingle with his companions in work, and +soon they gained an influence over him that was not for his highest +good. Being somewhat older than he himself was, they instilled into him +a false idea of their superiority, and it was by this means they +retained him in their "set"—a set of wild, dissipated young men.</p> + +<p>Where was his judgment? Alas! he had inherited sufficient of his +mother's weak disposition to over-rule it, and consequently, he was one +of the kind most easily deceived and led.</p> + +<p>One of the youths, whose name was Edward Hopkins, gained considerable +influence over Harry. He it was who persuaded him to leave his mother +and sister, and seek employment in another town, where, he said, work +could easily be secured, with shorter hours and greater pay. This seemed +very inviting to Harry, who, at that time, never thought of deserting +his home, but was anxious to earn more money, and thus become better +able to care for the family and have more for what he called +pleasure—cards and gaming and wine, for he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> had now become addicted to +the use of the latter, through whose insidious influence he was fast +losing his manly bearing.</p> + +<p>Poor boy! How many noble men has Satan conquered and then cast off? How +many homes has he ruined, and hearts broken, and hopes destroyed?</p> + +<p>But I am glad to say that I shall not be obliged to trace Harry Hazeley +to the bottom of the pit into which he had fallen, for God had most +graciously heard the prayers of his loving, trusting sister, who had +first set the example of prayer to the mother, who now frequently joined +her, and he was not permitted to reach its utmost depths.</p> + +<p>True, he went down pretty far, and his rescue was effected by rather +severe means; but what mattered that, so he was saved?</p> + +<p>After leaving home, Harry plunged into his new, reckless life, with a +strength that not only surprised, but very soon disgusted Hopkins, who +wished to preserve the appearance, at least, of a gentleman.</p> + +<p>Harry had been able to secure a first-class, remunerative position very +readily, but so much went to satisfy his craving for excitement, that +none was left to send<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> home to make life a little easier for Mrs. +Hazeley and Flora.</p> + +<p>After a while, however, his increasing unsteadiness secured for him +dismissal from the shop where he had been employed. He was fortunate in +securing place after place, but unfortunate in being unable to retain +them, until at length he did but little work and a good deal of +gambling. The work he then did was around and about the saloons where he +had chances to game and drink.</p> + +<p>One bitter cold night in December, a group of men stopped in front of +one of these places, and after some discussion, entered. It proved to be +Harry's stopping place, and he was sitting by the fire, for the time +being idle.</p> + +<p>To look at the sunken cheeks, restless eyes, and uncared-for appearance, +one would never suppose this was the once straight, tall, active Harry +Hazeley, so greatly was he changed.</p> + +<p>The leader of the group of young men who entered the bar-room appeared +to be attracted by the forlorn figure near the stove, as soon as he came +in. He seemed to know him, for presently he walked over to him and +tapping him familiarly on the shoulder, cried:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +"Why, hello, old chap! How are you?"</p> + +<p>Harry immediately recognized his old acquaintance, Edward Hopkins. He +did not appear particularly glad to see him, however.</p> + +<p>"Say, old fellow, you don't seem ready to shed tears of joy at seeing +your old chum," remarked Ed, in a jovial tone, sitting down beside him.</p> + +<p>Harry said nothing, but sat looking into the fire.</p> + +<p>"Look here, now, Hal; you do look a little hard up. Haven't been getting +along so well lately, I guess?"</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't," said Harry, without turning around.</p> + +<p>"Well, listen to me," resumed Ed. "The old proverb, 'a friend in need is +a friend indeed,' is true, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"What of it?" questioned Harry, still apathetic.</p> + +<p>"Just this," replied Ed, bringing his hand heavily down on his knee, +"that I'm going to be a friend to you now."</p> + +<p>Harry smiled incredulously. His confidence in the friendship of such a +flashily-dressed fellow as Ed was, had been shaken.</p> + +<p>"Come, don't be so glum, Hal. I've something to say to you," Ed +continued, glancing around the room.</p> + +<p>His comrades were all occupied in another part of the room.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +"Now," went on Hopkins, lowering his voice, "we fellows," nodding toward +the group, "are planning a little business. And if you want to, you can +help us."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Harry, indifferently.</p> + +<p>Edward took no notice of his manner, but went on:</p> + +<p>"Well, we're going to—er—ah—walk into a small establishment, you +know," and he winked slyly at Harry.</p> + +<p>"Steal?" asked Harry, in a cold tone.</p> + +<p>"If you like to put it that way, yes."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Ed Hopkins," and Harry turned in scorn upon this +hypocritical friend, who seemed so desirous of ruining him entirely. +"Look here," he repeated, "let me tell you I don't want to share any of +your 'little plans.' I've fallen low, I know, but I'm not a thief yet," +and Harry straightened himself up and looked with a flashing eye into +the crafty face beside him.</p> + +<p>Hopkins was angry, as much because he had partially let Harry into his +secret, as because he had refused to join him. However, he congratulated +himself that he had not gone very far, and he left him abruptly, in a +high temper, going over to the group at the other end of the room.</p> + +<p>A heated discussion was progressing there about something in connection +with the game of cards they were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> playing. They appealed to Hopkins as +he joined the group. This did not seem to add peace to the scene, for +the quarrel waxed hotter, and the voices grew louder.</p> + +<p>Presently there was the sound of a scuffle, during which was heard the +report of a pistol. Immediately there was a stampede, and when the +officer, who had been attracted to the spot by the noise, rushed in, +followed by a small crowd of men and boys, no one was to be seen but +Harry Hazeley. He was lying on the floor by the stove, and gave no sign +of life as the officer rolled him over. Whether the pistol had been +fired accidentally or intentionally, nobody knew. The shot, however, was +certainly not intended for the one who received it. It was found on +examination that Harry was wounded in the side. He had also, in falling +struck his head against the edge of the stove, and cut it.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the officer, "I guess we'll have to take this young fellow +to the hospital. From his looks he'll not be likely to have a better +place to go to, even if he could tell where he belonged."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +<a name="xiii" id="xiii"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> +<br /> +<small>IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUT AGAIN.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">WHEN Harry Hazeley returned to consciousness, he found himself in bed in +one of the wards of a hospital, with his head bound up, and a dull +aching in his side. He was in too much pain to wonder how he came there, +so he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep, but he could not. It +seemed as if his mind had never been so active as it was now that he +longed to forget everything, in the hope that this might ease his +throbbing head. But that troublesome thing, memory, would assert itself, +and his thoughts would travel back to the home he had left, and the +sorrowing ones in it, and,—perhaps it was owing to the weak state of +his system,—the tears forced themselves from underneath his eyelids, +and rolled down his cheeks. But what is the good of thinking about these +things? he mentally asked, and so he impatiently brushed the tears away.</p> + +<p>Poor Harry had a hard time of it. He did not improve very rapidly, +although he had the best of attention and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> nursing. His system was so +poisoned by the use of alcohol, and he was so weak from having been so +long without nourishing food that, while his wound was not a very +serious one, it nearly cost him his life.</p> + +<p>The pain from his wound, together with a low fever, racked his system +until it was almost unbearable. His brain, however, was unusually +active, and over and over again did he recall his life since he left +home, and each time his repugnance grew; and when he began to +convalesce, and he realized there was hope for him, he determined to +lead a different life as soon as he was able to be around again. He +sincerely and deeply repented of the past, and he felt the need of a +Saviour, as he had never done before. He longed for some one to come and +tell him of the Christ and of his saving power. He fully realized that +he must have a helper, stronger than his will or his resolutions.</p> + +<p>One morning, when Harry was getting a little more strength, there +hobbled over to his bedside a crippled young man, who supported himself +upon crutches. His body was distorted, and his legs were drawn up and +twisted in a sad manner; but his face was bright and cheerful and +intelligent, and his shoulders, arms, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> hands had a look of manliness +and strength about them that was greatly at variance with the feebleness +of the rest of his frame.</p> + +<p>"Well, friend," said this odd mixture of strength and weakness, as he +seated himself slowly and cautiously by the bed. "Well, friend, how goes +the world with you?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I don't know," replied Harry, drearily. "I haven't been caring +much about the world lately. I ain't in much of a hurry to care either. +There'll be time enough when I get out in it again."</p> + +<p>"Time enough! Time enough! Yes, that's the cry," said the young man. +"That's what has caused more misery in the world than anything else; +it's a rope that has lost many a soul forever."</p> + +<p>Harry turned away impatiently. He did not want to hear.</p> + +<p>"Of course you don't want to hear me talk that way," said the lame man +bluntly, divining his thought. "I didn't suppose you did. But, let me +tell you, young fellow, there's enough of that rotten rope left for you +to lose your soul with. Will you turn your head away when you feel it +snap, and find yourself dying, with nothing to hold on to,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> I wonder?" +Without more ado he grasped his crutches, and painfully hobbled away.</p> + +<p>Harry tried to be glad he was gone. He did not succeed as easily, +however, in dismissing from his mind the words he had heard. Perhaps it +was the odd, abrupt way in which they were spoken, that made them fasten +themselves so tenaciously on his memory. Certainly he would have been +angry had any one else spoken so plainly and unceremoniously to him. The +sight of his body, telling such an eloquent tale of suffering, made it +almost impossible for any one to be angry with Joel Piper. Harry +presently found himself wondering about him, and wishing he would come +back and talk to him again.</p> + +<p>He did not come, and one day Harry found courage to ask the nurse, who +was busied near him, to tell him the name of the lame young man who +talked to him one day.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do you mean Joel Piper?" she asked in return.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that was his name," replied Harry, looking amused.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is," replied the nurse. "It's an odd name, I know, but he is +just as nice as he can be. He's had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> a world of trouble and pain; but +he's come out pure gold."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't he always that?" asked Harry, curiously.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, he wasn't. He was one of the wildest young men, and it was +that which brought on the sickness—rheumatic fever—which twisted him +up so. It was this illness too, that brought about his conversion; and +now he likes to visit the hospitals and talk to all the young men he can +find, and try to get them to turn about. He says he's trying to make up +for lost time. Some think he's crazy, but he isn't—only eccentric."</p> + +<p>"Does he come here often?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"Well, sometimes he does," was the answer. "Would you like to see him +again?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't mind having a little talk with him," admitted Harry.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell him," said the kind woman.</p> + +<p>Joel came; but Harry could not tell from his manner whether he was +pleased or not at his having expressed a desire to see him.</p> + +<p>Now that he was there, what should he say? Harry asked this question, +but no answer came.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +But Joel seemed to understand all about the matter, and began right +away:</p> + +<p>"You've had a rough time, eh? Didn't expect it, now, did you, when you +started out? Going to have a good time, enjoy yourself, and all that? +Well, it's all right. You've had about enough of that sort of thing, I +guess. You'd like to turn right about face now, and go back to your +mother, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"Who told you I had a mother?" asked Harry, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Nobody," was the calm rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"How did you know?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't know; I only guessed. Somehow or other, you look as if you +had. Have you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have," groaned Harry, "and a sister too; but I came away and +left them, and now I'm ashamed to go back."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you're made of the right kind of stuff you'll go to work as +soon as you're out of this, and fix things so you'll not be ashamed to +go back," said Joel. "Between us," he went on, bending over and looking +at Harry with one eye shut up tightly, "I've got a mother and sister +too. I did pretty much as you did, only worse, I guess. I've been +working hard to make a man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> of myself before I go back to them. I'm +going soon too."</p> + +<p>"To work!" exclaimed Harry, looking at the crooked figure +pityingly. "What can <i>you</i> do?"</p> + +<p>"Do?" repeated Joel, raising his brows, and opening wide his eyes. +"Look," and he held up his long slim fingers. "I can write beautifully," +he continued, with the simplicity of a child. "And I'm a clerk in a +large clock and jewelry establishment. A good kind friend who came to +see me at the hospital when I was so ill, secured the situation for me. +And if you mean to turn about sure enough, and no going back about it, I +will try and get you taken on as a salesman."</p> + +<p>Harry was completely won by Joel's plain, straight-forward manner and +hearty kindness, and gave his promise to turn over a new leaf. What is +of more importance he kept the promise faithfully.</p> + +<p>When Harry was discharged from the hospital, he looked quite different +from what he did when he first entered it, or rather when he was carried +there. He was worn almost to a shadow, it is true; but his sickness had +taken from him the look of the outcast, and his intercourse with his new +friend, and the hopes he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> for the future restored to him once more +the ability to look the "whole world in the face."</p> + +<p>He was clad in a suit that had been worn by Joel ere his body was so +distorted by rheumatism. It was not a perfect fit, but it was clean and +neat, and gave to Harry a very presentable air.</p> + +<p>True to his promise, Joel tried and succeeded in getting the situation +he spoke of for his young friend toward whom he had been strongly +attracted.</p> + +<p>Harry was also naturally smart and intelligent, and now that he had put +off the shackles of the false friends with whom Satan had provided him, +promised to do well in his new position. Joel was determined that +through no fault of his should Harry fail. He never lost sight of him +for any length of time. The two boarded at the same place, and Joel +insisted on his accompanying him to church. They read, talked, and +walked together, and as a natural consequence became much attached to +each other.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +<a name="xiv" id="xiv"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> +<br /> +<small>A CHAPTER OF WONDERS.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">IT was a dull, gray, rainy morning when our friend Flora found herself +standing in front of the house that had been her home for so many years.</p> + +<p>What a flood of memories the sight of the familiar scene brought to her! +She paused a moment or two to revel in the pleasure she thus felt. She +did not feel at all excited, or even curious as to the cause for, or the +probable result of her trip. Turning to the house, she stepped to the +door, and lifted the knocker.</p> + +<p>The door was opened by the neat, but uncommunicative maid, who was in +charge of affairs during Mrs. Martin's illness; and who silently, and +apparently acting on previous arrangement, <a name="led" id="led"></a><ins title="Original has let">led</ins> the way direct to the +sick room.</p> + +<p>Although the day was dark and cloudy, the window shades were down, and +heavy curtains lent their aid to darken the room still more.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Martin's greeting was somewhat of a surprise to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> Flora as she stood +on the threshold, scarcely knowing whether to enter the darkened chamber +or not.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you come in and shut the door?" came in fretful tones from +the bed.</p> + +<p>"I should like to do it, indeed, Aunt Sarah, if I could only see my +way," returned Flora, mischievously. She wondered at her own temerity. +At one time she would not have dared use such liberty of speech with +this punctilious aunt. But she had grown to be very independent since +she had been thrown so entirely upon her own resources, and had become +accustomed to think and act both for herself and others. She felt that +she had grown, in that she no longer stood in awe of Aunt Sarah's cold +tones. Why should she? She had come to ask no favor.</p> + +<p>"Well," came in questioning tones from the invalid.</p> + +<p>"May I draw up the shades, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, advancing slowly +into the room and closing the door softly.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so. You can draw up anything you like, it makes no difference +to me," was the somewhat ungracious reply.</p> + +<p>Flora paid no attention to the tone, but drew up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> the shades, making it +possible to see what was in the room.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Sarah, how thin you are!" she cried, incautiously. "Why, you have +been sick."</p> + +<p>"Of course I have. You didn't suppose I was pretending, did you?" +retorted Mrs. Martin.</p> + +<p>"No," said Flora, "I did not, nor did I know you were so ill. And now +tell me, can I do anything to render you more comfortable?"</p> + +<p>"No, I think not," she replied. "Yes, you might bring me some toast and +a cup of tea," she added a moment later.</p> + +<p>As she turned at once to leave the room, Flora wondered in her own mind, +whether Mrs. Martin really wished for something to eat. The truth was, +Mrs. Martin, now that Flora was here in the house, even in her very +room, wished to decide how she could broach the subject which had lain +on her heart so long. She was thinking deeply, and did not notice +Flora's entrance until she heard:</p> + +<p>"Here they are, Aunt Sarah, nice and hot."</p> + +<p>"What?" the invalid returned, in a surprised way.</p> + +<p>"The toast and tea," replied Flora.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +"Oh yes, put them on the table."</p> + +<p>Flora did so, daintily arranging them so as to be inviting to the eye as +well as the palate, and inwardly wondering what new caprice her aunt +would develop next. However, she had decided to yield to all her +peculiarities, and to bear with her whims, and so with unruffled face, +she turned to arrange the room, as only a woman's hand can. The grace +and care were not lost upon her aunt, whose eyes closely followed every +motion as she moved silently about the room.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," said Mrs. Martin, after a few moments' silence.</p> + +<p>Flora did so; and after a slight hesitation, Mrs. Martin began, having +concluded to open the subject at once, for nothing was to be gained by +delay.</p> + +<p>"Niece Flora," she said, looking in the young girl's face, "I sent for +you to tell you I feel that I have done what I had no business to do."</p> + +<p>"What have you done, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, half suspecting what she +wished to say to her.</p> + +<p>"I mean in sending you away from here as I did," was the blunt reply.</p> + +<p>"You had a right to do whatever you wanted to,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> stammered Flora. She +could stand unmoved before the cold, hard Aunt Sarah; Aunt Sarah +repentant, she did not know how to meet.</p> + +<p>"No, I had no right to do it," continued Mrs. Martin. It was plain she +did not intend to spare herself in the least. "I had no right to do it. +Sister Bertha wanted you to stay, and I know she did. I had no right to +take her money, and live in her home, and use her things when I knew she +only left them to me because she trusted me to do what she wanted."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Aunt Sarah; I knew nothing about it, so do not worry. It is +all right." And Flora moved nearer the bed, and took her hand in her own +and tenderly held it.</p> + +<p>Instead of complying, Mrs. Martin seemed to gain strength, and she went +on:</p> + +<p>"No; you knew nothing about her wishes, but I did. And, Flora, I have +not been happy in this house. In fact, I did not deserve to be."</p> + +<p>"You can talk about that when you get well."</p> + +<p>"I will never be well unless I make right what I have made wrong," +returned Mrs. Martin. "I want to know, Flora, if you can forgive your +selfish old aunt for driving—yes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> driving is the word," as Flora +started to speak—"you from the home which was intended for you? Will +you not come back to it?" And the tears began to gather in the eyes that +had long been strangers to such an expression of emotion.</p> + +<p>Flora felt very helpless now in the face of all these different moods. +She could think of nothing else to do but stroke the sick woman's +forehead gently and soothingly. After a moment or two of silence, she +said: "I forgive you, Aunt Sarah, if you think there's anything to +forgive. Everything has turned out for the best, at least so far as I am +concerned. As to coming back, I think I don't care to—that is, I +couldn't leave mother, you know."</p> + +<p>"I don't want you to leave your mother, child. Why can't she come too?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to come here to live?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; here to live."</p> + +<p>"She would like that, I know," said Flora, adding mentally, "providing +you were different."</p> + +<p>She soon discovered that her unspoken thought had been realized before +it had been expressed.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the sick woman, drawing a breath of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> relief, "I can be at +peace. It is not too late for me to make amends and carry out sister +Bertha's wishes. Ah, child, you do not know what I have suffered of +late; but it's all right now."</p> + +<p>"Try to go to sleep now, won't you?" asked Flora, coaxingly, fearing the +effect of the conversation upon the invalid.</p> + +<p>"No; I don't want to go to sleep," said Mrs. Martin, with a shade of her +old firmness; "I just want to lie here and think."</p> + +<p>She did go to sleep, however, very soon, and awoke greatly refreshed, +for her mind was at ease, and she was surprised to find how much more +pleasant the prospect of recovery was since she had something to look +forward to.</p> + +<p>And Flora? She was delighted, for to her the old home had never lost its +charm.</p> + +<p>Faithfully she nursed the sick woman, who, in spite of her efforts to +the contrary, now and then yielded to her old-time habit of +fault-finding, when nothing pleased her. Mrs. Martin was very regretful +for these outbursts, and after each, more carefully watched her own +tongue, and the movements and manner of her young nurse and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> daily +became more attached to her; and the more necessary it seemed to her to +retain her sunshiny presence.</p> + +<p>Flora was as happy in her present position, and at her future prospects, +as it was possible for her to be with the ever-present feeling of +uncertainty and sorrow at the absence of her dearly loved brother, from +whom she had expected such great things. She was a very sensible girl, +and had learned long before this that to waste her time in worriment +over what she could not help in any way, would not enable her to +discharge her present duties as she would wish. Knowing this, as I say, +so well, she put Harry into the charge of the One "who never slumbers +nor sleeps," and went about her daily duties with a light step and merry +smile. For days she planned her mother's coming, and how she would enjoy +the life here. Her own pleasant little room was hers again, and many +were the happy hours she passed there. Every few moments throughout the +day she would be in her aunt's room reading to her, or perhaps giving +her a daintily arranged meal, or placing the pillows more comfortably.</p> + +<p>One of her greatest pleasures was in arranging her Aunt Bertha's old +room, preparatory to the coming of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> her mother, to whom she had assigned +it. Very lovingly and carefully did she do this, for her heart was +filled with tender memories of the past.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Martin had told her to fix everything to suit herself, and refused +to have a word to say further than to heartily approve of all her +arrangements.</p> + +<p>"I have been at the head of affairs a long time," she had said; "it is +time now for us to change places."</p> + +<p>"I think you are trying to spoil me, Aunt Sarah," remarked Flora, one +day, when she had been told a number of times to do just as she liked.</p> + +<p>"I think there is no danger of that, my dear," said Mrs. Martin.</p> + +<p>She was right, for the experience Flora had gained in the years since +she had been home had so strengthened and developed her that it would +have been well-nigh impossible to "spoil her," as she had termed it.</p> + +<p>As soon as her aunt was able to sit up, Flora was to return home to get +her mother, and in fact the whole family, if she could find them, and +bring them to Aunt Sarah's, to live there.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Martin insisted that she wanted a house full; adding, smilingly:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +"The more, the merrier, my dear."</p> + +<p>Flora wished this could be possible—she longed to be able to bring +Harry back with them; and, safe in that peaceful home, win him from his +evil ways. She sighed, even as she thought, "That is quite impossible." +She had forgotten for the moment that "With God, all things are +possible."</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +<a name="xv" id="xv"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br /> +<br /> +<small>GOING HOME.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">DURING all these weary months, Harry Hazeley had not once written home; +and neither his mother nor sister knew where he was.</p> + +<p>His friend, Joel Piper, had written to his mother, but to his regret, +had as yet received no reply. This saddened him, as in his letter he had +told of the changes in him, not only in his body, but in his heart and +life, for he wished his mother, who had done so much for him, to know.</p> + +<p>Harry as yet had no news to write home. Joel was working slowly, it is +true, to induce Harry to attend some meetings which were being held +successively in different churches. Harry became interested, and later +he had the happiness of knowing that he had accepted Christ, and been +received by him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime he had applied himself steadily and faithfully to his +business, and not only earned the respect of his employers, but saved a +good share of his money.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +"And now," he thought, triumphantly, "there is nothing to prevent me +from going home."</p> + +<p>This thought took complete possession of him, and in his leisure moments +he did little else than picture to himself his home-coming, and the +sight of mother, sister, and brother. They would rejoice, he was sure, +in his new life. He wondered if Flora had changed much, and in what way +Alec passed away the days.</p> + +<p>These thoughts of home and home-folks, together with the great desire to +see them again, gradually wore away the feeling of shame with which he +had been assailed whenever his thoughts had turned that way before.</p> + +<p>"Joel!" he exclaimed, as they were sitting together, one pleasant +evening, "I see no other way but to do it!"</p> + +<p>"What is it you mean, my boy?" asked Joel, as he looked at Harry for a +moment, and then returned to his book.</p> + +<p>"To go home, and see them all," returned Harry.</p> + +<p>"Believe I will too," said Joel, slapping his book by way of emphasis. +"By the way, Harry," he continued, "my home isn't so very far from +yours; only a couple of hours' ride. You live at Bartonville and I live +at Brinton, or rather, I did."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +"Is that so? Well, then, let us go together."</p> + +<p>"What do you intend to do? Give up your situation here for good, or just +ask for leave of absence?" asked Joel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shall give it up entirely," was the answer. "I prefer to get +something to do nearer home. What will you do?"</p> + +<p>"I shall come back," said Joel, decidedly. "My people are farmers. I +could be of no service now on a farm, you know, even if I cared for it, +which I don't."</p> + +<p>Thus the matter was decided, and arrangements were made accordingly.</p> + +<p>One evening, as Mrs. Hazeley sat in her home, all alone, stitching away +busily, she was startled to hear a loud rap on the door.</p> + +<p>"Who can it be?" she thought, rising to answer the knock. She found +herself confronted by a tall, rather slight young man, with a grave +face, which, however, was now illuminated by a smile of expectancy.</p> + +<p>"Harry! Harry! my boy Harry!" she cried, holding open her arms. The +mother's quick instinct and penetrating love could not be deceived by +appearances, no matter how altered. The form might be changed, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> the +features matured, but there was something that brought to her the memory +of her child, the baby of long ago.</p> + +<p>After the first greetings were over, Harry settled down, and prepared to +unburden his mind. His mother noticed that he glanced about him +wistfully and inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"No," said Mrs. Hazeley, answering the query in his eyes, "Flora is not +here. She went to stay with your Aunt Sarah, who is very ill. I am +expecting to go myself, whenever I hear from her to that effect. Alec +too, is away. He is living with that good old man, 'Major Benson,' you +used to call him, you remember. Alec enjoys a country life. He intends +to be a farmer, he says. It was very kind of him to give the boy such an +opening. The poor child was so afraid of being a burden to us. I have +every reason to be grateful for my children."</p> + +<p>"Except me, mother," said Harry.</p> + +<p>"No, my boy," returned his mother, looking keenly at him. "I am sure I +have reason to be grateful for you too. But tell me, Harry, where have +you been, and why did you not write to us, and keep us posted?"</p> + +<p>The entire absence of reproach or fault finding, and the warm affection +with which he was received by his mother, touched the young man very +deeply, and with his heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> made tender with these thoughts, he +determined to confide fully all his past to his mother, from whom he +felt sure he would receive ready sympathy.</p> + +<p>When the story was told, Mrs. Hazeley could but exclaim, "Bless the +Lord, oh my soul!"</p> + +<p>"And forget not all his benefits," added Harry reverently.</p> + +<p>They were interrupted at that moment by a knock upon the door—a quick, +business-like, energetic knock.</p> + +<p>"I know who that is," said Mrs. Hazeley, smilingly, as she arose to +admit the new-comer. It was Flora.</p> + +<p>"Did ever returned prodigal receive a more hearty welcome than I?" +exclaimed Harry, laughingly, but gratefully.</p> + +<p>His old habit of reserve was being gradually overcome, and he was +becoming accustomed to express his feelings quite freely, much to the +present and subsequent delight of his family.</p> + +<p>This evening, a memorable one in the history of the little family, was +by no means over. Just as the happy trio were seated, with heads bowed +reverently in thankfulness to the Giver of all good, the knocker was +raised another time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +As the heads were lifted, and Flora arose to open the door, she +remarked, merrily:</p> + +<p>"That must be Alec. I suppose the magnetism of our presence is drawing +him to us."</p> + +<p>It was not Alec It was our good friend Joel Piper.</p> + +<p>"I was told Mrs. Hazeley lived here," said he.</p> + +<p>"So she does," answered Flora, trying to recall where she had seen the +familiar face before her. Joel was doing the same. He was the first to +ask, however, "Haven't I met you before?"</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking I had seen you somewhere," said Flora, looking +puzzled.</p> + +<p>"In Brinton, perhaps?" suggested Joel.</p> + +<p>"That is just it—you know—Lottie Piper," exclaimed Flora +disconnectedly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," said Joel, eagerly; "I'm her brother. I remember now. You +are Flora Hazeley. Well, well," he cried, accepting Flora's invitation +to enter the room, where he saw his friend Harry, for whom he was +hunting. "I was just looking for you, Hal," said he, having first been +presented to Mrs. Hazeley, who was delighted to welcome the young man +who had done so much for her Harry. "I was looking for you, Hal, but I +had no idea I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> meet an old acquaintance, in the shape of your +sister. But that reminds me," he added, sadly, "I have been to the old +home. No wonder I didn't hear from them. Sickness, death, and +desolation! I found the home, but no one in it."</p> + +<p>"How could that be?" asked Harry.</p> + +<p>"I know," said Flora, gently. "I saw Lottie for a few moments the other +day, and she told me all about it. I am so sorry."</p> + +<p>"Is my sister here?" Joel asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is here—in Bartonville; she is living with her aunt."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Joel, "my father's sister. I shall be glad to see Lottie; +but mother is gone, and now it is too late."</p> + +<p>"No, no, Joel, don't talk that way," said Harry, soothingly. "You have +no need to say that. You haven't come home as you left it. And suppose +your mother is not here, don't you think she knows all about it? And +then, there is your sister, you know."</p> + +<p>"That is all true, Harry. It would have been hard to have come back as I +went away, and found her gone. I could not have helped the little girl +then. But one thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> more," he said, turning to Flora, who was wiping +her eyes in sympathy. "Where is my father?"</p> + +<p>"Lottie says he went away somewhere, to work."</p> + +<p>"Then I shall hope to see him, some day, and that will be one +consolation." Joel was comforted by his friends, and his own kind, +helpful deeds were bearing fruit for him.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that Joel should board—he would hear of no other +arrangement—with Mrs. Hazeley until he should find his sister, and see +how she was situated, before returning to his employment.</p> + +<p>Flora's news was almost forgotten in the general rejoicing over Harry's +unexpected return and the equally unexpected addition to the little +household in Joel. But when things were somewhat quieted down, she had +something wonderful to relate also.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, well," said Mrs. Hazeley. "To think of sister Sarah +softening, at her age. When will wonders cease!"</p> + +<p>Harry did not approve of this proposed breaking up of their own little +home. He feared it might be but a passing whim of Aunt Sarah's.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," maintained Flora, stoutly. "Whatever else<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> Aunt Sarah is, she +is not fickle. When she says she means to do a thing, that thing is as +good as done."</p> + +<p>"That's very true," said her mother. So it was settled that, after due +preparation, the family should move to Brinton.</p> + +<p>The only regret that Flora felt at leaving her home in Bartonville was +that she would be obliged to part with her class of girls, whom she +loved and who loved her. She comforted herself with the thought that she +would have another, if possible, in Brinton. The girls she left behind +always cherished the memory of their young teacher, and strove to +imitate her gentle, earnest ways, and noble traits. Surely, the seed she +had sown in their hearts would spring up, blossom, and bear fruit for +the Master's kingdom.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +<a name="xvi" id="xvi"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> +<br /> +<small>LOTTIE'S TRIALS.</small></h2> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 8px;"> +<img src="images/quote.png" width="8" height="7" alt="open quote" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="cap">WELL! Things have come to a pretty pass! Here I've been running up and +down, here and there and everywhere, like a chicken with its head cut +off, trying to please Aunt Emmeline, and I'm just about as near doing it +now as I was when I commenced. It's grumble, grumble, grumble, every +minute in the day; and I will not stand it—not a day longer, now!" and +Lottie gave the fire a vigorous shake that sent the sparks darting +hither and thither, in every direction.</p> + +<p>It was hard for her. Lottie conscientiously did all she could for the +fretful invalid upstairs. But her efforts were not appreciated. Instead, +Mrs. Durand seemed to grow more irritable daily. Nothing Lottie did +pleased her; the tea was either too weak or too strong; the toast either +too hot or too cold; the beef-tea was too highly seasoned, or not +enough. Thus the fault-finding continued, day in and day out.</p> + +<p>Heretofore Lottie had succeeded in bearing with her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> captious patient +fairly well, her natural patience and sweetness of disposition being a +great help to her. But this day her task seemed a little harder to bear +than usual, and a short time before the outburst at the opening of the +chapter the climax was reached, when her aunt struck her with the cane +she used to aid her in getting about the room, for she was able to go +about a very little during the day.</p> + +<p>Lottie had been sent for some water, and in her zeal to please her aunt +by being quick about it, had spilled a few drops in that good woman's +lap, and she, without stopping to think, had given her niece a rap with +her stick.</p> + +<p>"No, I shall not stand it another minute," muttered Lottie, as she +angrily paced the floor of the little room, whither she had rushed from +her aunt's presence.</p> + +<p>Apparently she had determined to do something, for she went to work +energetically to put everything to rights. She put more coal on the +fire, and, in fact, did everything she deemed necessary. Then she stole +quietly up to her room, packed some things in a bundle, and noiselessly +left the house.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/gs03.jpg" width="400" height="634" alt="Page 153" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Hazeley Family.<br /> + +<a href="#Page_153">Page 153.</a></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +Where was she going? She did not know. What was she going to do? She +only knew that she was going far away from her Aunt Emmeline's, where +she had been insulted. The old poplar solemnly waved its long, bare arms +over her head, as if wishing her "good-bye." She had a vague idea she +would go and find her friend Flora; she would at least advise her what +to do, for, after once fairly in the street, the fact that she had no +home but the one she was leaving behind, made itself felt very plainly.</p> + +<p>She had not seen Flora since that first day when they had met +accidentally, and she had almost forgotten the way she had come, for she +had been in such a hurry she gave little heed to anything. She would go +as best she could remember. It seemed to her that she was walking a +great distance, and when at length she came to a small public square, +she sat down upon one of the cold, damp seats, almost discouraged, and +utterly unhappy. No mother, no home—nothing but misery. The tears were +very near the surface, when she heard her name called at no great +distance.</p> + +<p>That was strange, though the voice sounded familiar. Stranger still, +however, was the sight of a young man making his way rapidly toward her +with a shuffling gait, and leaning upon two canes. Although the face +seemed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> familiar, Lottie was frightened, and was preparing to run away +when her steps were arrested by the strange young man saying, in +half-laughing, half-vexed tones:</p> + +<p>"Why, Lottie, girl, don't you know your brother Joel?"</p> + +<p>"What? Not my brother Joel?" exclaimed Lottie, joyously, yet +distrustfully.</p> + +<p>"The very same, and yet not the same," replied Joel, sadly, as he +remembered how great was the physical change in him, and which was so +apparent.</p> + +<p>"I was straight and strong when you last saw me, Lottie," he said, +looking down at his twisted limbs. "I was straight and strong when I +left the old home, and now you see what I am." And he seated himself +beside Lottie, who had remained on the bench.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Joel, what made you so?" she cried, in a distressed voice.</p> + +<p>"Never mind about that now, little sister. I will tell you all about it +some time. But mother——"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you know? She is dead." And Lottie burst into tears, while the +half-repressed sobs of the utterly miserable girl, shook her slender +frame.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," answered her brother, softly.</p> + +<p>"How did you know?" asked Lottie, as she raised her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> tear-stained face +in surprise at his knowledge, when she knew he had been away so long.</p> + +<p>"Never mind that, either," returned Joel; "but tell me everything."</p> + +<p>Lottie told about the death of their mother, then added:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Joel, she so wanted to see you before she died, and now it's too +late."</p> + +<p>"Yes, too late." The words found an echo in the young man's own breast. +He had put it off too long, this home-coming. Hoping and wanting to come +back to his home and parents, well able to take care of himself and to +help them too, he had waited, and worked, and saved, and now she for +whom he so longed was not here to bid him welcome. The thought also came +to him that it was well this "too late" came only in the disappointment +of earthly hopes. Suppose it meant the loss of his soul as well? Then +another thought came, this time full of comfort and peace:</p> + +<p>"She will know I am changed, and I shall meet her in heaven."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to his sister, feeling that here was a work for him—a +legacy left him by his mother.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +"Where is father, Lottie?" he asked a moment later, inwardly wondering +at her presence here.</p> + +<p>"Father? Oh, after mother's death he couldn't stay there any more, he +said, and so he went away to work. Out west, I believe," she added, +rather glad than otherwise to break the silence that had followed her +last words. "I haven't seen him since he brought me to live here."</p> + +<p>"Live here? With whom?" inquired her brother.</p> + +<p>"With Aunt Emmeline." And then she poured forth into sympathetic ears a +recital of her woes, inflicted largely by her aunt.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Joel, when she finished. "Are you +going back?"</p> + +<p>"No, I am not. That settles it!"</p> + +<p>"Never?"</p> + +<p>"No, never!"</p> + +<p>Joel was amused. He well knew that the angry girl would be obliged, +sooner or later, to modify her emphatic and hasty assertions. However, +he thought it best to make no criticism, at least until she should see +her folly and mistake herself; so he only said:</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you had better come with me just now. Both of us will +catch cold if we stay here much longer."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +Unquestioningly, Lottie arose. She did not care where she went, so long +as she was with Joel, who now was all she had to cling to.</p> + +<p>The sight of poor, deformed Joel, hobbling painfully along, touched +Lottie's heart as nothing else could have done, as she contrasted his +shrunken body with her own strong, robust self. She felt almost glad her +mother could not see him now—she had been so proud of Joel's strength.</p> + +<p>At length they halted before a small house that appeared strangely +familiar to Lottie, and Joel rapped on the door. What was her surprise +and delight to see the door opened by Flora Hazeley.</p> + +<p>"Lottie!" the latter exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Flora!"</p> + +<p>Joel stood by, smilingly, while Lottie was introduced to the rest of the +family.</p> + +<p>"It seems so strange that both your brother and mine should be returned +runaways, doesn't it, Flora?" remarked Lottie, when all were seated.</p> + +<p>"How about Lottie?" slyly whispered Joel, as he sat by her side.</p> + +<p>Lottie deigned no reply, but tossed her head willfully,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> while she +thought: "No, I will never go back to Aunt Emmeline's."</p> + +<p>It was a very pleasant little home party that sat and chatted in the old +dining room that evening, but it was not until Lottie and Flora were +alone in the room which they were to share for the night, that Lottie +opened her heart, and poured out her woes into Flora's sympathetic ear.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lottie, how could you?" asked Flora, when the recital was over.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Flora, of course I could do it, and so would you have done, in my +place," returned Lottie, in an injured tone.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible that you have left your poor, sick aunt all alone?"</p> + +<p>"She isn't very sick; she only thinks she is," said Lottie, sulkily. +"She can get about her room well enough. It won't hurt her to go a bit +farther, and go downstairs."</p> + +<p>Flora, after a few more ineffectual words, saw Lottie was feeling too +bitter and hurt to be ashamed of her desertion of her poor, sick aunt, +and, with her customary tact, dropped the subject entirely. For a few +moments there was silence, each busy with her own thoughts.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +As Flora was brushing her hair, of which she was justly proud, she said:</p> + +<p>"Lottie, let us sit here in front of the fire. I often do, and watch the +sparks as they flit here and there. I feel like talking to-night. I have +listened to your story. Now, you come here with me; I want to tell you +mine."</p> + +<p>Nothing loth, Lottie seated herself, and listened attentively while her +friend told of her own life, with all of its disappointments, hardships, +and trials.</p> + +<p>"What has all this to do with me?" asked Lottie, suspiciously, for she +had a vague idea that Flora had an object in view.</p> + +<p>"It has this to do with you, Lottie dear," answered Flora, as she put +her own shapely hand, gently but firmly, over the rebellious one in +Lottie's lap. "It will show you that none of us can have things exactly +as we want them, and we are cowards if we run away from our duties. Had +I been left to choose what I wished, I should not have chosen a single +thing that came to me, and yet I am sure everything turned out for the +very best. In the first place, Aunt Sarah's sending me home made me +think and act for myself and others, and in doing so I became far +stronger than I would have been had I stayed with,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> and depended on Aunt +Bertha, if she had lived. In doing the second, I found pleasure, and now +that after all our worrying Harry has come back so changed, I am just as +happy as I can be. But suppose I had run away, when things were dark and +discouraging, would I now have anything to be happy over?"</p> + +<p>"But nobody ever struck you, Flora. That is different," said Lottie, +looking less stubborn.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Flora; "that is very true, dear; nobody ever struck me. +But I have had other things quite as hard. Indeed, things that I thought +I could not possibly endure. But, you know who helped me bear them, +don't you, Lottie dear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the subdued reply. "You mean God helped you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he will help you too, Lottie, if you will let him. But you +must take up your duties again, you know."</p> + +<p>"What? go back to Aunt Emmeline?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I mean just that. I am sure she did not intend to treat you badly. +She will tell you so, I have no doubt, some day."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said Lottie; "but, I guess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> I ought to go. +But, suppose she will not have me back again; what then?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't borrow trouble. It will be time enough to think about that +when it happens," replied Flora. "But come, it's time we were asleep."</p> + +<p>Sleep, however, did not come to Lottie as soon as it did to her friend. +Her mind was too busy, turning over the events of the day, and +anticipating the possible ones of the morrow. Nevertheless, Lottie was +not really a coward, and when she had decided on a certain course, she +kept to it, as we have already seen.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +<a name="xvii" id="xvii"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> +<br /> +<small>MORE SURPRISES.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">NEXT day, Lottie informed her brother of her decision to return to her +aunt, and apologize for her unceremonious departure.</p> + +<p>Joel was very glad that she had come to this conclusion of her own free +will, for he had feared he might have trouble in bringing her to it. He +more than half-suspected that Flora had a good deal to do with his +sister's present submissive state, and was accordingly grateful.</p> + +<p>Lottie bade her friends good-bye, and with Joel to keep her courage up, +turned her face determinedly toward her aunt's home, only making a +comical grimace, as Flora whispered to her some words of encouragement, +adding the assurance that all would come out right.</p> + +<p>The brother and sister walked on together in silence, for some time; and +then it was Joel who talked, for Lottie was too busy thinking to care +for conversation. She acted as guide until they stood under the old +poplar in front of the quiet little house, and then she took refuge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +behind her brother, who marched undauntedly up to the door, and gave a +knock, which said plainly: "Here are some people who mean business."</p> + +<p>The knock evidently surprised Mrs. Durand, for she opened the door +herself, instead of telling them to "Come in," as was her usual custom.</p> + +<p>At first she saw no one but Joel, and seemed strongly inclined to close +the door upon him; but when she caught sight of Lottie, standing +demurely behind him, she steadied herself firmly upon her canes, and +inquired, "What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"In the first place, Aunt Emmeline," said Joel, calmly, "I suppose you +know me?"</p> + +<p>"No, I can't say I do," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"I am not much surprised. It has been some time since we met. I am Joel +Piper, your nephew, and Lottie's brother."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Durand said nothing, but only stood and looked.</p> + +<p>"Lottie, come here; Aunt Emmeline, Lottie has something to say to you."</p> + +<p>Lottie came from behind her brother, and speaking rapidly, as if she +were afraid she would lose courage if she did not talk fast, said: "I've +come to say that I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> sorry I acted so badly, Aunt Emmeline, and if you +will let me, I'll come back again."</p> + +<p>"Come in," was the brusque command. Joel and Lottie entered, and Mrs. +Durand closed the door. Then she turned to them, and said, simply:</p> + +<p>"If you want to come back, I guess you may."</p> + +<p>Lottie shrugged her shoulders. She wanted so much to say that she did +not come back because she wanted to, but because she thought she ought, +and she bit her tongue, by way of admonishing that unruly member to keep +still.</p> + +<p>Joel guessed something of what was passing in his sister's mind, and +hastened to engage Mrs. Durand in conversation.</p> + +<p>She seemed really touched as the young man recounted the history of his +sickness and sufferings in a strange city; and Lottie, sitting silently +listening, was more than half convinced that she had judged her aunt too +severely. By the time Joel was ready to go, she was quite satisfied that +she <i>did</i> want to come back. Then the old house really looked homelike, +especially after the feeling of loneliness and homesickness she had +experienced the day before as she walked the streets not knowing which +way to look for shelter.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +That evening, after everything was done, as Mrs. Durand was seated by +the fire in her easy chair, and Lottie was hemming a table-cloth, Mrs. +Durand asked abruptly:</p> + +<p>"Why did you come back?"</p> + +<p>Lottie looked up in astonishment, scarcely knowing what to say. But +deeming it best to tell her exact reason, she said: "Because I thought +it was my duty to do it."</p> + +<p>For a while there was silence, during which Lottie glanced up timidly to +see the effect of her words upon her aunt, but she could discover +nothing.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you were pretty angry with me, when you went?" was the next +remark.</p> + +<p>"Awful!" said Lottie, catching her breath at her own temerity.</p> + +<p>Again there was silence.</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Mrs. Durand, "if you hadn't been in such a hurry, I +should have told you I didn't mean to strike you; but, I suppose I can +tell you so now, can't I?"</p> + +<p>"Oh dear, Aunt Emmeline, you needn't say anything at all about it," said +Lottie, eagerly. "I acted just horrid; I know I did."</p> + +<p>"I can't blame you much, child. Old people like me, with the rheumatism, +are apt to be snappish. But I guess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> we both have had a lesson we will +not be likely to forget. Come, now, I think it is time you were in bed, +so put away your sewing, and go."</p> + +<p>"Can I get you anything, aunt?" asked Lottie, as she prepared to obey.</p> + +<p>"Nothing at all, my dear," was the soft reply, that sent Lottie upstairs +in a state of pleasurable surprise at the turn things had taken. Never +had she felt more glad of anything than she was to find herself in the +little chamber again, because it was home.</p> + +<p>Joel, in the meantime, after he had seen his sister fairly reinstated in +her old place, returned to Mrs. Hazeley's, where he duly reported the +success of his visit.</p> + +<p>Flora was very glad things were straightening out for her young friend, +Lottie, for she was really fond of her, because of her open, truthful +nature.</p> + +<p>A few days more Joel spent with his friends, and then, after arranging +with his aunt for his sister's future, insisting on supplying her needs +outside of her board, for which Mrs. Durand would accept nothing, he +left, to return to his work, feeling at least contented, if not carrying +back with him the memory of a happy home welcome and reunion. It was +good to have somebody to work for and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> care for, and Joel was accustomed +to placing full value upon present blessings or privileges, and his +example had not been lost upon Lottie, whose lot, while greatly changed +and improved, was by no means entirely freed from thorns, for Aunt +Emmeline was still Aunt Emmeline, and was likely to continue to be so. +However, since Lottie's return, she had treated the girl with a fair +amount of consideration, much to her satisfaction and enjoyment. Lottie +was beginning to feel at home. In fact, as the months rolled by, and she +grew in age and experience, Lottie gradually became the household +manager, and her aunt was content to oversee.</p> + +<p>After a time, Mr. Piper grew tired of "rolling around," as he informed +his sister and daughter, and determined to marry a second time. He +moreover informed Lottie that it would be more agreeable to all +concerned if she would conclude to remain with her aunt.</p> + +<p>"Humph!" said that good woman. "It's well that it is agreeable to all; +but suppose it wasn't? As it is, child," she added, "you know you are +welcome to a home with me just as long as you want it. I have no wish to +part with you. But I must say, your father is pretty cool."</p> + +<p>At one time Lottie's heart would have beaten tumultuously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> at the +prospect of a permanent home with Aunt Emmeline, but it was not so now, +and she felt very grateful, when she lay down that night, that God had +so cared for her, when she could not care for herself.</p> + +<p>To return to our friends, the Hazeleys. They had all removed to Brinton, +all but Alec, who seemed so well-contented with his quarters at Major +Joe's, that he did not wish to change. There was really no necessity for +him to do so. He was doing well at school, although he was by no means +what might be considered a brilliant pupil. In fact, his own prediction +that he would be no scholar, but a practical farmer, seemed likely to +come true.</p> + +<p>Major Joe had other help now, and Alec gave his time out of school and +during holidays, to the owner of a large farm in the immediate +neighborhood, where he was learning many things that were needful to +know in his chosen calling. He always came home at night, and was known +all around as a "fine lad." Major Joe had grown too feeble to attend +market any longer, and so he had turned that part of his business over +to the young man, who now had charge of his garden, and who, it seemed +more than likely would have charge of Ruth some time in the future, when +he had grown able to do so. The major remained at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> home, alternately +nursing his rheumatic limbs, and helping "mother" and Ruth with the +poultry, of which they raised a quantity, and, as Jem said, were +"getting awful rich off the eggs and things." Ruth was a thrifty, +thorough-going little housekeeper, one after her grandmother's own +heart, while Jem was just a lively little girl, who insisted on +bestowing her help, which, however, usually proved more of a hindrance. +She was, however, the pet of the old people, and made things merry in +the little cottage.</p> + +<p>Alec Hazeley had gone to see his brother as soon as he had heard of his +return, and had spent some days at home prior to the removal of the +family. And he was the last object they saw as they steamed out of the +station. Mrs. Martin was no longer the active, stirring woman she had +been before her illness, but was now a confirmed invalid. She was much +altered, in every way, and was very glad to have her sister and family +with her; and they were altogether a peaceful, happy, little household.</p> + +<p>It was not Harry's intention to remain at home long after he had seen +his mother and sister settled. But, somehow—perhaps it was because +every one seemed glad to have him there—he stayed longer than he had +intended; and, surprising to himself, and altogether delightful to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +Flora and his mother, he one day informed them that he felt he had +received a decided call to the ministry.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Harry!" cried his sister. "How sudden! I wasn't dreaming of such a +thing; but I am <i>so</i> glad."</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Harry, seriously, "I feel as if I must prepare myself to +preach. Something tells me, and I feel sure it is the voice of God, that +I shall prosper at nothing else but winning souls for Christ. As I was +snatched from the toils of the Evil One, so must I help save others. I +believe that God rescued me for that very purpose."</p> + +<p>Aunt Sarah was delighted, and would hear of nothing but that he should +immediately begin to fit himself for his new work. The family circle was +again broken, but this time, how different the circumstances, and how +hopeful the future appeared, with all united in the bond of love for +Christ and a hope for his re-appearing.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +<a name="xviii" id="xviii"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> +<br /> +<small>A CHRISTMAS INVITATION.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">YEARS have passed, and long since the grass was green over Mrs. Martin's +grave. Side by side she lay with her gentle sister, and over the two +graves the graceful branches of the willow drooped, and in summer the +sod was starred with daisies.</p> + +<p>It was December. The trees were bare of leaves, and the grass was +withered. The weather was cold. The folks in Brinton predicted a hard +winter. In the cosy home where Mrs. Hazeley now presided with a calm +demeanor, and Flora flitted about happy and contented, there seemed no +need to fear the searching winds of winter. Flora was no longer a girl, +but a well-grown young woman—changed, and yet not changed. She had +matured with years; but it was easy to discern the same merry, +thoughtful Flora of the old days.</p> + +<p>Shortly after his conversion, Harry had heard and followed the voice of +his Master to "preach the gospel," and now he was the pastor of the +church where Aunt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> Bertha had sat and listened to the gospel, eagerly +taking in the blessed words of life—the same church where Aunt Sarah +had listened, stern and cold, with her hard features turned upward to +the minister; and the same church where two happy faces—one of a quiet +and attractive-looking matron: the other of a fair, bright-eyed younger +woman—were seen every Lord's Day.</p> + +<p>Very proud was Flora of her manly, earnest brother who had won so +completely the hearts of the people; and equally proud was Harry of his +sister, who was loved and respected by all. They saw but little of Alec, +who had never outgrown his love for the country, and who still lived in +Brinton. He was industrious and economical, and his friends were sure he +would some day be a wealthy man.</p> + +<p>It wanted but a few days to Christmas, when, one afternoon, during a few +idle moments, Flora stood by the window lightly drumming against the +pane, and smiling, as if her thoughts were very pleasant.</p> + +<p>She had not been standing there long when the front gate opened, and +Harry came toward the house.</p> + +<p>Flora hurried to open the door for him, and pausing to remove his +overcoat, he said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +"Here is a letter for you, Flo."</p> + +<p>"A letter for me?" she repeated. "I wonder from whom it can be." She +returned to the room with the letter in her hand.</p> + +<p>"A letter, Flora?" inquired her mother. "Who is writing to you, dear?"</p> + +<p>"It is from Alec, mother," was the answer, a moment later.</p> + +<p>"What does the dear boy say—anything of importance?" asked Mrs. +Hazeley.</p> + +<p>"It is a very short letter. Shall I read it?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Flora; just tell us what he wants."</p> + +<p>"It is simply a very short, but very urgent, invitation for us all to +spend Christmas with him. You, especially, Harry."</p> + +<p>"Me? I wonder why?"</p> + +<p>"Shall we go, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. I would not disappoint the boy for anything; besides, we +have not seen him for so long."</p> + +<p>All were satisfied with this arrangement.</p> + +<p>Christmas morning dawned bright and clear, but very cold.</p> + +<p>Harry held service in the morning in his church, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> of course Mrs. +Hazeley and Flora were present. Everything was in readiness to start +away immediately at its close.</p> + +<p>"It will not really matter; and we cannot miss seeing our Harry conduct +his first Christmas service," said Flora, positively.</p> + +<p>The exercises were simple but impressive; the singing sweet and +solemn—the sermon earnest and tender. It seemed to Flora as if she were +shut in from everything, and that she really moved among the +circumstances connected with the Saviour's birth. It seemed to her that +she was with the wise men who brought gifts, and came to worship the +infant Jesus; and the words of the anthem, "Glory to God in the highest, +peace on earth, good will to men," echoed and re-echoed through her +whole being. "Truly," she thought, "that peace has entered my soul, and +how can I have aught but 'good will to men'?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley's feelings found expression by the tears rolling down her +cheeks under her veil. Flora saw them, but knew they were for joy.</p> + +<p>Never had Harry spoken as he spoke that morning. He scarcely recognized +himself in the preacher whose impassioned words were holding spell-bound +the people<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> who filled the church, drawing from them alternately tears +of sympathy and smiles of joy.</p> + +<p>When the service was at an end, and the usual interchange of Christmas +wishes over, the young minister joined his mother and sister, who were +waiting for him, and, with one upon each arm, directed his steps to the +depot, where they boarded the cars for Alec's home.</p> + +<p>Flora felt too peaceful and happy to talk, and, in fact, they were all +disinclined for conversation, and so the short journey was made in +silence. True to his word, Alec was at the station to welcome them, and +delighted that they had all come.</p> + +<p>He conducted them to a carriage he had in waiting, and helped them in.</p> + +<p>"What do you want to ride to Major Joe's for?" asked Harry. "It is such +a short distance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I want you to ride to-day, so ask no more questions," was the saucy +reply.</p> + +<p>"Alec has some new project in his head," whispered Flora to her mother, +who nodded and smiled, as if anything and everything were in order, so +far as she was concerned.</p> + +<p>Harry asked no more questions, but was busy looking about him, and +trying to decide where they were going;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> if to Major Joe's, why take +such a roundabout course? All to no avail, however, and he abandoned the +matter to the driver.</p> + +<p>There was no snow, to cover with its white, glittering blanket, the +rough spots, but the brightness of the sun made amends for this lack by +gilding the bare places. It was a green Christmas, but there was a +lurking promise of snows and storms yet to come, in the brisk, sharp +wind, that drove the withered leaves—reminders of the summer's +beauty—along, as Flora remarked, "like little, old women dressed in +brown, and caught in a wind-storm." Alec noticed, as they drove along, +that his brother still glanced about inquiringly, evidently not yet +satisfied as to the road to Major Joe's from the station. Alec was +amused. It was so long since Harry had been there, he felt sure he could +not remember. It was with a view to drawing his attention from this, and +thus prevent his asking more questions, that Alec began to talk +diligently. He pointed out the different objects of interest along the +way, and then would branch off into a series of remarks or conjectures +concerning them.</p> + +<p>"This now," he said, pointing to a pretty house they were passing, "is +Mrs. Brown's new residence. Isn't it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> tasteful? Contains all the latest +modern improvements—at least, so they say. And here is the homestead of +a well-to-do widow. Very benevolent. Quite a good thing for widows." He +was interrupted by Flora's inquiry:</p> + +<p>"Why widows especially?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, because, you see, all they need is to have just enough to keep them +comfortably while they live. They don't care about making improvements, +and buying or speculating as a general thing, like——"</p> + +<p>"Like what?" asked Harry, drily, as his brother paused.</p> + +<p>"Well, like me, for instance," returned Alec.</p> + +<p>"So, I suppose you think there is no necessity for you to be +benevolent."</p> + +<p>"It's not but that I should, so much as I cannot afford to be. You see, +I am a young man, and I need to be very prudent about the way I invest +what money I have, in order to accumulate a little more."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alec," laughed Flora, "you certainly have accumulated a pretty good +stock of self-complacency, and have cultivated a fine opinion of +yourself."</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Alec, good-humoredly, touching up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> his horse with the +end of his whip. "One must blow his own trumpet, if no one else will for +him."</p> + +<p>"Bad policy, my boy," interposed Harry, who seemed for the time being, +to feel himself a boy again. "Bad policy. It is better not to have a +trumpet blown at all, than to do it yourself. True worth will always +receive its proper recognition."</p> + +<p>"Not always; you are wrong there," said Alec, his eyes twinkling +mischievously at the success of his plan for diverting his brother's +attention.</p> + +<p>"Yes, always," persisted Harry. "Probably not from the direction you +desire, or are looking toward; but, if one looks in the right direction, +he will find that if he is worthy of esteem, honor, and respect, he will +get it from those upon whom his course has made an impression. The +trouble is, that people often look too far away. Either they do not +think to look among those immediately about them, and among whom they +live, or they do not place the proper value upon their opinions and +respect."</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said Alec, coolly, as he drew up before the gate of a new +and very pretty cottage. "I am very much obliged to you for your +valuable homily. I hope I shall profit by it. But, my dear brother, 'all +is well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> that ends well'; and as my chief object in engaging you in +conversation was to give you something to think about besides which way +we were going, I am delighted that I was successful." And with a polite +bow, the saucy fellow jumped down and proceeded to help his passengers +to alight.</p> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +<a name="xix" id="xix"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> +<br /> +<small>A HOMELY WEDDING.</small></h2> + + +<p class="cap2">NO sooner had the little party alighted, than the cottage door flew +open, and a crowd of familiar faces met their astonished gaze.</p> + +<p>There was the old major, wrinkled and lame, leaning on his cane, but +smiling as if he had forgotten that there was any "rheumatiz" in the +world.</p> + +<p>There was the bright-faced little Jem of long ago, now grown into a +stout maiden, and looking as sober and matter-of-fact as ever.</p> + +<p>And motherly little Ruth was there, with her face wreathed in smiles.</p> + +<p>There was good Mrs. Benson, busy and bustling with the weight of some +unusual responsibility.</p> + +<p>Such a royal welcome as our friends received. Tongues were kept busy +with stories of the generosity of the dear old Saint Nicholas, and +wishes for the new year.</p> + +<p>"What a pretty house!" exclaimed Flora, as the hum of voices was +lessening.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +"I am glad you like it, sister mine," returned Alec who was at her side, +"because, you know, it belongs to me."</p> + +<p>"To you? Then you have been industrious in all these years. Are you +going to live here all alone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are right there, Flora," Alec answered, totally ignoring her +question. "I have worked hard, and saved too. But, there! I am blowing +my own trumpet again, in spite of Hal's lecture!" And he glanced +roguishly at his brother.</p> + +<p>But Harry only smiled.</p> + +<p>"What on earth do you want with a whole house?" asked Flora, curiously. +"Are the major and Mrs. Benson going to live with you?" she added, +wishing to understand it all.</p> + +<p>"No," said Alec, "they are going back home."</p> + +<p>Flora and Harry were thoroughly puzzled, and from time to time glanced +at their brother questioningly, as if they feared he was joking them. +Flora noticed, however, what the others were all too busy to see, that +Alec was constantly glancing out of the front window, as if expecting +some one.</p> + +<p>At last her curiosity and his evident uneasiness were both satisfied; +for a buggy drove up to the door, and from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> it alighted a young girl and +an elderly woman, and—Joel Piper, who after dismissing the conveyance +came toward the house, where they were met by Alec, who presented them +triumphantly to the rest.</p> + +<p>"Lottie Piper, is this you?" cried Flora.</p> + +<p>The young girl was really Lottie, and the elderly woman was Mrs. +Emmeline Durand, her aunt.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's me," answered Lottie, serenely and ungrammatically.</p> + +<p>"This is a delightful surprise. What next?" exclaimed Flora.</p> + +<p>"Shall I tell you?" asked Alec, coming forward and offering Lottie his +arm, who evidently understood the whole situation; "it is simply +this,"—and the two fine-looking young people walked toward the window +where Harry was standing, and paused before him,—"I love Lottie, and I +think she loves me." Lottie's bright eyes dropped to the floor, her face +suffused with blushes, with a bright little smile trembling around her +mouth. "I love Lottie; and, Harry, I want you to pronounce us husband +and wife."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hazeley and Flora looked somewhat dazed, and then, turning to each +other, locked arms and walked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> toward the bridal pair, each face showing +surprise, but also betraying real joy at the event.</p> + +<p>The others were happy. All knew what the day would bring forth, and each +had united with the others in mystifying Mrs. Hazeley, Flora, and Harry.</p> + +<p>The last named, while much surprised, as was but natural, understood the +situation and the part he was expected to take, as Alec and Lottie +stepped toward him.</p> + +<p>"Very well, Alec. I am glad you have made such a happy choice. Are you +both ready? Please stand here. That is it. So."</p> + +<p>Then, amid the hush that fell upon the little company, Harry's voice was +clearly heard, saying:</p> + +<p>"'What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.'"</p> + +<p>At the close of the short, but very impressive service, Harry offered a +short prayer that the "great All-Father would watch over, guard, and +guide these two lives that had linked themselves together for all time."</p> + +<p>Then came congratulations, and everybody tried to talk at once. Then +came dinner. This was in charge of Mrs. Benson, and it is only necessary +to say that it was one long to be remembered; for she was an excellent +cook.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +In the course of the dinner, Alec was pressed by Flora to tell how he +had become acquainted with Lottie. He quite willingly complied.</p> + +<p>"I first met her on the day I came down to see you off on the cars when +you all left for Brinton; and just as the train was disappearing around +a curve, and I was turning about to go home, a girl came running up all +out of breath.</p> + +<p>"'Oh,' said she, 'has the train gone?' I said, 'Yes; did you want to get +on?'</p> + +<p>"'No,' said she; 'but my friend is on it, and I wanted to say Good-bye.' +'I'm sorry,' said I, 'but who is your friend?' Not that it was any of my +business to know, but somehow or other I felt interested, and she didn't +seem to mind, but said: 'Flora Hazeley.' 'That's my sister,' said I; 'do +you know her?' 'I guess I do,' was the answer. 'It is too bad; but it +can't be helped, I suppose. I'm always late when I should be early, and +early when I should be late.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/gs04.jpg" width="400" height="621" alt="Page 184" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Hazeley Family.<br /> + +<a href="#Page_184">Page 184.</a></span> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +"This sounded so odd that we both laughed, and then she turned and was +out of sight in a very few seconds. I didn't see her again until one day +several years afterward, when I was doing business for myself—taking my +vegetables and things to town to sell, you know. It happened on this +morning I had some fine, fresh vegetables left over from market, and I +wanted to sell them before going home. I went through several streets, +knocking at the doors and asking if the folks would like to buy what I +had. At one of the houses I met Lottie again. She did not recognize me +at first, but amused me very much by the close bargains she drove. +'Well,' said I, 'you are a case.' She looked up at me suddenly, as if +she would like to give me a bit of her mind, and she saw who I was. +Then, of course, she began to ask after you all; and that is the way we +became acquainted. I always went there afterward when I had anything +left over, and, when I saw what a close bargain she could drive, and +what a good housekeeper she made for her aunt, I thought: 'Lottie is the +girl to help a fellow get on in the world.' So, after a while, with the +consent of the good aunt and no objections from our brother Joel here, +to whom we wrote about the matter, and who came on to see us and give us +his blessing, we made the arrangements that you see have been carried +out to-day."</p> + +<p>"How about Lottie's father?" said Flora, slyly.</p> + +<p>"We wrote to him too, and he didn't object, either—that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> that is, he +didn't answer—and silence is consent, you know."</p> + +<p>"Alec," said Harry, gravely, "I am glad, of course, to see you doing +well; but it hurts me to hear you talk so much about getting rich and +saying nothing about higher and better things. What is to become of you +when you are called to lay aside the possessions you are striving so +hard to get?"</p> + +<p>"Now, never you mind Alec, my good preacher brother," interposed Lottie, +looking at him with a complacent smile. "Alec is fond of mystifying +people. He is just as good a Christian as ever a young man was. He and I +both—to set your mind at rest—were converted over a year ago, at a +revival in Bartonville. We mean to try and live right—don't we, Alec?" +And she beamed on everybody, in no way abashed by her frank confession. +It was plain that Lottie would be matter-of-fact and practical to the +end of her days.</p> + +<p>"My dear Alec, give me your hand!" cried Harry. And the two brothers +clasped hands warmly, while Joel nodded approvingly. Flora, who sat next +to Lottie, slipped her arm around her waist and gave her a sisterly +embrace; and Mrs. Hazeley exclaimed, wiping the tears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> away: "If ever a +woman was blessed in her children, I am that one. Truly, God is good."</p> + +<p>"That he is," rejoined Mrs. Benson. "My husband and I can testify to +that." And her eyes rested lovingly upon Ruth and little Jem.</p> + +<p>"Well," put in Mrs. Durand, Lottie's aunt. "<i>You</i> are all rejoicing; but +I am not so sure that I can join you. I lose my housekeeper and the only +companion I have when I lose Lottie. One doesn't mind living alone so +much when one is used to it; but when you have had company for so long, +it comes awkward to go back to the old habits."</p> + +<p>"Remember the old proverb, Aunt Emmeline, 'Never cross the bridge until +you come to it,'" laughed Lottie. Then, turning to Alec, who sat quietly +smiling, she said: "Tell her, Alec, do."</p> + +<p>"Aunt Emmeline, come with me a moment; I have something to show you," +and offering her his arm they left the room. Crossing the wide hall, +they ascended the stairs, and stopping at a closed door, Alec said, as +he pushed it open:</p> + +<p>"This room is for Aunt Emmeline, as long as she will occupy it. We could +not do without her."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +Mrs. Durand's fears were thrown to the wind when she heard this, and saw +the dainty room. Turning to Alec, with her eyes bright with tears, she +said, as she threw her arms around his neck:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alec, I do not deserve this. But it makes me very happy to know you +think enough of me to do this for me."</p> + +<p>As they entered the room, where all was gayety, her face wreathed in +smiles, Mrs. Durand said:</p> + +<p>"Now I can join in the general rejoicing. I have a new home—this +one—with Lottie and Alec."</p> + +<p>Everybody was pleased, and Lottie looked her happiness; for her face was +ever very expressive of her feelings.</p> + +<p>For a long time Jem, who was as quiet and quaint in her ways as ever, +had been occupied in the effort to make peace between Dolby and Pokey, +who were now old and feeble, but very dear to the heart of their +mistress, who had insisted that they must come to the wedding.</p> + +<p>During Alec's story, Flora had caught a look of decided disapproval on +Jem's face, and determining to ascertain the cause, she asked:</p> + +<p>"Jem, dear, does anything trouble you? What do you think of this?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +"Do you mean the wedding?" Jem questioned.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, then,"—and the words came slowly, distinctly, and +decisively,—"I think it was a very disinteresting one."</p> + +<p>"How would you have had things, if you could have had your way?" asked +Flora, much amused at Jem's positive tone.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>I'd</i> have had white satin, and orange blossoms, and lots of +presents, and a great big wedding cake, with a beautiful ornament on +top, and all such, you know." In her earnestness she had forgotten that +Pokey was on her lap, hidden under the table-cloth, for fear her +indulgent grandma would see her and be disgusted, and banish her from +the room. Pokey, feeling that the little hands were no longer pressing +her down and reminding her that she must lie still, quietly dropped to +the floor, and began cautiously to explore.</p> + +<p>"Now, Jem," went on Flora, argumentatively, "suppose we did have all the +fine things you named, how much happier would that make us all?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know anything about that. I only know it would have been +prettier, and more to my taste as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> guest, you see," returned Jem with +dignity, much to the amusement of her listeners.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Jem," said Harry, shaking his head at her, and pretending to be +very serious: "Ah, Jem, you little know how much unhappiness often +follows the orange blossoms and satin."</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about that, either," was the cool rejoinder. "I +only know they are prettier to look at."</p> + +<p>"Everybody to his taste, say I, Jem," remarked Alec, solemnly; which bit +of philosophy was promptly put into practice by Dolby, who evidently +found it to his taste just then to spring upon Pokey while her young +mistress was busy talking, and who received a sharp box on the ear for +his pains. Of course such behavior necessitated the removal of poor +Pokey in disgrace by Jem.</p> + +<p>Before anybody was ready for it, the hour of separation had come. After +a great deal of talking and a good many "good-byes," the Hazeleys were +on the cars, being carried back to Brinton, and the unique reunion was +over.</p> + +<p>"What a queer Christmas party we have been to!" laughed Flora, when they +were again at home. "But I enjoyed it."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +"Yes," answered Harry. "So did I."</p> + +<p>"And I," added his mother, "more than all. Just to think, what wonderful +things God does bring about!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Harry, reverently, "how well the words of Isaiah apply to +us: 'I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make +darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.'"</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + + + + +<div id="tn"> +<p class="center">Transcriber's Note:</p> + +<p class="noi">Punctuation has been standardised. Both "to day" and "to-day" have been +retained as they appear in the original publication, as has "extonished". +On page 132 "let the way direct" has been changed to "<a href="#led">led</a> the way direct".</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hazeley Family, by A. E. 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E. Johnson + +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 Hazeley Family + +Author: A. E. Johnson + +Release Date: January 23, 2011 [EBook #35045] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HAZELEY FAMILY *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 23.] + + + + + THE HAZELEY FAMILY + BY + Mrs. A. E. JOHNSON + + _PHILADELPHIA_ + American Baptist Publication Society + _1420 CHESTNUT STREET_ + + + + + THE HAZELEY FAMILY + + BY + + MRS. A. E. JOHNSON + _Author of Clarence and Corinne_ + + PHILADELPHIA + AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY + 1420 CHESTNUT STREET + + + + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by the + AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY, + In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + CHAPTER I. + THE HAZELEY HOME, 5 + + CHAPTER II. + FLORA AT HOME, 15 + + CHAPTER III. + RUTH RUDD, 26 + + CHAPTER IV. + FLORA'S FIRST SUNDAY, 37 + + CHAPTER V. + THE BEGINNING, 46 + + CHAPTER VI. + SOME RESULTS, 58 + + CHAPTER VII. + A VISIT TO MAJOR JOE, 67 + + CHAPTER VIII. + MORE RESULTS, 79 + + CHAPTER IX. + RUTH'S NEW HOME, 89 + CHAPTER X. + LOTTIE PIPER, 97 + + CHAPTER XI. + CHANGES, 106 + + CHAPTER XII. + LED AWAY, 117 + + CHAPTER XIII. + IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUT AGAIN, 124 + + CHAPTER XIV. + A CHAPTER OF WONDERS, 132 + + CHAPTER XV. + GOING HOME, 142 + + CHAPTER XVI. + LOTTIE'S TRIALS, 151 + + CHAPTER XVII. + MORE SURPRISES, 162 + + CHAPTER XVIII. + A CHRISTMAS INVITATION, 171 + + CHAPTER XIX. + A HOMELY WEDDING, 180 + + + + +THE HAZELEY FAMILY. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE HAZELEY HOME. + + +Sixteen-year-old Flora Hazeley stood by the table in the dingy little +dining room, looking down earnestly and thoughtfully at a shapely, +yellow sweet potato. + +It was only a potato, but the sight of it brought to its owner, not only +a crowd of pleasant memories, but a number of unpleasant anticipations. +Hence, the earnest, thoughtful expression on her young face. + +Flora was the only daughter. She had two brothers, one older and one +younger than herself, Harry and Alec, aged respectively, eighteen and +thirteen. The mother was of an easy-going, careless disposition, and +seemed indifferent to the management of her household. Especially did +she dislike responsibility of any kind. She was well pleased, therefore, +to receive one day a letter from her sister, Mrs. Graham, a childless +widow, offering to take Flora, who was then just five years old, +promising to rear her as if she had been her own daughter. + +Mrs. Graham was well off. In her case this meant that she lived in a +pretty home of her own, with a nice income, not only supporting herself +in comfort, but permitting her to provide a home for her elder sister +for many years, who had entire charge of the housekeeping. This sister, +Mrs. Sarah Martin, was also a widow and childless. The resemblance went +no further, for they differed, not only in manner, but opinions, +thoughts, and character. + +Mrs. Graham, after a great deal of careful thought, had come to the +conclusion to adopt her little niece. In fact she had often thought it +over ever since the child first began to walk, and call her by name. She +was a sensible woman, and it always annoyed her when she would visit her +sister to see the careless way in which the children were being trained. +Seeing this, she had long wished to take and train Flora according to +her own idea of what constituted the education of a girl. + +"It will be so much worse for her than for the boys," she had said one +day to Mrs. Martin. "I do dislike to see such a bright little child +brought up to be good for nothing; and that is just the way in which it +will be, if I do not take charge of her myself." + +The latter clause was intended to draw indirectly from her sister an +opinion of such a proceeding, for Mrs. Martin was by no means partial to +children. However, it was received with the indifferent observation: + +"Esther never did have any interest in children anyhow. She never had +any idea how to take care of herself, much less anybody else," to which +was added a remark to the effect that if her sister Bertha chose to +burden herself with a troublesome child, she was sure she had nothing to +do with the matter, and did not intend to have. + +Mrs. Graham was rather surprised to have her suggestion received so +coolly. She had expected a great deal of trouble in getting Sarah to +consent, even provisionally. She was very glad to meet no more serious +opposition, for, although she had fully decided in her own mind +regarding the matter, yet her peace-loving nature dreaded unpleasant +scenes. She purposely and entirely overlooked the expression of stern +determination in the sharp-featured countenance of her sister, and +forthwith resolved to send for Flora without further loss of time. + +Thus it was that Flora Hazeley changed homes. She was not legally +adopted by her aunt, but was simply taken with the understanding she +would be returned to her parents in case Mrs. Graham should in any way +change her mind, or weary of her charge. This provision was inserted by +Mrs. Martin, who determined, in spite of her seeming indifference, not +to be ignored by her sister, upon whose bounty she considered she had a +primary claim. + +For eleven years Flora lived in the pretty home of her Aunt Bertha. Her +time was filled by various occupations, school, caring for the flowers +in the garden, and dreaming under the old peach tree, which never bore +any peaches, but grew on contentedly in the farthest corner of the yard. + +However, these were by no means the only ways in which Flora spent her +time, for Mrs. Martin, notwithstanding her stern resolve not to have +anything to do with her, had suddenly taken an equally stern +determination to do her share toward "bringing sister Esther's child up +properly." + +This was fortunate for Flora. Aunt Sarah instructed her thoroughly and +carefully in the details of housekeeping, cooking, serving, washing, in +fact, everything she knew herself. How fortunate it was that she learned +how to do these things, Flora realized some time afterward, as Mrs. +Martin had intended she should. While she was learning them, Flora's +progress was due rather more to the awe she felt of her stern aunt than +to the desire to excel. + +Mrs. Martin was ever ready to scold and find fault. Mrs. Graham never +criticised, but always had a bright smile and something pleasant to say. +As a natural consequence, she was dearly loved by her niece. + +Mrs. Hazeley, Flora's mother, delighted to be relieved of her +troublesome little girl, settled down more contentedly than ever, to +enjoy the quiet of her daughter's absence, and became daily more and +more indisposed to exert herself in order to make her home attractive. + +It was usually pretty quiet now, because neither of the boys stayed in +the house a moment longer than necessity demanded. Mr. Hazeley was +employed on the railroad, and consequently was away from home a great +deal. Mrs. Hazeley did little but turn aimlessly about, making herself +believe that she was a very hard-working woman and then imagining +herself much fatigued, found it necessary to rest often and long. She +was at heart a good woman, when that organ could be reached, but +possessed a weak, vacillating disposition, entirely lacking the gentle +firmness of her sister, Mrs. Graham, or the uncompromising energy of +Mrs. Martin. + +Mr. Hazeley had long ceased to complain of his home and its management, +for his words had no further effect than to bring upon himself a storm +of tearful scolding, which drove him out of the house to seek more +genial quarters. He was by nature a peaceable man, and when he found +that neither ease nor peace could be had at home, remained there as +little as possible. In fact, as Mrs. Hazeley's sisters had often said, +"if the whole family did not go to ruin, it would not be Esther's +fault." + +Flora's life at her aunt's pleasant home had been a very happy one, and +the time passed rapidly away. She was nearly through school, and looked +eagerly forward into the future, that to her was so full of brightest +hopes. It was her ambition to be of some use in the world. Just what she +wanted to do, she did not know--she had not yet determined; but that it +was to be something great and good, she was confident, for small things +did not enter into her conception of usefulness. + +Aunt Bertha was her confidante for all her plans, or rather, dreams; she +could do nothing without Aunt Bertha, for had not she the means? Flora +felt sure nothing great could be done without money, that is, nothing +she would care to do. + +But, alas! Her summer sky, so promising and brilliant with hopes and +indefinite plans, was suddenly overcast. Aunt Bertha was taken ill one +day; the doctor said it was prostration, and he feared she might not +rally. Flora was told. Her Aunt Bertha, whom she loved so dearly, and +who loved her so much! Must she die? "I love her far more than my +mother," she whispered to herself. This seemed very disloyal in Flora. +But in truth, she had little cause to love the mother who had been so +eager to relinquish her claim, and who, in all these years, had never +expressed a wish to have her daughter at home. + +During her sister's illness, Aunt Sarah spent her time in constant +attendance upon her. She was cold, stern, and unapproachable as ever, +giving the child little information in regard to the sick one who had +been so kind to her. She was not allowed to enter the sick room during +the first of her aunt's illness, although Mrs. Graham had often asked to +see her niece. + +One day, just before the spirit passed away, the sick woman called her +sister, and said in a weak, trembling voice: + +"Sister, I suppose you know I cannot live long, and that my will is +made." + +Mrs. Martin silently nodded. + +"Well," continued Mrs. Graham, "I have left everything to you--I thought +it would be best." + +Again a silent nod. + +"But, Sarah, I want you to promise one thing; that you will see Flora +has what she needs to carry out her plans. The dear child has so longed +to carry out some of her plans. I want her to have means to make +whatever she may decide upon a success. And one more thing," she +continued, pausing for breath, and looking pleadingly into the face +above her, "I do hope, Sarah, that you will keep Flora here with you. Do +not send her back to her home. I have left all I own in your hands, and +I trust to you, sister, to do what I wish." + +This long expression of her wishes had so taxed the fast-failing +strength of the invalid, that she sank back, exhausted. No answer was +expected, and Mrs. Martin was silent; and silent too, because she had +not the slightest intention of doing as her sister wished. It was truly +heartless; but Mrs. Martin was one of those people who do not present +the harsh side of their nature in all its intensity until the reins of +power are placed in their hands. So long as Mrs. Graham held the +purse-strings, she acquiesced with as much grace as possible in her +sister's plans. Was not the money Mrs. Graham's to do with as she +pleased? It was quite a different thing, however, to feel that now +everything would be in her hands to use as she chose. No matter if the +donor was still looking into her face, her mind was made up that things +should be ordered in the future according to her good pleasure. It was +not at all her wish to burden herself with Esther's child, and forthwith +she decided that back to her home Flora should go. However, she did not +allow these unworthy thoughts to disturb the last moments of her +tender-hearted sister, by giving expression to them. So good Mrs. Graham +passed peacefully away. + +Flora was allowed to see her shortly before she died. The kind voice +whispered words of comfort, telling her that Aunt Sarah would take care +of her. These words fell unnoticed at the time upon the ear of the +sobbing girl, who had been so accustomed to have Aunt Bertha think and +plan for her. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +FLORA AT HOME. + + +Mrs. Graham's life had been a quiet, unobtrusive, but truly Christian +one. She had neglected no opportunity to implant in her young niece a +love and reverence for holy things; and now that she was about to die, +she felt that she had nothing to regret, that she had left no duty +unfulfilled, so far as Flora's training was concerned. It was with a +heart full of peace that she commended her charge to the "One above all +others" and took her leave of earth. + +Flora was almost inconsolable. She had no one to comfort her, for Aunt +Sarah was as distant as ever, being entirely too much occupied with +plans for the future to care about Flora. Her mother came to the +funeral, but neither was overjoyed to see the other after their long +separation. It could scarcely be otherwise. Natural affection had never +been conspicuous in the Hazeley home, and the influence of these years +apart had not helped matters at all. Indeed, they were little more to +each other than strangers. + +After they returned from the cemetery, however, Aunt Sarah informed +Flora she was to return with her mother to her former, and as she deemed +it, rightful home. The feelings with which the girl received this +intelligence were by no means pleasant ones. But there was no use in +crying or fretting about it, for when Aunt Sarah said a thing, she meant +it, and could not be induced to alter her decision, even if Flora had +felt inclined to ask her to do so. This she had no thought of doing, for +she was not at all anxious to make her home with her cold, distant aunt. + +"It is too bad!" she exclaimed, as she thought of all the bright helpful +plans she and Aunt Bertha had made together, and which they had hoped to +be able to carry out. "It is too bad!" she sobbed, as she bent over her +trunk in her pretty little bedroom, the tears falling on the tasteful +dresses, and the many loving tokens that had been given her by the dear +hands now at rest beneath the unfeeling earth in the churchyard. + +Mrs. Martin was surprised that Flora's mother made no objection to +taking her daughter home. The truth was Mrs. Hazeley had been wanting +this very thing for some time. It was not, however, because of any +particularly affectionate or motherly feeling toward her child; but she +had been thinking that Flora, of whose ability she had heard much, would +be a very great help to her in caring for the house. Thus it was that +Flora returned to the home she had left eleven years before. + +Just as the train was preparing to leave the station, Lottie Piper, one +of Flora's friends and admirers, came running to the car, and tossed +something through the open window into Flora's lap, saying hurriedly and +pantingly, as she pressed the hand held out to her: + +"There, Flora, take that. Don't laugh. I raised it all myself, and I +want you to have it; but don't eat it! Keep it to remember me by. +Good-bye," she called, as the train moved off. + +Flora waved her handkerchief out of the window to Lottie, until her arm +was tired. As she looked about the cars her attention was attracted by a +titter from the opposite side. At first she could not understand why the +girl who sat there should look at her and smile. As her neighbor gazed +at her lap, Flora's eyes followed, and there she saw the cause of the +merriment in Lottie's parting gift--a yellow sweet potato. + +At first she felt inclined to be provoked with Lottie for bringing such +a thing and causing her to be laughed at. However, the remembrance of +her parting words, "I raised it all myself; but don't eat it!" made her +smile in spite of herself. This encouraged the girl opposite to slip +over to the seat beside Flora, as Mrs. Hazeley was occupying the one in +front, and the two girls, although entire strangers to each other, +chatted away busily, until the train stopped at one of the stations, +where the girl and her father, who sat farther back, left the car. Soon +after, Flora found herself at home, Bartonville and Brinton being but a +short distance apart. + +This brings us to the opening of our story. + +It was Lottie's potato that lay upon the table, and Flora had been +wondering what to do with it. The memories it awakened were of Brinton +and the many pleasant strolls and romps she had enjoyed with Lottie in +her father's fields, which joined Mrs. Graham's, of Aunt Bertha herself, +and much more. + +"But what am I to do with the potato?" she questioned. "I am not to eat +it. I don't care to, either. Oh! I know, I will plant it in a jar of +water and let it grow. That would please Lottie, I guess." + +She soon found a jar such as she wanted, and after washing it clean and +bright, filled it full of clear water, and carefully placed the potato, +end up, in it, and then looked about for a suitable place for it. + +"That window has a good broad seat," she said to herself; "and it is +sunny, but the glass is so grimy! However, it will do. Better yet, I +will open the window." + +This was more easily said than done, for, although the weather was still +warm--it being September--the window did not appear to have been opened +for some time. + +Flora struggled and pushed, and at length succeeded in opening it, +making noise enough as she did so, to attract the attention of a young +girl who was passing. She stopped, looking up, inquiringly. + +Flora was heated with her exertions and the thought of having attracted +attention, so that before she realized what she was doing, she was +smiling and saying: + +"This old window was very hard to raise, but I was determined to do it." + +"No," said the girl, looking as if she was not quite sure that it was +the right thing to say. + +"What is that in the jar?" she asked, as she came closer, and looked at +the potato curiously, and then at Flora in a friendly way that pleased +her. + +"This," said Flora, patting the vegetable; "it is a potato." + +"But what have you put it in there for?" persisted the girl. + +"To grow, to be sure." + +"Will it grow?" + +"Of course it will," replied Flora, with an important air. "See! water +is in this jar, and soon this potato will sprout, send roots down and +leaves up, and then--and then--it will just keep on growing, you know." +And Flora felt sure that she had put quite an artistic finish to her +description of potato culture. + +"Oh, yes," cried her new acquaintance, with an intelligent light in her +eyes; "I know very well what will happen then." + +"What?" asked Flora, rather dubiously. + +"Why, little sweet potatoes will grow on the roots, of course." + +"I--I don't think they will," said Flora, hesitatingly, not being well +versed on the subject. + +"Yes; but they must--they always do," returned the girl, positively. + +"Well, but there would be no room in the jar for potatoes to grow," said +Flora. + +"That's so." And the girl looked puzzled; then they both laughed, not +knowing what else to do. + +"What is your name?" asked Flora, by way of changing the subject, for +she was a little fearful she might be asked to explain why little sweet +potatoes would not grow in her jar. + +"My name is Ruth Rudd," was the answer. "What is yours?" + +"Flora Hazeley." + +"Is it? Well, I live just back of your house, on the next street. +Good-bye. I guess I will see you some other time." And she hurried away. + +"She is a real nice girl," Flora thought, as she turned away from the +window; "I hope I can see her again." + +She stood for an instant looking about the room. It was nicely +furnished, but it looked neglected and untidy, and Flora, having been so +long accustomed to the attractiveness and order of her aunt's house, +felt home-sick. Her loneliness came over her in a great wave of +feeling, and running through the kitchen, out of the door, went into +the yard, which was a good-sized one, but so filled with rubbish and +piles of boards, scarcely noticed through her tears, that she met with +many a stumble before she reached the farther end. She wanted some quiet +place in which to sit and think, as she used to do under the old peach +tree at Brinton. She was sure she "could think of nothing in that +house," and the best she could do was to seat herself on an old block at +the very back of the yard. She felt she could think better out in the +open air, under the sky, for she was a great lover of nature, and loved +to look at the blue sky. The sun was under a cloud, but the air was warm +and pleasant. + +How different were her thoughts now from what they had been under the +old peach tree! Then she had reveled in rose-colored dreams; now she was +confronted by gray realities. Her thoughts went rapidly over her life +since Aunt Bertha's death. + +She had been here not quite a week, and she found it such a different +place from the home she had so lately left, that she was almost +unwilling to call it "home." But while she considered her present home +not very desirable, she had given no thought to the inmates, whether or +not they had found in _her_ a very desirable addition to the circle. + +She was young, and she soon wearied of her sombre thoughts, which could +avail her nothing, and she glanced at the houses on each side of her +own. There was a marked difference. It was not in the style of the +building, for hers was the most attractive. It was, however, in the +general appearance, and Flora felt she would like to begin at the +topmost shingle and pull her home down to the ground. But the thought +came to her that then she would have no home. She knew there was no room +for her with Aunt Sarah, who was, no doubt, at this very moment enjoying +her absence. + +"No, indeed, I do not want to live with Aunt Sarah," she thought; and +then began to wonder vaguely if she had not better go to work and try to +make her present home a more congenial one. + +The more she thought about it, the better the idea pleased her. Just as +she was endeavoring to decide upon something definite to do, she was +startled by seeing a board in the fence, just behind her, pushed aside. +Before she could move, a round, fat, little face was thrust through the +opening, and a pair of inquisitive brown eyes were fastened upon her. +For a moment they looked, and then the owner squeezed through, and stood +still, eyeing Flora complacently. + +"Well, and who are you? and what do you mean by coming in here that +way?" asked Flora, amused at the odd-looking little creature. + +"I'm Jem," answered the midget, coolly; "and I didn't mean nuffing." + +"Jem? I thought you were a girl," said Flora, looking at the quaint, +short-waisted dress, that reached almost down to the copper toed shoes, +and the funny, little, short white apron, tied just under the fat arms, +which were squeezed into sleeves much too tight for them. + +"So I am a girl," answered Jem, indignantly; "don't you see I've gut a +napron on wif pockets in?" And she thrust her chubby little fingers into +one of them. + +"But you said your name was 'Jem,' and that's a boy's name," persisted +Flora, enjoying her odd companion. + +"'Tain't none," was the sententious reply; "it's short for 'Jemima'; +that's what my really name is." + +"Well, Jemima, what do you want in here?" + +"Nuffing." + +"Nothing? Well, that isn't in here." + +"There ain't anythin' else's I can see," retorted Jem, turning down the +corners of her mouth very far, and looking about disdainfully. + +Flora laughed outright at this, but her visitor's countenance lost none +of its solemnity. + +"You do not seem to admire my yard, Jem." + +"Don't see anythin' to remire," retorted Jem. "You'd just ought to peep +in ours," and she moved over to the fence, and pulling away the board +with a triumphant air, motioned Flora to look. Flora looked, but the +first thing she saw was not the yard, but the young girl with whom she +had been talking not an hour since. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +RUTH RUDD. + + +Ruth, standing by a long wooden bench, in the neat, brick-paved yard, +was engaged in watering some plants that were her especial pride. + +Hearing a noise at the fence, she turned, and recognizing Flora, smiled +and asked: + +"Won't you come in?" + +"Thank you," replied Flora, smiling in return. "I think I will." + +Jem looked on wonderingly as her sister and the visitor, whom she +considered her especial property, chatted. + +She could not understand how they knew each other. At length, as they +took no notice of her, she determined to assert herself; so, going up to +Flora, she demanded: + +"What do you think of _my_ yard?" + +"Oh," said Flora, recollecting for what purpose they had come, "I like +it very much indeed, Jem." + +"It's a pretty good yard, I think," said Jem, with much emphasis on the +pronoun. "Come and look at the flowers, and I'll tell you the names of +them." And she drew Flora nearer the bench. + +"This is a gibonia," she continued, pointing with her fat finger to the +flower named. + +"You mean a 'begonia,' don't you, Jem?" said Flora. + +"Yes," answered Jem, without changing countenance in the least, or +seeming in any way abashed; "and this is a gerangum." + +"A geranium," corrected Flora. "Yes, I see." + +"And this is a chipoonia," pointing to a petunia, "and--Oh, there's +Pokey!" and breaking away in the midst of her explanations, she gave +chase to a fat little gray kitten that just then scampered across the +yard, and into the house. + +"What a cute little girl Jem is," said Flora to Ruth; "is she your +sister?" + +"Yes, that is, she is my half-sister; her mother was not my own mother, +you know." + +"Oh, she is your step-mother," said Flora. + +"She was," corrected Ruth; "but she has been dead ever since Jem was a +little baby. My own mother died when I was quite small," she added, +with an elderly air. + +"Who keeps house for you?" asked Flora, in surprise. + +"I do," replied Ruth. "I keep house for father, and take care of Jem. +She is all the company I have." + +"What a smart girl you are. How old are you, Ruth?" + +"I'm sixteen, but I feel ever so much older. You see, it is a great +responsibility to have everything at home resting upon one," and Ruth +looked very wise. + +"I should think so," said Flora, thoughtfully. "I am sixteen too." + +"Are you? That's nice. We ought to be good friends," returned Ruth, +smiling. + +"Yes, I am sure we shall be," replied Flora, earnestly. "I like you ever +so much, Ruth. I am very lonely here. I know nobody in this place except +my home folks." + +"How strange," said Ruth, in a puzzled way. "Tell me about it." + +Flora was glad to tell her story. + +"You poor child!" exclaimed matronly Ruth, taking her hand between both +her own, and pressing it. "How sorry I am for you." + +"Are you?" said Flora, laughing nervously, for she felt more like +crying. "I was just feeling sorry for you." + +"Sorry for me? Why?" + +"Because you have to live here all alone, or almost alone, and have so +many responsibilities. You must get very lonely." + +"Oh, but my responsibilities keep me so busy I have no time to be +lonely. Besides, I like responsibilities." + +"You do? Perhaps if I had a few I wouldn't be so lonely either; but then +you see I have none." + +"I think you have," returned Ruth, soberly, and added, after a moment's +thought, "I think you have a great many." + +"What are they?" + +"Your mother, and father, and brothers, and your home. You are +responsible for your conduct toward your parents. It is your duty to be +a good daughter. There's your home, it is your duty to make it pleasant +and comfortable. And there are your brothers----" + +"Oh, do stop, Ruth!" cried Flora. "You have told me enough. You talk as +if you were thirty years old instead of sixteen. No, no! I will not +hear any more to-day about responsibilities; I have had enough for one +day," and she playfully placed her hand over Ruth's lips. + +"I wasn't going to say any more about them," said Ruth. "I was only +going to ask you to come into the house, for I must begin to prepare our +supper." + +"No, thank you!" replied Flora; "I must go now; but I should like to +come again soon." + +"Indeed, come as often as you please; the oftener you come the better I +shall like it. Come right through the fence whenever you want to; you +will almost always find me here." + +"Thank you," said Flora. She bade Ruth good-bye, and returned home the +same way she had come, entirely unconscious of the look of disapproval +with which little Jem was regarding her from the window of an upper +room, whither she had retreated with her precious Pokey. + +Jem felt quite slighted. Flora and Ruth had been so much occupied with +each other as to forget entirely her important little self, and she +determined to severely punish "Sister Ruth" for her conduct. She +immediately proceeded to put her determination into execution by +stowing herself and Pokey away in the darkest corner under the bed, and +there she remained in spite of Ruth's coaxing calls. + +Ruth found her there fast asleep, when she went to look for her at +teatime. Ruth was well acquainted with Jem's various modes of punishing +her, and she readily guessed the cause of her little sister's present +displeasure; and likewise knowing her well, she decided to let her alone +until she was ready to come down. At last Jem came down while Ruth was +washing the dishes. She was in perfectly good spirits, for she felt +satisfied that her sister had been sufficiently punished in having been +deprived of her company for so long a time. She sat down quietly and ate +her supper, which had been set aside for her. She did not say anything +about the events of the afternoon and neither did Ruth, who was busy +thinking about Flora. Strangely enough, influenced by some unseen power, +Flora was at the same moment thinking of Ruth. When our young friend +entered her home, she found her father had returned in her absence. Her +mother was hurrying about in an aimless, impatient way, trying to get +supper and at the same time set the table. These two occupations were +not progressing very rapidly in her nervous hands. + +Harry and Alec were both in the dining room; the former sitting by the +window reading, and the latter whittling a bit of wood with his +pocket-knife, and letting the chips fly and settle where they would. It +was not a very inviting picture, but with Ruth's gentle face before her, +and her words "It is your duty to be a good daughter" in her mind, Flora +stoutly determined she would begin immediately and undertake her +responsibilities in the very best way she could. With these thoughts she +quietly said to her mother she would finish setting the table. It was +not much to do, but she felt a great deal better in making this first +effort to be of use in her home. + +"What have I been thinking about not to have been doing this before? It +is an actual treat to be busy," she continued to herself, as she placed +the plates, cups, and saucers on the table. She did not know it, but +both Harry and Alec were watching her whenever they were sure she was +not looking. + +The boys had not paid any attention to their sister since her return +home; in fact, they both thought it a bother to have a girl about the +place. Moreover, Flora had made no effort to prove herself a very +valuable addition to the little family. But this evening, as she moved +back and forth, the neat and tasteful way in which she arranged the +table, was so different from the usual careless manner, that both boys +were favorably impressed. Mrs. Hazeley too, when she hurried in with the +supper, gave a sigh of relief, as she noted that everything was ready. +And the father, although preoccupied with his own thoughts, glanced +about with a pleased look in his eyes. + +Although Flora was not aware of all this, she did not fail to notice +there was a difference from the ordinary meal. The boys refrained from +their usual snappish behavior, the mother was less peevish, and her +father's face wore a look of quiet approval. On the whole, there was +change enough to cause Flora to determine she would follow out the +suggestion of her friend Ruth, and endeavor to make her home what she +desired it to be. + +When supper was over, Harry and Alec took their hats and went out, no +one asking where they were going, or when they would return. + +"How queer," thought Flora, who had volunteered to clear the table and +wash the dishes, "how queer, that neither mother nor father seems to +care where the boys go, or what they do." And realizing the +indifference of her parents, Flora began to feel an interest in the +pursuits of her brothers. + +When Flora retired to rest that night, she felt quite pleased with her +experience of the afternoon and evening, and she intended that this +should be the beginning of a new departure in her life; and she felt +glad that she had found such a friend as Ruth. She arose early the next +morning, and was downstairs before her mother was stirring. It was +Sunday, and the entire family were in the habit of rising later than +usual on that day. + +"What a dingy old place this is, to be sure," said Flora. "I'll make the +fire and straighten things up a little." + +When she had finished she looked about, and shook her head. + +"It doesn't look a bit comfortable, or homelike. No wonder the boys go +out every evening. I do wish I knew where to begin to improve things, +but I don't, and I have no one to ask about it, except Ruth; yes, I will +talk to her about things. Perhaps she can help me." + +When Mrs. Hazeley came downstairs, to her surprise and unbounded delight +she found the fire burning, the kettle boiling, and the table daintily +laid, ready for breakfast. + +"Why, Flora! I did not know you were up," she said, looking around, +well-pleased with the generally improved condition of the room. + +"I do believe your aunt has made quite a housekeeper of you," she +continued, a moment later, as she inwardly congratulated herself upon +the circumstance which had sent her daughter home. + +Flora flushed at this unexpected, and for her mother, somewhat unusual +word of commendation, but made no reply, for the simple reason that she +did not know what to say. In spite of this feeling of pleasure that her +effort was appreciated, she could not help wishing herself back in her +aunt's home,--not as it now stood, with Aunt Sarah at its head, but as +it had been under Aunt Bertha's gentle control. The more she thought of +it, the more intense became the longing to be there in the old, happy, +care-free life at Brinton. But there was nothing to be gained by +wishing: Aunt Bertha was dead; Aunt Sarah was there, and there to stay; +and she was at home, and here to stay; so there was nothing to do but to +make the best of things, and get as much comfort out of life as she +could. Then she thought of Ruth's life, and her brave effort to make a +home for her father and Jem, and inwardly Flora determined to emulate +her example. How well she succeeded the future will show. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +FLORA'S FIRST SUNDAY. + + +Breakfast over, and the dishes cleared away, Flora looked about, +wondering what else there was for her to do. Her father was reading a +paper, and the boys had gone away. She went to the window where Lottie's +potato stood in its jar. The sight of it carried her thoughts back so +vividly to the old days, that she half resolved to look at it no more. + +She felt dull and spiritless to-day; it was no wonder, for there was +little to make her feel otherwise. At Aunt Bertha's, every one had been +accustomed to attend church, and Flora remained to Sunday-school. She +had been converted and received into the church about a year before her +aunt's death. Her sudden sorrow, her hasty trip from Brinton, and her +unfamiliar surroundings in her new home, caused her to feel as if she +had been removed to a heathen land. + +None of the Hazeley household attended church, and Flora knew of no +place to which she could go, for all was so new and strange to her, and +being somewhat timid, she would not go alone. + +Still standing at the window, and looking drearily out on the quiet +street, she saw Ruth and little Jem passing, on their way to church. +When they saw Flora they stopped, and she, glad to see a friendly face, +hastened to open the door. + +"Would you not like to come with us to church, this morning?" asked +Ruth. + +"Indeed I should," replied Flora. "I was just wondering what I was going +to do with myself to day. Wait a minute; I will be ready in a very short +time." + +As good as her word, she was soon ready. "I am so glad that you stopped +for me, Ruth," said she, as they walked along. "I know nothing about the +churches here, and no one goes from our house." + +"That is too bad," returned Ruth, sympathizingly. + +Flora was indeed glad that she had come when, as they ascended the +church steps, she heard the deep tones of the organ pealing out a +welcome to all who entered. As they walked up the aisle, it seemed as if +the sweet notes of the music twined around them, as though enfolding +them in a loving embrace. A feeling of quiet content filled the heart +of the young girl, and for a time the realities were forgotten in the +soothing sense of rest that stole over her. Nor did she attempt to +arouse herself until the opening services were ended, and the minister +arose to announce his text. + +In clear, distinct tones he read: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do +it with thy might." Twice he slowly read the words, until Flora thought +he surely must have pressed them right into her brain, for she felt that +they were indelibly imprinted on her memory. Whether the sermon was +intended especially for young people, or not, she did not know, but she +felt that it was peculiarly adapted to herself. I have no doubt that the +older folks felt the same with regard to themselves. It was one of those +texts and sermons that suit everybody. + +"I wonder how many of my hearers can say truthfully that they have done +with their might 'whatsoever' their hands found to do," said the +minister, looking, as Flora thought, directly at her. + +She dropped her eyes uneasily to the floor, and mentally admitted, "I, +for one, have not, unless it was to grumble and fret with all my might. +I have done that, but nothing else, at least since I came home." + +"I am sure you cannot say that your hand has found nothing to do. You +can perhaps say that your hand has not found what you wished it to do; +but that is not what the words of the text teach. It says '_whatsoever_ +thy hand finds to do.' Then too, it is to be done 'with thy might'; not +half-heartedly." + +"Oh," commented Flora to herself, "why _should_ he talk so straight at +me? If he is not describing Flora Hazeley, I am mistaken." + +"Did you ever notice," the minister continued, "that when you did a +thing heartily, even though it was not the most agreeable occupation to +you, it became more easy and pleasant to you?" + +Flora thought of the little help she had voluntarily given her mother +the previous evening, and again inwardly agreed with the speaker. The +minister said a great many things that morning, some of which had never +entered Flora's mind, and they made her very thoughtful; so thoughtful +that she paid but little attention to the strains of the organ that +accompanied her out of the church. She remembered he had spoken of many +kinds of work the hands might find to do, and which were to be done +faithfully and heartily. Perhaps it would be church work; perhaps +professional work; perhaps mechanical work; and perhaps house-work and +home-work. The last two, he thought, ought to go together, as neither +could do very well without the other, although each differed in +character. "House-work," he said, "as all knew, was sweeping, dusting, +cooking, and the other duties connected with caring for the house; but +home-work was the making and keeping a home; helping those in it to be +contented and happy; brightening and making it cheery by both word and +deed; shedding a healthful and inspiring influence, so that those around +us may be the better for our presence." + +"According to that, we _all_ have a 'whatsoever,'" said Flora, +emphatically to herself; "and the sooner I decide to start on my own +part, the better it will be for me." + +With her mind busy with many things, Flora was very quiet on her way +home. The sermon to which they had listened was plain and practical. It +was not brilliant, but it was helpful. The ideas were not necessarily +new, but the words fell upon at least one heart already prepared and +softened by circumstances to receive and profit by them. To Flora they +were seed, falling upon the prepared ground of her heart, and in due +time the fruit came forth. Most of the suggestions were new to her, for +never before had she viewed them in this particular light. + +Ruth respected her friend's silence, for she saw that she was busy with +her thoughts, and guessing something of what they were, she was also +quiet. Jem was unaffected by the silence of her elders. She walked along +at Ruth's side, with her hand closely holding her sister's. Her happy +life caused her every now and then to lapse from her dignified walk, and +give a little jump and a skip. A continual volley of questions was +thrown at Ruth, whose replies were not always as obvious as occasion +demanded. + +Jem's quick retort, "No, it isn't, Ruth," brought her to a realization +of her abstractedness, and she resolved to be more attentive. + +They left Flora at her door, Ruth asking if she had enjoyed the service, +and added: + +"Will you not come to Sunday-school with us this afternoon?" + +"I did enjoy the sermon very much," Flora replied, "and I shall be +pleased to go to Sunday-school. If you will call for me, Ruth, I will be +ready when you come." + +A number of things grew out of Flora's experience on this Sunday. Its +influence stayed with her, and had no small part in shaping her future +life. She soon became an earnest worker to make the world better for her +living in it; striving patiently and faithfully to render her daily life +a power for good to those around her. How she succeeded our story will +tell. Last, but not least, a strong affection sprang up between Ruth and +herself, which proved a blessing to both. + +Ruth taught a class in the Sunday-school, and persuaded Flora to consent +to take one also, if the necessity arose. She introduced her to the +superintendent, who welcomed her cordially to the little band of +Christian toilers. + +"One class is in need of a teacher," he said; "will you not take it? It +is composed of girls from ten to twelve years of age." + +"Oh, I should not dare to undertake a class of girls so old!" exclaimed +Flora. "I am too young myself. Give me little girls, such as Ruth has." + +"But," said Mr. Gardiner, "there is no such class in need of a teacher. +Besides, it is not the age that has to do with your success as a +teacher; it is the earnestness, perseverance, patience, and true piety +which you bring to the work that will bring forth the results you +desire." + +"I am so inexperienced," murmured Flora. + +"Neither has that anything to do with the matter," contended the +gentleman, smiling. "Experience will come, all in good time," he added. + +"Well," said Flora, "I will do my best." + +"That is right," answered Mr. Gardiner, heartily. He felt sure that the +young girl before him would succeed, for energy, conscientiousness, and +determination could be read plainly in her bearing, and these, he knew, +were characteristics of a successful teacher. He was glad, therefore, he +had persuaded her. + +Ruth, also, was pleased, for now her friend would be also a co-worker. + +Flora felt sad when she thought that her family were the only ones of +those who knew her who were entirely indifferent as to what she did or +where she went. + +"Only think, Ruth," she said to her friend, "it doesn't matter to them, +whether I go wrong or right. What encouragement is there for a girl in +my place to try to do right?" + +"It does seem hard, dear," the gentle friend replied; "but then you will +shine out all the brighter in the end for doing right in the face of +discouragements; and God cares, you know." + +They were at the gate, and bidding Ruth good-bye, Flora slowly went up +the path to the house, her brain very active with new thoughts and +purposes. + +"Yes, God will help me, if I ask him," said Flora, softly, as she went +to her room, and after doffing her hat and jacket, she knelt beside her +bed, and asked the dear Lord to bless and strengthen her in her new +surroundings, and let her life tell for him. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE BEGINNING. + + +Monday morning was cloudy. Flora felt gloomy and dispirited, and +notwithstanding her good resolutions, not in a mood to make any extra +exertion. + +Mr. Hazeley had gone to his work, Harry and Alec to school, and the +mother was in bed with a sick headache. Flora was lonely. There was much +to be done, she realized, but just where to begin she did not know. +There was no one to tell her what to do, and everything looked very dark +to her on this Monday morning. + +The dishes were nicely washed, and carefully put away. The little dining +room had been swept and dusted, and looked somewhat more inviting. The +window where the sweet potato, the last link binding her with the past +at Brinton, stood, had been washed until the glass fairly shone, and now +she stood gazing listlessly out into the street. + +Presently she saw Ruth, on her way home from market. When in front of +the house, Ruth looked up, and saw Flora's woe-begone face at the +window. She stopped, and gave her a smiling little nod. Flora's +countenance brightened immediately, and she hastened to meet her. + +"You look lonely, this morning," was Ruth's greeting. + +"Indeed, I feel so," admitted Flora. + +"If you are not busy come home with me for a while." + +"I should like nothing better," cried Flora. "Just wait until I tell +mother." + +In a moment she was back, and the two walked on, Flora insisting on +helping Ruth with her market-basket. + +Jem met them at the door of the tiny house, and conducted them in with +great dignity. Flora was delighted with everything. + +"What a dear little house," she exclaimed, glancing about her +admiringly. + +"I am glad you like it," said Ruth, looking pleased. + +"And what a dear, little, old-fashioned housekeeper you make!" + +"Do you really think so?" + +"Of course I do," said Flora, heartily. "Ruth, dear," she continued, +abruptly changing the subject, "I want a talk with you." + +"I shall be so glad to have you," said Ruth, seating herself, with a +pan of apples in her lap. "Sit down beside me, and you can talk while I +pare these apples." + +"I will help," replied Flora. "Run, Jem dear, and get another knife for +me, like a good girl." + +Jem obeyed, and soon returning, brought with her a box filled with bits +of calicoes, and various odds and ends, seated herself also, and +proceeded to fashion what she was pleased to call "doll's clothes." + +"Ruth," began Flora, after they were all settled and busy, "I like you +ever so much, and I hope we always will be friends. You seem to know so +much, and you have had so much experience, that I am sure you can help +me a great deal, if you will." + +"Of course, dear," was her gentle reply, "I would be glad to help you +all I can, and I shall be as pleased as possible for us to be friends. +As to my knowing much, you are mistaken; I know but very little of +anything; and experience,--well, I have had some, I suppose; but then, +it isn't the sort that would help you, I am afraid. However, I shall be +glad to do anything I can for you." + +"I am sure you can help me, Ruth. You have helped me already," said +Flora, decidedly. "And I mean to do as you suggested, and try to make my +home just what I would like to have it. I don't know how to begin +exactly; and then, mother never seems to care how things go, and that +makes me feel as if I did not care either." + +"I don't like to hear you talk about your mother so, Flora dear," said +Roth, in a troubled tone. + +"How are you to help me, if I don't tell you just what I think and +feel?" + +"Perhaps, if you were to let your mother see and know that you wanted to +help her, and make things bright, and talk with her----" + +"Talk!" interrupted Flora; "I don't believe she would do it, even if I +were to try." + +"Oh, but _have_ you tried yet?" asked Ruth, looking up archly. "You +cannot tell until you do." + +"Very well," said Flora, laughing, "I guess I shall try. But there is +another thing," and the troubled look returned to her face. "It is about +the boys, my brothers. They stay at home scarcely ever. I don't know +where they go so often, and I am sure mother does not, and I don't +believe she cares--you need not look grave again, Ruth--I don't. Harry +and Alec seem to be good boys, and it is a pity they are not restrained. +They may get into bad company--if they are not in it already--and do +something dreadful, and bring disgrace on us all. What can I do about +that?" + +"It would take a wiser head than mine to tell you that," Ruth answered; +"but you might try and see if you could not make it so pleasant at home +they would not care to be away so much." + +"It seems pretty plain to me that that is easier to say than to do," +retorted Flora, just a little impatiently. + +"Yes, I know," assented Ruth, meekly; "I don't pretend to be a Solomon; +I only said you might try." + +"I don't believe they would stay for me," contended Flora, stubbornly. + +"That is another thing you have never tried yet," said Ruth, smiling +mischievously. + +"That is so," laughed Flora, as she took two or three curly parings, and +put them on Ruth's hair, to show penitence for her contrariety. "I guess +I had better not talk any more, until I have tried to do something. I +don't know how to begin my reformatory measures, but I suppose all will +be well if I start with 'whatsoever.'" + +By this time the apples were finished, and she rose to go. + +"You haven't remired my doll's things," said Jem, reproachfully. + +"So I have not," said Flora, and she sat down beside the little +seamstress, and began to "remire" the various articles held up for +inspection. She was compelled to see through Jem's eyes, however, for +the shapes of the garments were not so striking or familiar as to +suggest their names. + +When at length she reluctantly took her leave, Ruth invited her to come +soon again, to which she laughingly replied she certainly should. After +this, matters went on more pleasantly at Flora's home. She busied +herself with making the house look as cosy and as attractive as the +shabby furniture and worn carpet would admit. She succeeded beyond her +own expectations. She was gratified also that her brothers seemed to +enjoy the improved condition of affairs, and so did her father when he +was at home. Lottie's potato was now adding its mite to the general +reform, and was sprouting nicely, sending its delicate white roots +downward into the clear water, and its closely folded leaflets upward, +to grow green in the warm sunlight. It seemed to be quite at home in the +bright window. Flora had ceased to dream when she looked at her quaint +friend. The days now, were too full to build air-castles. Mrs. Hazeley +was pleased to shift her responsibility to Flora, who enjoyed nothing +better than to have all her time occupied. Often, when tangles would +come, Flora would run over to the ever-sympathetic Ruth, and receive +advice from her. Thus, in being busy, Flora became more content, and +often, as she thought of Aunt Sarah, she knew she would not be found +fretting. + +She had not yet attempted to influence the boys by word, but they soon +noticed the new air of homeliness pervading the rooms, and consequently +did not go out so much as had been their custom. Alec, the younger boy, +was very mercurial and mischievous, while Harry, the elder, was quiet, +and fond of reading. + +One evening Harry seemed to be more than usually inclined to be +sociable, and gave his mother and sister an animated account of +something that had happened "down town," that day. When he finished he +took up his book, and was just preparing to read, when Flora, eyeing the +volume distrustfully, asked: + +"What are you reading, Harry?" + +Harry looked up at her quizzically, and answered her question by +another. + +"Why? What is it to you, anyway?" + +"Nothing," said Flora, rather disconcerted. She was unaccustomed to +boys, and had but little tact in dealing with them. + +"I thought so," replied Harry, coolly, returning to his book. + +"Will you not tell me what you are reading?" again asked Flora, not +willing to be so easily vanquished. + +"Why do you want to know?" demanded Harry, looking at her suspiciously. + +Flora's lips again framed "nothing," but no sound came, for like a flash +she thought, "If I say that, he will say, 'I thought so,' as he did +before. No, I will give a reason," so she said: + +"You seemed to be so interested in it, I thought it must be very +entertaining." + +"So it is," replied Harry, throwing a mischievous glance over to the +corner at Alec, where he sat thoroughly engrossed in his favorite +pastime of whittling, and in serene thoughtlessness allowing the +clippings to fall according to their own sweet will. + +Harry was confident that Flora intended to "read him a lecture upon +trashy literature," as he afterward privately told Alec. He replied: + +"It is interesting, Flo, about murders, and bears, cut-throats and +burglars, and other horrors that would make you nervous to read about." + +"I am not made nervous so easily as you may think, my dear boy," +retorted Flora, condescendingly, and at the same time glancing +cautiously at Harry, to see what effect this would have. + +She had determined to try and gain an influence over her brothers, and +felt that to show an interest in their occupations would be a good +beginning. She realized the task she thus imposed on herself, but she +meant to do her best, for this was another "whatsoever." + +Harry was for a moment too much surprised to speak. Then he said, +saucily: + +"Ah, indeed! Well, let me read some to you." + +"I shall be glad for you to read to me, if you will read a story I have +just started. I feel sure you will enjoy it. If yours is a book for boys +only, I fear I could not appreciate it." + +"Oh, you couldn't?" said Harry. "Why not, may I ask?" + +But Flora was up and away ere the sentence was completed. Harry +congratulated himself on having put her to flight, and returned to his +book with a self-satisfied smile. Flora, however, had only gone to her +room for a paper. Hurrying back, she spread it before astonished Harry, +and, pointing to its columns, said, in a peculiarly persuasive manner: + +"Now, Hal, I would be ever so glad if you would read that story aloud to +us, while I crochet, and Alec whittles on the floor." + +Alec looked confused, and began to pick up some of the litter he had +made. + +"Never mind, Alec," said Flora, laughing, "I will clear it up this time. +Could you not put a newspaper under you to catch the cuttings, another +time?" + +"All right," said Alec, looking relieved. + +"We are all ready, Harry," said Flora, sitting down and taking up her +work. + +"Humph!" said Harry, glancing carelessly down the page. "There's nothing +in such a story. I don't want to read it. It is too flat." + +"You are mistaken," replied Flora, spiritedly. "It's not a bit flat, and +there is something in it. It is about a brave boy who saved a train." + +"Oh, yes, I know," said Harry, skeptically, "and was not hurt." + +"Yes, but he did get hurt. Why not read it, and see?" suggested Flora. + +"Yes, read it, Hal," said Alec; "let's see what it is, anyway." + +"All right," and Harry began to read with a comical nasal twang, very +rasping to Flora's feelings, but she had the wisdom to say nothing. She +was very glad, later, because Harry gradually dropped the false tone, +and she could see by his manner that he had become interested, in spite +of himself. Alec too, had ceased whittling, and was listening intently. + +Forgetting to criticise, Harry read the entire story, which, in truth, +was a pathetic little incident, very gracefully and entertainingly told. +He was silent, as he laid the paper on the table, but his thoughts were +busy. + +"I was right, was I not, Harry?" asked Flora. + +"Yes," drawled Harry, smilingly, "you were. I did enjoy it, and I am +glad you asked me to read it. But, let me see," he added, turning to the +clock, "what time is it? Well," and he laughed, "I was good. It is +nearly ten. Guess I will retire; I was going out, but it is too late." + +Flora was secretly rejoiced to hear this, but she simply said, +"Good-night." She felt a glow of satisfaction as she realized a +beginning had been made toward gaining the hold upon her brothers she so +much desired. + +"Flora, will you lend me that paper?" asked Alec, as she was preparing +to go to her room. Flora willingly placed the paper in his hand, +remarking, as she did so, + +"I am glad you like the story. I have others, if you want them. Aunt +Bertha kept me well supplied." + +"Good night," returned Alec, and he was gone. + +Flora was more nearly content than she had been for some time, as she +sank into peaceful slumber that night. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +SOME RESULTS. + + +"I believe I am going to realize some of the dreams I used to have, +after all," Flora said to herself, as she laid her head upon her pillow +that night. + +She was right. The first step had been taken by her in the path of +becoming an earnest worker, and to influence those about her as she had +planned she would like to do, although not in such a way as this, nor in +such surroundings. Her cherished dream of being instrumental in leading +others into a higher and better life was now, she began to realize, +leading her into the lines of duty in her own home, and among her own +people. She could not wish for more. + +She would not be like so many others, who in their desire to do great +things, neglect the opportunities near at hand, and who, in longing to +lead the heathen to a higher plane of life, forget those at home, who +possibly for want of a word or act, have slipped, stumbled, and fallen +on life's pathway. + +Flora was growing, and with an earnest prayer to the Christ for +guidance, strength, and tact, she cheerfully assumed more duties in the +home, and greater responsibility. Her bright, sunny disposition, her +pleasant face, her extreme willingness to respond to requests, gradually +won a place for her in the hearts of those in her home. + +The class in Sunday-school was assumed with a feeling of great +apprehension. It was composed of five girls between the ages of ten and +twelve. At first sight of their youthful teacher, these girls had been +inclined to be displeased, but when they grew to know the sunny, sweet +good-nature, born of the great desire to do them good, and which shone +out of the earnest eyes, they loved her dearly. The teaching of this +class was fraught with great good, both to the teacher and scholars, and +this meeting with the eager, bright girls was soon eagerly looked +forward to by Flora from week to week. + +"How things have improved at Mr. Hazeley's!" soon grew to be a common +remark among the neighbors. + +"Yes, since Flora came home, it has become very different from what it +formerly was," would be the spirit, if not the words of the reply. + +Flora overheard a similar remark one day, and it gave her a feeling of +great joy to know the change was becoming apparent. Her resolution was +strengthened to sustain this newly made reputation. + +It must not be supposed that she always had an easy time. This was not +so, for as she often said to Ruth, "When mother and Harry are not in a +good humor, things do become tangled." + +However, to do the family justice, they were beginning to see and to +more fully appreciate the changes made in their home since Flora, who +had left them a small maiden, had returned with her thoughtful ways and +mature manner. They forgot sometimes that she was but sixteen, and would +fancy she was older than she really was. In fact, almost imperceptibly, +she assumed all responsibility, and they deferred to her judgment in +many things. Best of all, however, they began to love her. + +Her younger brother Alec seemed to have entirely surrendered to her +gentle, loving rule, and was ever willing to listen to her advice. He +was always ready to help her by running errands, chopping wood, drawing +water, and performing a dozen other little tasks quite new to him, for +he had never aided his mother in any way. In fact she had never asked +her boys to assist her, or to save her extra steps or work, forgetting +it ought to be required from them. + +Mrs. Hazeley also had changed under the magic wand of Flora's sunny +influence and determination to win the love of all. She had become at +least a willing agent to the general change taking place in her home, +and which recommended itself to her because her responsibilities were +lightened and carried by other shoulders. + +The house itself was transformed. Even cynical little Jem was becoming +satisfied with it. It still contained the same furniture, but there was +an air of comfort and home life about it never there before, but +introduced by the magic of Flora's presence. + +Lottie's sweet potato added its share to the general improvement which +was going on. The long thread-like roots looked very white in the jar of +water in which they were growing, and the graceful tendrils and +light-green leaves were quite refreshing to the eyes. Flora had trained +the vine about the window on small cords, and already it had nearly +covered the lower part with its delicate branches. Flora would have felt +lonely without it to care for; especially after being accustomed to have +plants in profusion around her at her old home. Then too, it carried +her back to the happy days at Aunt Bertha's, bringing a feeling of joy +that she had been permitted to live there so long, and to be trained in +such a gentle, firm, loving manner. Frequently she mentally contrasted +her care-free life there, and her life of responsibility now, and she +determined, with the help that is from above, she would not sink to her +surroundings, but would elevate them to her level. Bravely, patiently, +hopefully did she go forward with this end in view. + +She was really surprised to find how fond she had grown of her brothers, +and they of her. She could think of her mother very differently now, and +she in turn began to show signs of an awakening affection for her +daughter. + +As to Ruth, she was ever the same, a quiet little home body, whose hands +were always too full to allow her to come to Flora, but whose demure +little face never failed to smile a welcome to her friend, and whose +wise brain could turn over Flora's tangles and straighten them. + +The two girls loved each other dearly; and no safer, truer friend and +guide could Flora have found than Ruth Rudd, who, although no older than +she herself, was very mature in thought, manner, and speech. Her face +however, was childlike and innocent, reflecting the pure soul within. +Flora was fortunate indeed in having her for a friend and confidante. + +Harry Hazeley was a manly fellow with fine qualities. He had been +allowed to do as he pleased, and had not been greatly benefited by this +freedom. No restraining hand or guiding voice had been held out to him, +or to cheer him on his way. Not being evil minded, he had taken but few +wrong steps, and now his attention had been attracted to higher and +better things. + +As I have said, Harry had good qualities; one of which was a kind +disposition, and although it was not always apparent to his every-day +associates, was brought into play whenever he met any one who seemed in +need of assistance. + +One morning, as he was walking through the market on his way to school, +his attention was attracted by an old man. One of his feet was swathed +in bandages, and he was hobbling painfully back and forth, from his +wagon to the stall, where he was trying to arrange a quantity of +vegetables and some flowering plants which formed his stock in trade. + +Harry had a quarter of an hour to spare, and he immediately offered to +help the old man, who was only too glad to accept the proffered +assistance, and who introduced himself, between the journeys from stall +to wagon, as "Major Joe Benson, a gardener on a small scale." + +Major Joe was an old ex-soldier, who had been wounded, and later +imprisoned. The title "Major" was only a nominal one, and not indicative +of any rank. His name, as he informed Harry, was Joseph Major Benson, +Major being his mother's maiden name. He preferred to transpose this and +call himself Major Joseph Benson, shortened for convenience to "Major +Joe." + +"It sounded sort of big, you know," he said, drawing himself up and +looking dignified, until reminded by a sharp twinge in his foot that +"rheumatiz" and dignity did not agree. + +Major Joe was very talkative, and would not cease his persuasions until +Harry had promised to drive out to his home with him some day, and see +his nice little farm and Mrs. Benson, and he added: + +"She will be delighted to see you, because you possess such a kind +heart, and because you helped me. You must come." + +"Yes, I will," returned Harry, "but I must be off to school now. +Good-bye." And away he went, mentally pronouncing the major "a jolly old +chap." + +The visit was made, and strange though it seemed, a fast friendship +sprang up between the two, and the visits became quite frequent. Harry +had taken Alec with him several times, and he too had greatly enjoyed +the trip. Major Joe could tell any number of quaint tales and +reminiscences of interest to the brothers. Mrs. Benson, who was more +active than her husband, was always desirous for Harry and Alec to +remain to tea. Her heart had been reached by the kindness of Harry to +her "Major," as she lovingly called him, and she could not do enough for +them. + +Harry had passed his old friend's stall a number of times since Flora's +return, and had of course told him about his sister. The major had a +strong desire to see this wonderful girl, as he deemed her to be, from +the glowing descriptions that came to him. Finally he insisted, and Mrs. +Benson sent in a kind invitation that the three, Harry, Flora, and Alec +must come home with him to spend the afternoon and take tea. + +He chose a beautiful day in early summer for the visit, and Flora was +anticipating it with no small degree of pleasure, for it would be the +first real holiday she had had since coming home. The thought that the +boys cared enough about her to plan a trip for her was a very pleasant +one. Her mother seemed as much pleased with the idea as the rest, and +had insisted upon her going, so Flora felt warranted in thoroughly +enjoying her new experience. Mrs. Hazeley was daily becoming more +energetic, and seemed really arousing to the fact that she had a place +to fill in her home. + +Major Joe was to call for his three young friends on his way home from +market. He had promised to be on hand by noon, and as punctuality was an +economizer of time, in the old gentleman's opinion, it was barely twelve +o'clock when he drew up with a great attempt at flourishing before the +Hazeleys' door. + +[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 67.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +A VISIT TO MAJOR JOE. + + +Quite an effort was necessary in order to arrange the board for an extra +seat for Flora and Alec. At length it was made ready, and Flora was +helped in, and Alec followed, while Harry took his place beside the +major, who commented as follows: + +"So this is your sister, Harry? Well, well, she's a sister to be proud +of; and I haven't a doubt but you are proud of her. Here, you Jacob, git +up, will you?" and he shook the reins vigorously over his horse's back. +"You never do come to a standstill but what you think it's meant for you +to go to sleep." + +Jacob, roused from his intended doze, lazily shook his fat sides, and +slowly moved along. It was a lovely June day, and the little party had a +very pleasant ride of about an hour and a half, Jacob not being inclined +to hurry. + +Major Joe was conversationally inclined, and nothing pleased him more +than to hear the sound of his own voice. He chatted continually: now +about the orchards they passed, and their probable yield of fruit; now +about the styles of the houses, as they came into view, and interspersed +these remarks with reminiscences of the time when he was in the army. + +The ride seemed quite a short one to Flora, who had enjoyed it +thoroughly. + +Mrs. Benson stood at the gate, watching for them; and in her white +kerchief and neat cap, looked good-natured and comfortable. A saucy +little spaniel sat in the middle of the road, watching too; and he was +the first to catch sight of the wagon. He gave notice of the same by a +sharp bark, and springing to his feet, doubled himself together, and +bounded away, raising a cloud of dust in his haste to reach and greet +his master. How happy he was when he reached the carriage! He sprang up +at old Jacob, who paid no attention to such a small animal, but merely +turned away his head with an air of supreme indifference. + +"Jump, Dolby, jump!" said Major Joe. After several ineffectual trials, +and two or three hard falls into the dusty road, Dolby landed beside his +owner, who had made room for him, and gave himself a vigorous shake, +which sent the dust he had gathered in his long hair, over Flora's +clothes and into her face, causing her to choke, and a moment later to +laugh. Dolby concluded this was in recognition of himself, and turning +around, eyed Flora quizzically, and gave a satisfied little friendly +bark. + +The garden and nursery belonging to Major Joe were not large, but they +were very fruitful, enabling him to realize considerable from the sale +of his flowers and vegetables. He did not carry on his trade in a +scientific manner, but merely for his love of the beautiful and useful +things of the vegetable kingdom, and because to be inactive was for him +to be unhappy. His receipts from the sale of the products of his land, +together with his pension, enabled himself and Mrs. Benson to live very +comfortably in their own snug little cottage, and, in addition, to lay +aside something for a rainy day. + +"Well, mother, here we are," said Major Joe, throwing the reins over +Jacob's back. + +"So I see," answered Mrs. Benson, nodding smilingly to the entire party. +"Just come right in," she added, as Alec sprang out on one side of the +wagon, and Harry helped Flora from the other. + +The young people followed their hostess through the gate, and up the +box-bordered walk into the cosy little cottage. Flora was soon seated +in a low rocking-chair by the window, whose broad sill was filled with +potted plants. + +There Harry and Alec left her in good Mrs. Benson's care, while they +went for a walk over the place. + +Flora soon discovered that her hostess was as sociable as the major, and +but a short time passed before they were chatting like old friends. + +By-and-by, Alec thrust his merry face in at the door, and said: + +"Come out here, Flora; the major wants you to see his garden." + +"Yes, dear, go, if you are perfectly rested," said Mrs. Benson. "I will +stay here, and see about preparing our early tea." + +Flora joined her brother out of doors, and found Major Joe and Harry +waiting. + +"Come and see my little green-house," said the old man, waving his hand, +and looking at them from over his spectacles with an important air. +Flora complied quite willingly, for she was very fond of flowers, and +immediately won the major's good opinion with her enthusiasm over his +pet plants, and the interest with which she listened while he enlarged +upon his management of them. The care of his garden was a tax upon his +time, and really constituted quite a little labor. Then, outside, it was +so pleasant to walk up and down among the neat flower-beds, in the +small, but nicely kept orchard; and in the kitchen garden, for the major +prided himself on his choice vegetables, some of which frequently took +prizes at the county fair. + +The major himself was in his glory, for he had someone to whom he could +talk. Talking was an occupation of which he never wearied, and now he +chatted about the various departments of his labors, and how pleasant it +was to watch the growth and development of the plants. + +His tongue was still going very fast, when Mrs. Benson appeared in the +doorway, and called to them that tea was ready. Reluctantly the old +gardener relinquished his young listeners, who were, however, quite +willing to vary the program, for they were hungry. The sight of the +pleasant room, neat tea-table, and their genial, motherly hostess, was a +very inviting one. In a lull of the conversation, during the progress of +the meal, Mrs. Benson remarked, with a sad little smile, that Flora +reminded her of her Ruth. + +"So she does," exclaimed her husband. "I knew she made me think of +somebody, but couldn't make it clear who it was." + +"Is Ruth your daughter?" asked Flora. + +"She is, or leastways she was," said Mrs. Benson, heaving a sigh, and +adding, in a low voice, "She's dead now." + +"I am very sorry," said Flora, with ready sympathy. + +"Yes, our Ruth was a fine girl, but a little headstrong. We did all we +could to make her happy and contented at home, but it seemed as if we +did not succeed, and so, one day she ran off to marry a man we couldn't +care for, because we were sure he wouldn't treat our girl kind--not that +there was anything against him, but he was so cold and unfeeling. But +she wouldn't listen to us, and went off, and we never saw her again." + +"How sad!" said Flora; "but couldn't you go to see her?" + +Mrs. Benson shook her head. "No; he said we were not to have anything to +do with Ruthie, after he married her, and they moved away somewhere, we +never knew where, until we heard in a roundabout way that she was dead." +Here Mrs. Benson paused to wipe away a tear. "I had hoped she would at +least have stayed near home, and been a comfort to us in our old age; +but, I suppose it's all right, and for the best. But excuse me for +telling you so soon of our great sorrow. I should not have done it. Have +you ever heard," she continued--and soon all were laughing heartily at +her quaint sayings. + +Flora, however, could not send from her thoughts this sad story. When +the pleasant visit was drawing to an end, and they all were bidding Mrs. +Benson good-bye, promising to come again, it still lingered with her. As +old Jacob was soberly and deliberately trotting homeward, she revolved +it over and over in her mind. Somehow it fastened itself upon her in a +way she did not understand, and not until she was home, and had retired +to her room for the night, did she arrive at even a partial solution of +the perplexing problem. Then it dawned upon her with surprising +clearness, that it certainly was because of the similarity of names in +Mrs. Benson's daughter and her friend and adviser, Ruth Rudd. + +This was very slight ground on which even to build an air-castle, but +Flora did not stop to consider that, but in the midst of her dreaming +resolved to go the next day, and rehearse to Ruth the story she had +heard from Mrs. Benson. + +Accordingly, next morning, after the work was done, and her mother was +seated with her sewing, Flora donned her hat, and went to see her +friend, expecting to find her busy as usual. She was, therefore, very +much surprised to be met at the door, even before she had knocked, by +Ruth herself, whose gentle face wore a troubled, anxious look, and she +spoke in a low tone, as she responded to Flora's query: + +"What is it, Ruthie?" + +"Father is very sick." + +"Oh, I am so sorry! What is the matter? When was he taken ill? Was it +suddenly?" + +"Yes and no," said Ruth, answering simply the last question put by +Flora. "He was compelled to stop work yesterday, and come home. He has +been in poor health for a long time. I have been afraid, for quite a +while, that he would break down." + +"The doctor does not think he will die, does he?" whispered Flora, in an +awed tone. + +"Yes, he does," said Ruth, as she wiped her eyes with the corner of her +apron. + +The two girls, with their arms entwined, and a deep tenderness in their +voices, then went into the little kitchen, where Jem sat, holding her +beloved kitten close to her for comfort. + +"Yes, the doctor says that he cannot last long. But what bothers me is, +there seems to be something on his mind, and I can see he is worried." + +"What about? Do you know?" asked Flora, sympathizingly. + +"Well, I can guess," Ruth answered, taking from a work-basket a stocking +of Jem's, and beginning to darn it in an abstracted, mechanical way. + +"You see," she continued, "father married my mother--my own mother, I +mean--against her parents' wishes--she was young--and he never would be +reconciled to them, because they had objected to him. Neither would he +allow them to have anything to do with each other afterward. He was very +stern, and it all made mother so unhappy it just broke her heart, I am +sure. She died when I was very small. He has told me, since Jem's mamma +died, he wished he had tried to pacify my grandparents. But he had moved +far away from them, and now, if he should die, he has nobody with whom +to leave Jem and me. But he was always so proud; and now we shall be all +alone," and she gave a sorrowful little sigh. + +"See here, Ruth," exclaimed Flora, a sudden thought flashing across her +mind. "What was your mother's name?" + +"Ruth, it was the same as mine," was the reply. + +"Yes, but what was her last name?" + +"Benson, I think." + +"Well, then, I think I know your grandparents," cried Flora. + +"You do? How? Where?" returned Ruth, in a puzzled, disjointed way. + +"Wasn't, or isn't, your grandfather named Joseph Benson?" asked Flora. + +"Yes, Joseph Major Benson; but how did you know?" + +"Oh, I found out," was the answer. "And they live just a little way out +in the country." + +"But, how do you know all that?" persisted Ruth, incredulously. + +"Because I was there yesterday." + +"Oh, Flora, are you sure? Don't raise my hopes and then disappoint me." + +"My dear, you will not be disappointed; I should not like to do that," +said Flora, gravely; "but let me tell you, and you can see for +yourself." And then she told the story Mrs. Benson had told her, ending +with, "So, you see, there can be no mistake." + +Ruth was delighted, and thanked her friend again and again. + +"Just see how God works," she said. "Who can tell what he will bring +about. How glad I am! I must not tell father anything about it just yet. +We must manage to send word to grandfather, and have him here before we +tell. It would not do to excite father unnecessarily; he is so very +weak." + +"That is so, Ruthie," said Flora; "you are wise, as usual, in thinking +of that. I should have done quite differently. I should have rushed +right in at once and told him." + +"Not if you had been in my place," was the gentle answer. "You see, I +have been accustomed to think about such things ever since Jem's mother +died, as father never took much interest in the management of our +household affairs." + +After some more talk, it was arranged that Flora should go and bring +Major Joe to see his son-in-law in the morning, and then the friends +parted, Flora to hurry home and enlist her brothers' aid in her new +project; and Ruth to return to the bedside of her father, with the +pleasant hope of not only easing his mind, but the feeling that should +he die, she would not be left entirely alone in the world; a possibility +which she had dreaded more because of her little sister, than on her own +account. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +MORE RESULTS. + + +When Flora entered the house she found her brothers there before her, +and both very quiet. It had grown to be such a pleasant thing to find +their cheery sister at home when they came in, that they had almost +unconsciously commenced to look forward to seeing her, and hearing her +merry voice. They hastened home from school, and felt, but never +expressed, disappointment when she was not there. + +Flora, while not yet so wise and thoughtful as her friend Ruth, was +daily learning lessons of usefulness, and continually using and +developing new powers heretofore latent, and with her natural tact +refrained from commenting upon many changes easily observed, going on in +the habits of her brothers. And now she simply smiled at Harry, and +pinched Alec's ear playfully, as she passed him. + +Then she went to her room to remove her hat, and hastened back to help +her mother with the dinner. While putting the dishes on the table she +imparted her news to Harry and Alec, between her trips from table to +pantry. They were both well pleased to have the prospect of being able +to brighten the lives of Major Joe and Mrs. Benson. They considered +Flora very bright to come to the conclusion she did. + +"I forgot all about that story soon after I heard it," said Alec, +conscious stricken. "Didn't you, Hal?" + +"I am afraid I did," laughed his brother. "But what else was there for +me to do? I knew no way in which I might help, as Flora did." + +"That's so," rejoined Alec, in a relieved tone, willing to share in his +brother's self-absolution. + +"Of course neither of you could have done anything, for you did not know +Ruth. But tell me, what will be best to do?" asked Flora, pausing with a +dish she was carrying to the table. + +"I know," said Harry. "To-morrow is Saturday and market day also, and we +all can go and see Major Joe in his stall, and tell him what we have +heard, and what we think. If he is interested, one of us can stay at his +stall while he goes and sees Ruth." + +"How glad he will be; and how glad I am," said Flora. "It would be +dreadful for Ruth and poor little Jem to be left with no one to take +care of them." + +Thus the question was decided. + +The next morning Major Joe was surprised by a visit from all three of +his young friends, and none the less delighted to see them, however, +because they came unexpectedly, and he gave them a hearty welcome. It +was understood beforehand that Flora was to be the one to open the +subject, and explain matters. She did not tell everything at once, as +Alec thought she ought to do, but approached the object of their visit +in a delicate way. + +"Major Joe; guess what brought us here to-day." + +"I'm sure I can't say," answered the old man, rubbing his rough hands +together, with a beaming smile. "Maybe to see your old friend?" + +"To be sure; we're always glad to do that," replied Flora, as she placed +the little bunches of parsley and thyme in more perfect order. "We have +come for something else. Something very important," she added, seeing +that Major Joe had no curiosity as to the nature of their errand with +him. + +"What would you say if I told you we had found somebody who belongs to +you?" + +"To me?" queried the puzzled man. "I don't see how you could do that." + +"Yes, but I have," said Flora. "I am sure of it." + +The old major shook his head doubtingly. + +"And I want you to come with me and see if what I said is not true," +persisted Flora, coaxingly. + +"But how can I?" questioned Major Joe in reply. "I cannot leave my +stall--who would wait on my customers?" + +"Why not let me take charge until you return," asked Harry, speaking for +the first time. + +"And I can help," added Alec. + +"Now you see it's all fixed," said Flora. + +"Surely you're not afraid to trust us, are you?" asked Harry, as he saw +his old friend still undecided. + +"No, no; it's not that, my boy; only----" + +"Only nothing," interrupted Flora, laughingly. "You must come, so say no +more about it." And she caught his arm and led him away, an unwilling +and unbelieving captive. + +Ruth opened the door in answer to Flora's gentle tap. The latter could +no longer restrain her impatience. + +"Now, Major Joe," she exclaimed, softly, for fear of disturbing the +sick man, "whom does this little sobersides remind you of?" + +At first the old man looked from one to the other in a bewildered +manner. Then his eyes rested on Ruth's face long and attentively. The +tears gathered, and he involuntarily held out his hand, and said, +softly, "Ruthie." + +Scarcely realizing what she was doing, Ruth, probably drawn by the +tender, loving tone that touched her heart, put her own in it. + +"Who is she? What does it all mean?" asked the major, looking helplessly +at Flora. + +"It means," answered Flora, softly, "that this is truly Ruthie. Not your +own Ruth, but her daughter and namesake--your grand-daughter Ruth." + +"Is that so? Are you sure? Don't say so if you ain't," pleaded the old +man. And then the thought flashed across Flora's mind that perhaps after +all she was mistaken, and had only brought her old friend there to be +disappointed. + +"Ruth dear," she said, dropping into a chair, weakened by the very +thought, "tell him--tell him all about yourself; your mother's name, and +everything. Do, please, quick!" + +Ruth told the history of her dead mother's life, as she had heard it +from her own lips. + +Eagerly Major Joe listened, and when she was through, he held out his +arms to her, saying: + +"You are my poor Ruth's daughter," and the tears prevented him from +adding more. Ruth and Flora wiped their eyes in sympathy: Ruth rejoicing +in the possession of a grandfather; Flora, that provision was thus made +for Ruth. + +This tearful trio was interrupted a moment later by the entrance of Jem, +carrying her doll under one arm, and her beloved Pokey under the other. + +"Why, Ruth Rudd, I'm extonished at you, hugging a old market man!" and +Jem looked at her sister with unbounded disapproval. + +"Hush Jem, you must not talk so," said Ruth. "This is our grandfather." + +"Not mine," returned matter-of-fact Jem, standing still in the middle of +the room, and looking suspiciously at the visitor. "Not mine. I never +had any, and don't want one." + +"Who is this?" asked Major Joe, looking at the defiant little figure +dubiously. + +"She is my half-sister," answered Ruth. + +"Well, well," said her grandfather, "she ain't Ruth's child, so I've no +call to take her when I take you, Ruth. Her father can send her to his +own people." + +"Then, grandfather, I cannot go with you," said Ruth, sadly, but firmly. +"I will never leave Jem." + +"Ruth, you're not going to leave me, are you?" cried the little girl. + +"No, indeed, dear, I shall not leave you. It was not very nice for you +to speak of grandpa as you did just now. You should always be polite to +an old person. Remember this, Jem." + +"I don't care," said Jem, defiantly. "He's horrid. He wants to take you +away, and you're all I've got 'cept father, and--and he's going to die," +she sobbed, hiding her face in Ruth's arms. + +"Don't cry, Jem. I will not leave my little sister. What could I do +without you?" + +"No, no, little one, Ruth's grandfather won't part you, if you're so +fond of each other." And the major came over and patted the sobbing +child's head, soothingly. His was too tender a heart to withstand the +sight of a child in distress, so it was soon settled that he was to be +Jem's grandfather also, which arrangement was accepted by the little +girl as readily as she had rejected the idea a moment before. + +Then the major, his heart made very tender by memories of the past, was +ready to visit the invalid. + +John Rudd had always been a quiet man, but willful and determined to +succeed in whatever he undertook. He was not bad at heart, and when a +wrong act was committed it was invariably caused by obstinacy. He +usually quickly repented of his course, and made all reparation in his +power. + +Knowing that Mr. and Mrs. Benson did not like him as well as he had +hoped, he determined to marry Ruth, and to prohibit all intercourse with +her family. In everything else he was thoroughly honorable, but he +tenaciously held to this point. Ruth Benson, loving him devotedly, and +believing all he said or did was infallible, implicitly obeyed this +strange request without a question, and neither did she hear of or from +her parents. + +That the unnecessary sacrifice did not add to her happiness, was proven +by the fact that she lost her free, light-hearted ways, and became quiet +and melancholy, after a year or two of married life. Her husband was +proud--too proud to admit that he had made a mistake, until it was too +late for such an admission to do any good, and so after a few years she +died, leaving behind her little namesake, Ruth. She seemed to have +transmitted to the child in a large measure her own disposition, for +Ruth was always a grave, silent, little thing, entirely unlike other +children, and quite old for her years. + +It was nice too, she possessed such a sweet disposition and even temper, +for when her father brought home a new mother for the little Ruth, many +changes were made in the home, and great would have been the discord but +for Ruth's peaceful characteristics. Shortly after his second marriage, +John Rudd moved to Bartonville, whether for business openings, or to be +near the early home of Ruth's mother, no one ever knew. + +Ruth knew the story of her mother's married life, of the home of her +girlhood, and of the kind parents, but she did not know where the home +was. + +Whatever the reason for his coming, it was well for Ruth and Jem, for as +I have said, provision was now made for them both at Major Joe's farm. + +Ruth's life thus far, since the cares of the home were put upon her at +the death of Jem's mother, had been an uneventful one. She had no +companion but her little sister, who so filled her brain, and heart, and +time, that she had no opportunity to grow lonesome. Personally, Ruth +would have felt happier if her father had allowed the love, she doubted +not he held for her, to find expression in a word of praise, a tender +kiss, or appreciation of her efforts. But her father never thought of +this longing of his daughter: he was so self-contained himself, and +unemotionally inclined, that he could not have understood this craving, +even had he known of its existence, which it is needless to say, he did +not. + +It was rather hard for so young a girl to persevere in her home-making +with such a singleness of purpose as Ruth displayed, to give up her +beloved studies without a sigh of regret, and to strive to train her +younger sister, knowing she would receive no word of approbation from +her father. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +RUTH'S NEW HOME. + + +Flora was very glad to know that at last her tender-hearted, patient +Ruth had found some one to love her as well as to require of her duties. +Love is a lightener of labor, and Flora felt that, in this respect at +least, she was more fortunate than her friend. She felt sure, moreover, +she was fast gaining the affection of her brothers and of her mother, +who was gradually awaking to love for Flora and the desire to make the +home attractive. She had something to work for. But Ruth--she had no one +to whom to look for love, except Jem, as it was impossible to think of +their quiet, undemonstrative father ever expressing any of his love for +his daughters. One could only judge from his manner, for he never said +much, and that was the same as when she first knew them. + +John Rudd apparently took it as a matter of course that Major Benson +came to see him as he lay ill, and expressed neither pleasure nor +displeasure when he stated that should he not recover Ruth and Jem +would be well cared for. He accepted, without feeling, the heartily +expressed forgiveness from the major, thinking that perhaps it was due +in some degree to the presence of two faces standing near by with +earnest, pleading looks at the newly found grandfather, who, deprived of +his daughter, would fill the vacancy in his heart with Ruth and Jem. + +It was very difficult for Major Joe, with his tender heart, to leave his +grandchildren. At last, however, he did, promising to return in the +afternoon with Mrs. Benson, who would be overjoyed to see them, +especially Ruth, who was so like her mother at her age. + +As they returned to the market, Major Joe was prolific in his +expressions of gratitude to Flora for her part in bringing about this +delightful re-union, for had this not been done, Ruth and Jem would have +suffered, and would have been left without parents or home. + +Harry and Alec were well pleased with their new position, and because +trade had been very flourishing during their period of power. Major Joe +heartily thanked them all for their kind help to him this morning. Flora +then returned home, but Harry and Alec remained to do anything else +possible for Major Joe, as he wished to go home at once, and must pack +his wares. + +It is neither necessary to recount in detail all that pertained to the +last hours of John Rudd, nor how attentive Grandfather Joe was to his +newly found grandchildren; nor how overjoyed Mrs. Benson was when she +first saw them. It will be enough to say that all that could be done +toward rendering the dying man's last moments peaceful was done. Toward +the last he roused, and in a simple, but earnest way, expressed himself +content to die. He said that, although he had not spoken of the matter +for fear of distressing the children, he had known for some time that it +was to be so, and that long ago he had made his peace with God. He +regretted his past careless life, both as to his duty to his Maker and +to the children intrusted to him; "but," he continued, "God is good, and +ever willing to forgive, and to accept a truly contrite spirit, and my +trust is stayed on him." He expressed himself as very grateful to him +for his goodness in providing for his children. He blessed them all with +his last breath and passed peacefully away. + +When the last sad rites had been performed, Ruth's grandparents +immediately began preparations to take her and Jem home. + +The modest furniture of her home was entirely removed, although it +somewhat crowded the cottage, but Ruth could not now part with these +mementos of her former life, which had been her mother's. + +At last, everything was ready, the little house was given up, and Ruth +was spending a few moments with Flora, who, although instrumental in +finding a new home for Ruth and Jem, was full of sorrow at the prospect +of her loss in the parting with her friend. + +"Don't look so sad, Flora dear," said Ruth. "Think what a blessing it is +that poor little Jem and I have not been left altogether alone in the +world. Had God not led you to find our dear grandparents, how very +wretched we should be now. Besides, you know, we are not to be so far +away; we can see each other often." + +"That is true," returned Flora, brightening up; "I am glad of that; but +it will be so lonely not to have you near me. Besides, I don't know any +other girl as intimately as I do you." + +"Oh, you will," said Ruth. "I am sure you will meet and become +acquainted with some one as you did me. I hope, if you do, you may be +permitted to do them as much good as you have done me." + +"And me too, Ruth," said an unexpected voice behind them. + +Both turned, and saw Mrs. Hazeley standing in the doorway with a smile +upon her lips and tears in her eyes. + +"I used to be very unhappy, as you both know, and it was because I +expected life to form itself for me--either for pleasure or unhappiness. +Then Flora came," and she went over to her daughter and placed an arm +about her, and looked lovingly in her eyes; "I watched her closely, +and I soon discovered that she had determined to make this house a +home, and a delightful one. No untoward circumstances seemed to +discourage, but she was ever cheery and sprightly. We have gained +by her home-coming--how much I cannot tell. She seems to have the +mere power of will to mold circumstances as she chooses----" + +"Not my will, mother," softly interrupted Flora, her face suffused with +happy smiles; "it is God's will." + +"Yes, yes, my dear," said Mrs. Hazeley, "I believe it. I want his will +to mold my life too. A godless life is a wretched life, my children." + +Harry and Alec had entered during the conversation, and were standing +listening in amazement to what they heard from their mother. + +"And the boys too," continued Mrs. Hazeley; "I am sure they have been +helped by their sister's example." + +"I know I have!" exclaimed Alec. Harry's only reply was to remark that +the major was at the door waiting for Ruth. Then he turned and went out. + +Flora felt a strange mixture of feelings at that moment. She was glad to +know she had helped Ruth; unutterably grateful for her mother's words; +and hurt at the seeming indifference of her brother. It was not her way, +however, to dwell on what she could not prevent, so she only determined +to strive harder than before to penetrate the armor of cold indifference +worn by Harry of late. + +As Harry left, they all went to the gate to wave a good-bye to Ruth. In +the wagon was Jem, perched on a seat beside her grandfather, to whom she +had clung with all the strength of her loving little heart. Immediately +after the funeral she had gone home with him, taking "Pokey," and +leaving Ruth in peace to pack. This was really a comfort to Ruth, as +Jem's presence would not have been of any great assistance. + +Soon everything was settled, and with many injunctions to come soon, the +party drove off, little Jem holding the reins with a steady hand, and a +determination to drive all the way home. + +A new life thus opened for the orphans, Ruth and Jem--a life of freedom +from care, of joyous liberty to run at will in the garden of their +grandfather, who delighted in the company of Jem, and who returned his +affection in full measure. The life at the cottage was blessed by the +loving guardianship of the grandmother, who saw in Ruth her own daughter +of long ago. + +Under this beneficent influence Ruth lost some of her seriousness, +becoming more like other girls, and grew rosy and stout. + +The life at the farm had so absorbed Jem's mind and time that, for the +time being, "Pokey" was forgotten, much to the latter's satisfaction, +for now she could lie in the sun and sleep in peace without fear of +being unceremoniously awakened by her erratic little mistress. + +Flora watched the wagon containing Ruth and Jem until it was out of +sight, and then went into the house. Alec and Harry had gone away. Mrs. +Hazeley was sewing, and Flora, having no especial duty, and caring for +none, went over and stood at the window, listlessly gazing into space. +Her eyes soon dropped, and her attention was attracted by the yellow +leaves on the sweet-potato vine. Flora felt as if all to which she had +clung was leaving her in her loneliness. She looked closer. The potato +was still firm and hard, and the jar was quite packed with roots, but +the leaves on the vine were dying. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +LOTTIE PIPER. + + +Flora had stood for some little time, mechanically caressing the vine, +when she was surprised to hear near at hand, in a voice strangely +familiar, the words: + +"Well, I declare!" + +Looking up quickly, but scarcely crediting her own eyes, she exclaimed: + +"Lottie Piper!" + +"Flora Hazeley!" returned the voice, and in a moment the friends were +locked in each other's arms. + +"Where did you come from? What are you doing here?" asked Flora, +eagerly, in her desire to account for Lottie's presence in the village. + +"Only one question at a time, if you please," laughingly returned +Lottie. "Can you not guess?" she added, glancing at her gown, and for +the first time Flora noticed it was black. + +The quick tears sprang to Flora's eyes. + +"Oh, Lottie, who is it? Not your mother?" she said, sympathetically, +her arm tightening in its grasp, and her thoughts running back to her +sorrow when Aunt Bertha passed away. + +"Yes," returned Lottie, sadly, "mother is dead. Father felt that he +could not be happy at home, and so he went away out West, and left me +with my aunt, Mrs. Emmeline Durand. And Flora, if you want to know what +misery is, just you come and take my place for a while." And she looked +at Flora with such a mingled expression of regret at her lot, and +assumed resignation, that Flora was tempted to laugh, in spite of her +sorrow in learning of the death of Mrs. Piper. + +"If you want to laugh, you may," said Lottie, seeing her difficulty, and +appreciating it, as was shown by the merry twinkle in her bright black +eyes. + +"No, no, I must not laugh," said Flora, squeezing her friend's arm +affectionately. "I'm so sorry that your mother is dead. Where does your +aunt live? I will come and see you." + +"No, you--I mean you--can't--that is, she won't let you," stammered +Lottie, blushing hotly. + +"Yes, I understand. It is all right. It is not your fault," said Flora, +hastily, appreciating the situation; and wishing to relieve the +embarrassment of the other, she added, "You can come and see me." + +"I don't know," answered Lottie, glad to find that Flora understood. "I +hardly think she would let me come. I have not asked her to go anywhere, +as yet. I have been with her about five weeks, and this is the first +time I have been out, except on an errand. She says she doesn't approve +of girls 'gadding the streets.' I must go now. I have stayed longer than +I ought to already, for I had a long walk before I saw you. Flora," she +added, an instant later, as she glanced at the window, "isn't that a +potato in that jar?" + +"Yes," answered Flora, "it is the same one you gave me when I was +leaving Brinton." + +"Really? The very same?" + +"Yes. You know you told me not to eat it, and I didn't know what to do +with it at first. Then I thought it would look very nice if I put it in +the window; I did, and it has grown splendidly and has kept green all +winter." + +"I am so glad you thought of that, Flora, because that was what I first +noticed as I passed. And I thought it looked like a sweet-potato vine. +And then, you know," Lottie continued, "if you hadn't I should not have +stopped or seen you ever, because I did not know where you were going +when you came away. But what will my aunt say? I guess I'll not get +anything for supper but a bit of tongue, and I don't fancy that, I can +tell you. Good-bye." And with a hurried kiss, and a warm embrace, Lottie +hurried down the street. + +She was sorry to go, as it was so good to meet somebody she +knew--somebody connected with the old, happy home-life, for while +Lottie's mother lived, she had been very happy. But now she was so +lonely. + +She hurried along the streets until she came to one near the suburbs of +the town. This street had trees on either side, and was very quiet. The +houses were small and nearly all set back from the street. + +Lottie walked along briskly, turning deftly in and out, and at length +arrived safe and sound at the little gate leading into her aunt's yard. +This gate opened upon a small space, which doubtless had been intended +by the builder of the house to be beautified with flowers; but Mrs. +Durand's front yard was closely paved with red brick. Not a flower, or a +vine, or a bush broke the monotony, which, however, was not wearisome, +as the yard was small. + +A high board fence enclosed the little yard on each side. Close to the +gate stood a large, old poplar, strangely drawn toward the quiet narrow +street, as if weary of the unattractiveness of the house. + +Lottie was nervous; she dreaded the reception she felt sure awaited her. +The only thing that occurred to her to do was to knock, and she did so. + +Receiving no response, she knocked again and waited. There was still no +response, and thinking she had not been heard, she knocked again and +again. + +At length, just as she had decided that her aunt must be out, a calm +voice from behind the door said in deliberate tones: + +"If you will take the trouble to turn the knob, the door might open." + +This idea had not occurred to Lottie, and the knowledge that the door +was not locked somewhat confused her. However, she opened the door, and +went in. + +"There is a mat in front of the door," suggested the voice in the same +slow, measured tones. + +After wiping off the infinitesimal amount of dust from her shoes, Lottie +timidly ventured into the room. + +"Go to your room, if you will, and lay aside your wraps," came the +voice, in an authoritative way. + +Without speaking, Lottie obeyed. She felt as she slowly climbed the +stairs that she had become a veritable automaton, without volition or +energy, and compelled to do certain things. This grated on the sensitive +nature of the girl, to whom, in the happy days that had passed, freedom +to live in and enjoy the open air was everything. And now--and Lottie +inwardly groaned at the thought--her actions were directed by one who +seemed to forget her own girlhood, or that she had ever enjoyed the +bright blue sky, the green fields, the merry, twittering birds, or the +companionship of those who were of her own age. + +Lottie had often wondered in her own mind if her aunt had ever been +young, and if she had enjoyed her youth. There was no one to whom she +could go for an answer. Had there been, Lottie would have been surprised +to learn that she had been full of bright, merry fun, and had enjoyed +life as she had at home. + +"At home," Lottie thought, and paused, thinking of her mother, of the +comforts and freedom of home, and then she looked in the glass to see if +she was not old, for those happy days _did_ seem so far away. + +Mrs. Durand had met with many disappointments and a great deal of +trouble in her life, of which Lottie knew nothing, and which had +embittered her disposition, making her crabbed and disagreeable. As she +now was, Lottie supposed she had ever been. + +For some moments Lottie had looked in the glass, musingly. Now, as her +thoughts returned to herself and her surroundings, she saw a dreary, +woe-begone face looking at her from the quaint, cracked, old-fashioned +mirror on her bureau. It was so doleful and forlorn, that Lottie nearly +cried in sympathy with the miseries of the face before her. In a moment, +realizing that it was her own reflection she saw, and enjoying her +mistake, she laughed heartily, whereat the face in the mirror smiled +pleasantly in return. + +"Humph!" said the voice downstairs. + +"Oh dear!" exclaimed Lottie softly; "I have made her think that I don't +care about staying out so long." And she slowly turned from the bureau +and her mirth-provoking _vis a vis_, and leaving her room, slowly +descended the stairs to her aunt. + +The room in which her aunt sat was furnished very plainly. Some +cane-bottomed chairs, a black horse-hair sofa, a small wooden stand, +adorned with a red cloth on which was the family Bible; two or three +pictures upon the dingy walls, a pair of tall lamps with a bit of red +flannel in the bottom, graced the mantelpiece. A dull ingrain carpet, +and some home-made mats covered the floor. These, with a cloth-covered +brick used to keep the door open, completed the furnishing of Mrs. +Durand's parlor. + +Mrs. Durand herself was a small, thin, wiry woman. Her features could +hardly be called attractive; her lips were thin and tightly shut; her +eyes were colorless, and she wore three stiff, little curls on each side +of her face. She wore a dark gown, over which was a black apron, and on +her head was a black lace cap. She was busily engaged in making another +mat to adorn the floor, from long, bright-colored strips of cloth. + +For some time she continued her work in silence. Lottie would have +spoken had she had anything to say. + +Presently, to Lottie's great surprise and relief, her aunt remarked: + +"You may as well set the table, as you are here." + +Lottie was glad to have something to do, as she was so much happier when +employed. + +"She hasn't scolded me yet, but it will come, that's certain," she said +to herself, as she placed the dishes on the little round table in the +back room which answered for both kitchen and dining room. + +While at supper, Mrs. Durand questioned her niece about her walk, and +Lottie told her, not forgetting the chance meeting with her friend, +Flora Hazeley. + +After supper, as was her duty, Lottie washed and put away the dishes, +without further conversation with her aunt. That done, she took up a +book and began to read. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +CHANGES. + + +Time passed on, and with it as usual came changes. The summer was gone +and it was November, and the weather was cold and dreary. + +Lottie's life was much the same from day to day; there was little +variety to make the life of the young girl pleasant. True, she did not +have a hard time, nor was she overworked, nor did she ever go hungry; +but the atmosphere of the house was always chill and drear, and Mrs. +Durand was as unsociable and unsympathetic as ever. + +It was perhaps true, that Lottie was somewhat prone to slightly +exaggerate her unhappiness, and to dwell upon it until it seemed almost +unendurable. + +One morning, as she was dressing, she heard her aunt call, and upon +going to her room, discovered that she was suffering from an attack of +acute rheumatism. Then, indeed, Lottie was sure her misery was at such a +height, that it could go no further. + +As may be supposed, the sharp pain she endured did not render Mrs. +Durand a more pleasant companion, and Lottie found that while it had +been difficult to please her before it seemed utterly impossible to do +so now. + +Lottie did her best, with a determination pleasant to witness, and with +the knowledge that it was her duty to care for her aunt under such +painful conditions. + +Lottie was lonely; she seemed to be entirely cut off from everybody she +knew and cared for. She seldom heard from her father, and never from her +brother, who had left his home when she was quite a little girl. She +sometimes wondered if he was dead. She was industrious, and soon learned +to keep house for her aunt very acceptably. She was not hard to please +and was of a loving, sociable disposition. If her aunt had only made an +effort to be agreeable and interested in her, Lottie would have been +perfectly content. + +If the months had brought but little change to Lottie, they had wrought +a number of very important ones in the life of our friend Flora. + +First, the news had reached them one day that the husband and father was +killed in a railroad accident. This, of itself, completely +revolutionized affairs at the Hazeleys'. And then, just as they were +trying to become a little accustomed to the sad change in the household, +Harry disappointed them. + +This was indeed a great blow, for Harry was, in a large measure, their +main dependence. He was now about twenty years old and had been steadily +at work for some time, and seemed on a good road to a successful +business career. At first, he gave his earnings to his mother, only +reserving enough to clothe himself neatly and comfortably, for he felt +anxious to supply, as far as he could, her loss in the death of his +father. This money, added to what Mrs. Hazeley and Flora made by doing +plain sewing, and what Alec could earn out of school hours by keeping +his eyes open, and his willingness to be of assistance to any one, was a +great help toward keeping things going. For, although the little home +was their own, of course there were the extra incidental expenses. + +Mrs. Hazeley and Flora soon grew to depend on Harry, far more than they +realized, until taught by his increasing fondness for remaining from +home in the evening, and not unfrequently, all night. Great, indeed, +was their sorrow when they learned how these evenings were spent--in the +gambling house and the saloon. Had it not been for their hope in the +Christ and his saving power, they would not have seen the faintest +brightness in this cloud, which was a great burden to each, a sorrow +about which they hardly dared speak. + +Flora spoke earnestly and lovingly to her brother several times about +the way he was conducting himself, but, as we have seen, he was not one +to take this kindly, and knowing this, Flora felt she could do nothing +but pray for her erring brother, who was so young, and yet so willful. + +She never lost hope, nor did her firm belief that his better, nobler +nature would prevail, weaken through those long, dark, hard days. + +Mrs. Hazeley and Flora were compelled to devote all their attention to +their work, as Harry could no longer be trusted to aid them financially; +and, despite their brave, uncomplaining efforts, it was ofttimes +difficult to make both ends meet. + +Aunt Sarah had not visited them for some time, in fact, not since Flora +came home, nor did they hear from her; and though knowing she might help +them in their need, they could not bring themselves to inform her of +their condition. + +At length, one night they watched and waited for Harry to come home. + +He did not come that night, nor the next, nor the one following; nor +could they hear anything of him, except that he had not been around for +days. + +Where had he gone and what would he do? These were questions that Flora +asked herself with a sick heart. + +Mrs. Hazeley, with her naturally weak disposition, would have given way +to despair under this new trouble and drifted back into the same +condition in which we first found her, had it not been for her newly +found trust and hope in her Heavenly Father, and the inspiring example +of her courageous, self-reliant daughter. Flora seemed to grow stronger +and more dignified under the added trials, and her mother, now a true +Christian, was to her a great help and comfort; in fact, the two were +all in all to each other, and the home that had at one time appeared to +Flora most miserable, was now a haven of rest; and the mother from whom +she had once turned away coldly, was now warmly loved and loving. +Truly, there was sweetness mixed with her cup of bitterness. + +Major Joe Benson, who had kept up his acquaintance with his young +friends whom he greatly admired, and who by this time was considered +quite a friend of the family, offered to take Alec to live with him. +There was a very good school, he said, at no great distance from his +home, and he would be glad to have the boy's help on his little place, +especially now that Zeke was getting on in years, and had gotten above +doing the many odd jobs he had performed when a boy, which state, while +it was not many years distant, sufficed to make Zeke act, as Major Joe +said, "very mannish." + +No sooner was the proposition mentioned in Alec's hearing, than he was +all enthusiasm, for nothing did he desire more than to live in the +country. His mind was fully made up to become a farmer, and no recital +of the hardships connected therewith, could divest such a life of its +charms for him. + +So it was settled, and it was really a great comfort to have at least +one of the family well provided for, with the prospects of seeing him an +upright and industrious man. + +Now that provision was thus made for Alec, and he was but little expense +to them, Flora and Mrs. Hazeley could manage very well by practising +strict economy. + +Life progressed very evenly and uneventfully, we might almost add +happily, except for the sorrow caused by their ignorance of Harry's +whereabouts. + +One day, into their quiet and peaceful lives, very unexpectedly came +Mrs. Sarah Martin, who was surprised at their comfortable surroundings. + +She was greeted pleasantly by Flora and Mrs. Hazeley, who were +determined to forgive and forget her treatment of them, but the warmth, +which affection gives, was lacking. This did not fail to make itself +manifest to Mrs. Martin, and, strange to say, instead of displeasing +her, it seemed to have quite a softening effect upon her callous heart. +The memory of this visit, and the picture of her niece's heroic efforts +to keep her mother and herself from want, proved a veritable +ever-present and sharp thorn in the side. + +"Here I am, alone in the world, with plenty to supply all my wishes and +some to spare," she thought one evening. We must do her justice; she was +not miserly, but she was selfish--she wished to insure for her lifetime +comfort for herself, and the gratification of her desires. "Here am I +with plenty and to spare, while those of my own flesh and blood are +struggling to keep the wolf from the door," she mused. + +Having commenced to reproach herself she did not hesitate, for at every +step seeing herself as others saw her, she discovered more cause to +regret her attitude toward her sister. + +"Have I been false to my trust?" she soliloquized, questioningly. +"No--not exactly--because I gave no promise. And yet--Bertha supposed I +would follow her request. However, I am not bound to do as she wished. + +"Bertha would not have left me in charge had she supposed I would not +carry out her wishes," she continued. "Probably she would not have given +her property to Esther. She is so careless and extravagant that such a +course would have been equal to her throwing the money away. Suppose the +money had been left in trust to Flora? Would Esther have done more than +I have done? No, she would have wasted it. What is the difference? +Nothing; I am doing as Esther would have done. Anyway, I will leave all +to Flora, who will enjoy it after I am dead, and that will make it all +right." + +Another thing Mrs. Martin tried to argue in support of the idea that she +had done all for the best, was that Flora had developed such astonishing +qualities of self-government and ability. "She has almost made another +woman of that mother of hers," she said to herself. "One can easily see +that the material for a real, sound, sensible, practical woman is not in +Esther, and if Flora were not there with her she would be the same as +before, only worse." + +There was a good deal of truth in what Mrs. Martin said. Some people +cannot do or be anything without a definite motive, or an active +example. But what did all this arguing amount to? Nothing at all, save +to keep her mind in a constant state of turmoil, by her efforts to ease +her conscience. + +At last, with the constant strain she became mentally exhausted, and in +spite of her efforts to the contrary for a long time lay upon the bed, a +sufferer from nervous prostration. Her brain was unnaturally active, and +she gained but little benefit from her enforced quiet. A neighboring +physician was called, but found it impossible to benefit her in her +present condition. He might prescribe medicines to meet certain symptoms +in her case, but he could not reach the seat of the trouble. She did not +consider that it was her business to add a description of her mental +condition to that of her physical one. She grew no better, and finally +she decided to take a course of heroic treatment. + +First, she proceeded to pay her physician and to inform him that she had +no further need of his services, much to that gentleman's disgust, who +left muttering that it was queer that the patient should be the one to +decide whether or not the doctor had been of service to her. + +Next, she wrote in a feeble, trembling, and unintelligible way, the +following short, blunt note: + + "NIECE FLORA:--I am sick. I want to see you. + "S. MARTIN." + +Flora and her mother were sitting sewing very busily that afternoon when +the postman rapped on the door. + +The sun was streaming in at the window, no longer adorned by the sweet +potato, which was long since dead, but touching brightly the green +leaves and scarlet blossoms of some geraniums--some of Ruth's +"gerangums," according to Jem, that held the place of honor. + +"From Aunt Sarah, mother," said Flora, carelessly, handing it to Mrs. +Hazeley, who in turn read the short note. + +"Well, Flora dear; what will you do about it?" she questioned, resuming +her work. + +"Oh, I guess I had better go and see her; hadn't I?" asked Flora, as she +cut her thread. + +"You may do as you please about the matter," returned Mrs. Hazeley, and +there the matter dropped. + +They continued their work in silence, their thoughts as busy as their +fingers. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +LED AWAY. + + +And what had become of Harry Hazeley in all this time? Let us go back a +little. + +Probably all would have gone well with the lad, who was beginning to see +a new life stretching out before him under the sunny influence of his +sister, had his father lived. + +While Mr. Hazeley exercised but little restraining power over his son +during his life, the fact that he had a father had considerable +influence over Harry. When Mr. Hazeley was killed, Harry realized that +he was thrown on his own resources, and the fact that he was subject to +no higher authority, took a firm hold upon him. At first, the idea +aroused in him an innate, but undeveloped manliness, and he determined +to stand by his mother and sister, and be a comfort to them as well as a +support. + +But the inherent weakness in his character soon gained the supremacy, +and for the time over-ruled all his resolutions, which had been made in +his own strength. + +It was inevitable that he should mingle with his companions in work, and +soon they gained an influence over him that was not for his highest +good. Being somewhat older than he himself was, they instilled into him +a false idea of their superiority, and it was by this means they +retained him in their "set"--a set of wild, dissipated young men. + +Where was his judgment? Alas! he had inherited sufficient of his +mother's weak disposition to over-rule it, and consequently, he was one +of the kind most easily deceived and led. + +One of the youths, whose name was Edward Hopkins, gained considerable +influence over Harry. He it was who persuaded him to leave his mother +and sister, and seek employment in another town, where, he said, work +could easily be secured, with shorter hours and greater pay. This seemed +very inviting to Harry, who, at that time, never thought of deserting +his home, but was anxious to earn more money, and thus become better +able to care for the family and have more for what he called +pleasure--cards and gaming and wine, for he had now become addicted to +the use of the latter, through whose insidious influence he was fast +losing his manly bearing. + +Poor boy! How many noble men has Satan conquered and then cast off? How +many homes has he ruined, and hearts broken, and hopes destroyed? + +But I am glad to say that I shall not be obliged to trace Harry Hazeley +to the bottom of the pit into which he had fallen, for God had most +graciously heard the prayers of his loving, trusting sister, who had +first set the example of prayer to the mother, who now frequently joined +her, and he was not permitted to reach its utmost depths. + +True, he went down pretty far, and his rescue was effected by rather +severe means; but what mattered that, so he was saved? + +After leaving home, Harry plunged into his new, reckless life, with a +strength that not only surprised, but very soon disgusted Hopkins, who +wished to preserve the appearance, at least, of a gentleman. + +Harry had been able to secure a first-class, remunerative position very +readily, but so much went to satisfy his craving for excitement, that +none was left to send home to make life a little easier for Mrs. +Hazeley and Flora. + +After a while, however, his increasing unsteadiness secured for him +dismissal from the shop where he had been employed. He was fortunate in +securing place after place, but unfortunate in being unable to retain +them, until at length he did but little work and a good deal of +gambling. The work he then did was around and about the saloons where he +had chances to game and drink. + +One bitter cold night in December, a group of men stopped in front of +one of these places, and after some discussion, entered. It proved to be +Harry's stopping place, and he was sitting by the fire, for the time +being idle. + +To look at the sunken cheeks, restless eyes, and uncared-for appearance, +one would never suppose this was the once straight, tall, active Harry +Hazeley, so greatly was he changed. + +The leader of the group of young men who entered the bar-room appeared +to be attracted by the forlorn figure near the stove, as soon as he came +in. He seemed to know him, for presently he walked over to him and +tapping him familiarly on the shoulder, cried: + +"Why, hello, old chap! How are you?" + +Harry immediately recognized his old acquaintance, Edward Hopkins. He +did not appear particularly glad to see him, however. + +"Say, old fellow, you don't seem ready to shed tears of joy at seeing +your old chum," remarked Ed, in a jovial tone, sitting down beside him. + +Harry said nothing, but sat looking into the fire. + +"Look here, now, Hal; you do look a little hard up. Haven't been getting +along so well lately, I guess?" + +"No, I haven't," said Harry, without turning around. + +"Well, listen to me," resumed Ed. "The old proverb, 'a friend in need is +a friend indeed,' is true, isn't it?" + +"What of it?" questioned Harry, still apathetic. + +"Just this," replied Ed, bringing his hand heavily down on his knee, +"that I'm going to be a friend to you now." + +Harry smiled incredulously. His confidence in the friendship of such a +flashily-dressed fellow as Ed was, had been shaken. + +"Come, don't be so glum, Hal. I've something to say to you," Ed +continued, glancing around the room. + +His comrades were all occupied in another part of the room. + +"Now," went on Hopkins, lowering his voice, "we fellows," nodding toward +the group, "are planning a little business. And if you want to, you can +help us." + +"What is it?" asked Harry, indifferently. + +Edward took no notice of his manner, but went on: + +"Well, we're going to--er--ah--walk into a small establishment, you +know," and he winked slyly at Harry. + +"Steal?" asked Harry, in a cold tone. + +"If you like to put it that way, yes." + +"Look here, Ed Hopkins," and Harry turned in scorn upon this +hypocritical friend, who seemed so desirous of ruining him entirely. +"Look here," he repeated, "let me tell you I don't want to share any of +your 'little plans.' I've fallen low, I know, but I'm not a thief yet," +and Harry straightened himself up and looked with a flashing eye into +the crafty face beside him. + +Hopkins was angry, as much because he had partially let Harry into his +secret, as because he had refused to join him. However, he congratulated +himself that he had not gone very far, and he left him abruptly, in a +high temper, going over to the group at the other end of the room. + +A heated discussion was progressing there about something in connection +with the game of cards they were playing. They appealed to Hopkins as +he joined the group. This did not seem to add peace to the scene, for +the quarrel waxed hotter, and the voices grew louder. + +Presently there was the sound of a scuffle, during which was heard the +report of a pistol. Immediately there was a stampede, and when the +officer, who had been attracted to the spot by the noise, rushed in, +followed by a small crowd of men and boys, no one was to be seen but +Harry Hazeley. He was lying on the floor by the stove, and gave no sign +of life as the officer rolled him over. Whether the pistol had been +fired accidentally or intentionally, nobody knew. The shot, however, was +certainly not intended for the one who received it. It was found on +examination that Harry was wounded in the side. He had also, in falling +struck his head against the edge of the stove, and cut it. + +"Well," said the officer, "I guess we'll have to take this young fellow +to the hospital. From his looks he'll not be likely to have a better +place to go to, even if he could tell where he belonged." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +IN THE HOSPITAL AND OUT AGAIN. + + +When Harry Hazeley returned to consciousness, he found himself in bed in +one of the wards of a hospital, with his head bound up, and a dull +aching in his side. He was in too much pain to wonder how he came there, +so he closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep, but he could not. It +seemed as if his mind had never been so active as it was now that he +longed to forget everything, in the hope that this might ease his +throbbing head. But that troublesome thing, memory, would assert itself, +and his thoughts would travel back to the home he had left, and the +sorrowing ones in it, and,--perhaps it was owing to the weak state of +his system,--the tears forced themselves from underneath his eyelids, +and rolled down his cheeks. But what is the good of thinking about these +things? he mentally asked, and so he impatiently brushed the tears away. + +Poor Harry had a hard time of it. He did not improve very rapidly, +although he had the best of attention and nursing. His system was so +poisoned by the use of alcohol, and he was so weak from having been so +long without nourishing food that, while his wound was not a very +serious one, it nearly cost him his life. + +The pain from his wound, together with a low fever, racked his system +until it was almost unbearable. His brain, however, was unusually +active, and over and over again did he recall his life since he left +home, and each time his repugnance grew; and when he began to +convalesce, and he realized there was hope for him, he determined to +lead a different life as soon as he was able to be around again. He +sincerely and deeply repented of the past, and he felt the need of a +Saviour, as he had never done before. He longed for some one to come and +tell him of the Christ and of his saving power. He fully realized that +he must have a helper, stronger than his will or his resolutions. + +One morning, when Harry was getting a little more strength, there +hobbled over to his bedside a crippled young man, who supported himself +upon crutches. His body was distorted, and his legs were drawn up and +twisted in a sad manner; but his face was bright and cheerful and +intelligent, and his shoulders, arms, and hands had a look of manliness +and strength about them that was greatly at variance with the feebleness +of the rest of his frame. + +"Well, friend," said this odd mixture of strength and weakness, as he +seated himself slowly and cautiously by the bed. "Well, friend, how goes +the world with you?" + +"I'm sure I don't know," replied Harry, drearily. "I haven't been caring +much about the world lately. I ain't in much of a hurry to care either. +There'll be time enough when I get out in it again." + +"Time enough! Time enough! Yes, that's the cry," said the young man. +"That's what has caused more misery in the world than anything else; +it's a rope that has lost many a soul forever." + +Harry turned away impatiently. He did not want to hear. + +"Of course you don't want to hear me talk that way," said the lame man +bluntly, divining his thought. "I didn't suppose you did. But, let me +tell you, young fellow, there's enough of that rotten rope left for you +to lose your soul with. Will you turn your head away when you feel it +snap, and find yourself dying, with nothing to hold on to, I wonder?" +Without more ado he grasped his crutches, and painfully hobbled away. + +Harry tried to be glad he was gone. He did not succeed as easily, +however, in dismissing from his mind the words he had heard. Perhaps it +was the odd, abrupt way in which they were spoken, that made them fasten +themselves so tenaciously on his memory. Certainly he would have been +angry had any one else spoken so plainly and unceremoniously to him. The +sight of his body, telling such an eloquent tale of suffering, made it +almost impossible for any one to be angry with Joel Piper. Harry +presently found himself wondering about him, and wishing he would come +back and talk to him again. + +He did not come, and one day Harry found courage to ask the nurse, who +was busied near him, to tell him the name of the lame young man who +talked to him one day. + +"Oh, do you mean Joel Piper?" she asked in return. + +"I didn't know that was his name," replied Harry, looking amused. + +"Yes, it is," replied the nurse. "It's an odd name, I know, but he is +just as nice as he can be. He's had a world of trouble and pain; but +he's come out pure gold." + +"Wasn't he always that?" asked Harry, curiously. + +"No, indeed, he wasn't. He was one of the wildest young men, and it was +that which brought on the sickness--rheumatic fever--which twisted him +up so. It was this illness too, that brought about his conversion; and +now he likes to visit the hospitals and talk to all the young men he can +find, and try to get them to turn about. He says he's trying to make up +for lost time. Some think he's crazy, but he isn't--only eccentric." + +"Does he come here often?" asked Harry. + +"Well, sometimes he does," was the answer. "Would you like to see him +again?" + +"I wouldn't mind having a little talk with him," admitted Harry. + +"I'll tell him," said the kind woman. + +Joel came; but Harry could not tell from his manner whether he was +pleased or not at his having expressed a desire to see him. + +Now that he was there, what should he say? Harry asked this question, +but no answer came. + +But Joel seemed to understand all about the matter, and began right +away: + +"You've had a rough time, eh? Didn't expect it, now, did you, when you +started out? Going to have a good time, enjoy yourself, and all that? +Well, it's all right. You've had about enough of that sort of thing, I +guess. You'd like to turn right about face now, and go back to your +mother, perhaps?" + +"Who told you I had a mother?" asked Harry, sharply. + +"Nobody," was the calm rejoinder. + +"How did you know?" + +"I didn't know; I only guessed. Somehow or other, you look as if you +had. Have you?" + +"Yes, I have," groaned Harry, "and a sister too; but I came away and +left them, and now I'm ashamed to go back." + +"Well, if you're made of the right kind of stuff you'll go to work as +soon as you're out of this, and fix things so you'll not be ashamed to +go back," said Joel. "Between us," he went on, bending over and looking +at Harry with one eye shut up tightly, "I've got a mother and sister +too. I did pretty much as you did, only worse, I guess. I've been +working hard to make a man of myself before I go back to them. I'm +going soon too." + +"To work!" exclaimed Harry, looking at the crooked figure +pityingly. "What can _you_ do?" + +"Do?" repeated Joel, raising his brows, and opening wide his eyes. +"Look," and he held up his long slim fingers. "I can write beautifully," +he continued, with the simplicity of a child. "And I'm a clerk in a +large clock and jewelry establishment. A good kind friend who came to +see me at the hospital when I was so ill, secured the situation for me. +And if you mean to turn about sure enough, and no going back about it, I +will try and get you taken on as a salesman." + +Harry was completely won by Joel's plain, straight-forward manner and +hearty kindness, and gave his promise to turn over a new leaf. What is +of more importance he kept the promise faithfully. + +When Harry was discharged from the hospital, he looked quite different +from what he did when he first entered it, or rather when he was carried +there. He was worn almost to a shadow, it is true; but his sickness had +taken from him the look of the outcast, and his intercourse with his new +friend, and the hopes he had for the future restored to him once more +the ability to look the "whole world in the face." + +He was clad in a suit that had been worn by Joel ere his body was so +distorted by rheumatism. It was not a perfect fit, but it was clean and +neat, and gave to Harry a very presentable air. + +True to his promise, Joel tried and succeeded in getting the situation +he spoke of for his young friend toward whom he had been strongly +attracted. + +Harry was also naturally smart and intelligent, and now that he had put +off the shackles of the false friends with whom Satan had provided him, +promised to do well in his new position. Joel was determined that +through no fault of his should Harry fail. He never lost sight of him +for any length of time. The two boarded at the same place, and Joel +insisted on his accompanying him to church. They read, talked, and +walked together, and as a natural consequence became much attached to +each other. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +A CHAPTER OF WONDERS. + + +It was a dull, gray, rainy morning when our friend Flora found herself +standing in front of the house that had been her home for so many years. + +What a flood of memories the sight of the familiar scene brought to her! +She paused a moment or two to revel in the pleasure she thus felt. She +did not feel at all excited, or even curious as to the cause for, or the +probable result of her trip. Turning to the house, she stepped to the +door, and lifted the knocker. + +The door was opened by the neat, but uncommunicative maid, who was in +charge of affairs during Mrs. Martin's illness; and who silently, and +apparently acting on previous arrangement, led the way direct to the +sick room. + +Although the day was dark and cloudy, the window shades were down, and +heavy curtains lent their aid to darken the room still more. + +Mrs. Martin's greeting was somewhat of a surprise to Flora as she stood +on the threshold, scarcely knowing whether to enter the darkened chamber +or not. + +"Why don't you come in and shut the door?" came in fretful tones from +the bed. + +"I should like to do it, indeed, Aunt Sarah, if I could only see my +way," returned Flora, mischievously. She wondered at her own temerity. +At one time she would not have dared use such liberty of speech with +this punctilious aunt. But she had grown to be very independent since +she had been thrown so entirely upon her own resources, and had become +accustomed to think and act both for herself and others. She felt that +she had grown, in that she no longer stood in awe of Aunt Sarah's cold +tones. Why should she? She had come to ask no favor. + +"Well," came in questioning tones from the invalid. + +"May I draw up the shades, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, advancing slowly +into the room and closing the door softly. + +"I suppose so. You can draw up anything you like, it makes no difference +to me," was the somewhat ungracious reply. + +Flora paid no attention to the tone, but drew up the shades, making it +possible to see what was in the room. + +"Aunt Sarah, how thin you are!" she cried, incautiously. "Why, you have +been sick." + +"Of course I have. You didn't suppose I was pretending, did you?" +retorted Mrs. Martin. + +"No," said Flora, "I did not, nor did I know you were so ill. And now +tell me, can I do anything to render you more comfortable?" + +"No, I think not," she replied. "Yes, you might bring me some toast and +a cup of tea," she added a moment later. + +As she turned at once to leave the room, Flora wondered in her own mind, +whether Mrs. Martin really wished for something to eat. The truth was, +Mrs. Martin, now that Flora was here in the house, even in her very +room, wished to decide how she could broach the subject which had lain +on her heart so long. She was thinking deeply, and did not notice +Flora's entrance until she heard: + +"Here they are, Aunt Sarah, nice and hot." + +"What?" the invalid returned, in a surprised way. + +"The toast and tea," replied Flora. + +"Oh yes, put them on the table." + +Flora did so, daintily arranging them so as to be inviting to the eye as +well as the palate, and inwardly wondering what new caprice her aunt +would develop next. However, she had decided to yield to all her +peculiarities, and to bear with her whims, and so with unruffled face, +she turned to arrange the room, as only a woman's hand can. The grace +and care were not lost upon her aunt, whose eyes closely followed every +motion as she moved silently about the room. + +"Sit down," said Mrs. Martin, after a few moments' silence. + +Flora did so; and after a slight hesitation, Mrs. Martin began, having +concluded to open the subject at once, for nothing was to be gained by +delay. + +"Niece Flora," she said, looking in the young girl's face, "I sent for +you to tell you I feel that I have done what I had no business to do." + +"What have you done, Aunt Sarah?" asked Flora, half suspecting what she +wished to say to her. + +"I mean in sending you away from here as I did," was the blunt reply. + +"You had a right to do whatever you wanted to," stammered Flora. She +could stand unmoved before the cold, hard Aunt Sarah; Aunt Sarah +repentant, she did not know how to meet. + +"No, I had no right to do it," continued Mrs. Martin. It was plain she +did not intend to spare herself in the least. "I had no right to do it. +Sister Bertha wanted you to stay, and I know she did. I had no right to +take her money, and live in her home, and use her things when I knew she +only left them to me because she trusted me to do what she wanted." + +"Never mind, Aunt Sarah; I knew nothing about it, so do not worry. It is +all right." And Flora moved nearer the bed, and took her hand in her own +and tenderly held it. + +Instead of complying, Mrs. Martin seemed to gain strength, and she went +on: + +"No; you knew nothing about her wishes, but I did. And, Flora, I have +not been happy in this house. In fact, I did not deserve to be." + +"You can talk about that when you get well." + +"I will never be well unless I make right what I have made wrong," +returned Mrs. Martin. "I want to know, Flora, if you can forgive your +selfish old aunt for driving--yes, driving is the word," as Flora +started to speak--"you from the home which was intended for you? Will +you not come back to it?" And the tears began to gather in the eyes that +had long been strangers to such an expression of emotion. + +Flora felt very helpless now in the face of all these different moods. +She could think of nothing else to do but stroke the sick woman's +forehead gently and soothingly. After a moment or two of silence, she +said: "I forgive you, Aunt Sarah, if you think there's anything to +forgive. Everything has turned out for the best, at least so far as I am +concerned. As to coming back, I think I don't care to--that is, I +couldn't leave mother, you know." + +"I don't want you to leave your mother, child. Why can't she come too?" + +"Do you mean to come here to live?" + +"Yes; here to live." + +"She would like that, I know," said Flora, adding mentally, "providing +you were different." + +She soon discovered that her unspoken thought had been realized before +it had been expressed. + +"Now," said the sick woman, drawing a breath of relief, "I can be at +peace. It is not too late for me to make amends and carry out sister +Bertha's wishes. Ah, child, you do not know what I have suffered of +late; but it's all right now." + +"Try to go to sleep now, won't you?" asked Flora, coaxingly, fearing the +effect of the conversation upon the invalid. + +"No; I don't want to go to sleep," said Mrs. Martin, with a shade of her +old firmness; "I just want to lie here and think." + +She did go to sleep, however, very soon, and awoke greatly refreshed, +for her mind was at ease, and she was surprised to find how much more +pleasant the prospect of recovery was since she had something to look +forward to. + +And Flora? She was delighted, for to her the old home had never lost its +charm. + +Faithfully she nursed the sick woman, who, in spite of her efforts to +the contrary, now and then yielded to her old-time habit of +fault-finding, when nothing pleased her. Mrs. Martin was very regretful +for these outbursts, and after each, more carefully watched her own +tongue, and the movements and manner of her young nurse and daily +became more attached to her; and the more necessary it seemed to her to +retain her sunshiny presence. + +Flora was as happy in her present position, and at her future prospects, +as it was possible for her to be with the ever-present feeling of +uncertainty and sorrow at the absence of her dearly loved brother, from +whom she had expected such great things. She was a very sensible girl, +and had learned long before this that to waste her time in worriment +over what she could not help in any way, would not enable her to +discharge her present duties as she would wish. Knowing this, as I say, +so well, she put Harry into the charge of the One "who never slumbers +nor sleeps," and went about her daily duties with a light step and merry +smile. For days she planned her mother's coming, and how she would enjoy +the life here. Her own pleasant little room was hers again, and many +were the happy hours she passed there. Every few moments throughout the +day she would be in her aunt's room reading to her, or perhaps giving +her a daintily arranged meal, or placing the pillows more comfortably. + +One of her greatest pleasures was in arranging her Aunt Bertha's old +room, preparatory to the coming of her mother, to whom she had assigned +it. Very lovingly and carefully did she do this, for her heart was +filled with tender memories of the past. + +Mrs. Martin had told her to fix everything to suit herself, and refused +to have a word to say further than to heartily approve of all her +arrangements. + +"I have been at the head of affairs a long time," she had said; "it is +time now for us to change places." + +"I think you are trying to spoil me, Aunt Sarah," remarked Flora, one +day, when she had been told a number of times to do just as she liked. + +"I think there is no danger of that, my dear," said Mrs. Martin. + +She was right, for the experience Flora had gained in the years since +she had been home had so strengthened and developed her that it would +have been well-nigh impossible to "spoil her," as she had termed it. + +As soon as her aunt was able to sit up, Flora was to return home to get +her mother, and in fact the whole family, if she could find them, and +bring them to Aunt Sarah's, to live there. + +Mrs. Martin insisted that she wanted a house full; adding, smilingly: + +"The more, the merrier, my dear." + +Flora wished this could be possible--she longed to be able to bring +Harry back with them; and, safe in that peaceful home, win him from his +evil ways. She sighed, even as she thought, "That is quite impossible." +She had forgotten for the moment that "With God, all things are +possible." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GOING HOME. + + +During all these weary months, Harry Hazeley had not once written home; +and neither his mother nor sister knew where he was. + +His friend, Joel Piper, had written to his mother, but to his regret, +had as yet received no reply. This saddened him, as in his letter he had +told of the changes in him, not only in his body, but in his heart and +life, for he wished his mother, who had done so much for him, to know. + +Harry as yet had no news to write home. Joel was working slowly, it is +true, to induce Harry to attend some meetings which were being held +successively in different churches. Harry became interested, and later +he had the happiness of knowing that he had accepted Christ, and been +received by him. + +In the meantime he had applied himself steadily and faithfully to his +business, and not only earned the respect of his employers, but saved a +good share of his money. + +"And now," he thought, triumphantly, "there is nothing to prevent me +from going home." + +This thought took complete possession of him, and in his leisure moments +he did little else than picture to himself his home-coming, and the +sight of mother, sister, and brother. They would rejoice, he was sure, +in his new life. He wondered if Flora had changed much, and in what way +Alec passed away the days. + +These thoughts of home and home-folks, together with the great desire to +see them again, gradually wore away the feeling of shame with which he +had been assailed whenever his thoughts had turned that way before. + +"Joel!" he exclaimed, as they were sitting together, one pleasant +evening, "I see no other way but to do it!" + +"What is it you mean, my boy?" asked Joel, as he looked at Harry for a +moment, and then returned to his book. + +"To go home, and see them all," returned Harry. + +"Believe I will too," said Joel, slapping his book by way of emphasis. +"By the way, Harry," he continued, "my home isn't so very far from +yours; only a couple of hours' ride. You live at Bartonville and I live +at Brinton, or rather, I did." + +"Is that so? Well, then, let us go together." + +"What do you intend to do? Give up your situation here for good, or just +ask for leave of absence?" asked Joel. + +"Oh, I shall give it up entirely," was the answer. "I prefer to get +something to do nearer home. What will you do?" + +"I shall come back," said Joel, decidedly. "My people are farmers. I +could be of no service now on a farm, you know, even if I cared for it, +which I don't." + +Thus the matter was decided, and arrangements were made accordingly. + +One evening, as Mrs. Hazeley sat in her home, all alone, stitching away +busily, she was startled to hear a loud rap on the door. + +"Who can it be?" she thought, rising to answer the knock. She found +herself confronted by a tall, rather slight young man, with a grave +face, which, however, was now illuminated by a smile of expectancy. + +"Harry! Harry! my boy Harry!" she cried, holding open her arms. The +mother's quick instinct and penetrating love could not be deceived by +appearances, no matter how altered. The form might be changed, and the +features matured, but there was something that brought to her the memory +of her child, the baby of long ago. + +After the first greetings were over, Harry settled down, and prepared to +unburden his mind. His mother noticed that he glanced about him +wistfully and inquiringly. + +"No," said Mrs. Hazeley, answering the query in his eyes, "Flora is not +here. She went to stay with your Aunt Sarah, who is very ill. I am +expecting to go myself, whenever I hear from her to that effect. Alec +too, is away. He is living with that good old man, 'Major Benson,' you +used to call him, you remember. Alec enjoys a country life. He intends +to be a farmer, he says. It was very kind of him to give the boy such an +opening. The poor child was so afraid of being a burden to us. I have +every reason to be grateful for my children." + +"Except me, mother," said Harry. + +"No, my boy," returned his mother, looking keenly at him. "I am sure I +have reason to be grateful for you too. But tell me, Harry, where have +you been, and why did you not write to us, and keep us posted?" + +The entire absence of reproach or fault finding, and the warm affection +with which he was received by his mother, touched the young man very +deeply, and with his heart made tender with these thoughts, he +determined to confide fully all his past to his mother, from whom he +felt sure he would receive ready sympathy. + +When the story was told, Mrs. Hazeley could but exclaim, "Bless the +Lord, oh my soul!" + +"And forget not all his benefits," added Harry reverently. + +They were interrupted at that moment by a knock upon the door--a quick, +business-like, energetic knock. + +"I know who that is," said Mrs. Hazeley, smilingly, as she arose to +admit the new-comer. It was Flora. + +"Did ever returned prodigal receive a more hearty welcome than I?" +exclaimed Harry, laughingly, but gratefully. + +His old habit of reserve was being gradually overcome, and he was +becoming accustomed to express his feelings quite freely, much to the +present and subsequent delight of his family. + +This evening, a memorable one in the history of the little family, was +by no means over. Just as the happy trio were seated, with heads bowed +reverently in thankfulness to the Giver of all good, the knocker was +raised another time. + +As the heads were lifted, and Flora arose to open the door, she +remarked, merrily: + +"That must be Alec. I suppose the magnetism of our presence is drawing +him to us." + +It was not Alec It was our good friend Joel Piper. + +"I was told Mrs. Hazeley lived here," said he. + +"So she does," answered Flora, trying to recall where she had seen the +familiar face before her. Joel was doing the same. He was the first to +ask, however, "Haven't I met you before?" + +"I was just thinking I had seen you somewhere," said Flora, looking +puzzled. + +"In Brinton, perhaps?" suggested Joel. + +"That is just it--you know--Lottie Piper," exclaimed Flora +disconnectedly. + +"Yes, yes," said Joel, eagerly; "I'm her brother. I remember now. You +are Flora Hazeley. Well, well," he cried, accepting Flora's invitation +to enter the room, where he saw his friend Harry, for whom he was +hunting. "I was just looking for you, Hal," said he, having first been +presented to Mrs. Hazeley, who was delighted to welcome the young man +who had done so much for her Harry. "I was looking for you, Hal, but I +had no idea I should meet an old acquaintance, in the shape of your +sister. But that reminds me," he added, sadly, "I have been to the old +home. No wonder I didn't hear from them. Sickness, death, and +desolation! I found the home, but no one in it." + +"How could that be?" asked Harry. + +"I know," said Flora, gently. "I saw Lottie for a few moments the other +day, and she told me all about it. I am so sorry." + +"Is my sister here?" Joel asked, eagerly. + +"Yes, she is here--in Bartonville; she is living with her aunt." + +"I know," said Joel, "my father's sister. I shall be glad to see Lottie; +but mother is gone, and now it is too late." + +"No, no, Joel, don't talk that way," said Harry, soothingly. "You have +no need to say that. You haven't come home as you left it. And suppose +your mother is not here, don't you think she knows all about it? And +then, there is your sister, you know." + +"That is all true, Harry. It would have been hard to have come back as I +went away, and found her gone. I could not have helped the little girl +then. But one thing more," he said, turning to Flora, who was wiping +her eyes in sympathy. "Where is my father?" + +"Lottie says he went away somewhere, to work." + +"Then I shall hope to see him, some day, and that will be one +consolation." Joel was comforted by his friends, and his own kind, +helpful deeds were bearing fruit for him. + +It was arranged that Joel should board--he would hear of no other +arrangement--with Mrs. Hazeley until he should find his sister, and see +how she was situated, before returning to his employment. + +Flora's news was almost forgotten in the general rejoicing over Harry's +unexpected return and the equally unexpected addition to the little +household in Joel. But when things were somewhat quieted down, she had +something wonderful to relate also. + +"Well, well, well," said Mrs. Hazeley. "To think of sister Sarah +softening, at her age. When will wonders cease!" + +Harry did not approve of this proposed breaking up of their own little +home. He feared it might be but a passing whim of Aunt Sarah's. + +"Oh, no," maintained Flora, stoutly. "Whatever else Aunt Sarah is, she +is not fickle. When she says she means to do a thing, that thing is as +good as done." + +"That's very true," said her mother. So it was settled that, after due +preparation, the family should move to Brinton. + +The only regret that Flora felt at leaving her home in Bartonville was +that she would be obliged to part with her class of girls, whom she +loved and who loved her. She comforted herself with the thought that she +would have another, if possible, in Brinton. The girls she left behind +always cherished the memory of their young teacher, and strove to +imitate her gentle, earnest ways, and noble traits. Surely, the seed she +had sown in their hearts would spring up, blossom, and bear fruit for +the Master's kingdom. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +LOTTIE'S TRIALS. + + +"Well! Things have come to a pretty pass! Here I've been running up and +down, here and there and everywhere, like a chicken with its head cut +off, trying to please Aunt Emmeline, and I'm just about as near doing it +now as I was when I commenced. It's grumble, grumble, grumble, every +minute in the day; and I will not stand it--not a day longer, now!" and +Lottie gave the fire a vigorous shake that sent the sparks darting +hither and thither, in every direction. + +It was hard for her. Lottie conscientiously did all she could for the +fretful invalid upstairs. But her efforts were not appreciated. Instead, +Mrs. Durand seemed to grow more irritable daily. Nothing Lottie did +pleased her; the tea was either too weak or too strong; the toast either +too hot or too cold; the beef-tea was too highly seasoned, or not +enough. Thus the fault-finding continued, day in and day out. + +Heretofore Lottie had succeeded in bearing with her captious patient +fairly well, her natural patience and sweetness of disposition being a +great help to her. But this day her task seemed a little harder to bear +than usual, and a short time before the outburst at the opening of the +chapter the climax was reached, when her aunt struck her with the cane +she used to aid her in getting about the room, for she was able to go +about a very little during the day. + +Lottie had been sent for some water, and in her zeal to please her aunt +by being quick about it, had spilled a few drops in that good woman's +lap, and she, without stopping to think, had given her niece a rap with +her stick. + +"No, I shall not stand it another minute," muttered Lottie, as she +angrily paced the floor of the little room, whither she had rushed from +her aunt's presence. + +Apparently she had determined to do something, for she went to work +energetically to put everything to rights. She put more coal on the +fire, and, in fact, did everything she deemed necessary. Then she stole +quietly up to her room, packed some things in a bundle, and noiselessly +left the house. + +[Illustration: Hazely Family. Page 153.] + +Where was she going? She did not know. What was she going to do? She +only knew that she was going far away from her Aunt Emmeline's, where +she had been insulted. The old poplar solemnly waved its long, bare arms +over her head, as if wishing her "good-bye." She had a vague idea she +would go and find her friend Flora; she would at least advise her what +to do, for, after once fairly in the street, the fact that she had no +home but the one she was leaving behind, made itself felt very plainly. + +She had not seen Flora since that first day when they had met +accidentally, and she had almost forgotten the way she had come, for she +had been in such a hurry she gave little heed to anything. She would go +as best she could remember. It seemed to her that she was walking a +great distance, and when at length she came to a small public square, +she sat down upon one of the cold, damp seats, almost discouraged, and +utterly unhappy. No mother, no home--nothing but misery. The tears were +very near the surface, when she heard her name called at no great +distance. + +That was strange, though the voice sounded familiar. Stranger still, +however, was the sight of a young man making his way rapidly toward her +with a shuffling gait, and leaning upon two canes. Although the face +seemed familiar, Lottie was frightened, and was preparing to run away +when her steps were arrested by the strange young man saying, in +half-laughing, half-vexed tones: + +"Why, Lottie, girl, don't you know your brother Joel?" + +"What? Not my brother Joel?" exclaimed Lottie, joyously, yet +distrustfully. + +"The very same, and yet not the same," replied Joel, sadly, as he +remembered how great was the physical change in him, and which was so +apparent. + +"I was straight and strong when you last saw me, Lottie," he said, +looking down at his twisted limbs. "I was straight and strong when I +left the old home, and now you see what I am." And he seated himself +beside Lottie, who had remained on the bench. + +"Oh, Joel, what made you so?" she cried, in a distressed voice. + +"Never mind about that now, little sister. I will tell you all about it +some time. But mother----" + +"Didn't you know? She is dead." And Lottie burst into tears, while the +half-repressed sobs of the utterly miserable girl, shook her slender +frame. + +"Yes, I know," answered her brother, softly. + +"How did you know?" asked Lottie, as she raised her tear-stained face +in surprise at his knowledge, when she knew he had been away so long. + +"Never mind that, either," returned Joel; "but tell me everything." + +Lottie told about the death of their mother, then added: + +"Oh, Joel, she so wanted to see you before she died, and now it's too +late." + +"Yes, too late." The words found an echo in the young man's own breast. +He had put it off too long, this home-coming. Hoping and wanting to come +back to his home and parents, well able to take care of himself and to +help them too, he had waited, and worked, and saved, and now she for +whom he so longed was not here to bid him welcome. The thought also came +to him that it was well this "too late" came only in the disappointment +of earthly hopes. Suppose it meant the loss of his soul as well? Then +another thought came, this time full of comfort and peace: + +"She will know I am changed, and I shall meet her in heaven." + +Then he turned to his sister, feeling that here was a work for him--a +legacy left him by his mother. + +"Where is father, Lottie?" he asked a moment later, inwardly wondering +at her presence here. + +"Father? Oh, after mother's death he couldn't stay there any more, he +said, and so he went away to work. Out west, I believe," she added, +rather glad than otherwise to break the silence that had followed her +last words. "I haven't seen him since he brought me to live here." + +"Live here? With whom?" inquired her brother. + +"With Aunt Emmeline." And then she poured forth into sympathetic ears a +recital of her woes, inflicted largely by her aunt. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Joel, when she finished. "Are you +going back?" + +"No, I am not. That settles it!" + +"Never?" + +"No, never!" + +Joel was amused. He well knew that the angry girl would be obliged, +sooner or later, to modify her emphatic and hasty assertions. However, +he thought it best to make no criticism, at least until she should see +her folly and mistake herself; so he only said: + +"Well, I guess you had better come with me just now. Both of us will +catch cold if we stay here much longer." + +Unquestioningly, Lottie arose. She did not care where she went, so long +as she was with Joel, who now was all she had to cling to. + +The sight of poor, deformed Joel, hobbling painfully along, touched +Lottie's heart as nothing else could have done, as she contrasted his +shrunken body with her own strong, robust self. She felt almost glad her +mother could not see him now--she had been so proud of Joel's strength. + +At length they halted before a small house that appeared strangely +familiar to Lottie, and Joel rapped on the door. What was her surprise +and delight to see the door opened by Flora Hazeley. + +"Lottie!" the latter exclaimed. + +"Flora!" + +Joel stood by, smilingly, while Lottie was introduced to the rest of the +family. + +"It seems so strange that both your brother and mine should be returned +runaways, doesn't it, Flora?" remarked Lottie, when all were seated. + +"How about Lottie?" slyly whispered Joel, as he sat by her side. + +Lottie deigned no reply, but tossed her head willfully, while she +thought: "No, I will never go back to Aunt Emmeline's." + +It was a very pleasant little home party that sat and chatted in the old +dining room that evening, but it was not until Lottie and Flora were +alone in the room which they were to share for the night, that Lottie +opened her heart, and poured out her woes into Flora's sympathetic ear. + +"Oh, Lottie, how could you?" asked Flora, when the recital was over. + +"Oh, Flora, of course I could do it, and so would you have done, in my +place," returned Lottie, in an injured tone. + +"Is it possible that you have left your poor, sick aunt all alone?" + +"She isn't very sick; she only thinks she is," said Lottie, sulkily. +"She can get about her room well enough. It won't hurt her to go a bit +farther, and go downstairs." + +Flora, after a few more ineffectual words, saw Lottie was feeling too +bitter and hurt to be ashamed of her desertion of her poor, sick aunt, +and, with her customary tact, dropped the subject entirely. For a few +moments there was silence, each busy with her own thoughts. + +As Flora was brushing her hair, of which she was justly proud, she said: + +"Lottie, let us sit here in front of the fire. I often do, and watch the +sparks as they flit here and there. I feel like talking to-night. I have +listened to your story. Now, you come here with me; I want to tell you +mine." + +Nothing loth, Lottie seated herself, and listened attentively while her +friend told of her own life, with all of its disappointments, hardships, +and trials. + +"What has all this to do with me?" asked Lottie, suspiciously, for she +had a vague idea that Flora had an object in view. + +"It has this to do with you, Lottie dear," answered Flora, as she put +her own shapely hand, gently but firmly, over the rebellious one in +Lottie's lap. "It will show you that none of us can have things exactly +as we want them, and we are cowards if we run away from our duties. Had +I been left to choose what I wished, I should not have chosen a single +thing that came to me, and yet I am sure everything turned out for the +very best. In the first place, Aunt Sarah's sending me home made me +think and act for myself and others, and in doing so I became far +stronger than I would have been had I stayed with, and depended on Aunt +Bertha, if she had lived. In doing the second, I found pleasure, and now +that after all our worrying Harry has come back so changed, I am just as +happy as I can be. But suppose I had run away, when things were dark and +discouraging, would I now have anything to be happy over?" + +"But nobody ever struck you, Flora. That is different," said Lottie, +looking less stubborn. + +"No," replied Flora; "that is very true, dear; nobody ever struck me. +But I have had other things quite as hard. Indeed, things that I thought +I could not possibly endure. But, you know who helped me bear them, +don't you, Lottie dear?" + +"Yes," was the subdued reply. "You mean God helped you." + +"Yes, and he will help you too, Lottie, if you will let him. But you +must take up your duties again, you know." + +"What? go back to Aunt Emmeline?" + +"Yes, I mean just that. I am sure she did not intend to treat you badly. +She will tell you so, I have no doubt, some day." + +"I don't know about that," said Lottie; "but, I guess I ought to go. +But, suppose she will not have me back again; what then?" + +"Oh, don't borrow trouble. It will be time enough to think about that +when it happens," replied Flora. "But come, it's time we were asleep." + +Sleep, however, did not come to Lottie as soon as it did to her friend. +Her mind was too busy, turning over the events of the day, and +anticipating the possible ones of the morrow. Nevertheless, Lottie was +not really a coward, and when she had decided on a certain course, she +kept to it, as we have already seen. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +MORE SURPRISES. + + +Next day, Lottie informed her brother of her decision to return to her +aunt, and apologize for her unceremonious departure. + +Joel was very glad that she had come to this conclusion of her own free +will, for he had feared he might have trouble in bringing her to it. He +more than half-suspected that Flora had a good deal to do with his +sister's present submissive state, and was accordingly grateful. + +Lottie bade her friends good-bye, and with Joel to keep her courage up, +turned her face determinedly toward her aunt's home, only making a +comical grimace, as Flora whispered to her some words of encouragement, +adding the assurance that all would come out right. + +The brother and sister walked on together in silence, for some time; and +then it was Joel who talked, for Lottie was too busy thinking to care +for conversation. She acted as guide until they stood under the old +poplar in front of the quiet little house, and then she took refuge +behind her brother, who marched undauntedly up to the door, and gave a +knock, which said plainly: "Here are some people who mean business." + +The knock evidently surprised Mrs. Durand, for she opened the door +herself, instead of telling them to "Come in," as was her usual custom. + +At first she saw no one but Joel, and seemed strongly inclined to close +the door upon him; but when she caught sight of Lottie, standing +demurely behind him, she steadied herself firmly upon her canes, and +inquired, "What do you want?" + +"In the first place, Aunt Emmeline," said Joel, calmly, "I suppose you +know me?" + +"No, I can't say I do," was the reply. + +"I am not much surprised. It has been some time since we met. I am Joel +Piper, your nephew, and Lottie's brother." + +Mrs. Durand said nothing, but only stood and looked. + +"Lottie, come here; Aunt Emmeline, Lottie has something to say to you." + +Lottie came from behind her brother, and speaking rapidly, as if she +were afraid she would lose courage if she did not talk fast, said: "I've +come to say that I am sorry I acted so badly, Aunt Emmeline, and if you +will let me, I'll come back again." + +"Come in," was the brusque command. Joel and Lottie entered, and Mrs. +Durand closed the door. Then she turned to them, and said, simply: + +"If you want to come back, I guess you may." + +Lottie shrugged her shoulders. She wanted so much to say that she did +not come back because she wanted to, but because she thought she ought, +and she bit her tongue, by way of admonishing that unruly member to keep +still. + +Joel guessed something of what was passing in his sister's mind, and +hastened to engage Mrs. Durand in conversation. + +She seemed really touched as the young man recounted the history of his +sickness and sufferings in a strange city; and Lottie, sitting silently +listening, was more than half convinced that she had judged her aunt too +severely. By the time Joel was ready to go, she was quite satisfied that +she _did_ want to come back. Then the old house really looked homelike, +especially after the feeling of loneliness and homesickness she had +experienced the day before as she walked the streets not knowing which +way to look for shelter. + +That evening, after everything was done, as Mrs. Durand was seated by +the fire in her easy chair, and Lottie was hemming a table-cloth, Mrs. +Durand asked abruptly: + +"Why did you come back?" + +Lottie looked up in astonishment, scarcely knowing what to say. But +deeming it best to tell her exact reason, she said: "Because I thought +it was my duty to do it." + +For a while there was silence, during which Lottie glanced up timidly to +see the effect of her words upon her aunt, but she could discover +nothing. + +"I suppose you were pretty angry with me, when you went?" was the next +remark. + +"Awful!" said Lottie, catching her breath at her own temerity. + +Again there was silence. + +"Well," returned Mrs. Durand, "if you hadn't been in such a hurry, I +should have told you I didn't mean to strike you; but, I suppose I can +tell you so now, can't I?" + +"Oh dear, Aunt Emmeline, you needn't say anything at all about it," said +Lottie, eagerly. "I acted just horrid; I know I did." + +"I can't blame you much, child. Old people like me, with the rheumatism, +are apt to be snappish. But I guess we both have had a lesson we will +not be likely to forget. Come, now, I think it is time you were in bed, +so put away your sewing, and go." + +"Can I get you anything, aunt?" asked Lottie, as she prepared to obey. + +"Nothing at all, my dear," was the soft reply, that sent Lottie upstairs +in a state of pleasurable surprise at the turn things had taken. Never +had she felt more glad of anything than she was to find herself in the +little chamber again, because it was home. + +Joel, in the meantime, after he had seen his sister fairly reinstated in +her old place, returned to Mrs. Hazeley's, where he duly reported the +success of his visit. + +Flora was very glad things were straightening out for her young friend, +Lottie, for she was really fond of her, because of her open, truthful +nature. + +A few days more Joel spent with his friends, and then, after arranging +with his aunt for his sister's future, insisting on supplying her needs +outside of her board, for which Mrs. Durand would accept nothing, he +left, to return to his work, feeling at least contented, if not carrying +back with him the memory of a happy home welcome and reunion. It was +good to have somebody to work for and care for, and Joel was accustomed +to placing full value upon present blessings or privileges, and his +example had not been lost upon Lottie, whose lot, while greatly changed +and improved, was by no means entirely freed from thorns, for Aunt +Emmeline was still Aunt Emmeline, and was likely to continue to be so. +However, since Lottie's return, she had treated the girl with a fair +amount of consideration, much to her satisfaction and enjoyment. Lottie +was beginning to feel at home. In fact, as the months rolled by, and she +grew in age and experience, Lottie gradually became the household +manager, and her aunt was content to oversee. + +After a time, Mr. Piper grew tired of "rolling around," as he informed +his sister and daughter, and determined to marry a second time. He +moreover informed Lottie that it would be more agreeable to all +concerned if she would conclude to remain with her aunt. + +"Humph!" said that good woman. "It's well that it is agreeable to all; +but suppose it wasn't? As it is, child," she added, "you know you are +welcome to a home with me just as long as you want it. I have no wish to +part with you. But I must say, your father is pretty cool." + +At one time Lottie's heart would have beaten tumultuously at the +prospect of a permanent home with Aunt Emmeline, but it was not so now, +and she felt very grateful, when she lay down that night, that God had +so cared for her, when she could not care for herself. + +To return to our friends, the Hazeleys. They had all removed to Brinton, +all but Alec, who seemed so well-contented with his quarters at Major +Joe's, that he did not wish to change. There was really no necessity for +him to do so. He was doing well at school, although he was by no means +what might be considered a brilliant pupil. In fact, his own prediction +that he would be no scholar, but a practical farmer, seemed likely to +come true. + +Major Joe had other help now, and Alec gave his time out of school and +during holidays, to the owner of a large farm in the immediate +neighborhood, where he was learning many things that were needful to +know in his chosen calling. He always came home at night, and was known +all around as a "fine lad." Major Joe had grown too feeble to attend +market any longer, and so he had turned that part of his business over +to the young man, who now had charge of his garden, and who, it seemed +more than likely would have charge of Ruth some time in the future, when +he had grown able to do so. The major remained at home, alternately +nursing his rheumatic limbs, and helping "mother" and Ruth with the +poultry, of which they raised a quantity, and, as Jem said, were +"getting awful rich off the eggs and things." Ruth was a thrifty, +thorough-going little housekeeper, one after her grandmother's own +heart, while Jem was just a lively little girl, who insisted on +bestowing her help, which, however, usually proved more of a hindrance. +She was, however, the pet of the old people, and made things merry in +the little cottage. + +Alec Hazeley had gone to see his brother as soon as he had heard of his +return, and had spent some days at home prior to the removal of the +family. And he was the last object they saw as they steamed out of the +station. Mrs. Martin was no longer the active, stirring woman she had +been before her illness, but was now a confirmed invalid. She was much +altered, in every way, and was very glad to have her sister and family +with her; and they were altogether a peaceful, happy, little household. + +It was not Harry's intention to remain at home long after he had seen +his mother and sister settled. But, somehow--perhaps it was because +every one seemed glad to have him there--he stayed longer than he had +intended; and, surprising to himself, and altogether delightful to +Flora and his mother, he one day informed them that he felt he had +received a decided call to the ministry. + +"Oh, Harry!" cried his sister. "How sudden! I wasn't dreaming of such a +thing; but I am _so_ glad." + +"Yes," answered Harry, seriously, "I feel as if I must prepare myself to +preach. Something tells me, and I feel sure it is the voice of God, that +I shall prosper at nothing else but winning souls for Christ. As I was +snatched from the toils of the Evil One, so must I help save others. I +believe that God rescued me for that very purpose." + +Aunt Sarah was delighted, and would hear of nothing but that he should +immediately begin to fit himself for his new work. The family circle was +again broken, but this time, how different the circumstances, and how +hopeful the future appeared, with all united in the bond of love for +Christ and a hope for his re-appearing. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +A CHRISTMAS INVITATION. + + +Years have passed, and long since the grass was green over Mrs. Martin's +grave. Side by side she lay with her gentle sister, and over the two +graves the graceful branches of the willow drooped, and in summer the +sod was starred with daisies. + +It was December. The trees were bare of leaves, and the grass was +withered. The weather was cold. The folks in Brinton predicted a hard +winter. In the cosy home where Mrs. Hazeley now presided with a calm +demeanor, and Flora flitted about happy and contented, there seemed no +need to fear the searching winds of winter. Flora was no longer a girl, +but a well-grown young woman--changed, and yet not changed. She had +matured with years; but it was easy to discern the same merry, +thoughtful Flora of the old days. + +Shortly after his conversion, Harry had heard and followed the voice of +his Master to "preach the gospel," and now he was the pastor of the +church where Aunt Bertha had sat and listened to the gospel, eagerly +taking in the blessed words of life--the same church where Aunt Sarah +had listened, stern and cold, with her hard features turned upward to +the minister; and the same church where two happy faces--one of a quiet +and attractive-looking matron: the other of a fair, bright-eyed younger +woman--were seen every Lord's Day. + +Very proud was Flora of her manly, earnest brother who had won so +completely the hearts of the people; and equally proud was Harry of his +sister, who was loved and respected by all. They saw but little of Alec, +who had never outgrown his love for the country, and who still lived in +Brinton. He was industrious and economical, and his friends were sure he +would some day be a wealthy man. + +It wanted but a few days to Christmas, when, one afternoon, during a few +idle moments, Flora stood by the window lightly drumming against the +pane, and smiling, as if her thoughts were very pleasant. + +She had not been standing there long when the front gate opened, and +Harry came toward the house. + +Flora hurried to open the door for him, and pausing to remove his +overcoat, he said: + +"Here is a letter for you, Flo." + +"A letter for me?" she repeated. "I wonder from whom it can be." She +returned to the room with the letter in her hand. + +"A letter, Flora?" inquired her mother. "Who is writing to you, dear?" + +"It is from Alec, mother," was the answer, a moment later. + +"What does the dear boy say--anything of importance?" asked Mrs. +Hazeley. + +"It is a very short letter. Shall I read it?" + +"Never mind, Flora; just tell us what he wants." + +"It is simply a very short, but very urgent, invitation for us all to +spend Christmas with him. You, especially, Harry." + +"Me? I wonder why?" + +"Shall we go, mother?" + +"Of course. I would not disappoint the boy for anything; besides, we +have not seen him for so long." + +All were satisfied with this arrangement. + +Christmas morning dawned bright and clear, but very cold. + +Harry held service in the morning in his church, and of course Mrs. +Hazeley and Flora were present. Everything was in readiness to start +away immediately at its close. + +"It will not really matter; and we cannot miss seeing our Harry conduct +his first Christmas service," said Flora, positively. + +The exercises were simple but impressive; the singing sweet and +solemn--the sermon earnest and tender. It seemed to Flora as if she were +shut in from everything, and that she really moved among the +circumstances connected with the Saviour's birth. It seemed to her that +she was with the wise men who brought gifts, and came to worship the +infant Jesus; and the words of the anthem, "Glory to God in the highest, +peace on earth, good will to men," echoed and re-echoed through her +whole being. "Truly," she thought, "that peace has entered my soul, and +how can I have aught but 'good will to men'?" + +Mrs. Hazeley's feelings found expression by the tears rolling down her +cheeks under her veil. Flora saw them, but knew they were for joy. + +Never had Harry spoken as he spoke that morning. He scarcely recognized +himself in the preacher whose impassioned words were holding spell-bound +the people who filled the church, drawing from them alternately tears +of sympathy and smiles of joy. + +When the service was at an end, and the usual interchange of Christmas +wishes over, the young minister joined his mother and sister, who were +waiting for him, and, with one upon each arm, directed his steps to the +depot, where they boarded the cars for Alec's home. + +Flora felt too peaceful and happy to talk, and, in fact, they were all +disinclined for conversation, and so the short journey was made in +silence. True to his word, Alec was at the station to welcome them, and +delighted that they had all come. + +He conducted them to a carriage he had in waiting, and helped them in. + +"What do you want to ride to Major Joe's for?" asked Harry. "It is such +a short distance." + +"Oh, I want you to ride to-day, so ask no more questions," was the saucy +reply. + +"Alec has some new project in his head," whispered Flora to her mother, +who nodded and smiled, as if anything and everything were in order, so +far as she was concerned. + +Harry asked no more questions, but was busy looking about him, and +trying to decide where they were going; if to Major Joe's, why take +such a roundabout course? All to no avail, however, and he abandoned the +matter to the driver. + +There was no snow, to cover with its white, glittering blanket, the +rough spots, but the brightness of the sun made amends for this lack by +gilding the bare places. It was a green Christmas, but there was a +lurking promise of snows and storms yet to come, in the brisk, sharp +wind, that drove the withered leaves--reminders of the summer's +beauty--along, as Flora remarked, "like little, old women dressed in +brown, and caught in a wind-storm." Alec noticed, as they drove along, +that his brother still glanced about inquiringly, evidently not yet +satisfied as to the road to Major Joe's from the station. Alec was +amused. It was so long since Harry had been there, he felt sure he could +not remember. It was with a view to drawing his attention from this, and +thus prevent his asking more questions, that Alec began to talk +diligently. He pointed out the different objects of interest along the +way, and then would branch off into a series of remarks or conjectures +concerning them. + +"This now," he said, pointing to a pretty house they were passing, "is +Mrs. Brown's new residence. Isn't it tasteful? Contains all the latest +modern improvements--at least, so they say. And here is the homestead of +a well-to-do widow. Very benevolent. Quite a good thing for widows." He +was interrupted by Flora's inquiry: + +"Why widows especially?" + +"Oh, because, you see, all they need is to have just enough to keep them +comfortably while they live. They don't care about making improvements, +and buying or speculating as a general thing, like----" + +"Like what?" asked Harry, drily, as his brother paused. + +"Well, like me, for instance," returned Alec. + +"So, I suppose you think there is no necessity for you to be +benevolent." + +"It's not but that I should, so much as I cannot afford to be. You see, +I am a young man, and I need to be very prudent about the way I invest +what money I have, in order to accumulate a little more." + +"Oh, Alec," laughed Flora, "you certainly have accumulated a pretty good +stock of self-complacency, and have cultivated a fine opinion of +yourself." + +"Yes," returned Alec, good-humoredly, touching up his horse with the +end of his whip. "One must blow his own trumpet, if no one else will for +him." + +"Bad policy, my boy," interposed Harry, who seemed for the time being, +to feel himself a boy again. "Bad policy. It is better not to have a +trumpet blown at all, than to do it yourself. True worth will always +receive its proper recognition." + +"Not always; you are wrong there," said Alec, his eyes twinkling +mischievously at the success of his plan for diverting his brother's +attention. + +"Yes, always," persisted Harry. "Probably not from the direction you +desire, or are looking toward; but, if one looks in the right direction, +he will find that if he is worthy of esteem, honor, and respect, he will +get it from those upon whom his course has made an impression. The +trouble is, that people often look too far away. Either they do not +think to look among those immediately about them, and among whom they +live, or they do not place the proper value upon their opinions and +respect." + +"Well, well," said Alec, coolly, as he drew up before the gate of a new +and very pretty cottage. "I am very much obliged to you for your +valuable homily. I hope I shall profit by it. But, my dear brother, 'all +is well that ends well'; and as my chief object in engaging you in +conversation was to give you something to think about besides which way +we were going, I am delighted that I was successful." And with a polite +bow, the saucy fellow jumped down and proceeded to help his passengers +to alight. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +A HOMELY WEDDING. + + +No sooner had the little party alighted, than the cottage door flew +open, and a crowd of familiar faces met their astonished gaze. + +There was the old major, wrinkled and lame, leaning on his cane, but +smiling as if he had forgotten that there was any "rheumatiz" in the +world. + +There was the bright-faced little Jem of long ago, now grown into a +stout maiden, and looking as sober and matter-of-fact as ever. + +And motherly little Ruth was there, with her face wreathed in smiles. + +There was good Mrs. Benson, busy and bustling with the weight of some +unusual responsibility. + +Such a royal welcome as our friends received. Tongues were kept busy +with stories of the generosity of the dear old Saint Nicholas, and +wishes for the new year. + +"What a pretty house!" exclaimed Flora, as the hum of voices was +lessening. + +"I am glad you like it, sister mine," returned Alec who was at her side, +"because, you know, it belongs to me." + +"To you? Then you have been industrious in all these years. Are you +going to live here all alone?" + +"Yes, you are right there, Flora," Alec answered, totally ignoring her +question. "I have worked hard, and saved too. But, there! I am blowing +my own trumpet again, in spite of Hal's lecture!" And he glanced +roguishly at his brother. + +But Harry only smiled. + +"What on earth do you want with a whole house?" asked Flora, curiously. +"Are the major and Mrs. Benson going to live with you?" she added, +wishing to understand it all. + +"No," said Alec, "they are going back home." + +Flora and Harry were thoroughly puzzled, and from time to time glanced +at their brother questioningly, as if they feared he was joking them. +Flora noticed, however, what the others were all too busy to see, that +Alec was constantly glancing out of the front window, as if expecting +some one. + +At last her curiosity and his evident uneasiness were both satisfied; +for a buggy drove up to the door, and from it alighted a young girl and +an elderly woman, and--Joel Piper, who after dismissing the conveyance +came toward the house, where they were met by Alec, who presented them +triumphantly to the rest. + +"Lottie Piper, is this you?" cried Flora. + +The young girl was really Lottie, and the elderly woman was Mrs. +Emmeline Durand, her aunt. + +"Yes, it's me," answered Lottie, serenely and ungrammatically. + +"This is a delightful surprise. What next?" exclaimed Flora. + +"Shall I tell you?" asked Alec, coming forward and offering Lottie his +arm, who evidently understood the whole situation; "it is simply +this,"--and the two fine-looking young people walked toward the window +where Harry was standing, and paused before him,--"I love Lottie, and I +think she loves me." Lottie's bright eyes dropped to the floor, her face +suffused with blushes, with a bright little smile trembling around her +mouth. "I love Lottie; and, Harry, I want you to pronounce us husband +and wife." + +Mrs. Hazeley and Flora looked somewhat dazed, and then, turning to each +other, locked arms and walked toward the bridal pair, each face showing +surprise, but also betraying real joy at the event. + +The others were happy. All knew what the day would bring forth, and each +had united with the others in mystifying Mrs. Hazeley, Flora, and Harry. + +The last named, while much surprised, as was but natural, understood the +situation and the part he was expected to take, as Alec and Lottie +stepped toward him. + +"Very well, Alec. I am glad you have made such a happy choice. Are you +both ready? Please stand here. That is it. So." + +Then, amid the hush that fell upon the little company, Harry's voice was +clearly heard, saying: + +"'What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.'" + +At the close of the short, but very impressive service, Harry offered a +short prayer that the "great All-Father would watch over, guard, and +guide these two lives that had linked themselves together for all time." + +Then came congratulations, and everybody tried to talk at once. Then +came dinner. This was in charge of Mrs. Benson, and it is only necessary +to say that it was one long to be remembered; for she was an excellent +cook. + +In the course of the dinner, Alec was pressed by Flora to tell how he +had become acquainted with Lottie. He quite willingly complied. + +"I first met her on the day I came down to see you off on the cars when +you all left for Brinton; and just as the train was disappearing around +a curve, and I was turning about to go home, a girl came running up all +out of breath. + +"'Oh,' said she, 'has the train gone?' I said, 'Yes; did you want to get +on?' + +[Illustration: Hazeley Family. Page 184.] + +"'No,' said she; 'but my friend is on it, and I wanted to say Good-bye.' +'I'm sorry,' said I, 'but who is your friend?' Not that it was any of my +business to know, but somehow or other I felt interested, and she didn't +seem to mind, but said: 'Flora Hazeley.' 'That's my sister,' said I; 'do +you know her?' 'I guess I do,' was the answer. 'It is too bad; but it +can't be helped, I suppose. I'm always late when I should be early, and +early when I should be late.' + +"This sounded so odd that we both laughed, and then she turned and was +out of sight in a very few seconds. I didn't see her again until one day +several years afterward, when I was doing business for myself--taking my +vegetables and things to town to sell, you know. It happened on this +morning I had some fine, fresh vegetables left over from market, and I +wanted to sell them before going home. I went through several streets, +knocking at the doors and asking if the folks would like to buy what I +had. At one of the houses I met Lottie again. She did not recognize me +at first, but amused me very much by the close bargains she drove. +'Well,' said I, 'you are a case.' She looked up at me suddenly, as if +she would like to give me a bit of her mind, and she saw who I was. +Then, of course, she began to ask after you all; and that is the way we +became acquainted. I always went there afterward when I had anything +left over, and, when I saw what a close bargain she could drive, and +what a good housekeeper she made for her aunt, I thought: 'Lottie is the +girl to help a fellow get on in the world.' So, after a while, with the +consent of the good aunt and no objections from our brother Joel here, +to whom we wrote about the matter, and who came on to see us and give us +his blessing, we made the arrangements that you see have been carried +out to-day." + +"How about Lottie's father?" said Flora, slyly. + +"We wrote to him too, and he didn't object, either--that that is, he +didn't answer--and silence is consent, you know." + +"Alec," said Harry, gravely, "I am glad, of course, to see you doing +well; but it hurts me to hear you talk so much about getting rich and +saying nothing about higher and better things. What is to become of you +when you are called to lay aside the possessions you are striving so +hard to get?" + +"Now, never you mind Alec, my good preacher brother," interposed Lottie, +looking at him with a complacent smile. "Alec is fond of mystifying +people. He is just as good a Christian as ever a young man was. He and I +both--to set your mind at rest--were converted over a year ago, at a +revival in Bartonville. We mean to try and live right--don't we, Alec?" +And she beamed on everybody, in no way abashed by her frank confession. +It was plain that Lottie would be matter-of-fact and practical to the +end of her days. + +"My dear Alec, give me your hand!" cried Harry. And the two brothers +clasped hands warmly, while Joel nodded approvingly. Flora, who sat next +to Lottie, slipped her arm around her waist and gave her a sisterly +embrace; and Mrs. Hazeley exclaimed, wiping the tears away: "If ever a +woman was blessed in her children, I am that one. Truly, God is good." + +"That he is," rejoined Mrs. Benson. "My husband and I can testify to +that." And her eyes rested lovingly upon Ruth and little Jem. + +"Well," put in Mrs. Durand, Lottie's aunt. "_You_ are all rejoicing; but +I am not so sure that I can join you. I lose my housekeeper and the only +companion I have when I lose Lottie. One doesn't mind living alone so +much when one is used to it; but when you have had company for so long, +it comes awkward to go back to the old habits." + +"Remember the old proverb, Aunt Emmeline, 'Never cross the bridge until +you come to it,'" laughed Lottie. Then, turning to Alec, who sat quietly +smiling, she said: "Tell her, Alec, do." + +"Aunt Emmeline, come with me a moment; I have something to show you," +and offering her his arm they left the room. Crossing the wide hall, +they ascended the stairs, and stopping at a closed door, Alec said, as +he pushed it open: + +"This room is for Aunt Emmeline, as long as she will occupy it. We could +not do without her." + +Mrs. Durand's fears were thrown to the wind when she heard this, and saw +the dainty room. Turning to Alec, with her eyes bright with tears, she +said, as she threw her arms around his neck: + +"Oh, Alec, I do not deserve this. But it makes me very happy to know you +think enough of me to do this for me." + +As they entered the room, where all was gayety, her face wreathed in +smiles, Mrs. Durand said: + +"Now I can join in the general rejoicing. I have a new home--this +one--with Lottie and Alec." + +Everybody was pleased, and Lottie looked her happiness; for her face was +ever very expressive of her feelings. + +For a long time Jem, who was as quiet and quaint in her ways as ever, +had been occupied in the effort to make peace between Dolby and Pokey, +who were now old and feeble, but very dear to the heart of their +mistress, who had insisted that they must come to the wedding. + +During Alec's story, Flora had caught a look of decided disapproval on +Jem's face, and determining to ascertain the cause, she asked: + +"Jem, dear, does anything trouble you? What do you think of this?" + +"Do you mean the wedding?" Jem questioned. + +"Yes." + +"Well, then,"--and the words came slowly, distinctly, and +decisively,--"I think it was a very disinteresting one." + +"How would you have had things, if you could have had your way?" asked +Flora, much amused at Jem's positive tone. + +"Oh, _I'd_ have had white satin, and orange blossoms, and lots of +presents, and a great big wedding cake, with a beautiful ornament on +top, and all such, you know." In her earnestness she had forgotten that +Pokey was on her lap, hidden under the table-cloth, for fear her +indulgent grandma would see her and be disgusted, and banish her from +the room. Pokey, feeling that the little hands were no longer pressing +her down and reminding her that she must lie still, quietly dropped to +the floor, and began cautiously to explore. + +"Now, Jem," went on Flora, argumentatively, "suppose we did have all the +fine things you named, how much happier would that make us all?" + +"Oh, I don't know anything about that. I only know it would have been +prettier, and more to my taste as a guest, you see," returned Jem with +dignity, much to the amusement of her listeners. + +"Ah, Jem," said Harry, shaking his head at her, and pretending to be +very serious: "Ah, Jem, you little know how much unhappiness often +follows the orange blossoms and satin." + +"I don't know anything about that, either," was the cool rejoinder. "I +only know they are prettier to look at." + +"Everybody to his taste, say I, Jem," remarked Alec, solemnly; which bit +of philosophy was promptly put into practice by Dolby, who evidently +found it to his taste just then to spring upon Pokey while her young +mistress was busy talking, and who received a sharp box on the ear for +his pains. Of course such behavior necessitated the removal of poor +Pokey in disgrace by Jem. + +Before anybody was ready for it, the hour of separation had come. After +a great deal of talking and a good many "good-byes," the Hazeleys were +on the cars, being carried back to Brinton, and the unique reunion was +over. + +"What a queer Christmas party we have been to!" laughed Flora, when they +were again at home. "But I enjoyed it." + +"Yes," answered Harry. "So did I." + +"And I," added his mother, "more than all. Just to think, what wonderful +things God does bring about!" + +"Yes," said Harry, reverently, "how well the words of Isaiah apply to +us: 'I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make +darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.'" + + +THE END. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Punctuation has been standardised. Both "to day" and "to-day" have been +retained as they appear in the original publication, as has "extonished". +On page 132 "let the way direct" has been changed to "led the way direct". + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hazeley Family, by A. E. 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