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- float: left; - margin-right: 1em } - -.align-right { clear: right; - float: right; - margin-left: 1em } - -.align-center { margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto } - -div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } - -/* SECTIONS */ - -body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } - -/* compact list items containing just one p */ -li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } - -.first { margin-top: 0 !important; - text-indent: 0 !important } -.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } - -span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } -img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } -span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } - -.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } - -/* PAGINATION */ - -@media screen { - .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage - { margin: 10% 0; } - - div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage - { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } - - .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } -} - -@media print { - div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } - div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } - - .vfill { margin-top: 20% } - h2.title { margin-top: 20% } -} - -</style> -<title>ROUND THE CORNER IN GAY STREET</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="Round the Corner in Gay Street" /> -<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Grace S. Richmond" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1908" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Maud Thurston" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Charles M. Relyea" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="42370" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-03-18" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Round the Corner in Gay Street" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="Round the Corner in Gay Street" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="gay.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2013-03-19T04:01:49.329182+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> -<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> -<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> -<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42370" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Grace S. Richmond" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="Maud Thurston" name="MARCREL.ill" /> -<meta content="Charles M. Relyea" name="MARCREL.ill" /> -<meta content="2013-03-18" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a5 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -<style type="text/css"> -.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } -.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } -.toc-pageref { float: right } -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="round-the-corner-in-gay-street"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">ROUND THE CORNER IN GAY STREET</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>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 </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: Round the Corner in Gay Street -<br /> -<br />Author: Grace S. Richmond -<br /> -<br />Release Date: March 18, 2013 [EBook #42370] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>ROUND THE CORNER IN GAY STREET</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 56%" id="figure-46"> -<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 60%" id="figure-47"> -<span id="here-you-are-you-don-t-half-let-me-help-you"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""'HERE YOU ARE--YOU DON'T HALF LET ME HELP YOU'"" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"'HERE YOU ARE--YOU DON'T HALF LET ME HELP YOU'"</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics x-large">ROUND THE CORNER -<br />IN GAY STREET</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics large">By</em><span class="large"> GRACE S. RICHMOND</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">AUTHOR OF -<br />"With Juliet in England," -<br />"The Indifference of Juliet," etc.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">ILLUSTRATED BY -<br />MAUD THURSTON AND CHARLES M. RELYEA</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics medium">A. L. BURT COMPANY</em><span class="medium"> -<br /></span><em class="italics medium">Publishers -- New York</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">COPYRIGHT, 1907, 1908, BY -<br />PERRY MASON COMPANY</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY -<br />DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY -<br />PUBLISHED, AUGUST, 1908</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, INCLUDING THAT OF TRANSLATION -<br />INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING THE SCANDINAVIAN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES -<br />AT -<br />THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, N.Y.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container dedication"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">TO -<br />MARJORIE, GUERNSEY AND JEAN</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BOOK I. GAY STREET</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#an-introduction-by-telephone">An Introduction by Telephone</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#gay-street-settles-down">Gay Street Settles Down</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#peter-sees-a-light">Peter Sees a Light</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#forrest-plays-a-trick">Forrest Plays a Trick</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#without-gloves">Without Gloves</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#weeds-and-flowers">Weeds and Flowers</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#jane-puts-a-question">Jane Puts a Question</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#murray-gives-an-answer">Murray Gives an Answer</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#snap-shots">Snap Shots</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#hide-and-seek">Hide and Seek</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#in-the-garden">In the Garden</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BOOK II. WORTHINGTON SQUARE</span></p> -<ol class="upperroman simple"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#jane-wears-pearls">Jane Wears Pearls</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#shirley-has-grown-up">Shirley Has Grown Up</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#luncheon-for-twelve">Luncheon for Twelve</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#pot-hooks">Pot-hooks</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#black-care">Black Care</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-breakdown">A Breakdown</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#christmas-greens">Christmas Greens</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#peter-reads-rhymes">Peter Reads Rhymes</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#a-red-glare">A Red Glare</a></p> -</li> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><a class="medium reference internal" href="#peter-prefers-the-porch">Peter Prefers the Porch</a></p> -</li> -</ol> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="an-introduction-by-telephone"><span class="large">BOOK I. GAY STREET</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">AN INTRODUCTION BY TELEPHONE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The hour for breakfast at the home of -Mr. Harrison Townsend, in Worthington -Square, was supposed to be eight o'clock. In -point of fact, however, breakfast was usually -served from that hour on, until the last laggard -had appeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The head of the house himself was always -promptly on hand at eight. On the morning of -April second he had, as usual, nearly finished -his breakfast before the door opened to admit a -second member of the family. Mr. Townsend -raised his eyes as a tall and slender figure limped -slowly across the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Morning, Murray!" he said, and dropped -his eyes again to his paper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good morning, sir!" responded his son, -and glanced indifferently over the table as he -sat down. "Bring me grapefruit and a cup of -coffee," he said to the maid. "No, nothing -else. Be sure the grapefruit is fixed as I like it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Townsend finished his newspaper and his -coffee at the same moment, and rose from the -table. Although five minutes had elapsed since -the elder of his two sons came into the room, -no conversation had passed between them. -Mr. Townsend's glance dropped upon the young man, -who, with his look of ill health, would have -appeared to a stranger to have lived several -more than the twenty-three years which were -really his.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're not feeling well this morning, Murray?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About as usual."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's not strange that you have no strength, -when you take nothing substantial with your -morning meal."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can I, when I can't bear the sight of -anything but fruit?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't get out enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose I don't. There's nothing to take me out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Townsend turned away. As he passed -through the door, he met his daughter Olive, -and greeted her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This very pretty, dark-skinned, dark-eyed -girl of eighteen evidently had been keeping late -hours on the previous evening. Her long lashes -drooped sleepily over her eyes as she nodded -to her brother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Grapefruit any good?" she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fair, if it wasn't sweetened like a bonbon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I like mine sweet. Annie, tell Gretchen -to put half a dozen maraschino cherries in my -grapefruit and some crushed ice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must like the mess that will be," Murray -observed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do--very much," replied his sister, decidedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two continued their breakfast in silence, -which was presently interrupted by the advent -of a fourth member of the family. Forrest -Townsend, flinging into the room with a rush, -dressed in riding clothes, and casting hat and -crop upon a chair as he passed it, offered a -picturesque contrast to the two dark-eyed young -persons. Of a little more than medium height, -strongly built, fair-haired and blue-eyed, he -looked the young athlete that he was.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hello!" was his morning greeting, as he -dropped into a chair. He proceeded instantly -to give his directions to the maid. No invalid -order was his.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No--no grapefruit. I want my chop, and -some bacon and eggs; tell Gretchen to brown -the eggs better than she did yesterday. Muffins -this morning? What? Oh bother! You know -I hate toast, Annie! Oh, waffles--that's better! -Coffee, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sounds like an order you 'd give at a hotel," -observed his sister, with scorn. "I wonder -Gretchen does n't make a fuss at having to cook -a whole breakfast like that just for you. -Nobody else wants such a heavy meal at this hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The bigger geese you all are then. If I -picked at my breakfast the way the rest of you -do, I 'd soon lose this good muscle and wind of -mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never heard that hot waffles and syrup -were good for muscle and wind." Murray looked -cynical under his dark eyebrows. "They -would n't be allowed at any training-table."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest leaned back in his chair and surveyed -his brother. "A lot you know about training -tables--a fellow who spent his two college years -cramming for honours," he said, pointedly. "No -wonder you look like a pale ghost on such rations. -Here comes mother at last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Harrison Townsend, in a trailing pale -blue gown, her fair hair piled high upon her -head, came in with an air of abstraction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Out late last night?" Forrest asked her, -attacking his chop with relish. "A dissipated -lot you all look but me. Even Murray would -be taken for a chap that got in toward morning. -That comes of reading in bed. Now look at me. -I was in after the last of you, and I 'm as fresh -as a daisy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For a boy not out of his teens your hours -strike me as peculiar." Murray rose slowly -as he spoke. He glanced at his mother. She -was busy with letters she had found at her plate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray limped slowly over to the end of the -room, where a great semi-circular alcove, filled -with windows, a cushioned seat running round -its whole extent, looked out upon the shrubbery -and the street beyond. He sank down upon -this seat, and gazed indifferently out of the -window.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Across the narrow side street which led away -from stately Worthington Square into a much -less pretentious neighborhood stood a big -furniture van, unloading its contents before a small -brown house. Although upon the left side of -the Townsend place lay a fine stretch of lawn, at -the right the house stood not more than ten yards -away from the side street. Its present owner -had attempted to remedy this misfortune of site -by planting a thick hedge and much shrubbery, -but a narrow vista remained through which, -from the dining-room windows, the little brown -house opposite could be seen with the effect of -being viewed through a field-glass and brought -into close range.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that over there in Gay Street?" Olive -had caught a glimpse of the furniture-van. -"New people moving in? Goodness! How many -tenants has that house had? They 're always -moving out and moving in--nobody can keep -track of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Townsend, looking up from her letter, -glanced out in her turn. "There is certainly -no need to keep track of them," she observed. -"What your Grandfather Townsend could have -been thinking of when he built this house on the -very edge of such a fine lot----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Grandfather Townsend was a shrewd old -man, and had an eye to the sale of lots on the -farther side of the house when land got high here," -was Forrest's explanation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Five minutes later he was out of the house -and crossing the lawn to the stables--a gay and -gallant young figure in his riding clothes. From -the window of his own room upstairs Murray -watched his brother go, feeling bitterly, as he -often did, the contrast between Forrest's superb -young health and his own crippled condition, -the result of an accident two years before, and -the illness which had followed it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't get outdoors enough!" he said to -himself. "I fancy if I could go tearing out of -the house like that every morning, jump on -Bluebottle, and gallop off down Frankfort -Boulevard I could get outdoor air enough to keep me -healthy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour afterward there was a knock at his -door, and a child's voice called: "O Murray, -may I come in?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His thirteen-year-old sister Shirley somehow -seemed nearer to Murray than any other -member of his family. "Come in!" he responded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Murray," the little sister began instantly, -"some new people are moving into the little -brown house, and there 's a girl just my age! -She looks so nice! I 've been watching her. -She 's helping wash windows. Oh, please come -into the den and let me show you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the 'den' it could all be seen. There -were two girls on the small porch, each washing -a window. The elder girl looked as if she were -about eighteen, her abundant curly hair, of a -decided reddish brown, being worn low at her -neck after the fashion of girls of that age. Even -across the street the observers could see that -she had a merry face, full of life and colour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The younger girl, was about Shirley's size, -round-faced and sturdy, and apparently of -an amiable frame of mind, for having accidentally -tipped over her pail, she took the mishap -in the jolliest spirit, and throwing back her thick -brown braids of hair, mopped up the swimming -porch with lively flourishes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish we could see 'em closer," suggested -Shirley. "They look so nice--don't you think -they do?--not a bit like the other people that -have lived in that house. I saw their mother, -I 'm sure I did, a little while ago--she had the -dearest face! Murray, don't you think you 'd -like to take a little walk? It would be such fun -to go past the house while they 're out there, and -they 'd be sure to turn and look, so we could see -their faces. Please, Murray! We may not have so -good a chance after they get the windows washed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was something to do, certainly. Motives -of interest for the daily walk upon which the -doctors insisted were few, and the older brother -gladly followed his anxious young leader out into -the spring sunshine. Slowly, Murray's cane -tapping their advance, they turned the corner -from Worthington Square into Gay Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Coming rapidly toward them from the opposite -direction was a young fellow of about Murray's -age. This youth, looking toward the brown -house, gave a low whistle. The girls upon the -porch turned and waved their cloths, and the -newcomer, making three leaps of the short path -to the house, and one jump of the low porch, -was with them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They did not shout, those three, and the elder -girl's voice, Murray noted, was delightfully -modulated; but he and Shirley were close now, -and they could not help hearing the greeting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hard at it already? Everything come? I -got off for an hour, and thought I 'd rush up and -do what I could."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was lovely of you, Pete," said the elder -girl. A surreptitious glance from Murray, and -a frank stare from Shirley, proved her to possess -a very attractive face, indeed, as she smiled at -the stoutly built young man before her. "Yes, -everything has come, and mother can keep you -busy every minute. Window-washing would n't -</span><em class="italics">seem</em><span> to come first, but we thought we 'd get at -least this little front room in order by night, so -that when you all came home----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her voice was growing indistinct as the passers-by -moved reluctantly on. But the younger girl -at this point broke in, and her voice, high and -eager like Shirley's own, carried farther:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Petey, Jane and I are to have the dearest, -littlest room you ever saw, right under the eaves. -Jane can't stand up all over, but I can--except -close to the wall. It's so little, Jane thinks -we can paper it ourselves. If we can only----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here the deeper voice of the youth interrupted, -and nothing more was distinguishable. Murray -and Shirley walked on, both, it must be confessed, -wishing they had eyes in the backs of their heads.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, do let's turn and go back!" begged -Shirley, with one quick glance behind. But -Murray made her keep on to the corner, and -then insisted on crossing the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Even now they may guess that we 're watching -them," he said. "Don't stare so at them, child."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they're going in. Oh, look,"--she -clutched his arm--"there's the mother! I'm -sure she is. Look! Isn't she dear?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She did look "dear." She was enveloped -in an apron, and her sleeves were rolled up to -the elbows revealing a pair of round, white, -capable arms. Her abundant gray hair rolled -and puffed about her face in a most girlish fashion, -her bright, dark eyes were set under arching -eyebrows, and her face, almost as fresh in -colouring as her daughter's, was full of charm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The young man, laughing, put an arm about -her shoulders, and drew her back with him into -the house. The two girls, gathering up their -pails and cloths, and exchanging low, gay talk, -followed, and the door was closed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The April sunshine suddenly faded out of the -narrow side street and left it as commonplace -as ever. Yet not quite. Murray and Shirley, -gazing across at the dull little brown house. -were longing to enter it. It was quite evident -that life of a sort they hardly knew was about -to be lived within.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With this new interest to stimulate him, it -was perhaps not strange that Murray should -have found it rather easier than usual to get -out for his afternoon walk, or that it should -have ended by a slow progress through Gay -Street. There were somehow so few young people -he cared for, and the faces of the three he had -seen had struck him as so interesting, that he -wondered, as he tapped along with his cane, -by what means he could learn to know them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just as Murray came along the street, the -younger of the two girls he had seen opened the -door, and holding it ajar, addressed somebody -inside in her childishly penetrating voice:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm going to find a telephone somewhere, -Janey, if I have to ring at every door. No--I 'll -</span><em class="italics">tell</em><span> them we are n't the sort of people who borrow -molasses and telephones and things all the time, -but---- Why, I 'll say it's </span><em class="italics">very</em><span> important--</span><em class="italics">anybody</em><span> -would understand about wall-paper not -coming and the man waiting. No, I don't suppose -they have in such a little house, but it won't do -any harm to ask. Of course, across the street -they'd have--but I don't quite---- No, of -course I won't, but----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She ended an interview which evidently was -not proceeding according to her satisfaction by -closing the door and running down the steps -into the street. Murray wanted very much to -speak to her and offer the use of his telephone, -but she whisked away so fast he had no time. -He walked more slowly than ever, saw her -turn away from two Gay Street doors, and then -retraced his steps, and met her as she was -preparing to ascend the third small porch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon," he said, "but I thought -I heard you say something about needing to -use a telephone. Won't you please come over -and use ours--the house on the corner?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, thank you!" She looked relieved. -"That's good of you. We hate to bother -anybody like this, and Jane--my sister--did n't -want me to, but the paper man is waiting, and -he 's getting very cross, and we do want to get -the dining-room done before night. I 'll go and -tell Jane. She 'll have to telephone. I -can't--I don't know how!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She ran into the house, and a moment later -the elder sister emerged, and came down to Murray -to accept his courtesy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's very kind of you," she said, as he -accompanied her across the street and in at the -hedge gate. "To-morrow happens to be a legal -holiday, you know, and the paperer says if he -does n't have the right paper this afternoon it -will be three days before he can finish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That would be an awful bother," Murray -declared, "just as you 're getting settled. I 'm -glad we 're so near. Come in. This way, -please. Take this chair here by the desk. -I 'll just wait in the hall and show you the -way out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he waited, Murray could not help hearing. -The business did not seem to be easily -accomplished. When his visitor had succeeded in -getting the paper house on the telephone she -had a very bad time making the man at the -other end of the line understand about the -mistake in the paper, and when it became plain that -he did understand, Jane's surprised little -sentences showed that he was a most -unaccommodating person, and would not do what she -requested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can't do it?" she asked, and Murray -observed that with all the trouble she was having -her voice did not lose its courteous intonations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not this afternoon </span><em class="italics">at all</em><span>? We are very -anxious to get the room settled and the paperer -says---- Yes, I know, but it surely was n't -our mistake. I beg your pardon--it 's only -three o'clock, I think, not four. He says -there 's plenty of time if---- No, I 've nobody -to send."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here!" Murray's disgusted voice was -at her ear. He was gently attempting to take -the receiver away from her. "Let me tackle -that person, please."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next moment Jane was standing beside -the desk, her cheeks rosy with a quite reasonable -indignation at the treatment she had been -receiving from the surly unknown. At the -telephone sat her new acquaintance, sending rapid -requests over the wire in a tone which plainly -was making somebody attend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not fix up your own mistake to-night--with -to-morrow a holiday? Why not? There's -plenty of time. Send by a special messenger, -of course, and tell him to be quick. Who's -talking to you? That does n't make any special -difference, does it? It may be a small order--I -don't see what that has to do with it. -Mrs. Bell needs that paper up within half an hour. -Yes--well, this is Harrison Townsend's -house--Worthington Square, and I 'm telephoning for -our friends. What? Oh, you will! Well, thank -you! I 'm glad you see your way clear. -Yes--half an hour--I say, make it twenty minutes, -can't you, please? Very well." And Murray -broke off, and hung up the receiver with an -impatient click which expressed his contempt -for a clerk who would hurry up an order for -Worthington Square when he would n't do it -for Gay Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Idiot!" he remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl beside him moved toward the door, -smiling. "It was ever so kind of you," she -said. "The paper is for the dining-room, and -you can guess how it upsets things to have the -dining-room in confusion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope you didn't mind my telling that -fellow you were our friends," said Murray, as -he accompanied his guest to the door. "Such -near neighbours----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I understood! That was what made -it so easy for him to get a messenger! -Only--please don't think we----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes?" Murray was smiling encouragingly at her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It sounds absurd, but--it's so dreadfully -soon to be borrowing telephones----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Or molasses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They both laughed. Murray's hand lingered -upon the door knob, which at this moment it -became timely for him to turn for her. "I -could n't help hearing your sister assuring you -that she would tell people you never borrowed -molasses. I don't see why not. We might need -to borrow it of you some time, but of course if -you feel there's something especially prohibitive -about molasses----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He knew he was not saying anything brilliant, -but it made her laugh again, and laughing is an -excellent way of getting over a trying situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But he was obliged to open the door for her -without delay, for she plainly was not going -to be tempted into lingering. She ran down -the steps, and he saw her bronze-red hair catch -the sunshine as she went. As she reached the -bottom he called after her: "I hope you'll like -that paper mighty well when it's on!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you!" he heard her answer, over -her shoulder, and he was sure that she was still -smiling. It seemed to him reasonably certain -that the Bells were pleasant people to know.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="gay-street-settles-down"><span class="large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">GAY STREET SETTLES DOWN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tramp, tramp, upon the little porch. -Peter flung the door wide, and in marched -the four male members of the house of Bell. The -door opened hospitably at once into the living-room, -so that the four were able at a glance to -see what had been accomplished, and they -immediately gave voice to their surprise. "Hi!" This -was fifteen-year-old Rufus's exclamation. -"Hi! hi! Hip, hip, hurray-ay!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well, they must have worked!" said -Peter. "I was up here an hour this morning, -and they had n't got further than washing the -windows."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When it comes to hustling work, Mother -Bell and corps can't be beaten," declared Ross -McAndrew, the cousin of the Bells, a pleasant-faced -lad of eighteen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a rush from the rear of the house, -and Nancy was upon them--Nancy, the -twelve-year-old, with the thick brown braids and the -round, bright face. Ross caught her and swung -her up to his shoulder, where she struggled -frantically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm too old, Ross!" she pleaded, rumpling -his curly fair hair in revenge until it stood on -end. "Put me down! Put me down at once! -O-oh, you 're bumping my head against the ceiling!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked up and laughing swung her -gently down. "It is n't a very lofty apartment, -is it, Nan? Did it hurt?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only my feelings. Does n't it look nice -here? Mother worked at the kitchen, and Jane -and I did all this. We wanted it to look like -home when you came."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It does, indeed. But I must admit I 'm -glad mother kept at the kitchen," laughed her -father, with a tweak of one fat braid. "It seems -too much to expect that we should have a meal -to-night in all the disorder, but Peter brought -back word this morning that we were to come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed you are," said a voice from an inner -doorway, and everybody turned. A fresh white -apron tied about her trim waist--where did -she find it in the confusion?--her beautiful hair -in careful order, Mrs. Bell beamed at her big -family. "We've nothing but an Irish stew for -you, but we had it on this morning as soon as -the fire was built, and it's tender and fine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good for you! We like nothing better. -Where's Janey?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the kitchen, trying to make places for -you all at the kitchen table. We could n't do -anything with the dining-room. The paperer -has only just gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on, you people!" called a blithe voice -from the next room, and Jane's face looked over -her mother's shoulder. "Turn to the right as -you come through the door, and follow the wall -round. I 've made a passage that way, but -you 're likely to get into perilous places if you -try to steer for yourselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In single file they followed directions, all but -young Rufus, who preferred leaping from box -to barrel, and from table to trunk, and so reached -the haven of the kitchen first.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Whoo-p!</em><span>" he ejaculated. "Say, but this -is jolly! </span><em class="italics">Mm-m</em><span>! Smell that stew? Hope -you 've lots of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All you can eat," responded Jane, confidently. -"Now if you 'll let me seat you all, I 'll make -a place for every one. Mother to go first, at the -other end, in the chair--our only one available -as yet. Next, Ross, on the cracker-box, and -Nan on the wood-box. Daddy's to have this -soap-box all to himself, with a cushion on it. -Peter can sit on that coal-hod, turned upside down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a roar at this, and a protest from -Peter. "'Can't I have a newspaper to pad the -top of it, sis?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you will find one," Jane responded, -unmoved. "Rufe will have to take the top of that -flour-barrel, and we 'll hand up his things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Bell was a famous cook, and understood -well the quantity of food necessary to appease -the keen appetites of her big family, so the bowls -were replenished again and again, until all were -satisfied, and still the kettle was not quite empty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're not much like a girl I saw to-day, -Janey," remarked Peter, balancing himself in the -attempt to sit comfortably back upon his coal-hod, -while his sister removed the plates and set forth -a dish of baked apples and cream. Peter laughed -at the recollection. "She was too stately and -languid to lift her eyes to look at me, after the -first frosty glance. We rode up town on the same -street car yesterday, when I was coming here -to make sure the house was ready for us. It was -the rush hour, of course, and I gave her my seat. -I think--yes, I really think"--Peter paused to -reflect--"she said, 'Thank you,' though since -of course I was n't looking at her as I took off -my hat I did n't see her lips move. She and I -got off the car together, and came up Gay -Street together----"</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 63%" id="figure-48"> -<span id="you-re-not-much-like-a-girl-i-saw-today-janey"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""'YOU 'RE NOT MUCH LIKE A GIRL I SAW TODAY, JANEY'"" src="images/img-022.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"'YOU 'RE NOT MUCH LIKE A GIRL I SAW TODAY, JANEY'"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Together!" from Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On opposite sides of the street. She was a -little ahead, for the car stopped on her side. I -looked across at her with interest as I came -along--wanted to find out what our neighbors were -like, you know. She was carrying a big muff, -and had some things in it--been shopping, of -course. Oh, I don't mean parcels--she -would n't be caught carrying a parcel--but -letters and a purse and a card-case and a -pocket-handkerchief, and so forth. Well, as we came -along I noticed she had dropped -something--handkerchief, by the way it fluttered down. -Of course I bolted across the street, through -six inches of spring mud, grasped the article, -and rushed after her. I said, 'Pardon me, but -you dropped your handkerchief,' and held it -out. She took it, murmured 'Thank you!'--I -saw her lips move this time--"and sailed on -like a queen. I took off my hat, waded back -through the mud, and was continuing on my -thankless way----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thankless!--I thought you just admitted -she thanked you," objected Ross, with a twinkle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was one of those thankless thank-yous, -just the same," explained Peter, with gravity. -"Well, as I say, I went on--like this -story--meditating upon her cordial manner, when I -saw something else fall from the capacious muff."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You didn't!" Jane looked incredulous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardon me, I did. This time I did not -bolt across the street; indeed, I stopped to -consider whether I should not shout, 'Hi, hi, there, -you 've dropped your purse, lady!' like a street -gamin. But reflecting on the embarrassment -this might cause me at some future date, when -she and I should really meet, I picked my way -across again, seized the pocketbook, and was -about to pursue her, when she looked round and -caught me in the act of scrutinizing it, as one -naturally does upon picking up a gold-mounted, -aristocratic affair like that, the like of which he -expects never----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, go on!" Rufus could no longer endure -his brother's tantalising eloquence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hastened to her side," continued Peter, -who was gifted in the art of putting things -elaborately when he chose, "and remarked, 'I believe -this is yours?' She--now what, friends, would -you naturally expect a girl to do on receiving -the third favour from a stranger within fifteen -minutes?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did you expect? Did you suppose -she would fly into your----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did you want her to open the pocketbook -and hand you a quarter, saying, 'Here, my honest -lad----'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Think she 'd say, 'You must call and see -father. He will give you a position in his----'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your suggestions are far-fetched and improbable. -I expected none of these things to happen. -But consider the situation. Here was I, crossing -the street for the third time in the mud----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would n't you have thought, considering the -absurdity of the affair--her strewing things -along the street like that--the least she could -have done would have been to----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Smile!" supplied Jane. "</span><em class="italics">Did n't</em><span> she, Peter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She did not," avowed Peter. "She just -looked at me as if she thought I had been about -to steal her purse, took it, and went on, this time -without saying thank you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good gracious!" This from Ross. "She must -be a nice girl to know. And you look pretty well, -too, Pete, in that blue suit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where does she live?" Nancy inquired, her -round face sympathetic with Peter's mock humiliation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In the big house across the street. If you -get out of milk or eggs, Janey, don't hesitate to -run across and borrow some," counselled Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now if you 'll just make use of us all this -evening," proposed Mr. Bell, rising, "we can -accomplish a good deal--eh, boys? Shall I open -the boxes and barrels, Martha?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this suggestion three more pairs of strong -arms were put at Mrs. Bell's service. She set -every one at work at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Joe, dear," she agreed, "if you will open -the boxes, I 'll take out the things and put them -in place as far as I can. That's right, Nancy, -you help Jane with the dishes, and when they -are done you can go up stairs and make up the -beds. Ross and Peter----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, we 'll set up the beds," said Peter, with -alacrity, anticipating the division of work, "and -uncrate the chests of drawers and the bedroom -furniture generally. Come on, Ross. You 're as much -one of the family as any of us now, since you -helped us move, and a little family labour like this -will complete the job. Whoever lives with us -has to learn to be handy man about the house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm ready." Ross looked it. There was -an air of alertness about him, for he was slimmer -and lighter than Peter, and his fair curly hair -made him appear much younger, although only -two years separated the ages of the cousins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will find the furniture mostly in the -rooms where it belongs," Mrs. Bell called after -them. "Jane will be up soon and straighten -you out, if you get mixed. Rufus, suppose you -go round after the others and bring away all -the litter they leave after the uncrating, and -make a neat pile of it in the wood-shed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The steep and narrow little staircase ascended -abruptly between walls from the dining-room -and led to low-ceiled regions above, which, to -the eyes of Murray and Shirley Townsend, from -the big house across the street, facing Worthington -Square, would have seemed too cramped and -small of dimensions to be habitable, to say nothing -of the possibility of their ever being made -comfortable. But the Bells were of the sort who make -the best of everything, and so far none of them -had suggested that the little house was not an -abode fit for the finest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jane and Nan in one room, Rufe and I in -another, and Mr. Ross McAndrew alone in state -in this little one in the corner. I judge by the -signs that's the stowing of the crowd intended," -speculated Peter, surveying each room in turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That corner room's as big as any. I don't -think I ought to have it all to myself," objected -Ross.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What, not that spacious eight-by-nine -apartment, with one whole side under the eaves?" -laughed Peter. "Well, since we can't split -ourselves into halves, and like the family of the -famous poem 'we are seven,' I don't see but -you 'll have to make the best of your loneliness. -The beds are only three-quarters size, and Rufe -takes up less room than you do, so he and I -naturally chum it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right. Let's make a start. Catch hold -of that bureau, and heave it around into place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They fell to work with a will. Ross, the more -lightly built, showed the greater energy of the -two, though Peter worked away quite as steadily. -But after an hour of hard labour Peter called a halt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, let's put it through," and Ross bent -over a box with undiminished ardour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His attitude appealed to Peter, spoiling for -fun after a long day at the factory, and in a -twinkling he had tipped his cousin head first -into the nearly empty box. Shouts, laughter -and a lively scuffle ensued--so lively a scuffle, -indeed, that Mr. Bell, Jane and Nancy, in the -dining-room below, energetically sweeping up -the litter made by the paperer, smiled at one -another in mock dismay as the floor above -resounded with the pounding and scraping of -boot-heels, and the very walls of the small house -trembled with the fray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Goodness, I should think it was elephants -up there!" cried Nancy, and ran half-way up -the stairs to see what was going on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Bell opened his mouth to say, "Tell -them it's an old house, Nan, and the ceiling 's -cracked"--when the thing happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ceiling was old, the house was not too -solidly built, and the battle above had reached -its height when, quite without warning, down -upon the freshly cleaned floor fell a great mass -of plaster. The powdery lime rose in a suffocating -cloud and covered Jane and her father with dust -and debris.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a minute more before the combatants, -wrestling furiously over the bare floors above, -could be made to understand by a horrified young -person, who shrieked the news at them from the -top of the staircase, the havoc they had wrought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But when they comprehended what had -happened they hurried downstairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, of all the----" Ross was too shocked -to finish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say, but we've done it now, have n't we?" -exclaimed Peter, in disgust. "Janey--dad--it -did n't hurt you, did it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only my pride--and my hair," answered -Jane, as she vainly tried to brush her curly locks -free from plaster.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a shame! Why didn't you stop us? -Clumsy louts! Pulling the place down about -our ears the very first night!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And how we hurried that paper man, to get -him through to-night!" lamented Nancy, brushing -off her father with anxious fingers. "We were -going to have the dining-room all settled to-morrow----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And to-morrow 's a holiday," murmured Jane, -from under her hair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was bending forward, with her head at -her knees, while Mrs. Bell shook out the clinging -lumps from the tangle of hair in which they were -caught.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a quarter of ten," announced Rufus, cheerfully. -"Do we have to clear this up to-night?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should say so!" Ross caught up a broom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's the least we can do. Get a box, will -you, Rufe, and let's have the worst over. Pete -and I will do the job, and the rest of you can go -upstairs and dance a hornpipe over our heads. -If you will throw things at us from time to time -down the stairs it may relieve your feelings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't feel too badly. I had a notion all the -time that that ceiling ought to have been pulled -down before we papered the room; it looked old -and shaky to me. Now we 'll have a new one -that will stand pillow-fights as long as we live -here," said Mrs. Bell, smiling at the rueful -countenance of her nephew.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Right you are, and I'll have a man here -to put that plaster on in the morning, holiday or -no holiday," promised Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In ten minutes the plaster had been swept -up, Jane's hair had received a thorough brushing, -Mr. Bell had been relieved of several lumps -which had worked their way down his back, -and the family went to bed in as good spirits as -if nothing had happened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next morning Peter started early in quest -of a plasterer to restore the ceiling, and finding -it by no means easy to discover one who cared -to work when he might play, came home after -two hours' search baffled but still determined. -A passing acquaintance gave him a clue, and -he was presently hurrying across the street in -search of the Townsends' coachman, whose -brother, the acquaintance had said, might be -persuaded to do the job.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the stables, much to his astonishment, he -came fairly upon the girl whose propensity for -losing things he had described with so much gusto -the evening before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon," he said, quickly--he -seemed to be always begging her pardon--"but -I was looking for your coachman. I--he--I -hoped he could tell me the name--that -is, of course he knows the name--I mean, I -wanted his brother's address."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter was no stammerer, and it irritated him -very much to be saying all this so awkwardly, -but there was something about the cool dark -eyes of this girl, as she stood looking at him, -which rather disconcerted him. She had evidently -just dismounted from her horse, and now Peter -observed two things--first that she was rather -oddly pale, and second, that her side-saddle had -slipped, and rested at an altogether improper -angle upon the horse's back. As he saw this he -came forward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is the matter?" he asked quickly. -"You haven't had a fall? You didn't ride -this way, of course?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I did," she answered, lifting her head -rather high, and then suddenly drooping it again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How far? When did it slip? Were you -alone?" Peter examined the side-saddle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It began to slip--back--at--the boulevard," -said the girl, rather slowly. "I--I -don't know just how I kept on, but I did. Lewis -is n't here. He ought to be. I can't put up -Blackthorn myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me do it for you." Peter took the bridle -from her. He soon had the horse in the stall and -had put away the saddle and bridle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was a plucky thing to do," declared -Peter, coming back to the stable door, where -the girl had dropped into the coachman's chair, -"to ride home with a slipping saddle. But you -ought not to have done it, you know. It might -have slipped a lot more with a jerk, and thrown -you. See here, you 're not feeling just right, are -you? Shall I call somebody?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no!" She started up. "If mother knew -the least thing went wrong she would n't let me -ride at all. If you--if you just would n't mind -staying here a little, till I feel like myself -again----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, of course I will"--and Peter stayed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was only for a few minutes, and meanwhile -Lewis, the coachman, had returned, and the -matter of the loose saddle-girth had been fully -discussed by all three. Then Peter took his -way home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane met him at the door. "Did you find -where the plasterer lives?" she asked, eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter stared at her, turned about, and gazed -across the street, as if he expected to see a plasterer -following in his path, trowel and float in hand. -Then he burst into a laugh. He mumbled -something which sounded like a very peculiar name, -if it was a name, and rapidly retraced his footsteps -across the street, to make his inquiry of Lewis, the -coachman.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="peter-sees-a-light"><span class="large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">PETER SEES A LIGHT</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>The Bells had been at home for a fortnight -in Gay Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The little house was in order from cellar to -roof, and its occupants had settled down to the -routine of their daily living, well content with -the new abode. In a way they missed the larger -house and freer environments of the remote -suburban place they had left, but the early -hour at which Mr. Bell and the boys were -now able to reach home, and the later one at -which they could leave in the morning, amply -compensated for the more cramped quarters -made necessary by the higher rates of rental in -the city.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's not a very friendly neighborhood, though, -is it, Janey?" commented Peter one evening, -as he and Jane stood on the porch, enjoying the -mild mid-April evening. "How many calls have -you had? Two?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Three," corrected Jane, cheerfully. "The -two old ladies on the right, the mother of six -the left, and one odd person from Westlake -Street. The rest are still looking us over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody from Worthington Square?" Peter's -tone was quizzical.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Absolutely nobody," Jane laughed. "But -we have one acquaintance in Worthington Square, -Peter--the little Townsend girl with the sweet, -pale face. She wants to know us dreadfully, -and she's such a dear, democratic little person the -smiles positively tremble on her mouth when I -meet her--which I do almost every day. So -does Nancy. It 's the oddest thing! Nan says -she almost never stirs out that the Townsend -child does n't appear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She wants to get acquainted. I don't blame -her. They 're the dullest lot over there. There -seems to be one stirabout--the good-looking -chap who 's off on horseback every day. But -the other son 's a paleface, and the -daughter--hum--well----" Peter's pause was eloquent. -"I think she's---- Hello! What's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had looked over at the big house as he spoke -of its inmates, and his eye had been caught by -an appearance which struck him as unusual. -The house was dimly lighted everywhere, but -in one room, the upper one with the semicircular -window, there was an effect of brilliancy of a -ruddier color than is ordinarily produced by -electric lights. As Peter and Jane now stared -at it, it seemed to grow in intensity, and there -showed a wavering and flashing of this singular -light which looked suspiciously like fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you suppose there can be anything wrong?" -speculated Peter, anxiously. "Of course a fire -of coke or cannel in a fireplace might give that -effect, through those thin curtains, but -we--haven't seen--anything like it--before--and--By -George!" as the light flared more ruddily -than ever for an instant and then grew dull again, -"I believe there </span><em class="italics">is</em><span> trouble there! Anyhow, -I 'll run over and find out! They can't blame me -for that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was starting off at a run when Jane darted -after him. "I 'm sure I saw flames jump up, -Pete!" she called, excitedly. "The window's -open, and the curtain blew to one side. Oh, -hurry! Most of them are away; I saw them -drive off an hour ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was running at Peter's side, fleet of foot -as he. Her mind had leaped to the youngest -member of the unknown household, the one who -did not drive away after nightfall to dinners and -parties, like the others. Only that day she had -met Shirley and exchanged with her the few -bright words the little girl seemed to welcome -so eagerly. They ran up the steps of the great -portico, with its stately columns, and hurrying -across it, came to a partly opened door. Peter -rang the bell, peering impatiently through the -vestibule into the large, square, half-lighted -interior. "I 'll wait just one minute for an -answer," he said with his foot on the threshold, -"and then I 'll be up that gorgeous staircase back -there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane put her head in at the door. "I smell -smoke!" she breathed, and Peter pushed past -her. Delaying no longer, he ran across the hall -and up the staircase, closely followed by Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he reached the top, a little white-clad figure -ran screaming toward him. He rushed by, but -Jane, at his heels, caught the little girl up in her -arms.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There, there, darling," she soothed the -frightened, sobbing child, "you 're all safe! Peter -will take care of the fire. Are they all away? -There, don't be frightened, dear!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Over Shirley's head Jane saw Peter vanish -through a doorway--beyond which she could -see a mass of smoke and flame--slam down a -window, and dash out again, closing the door -behind him. Then he was off down the stairs, -shouting for help as he went, and getting no -response from any quarter of the strangely deserted -house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take her away!" he called back to Jane, -as he ran, and Jane attempted to obey.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are your clothes, dear?" she asked -the child in her arms, but could get no coherent -answer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked about her, and carrying Shirley, -who was slender and as light of weight as a much -younger child, soon discovered the little girl's -room. She caught up the pile of clothes on a -chair, and attempted to dress her charge. But -Shirley only cried and clung. Jane pulled a -silken blanket from the little brass bed, and -wrapping the child in it, and rolling her clothes -into a bundle, which she tucked under one arm, -carried her downstairs and into a small -reception-room near the front entrance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter, dashing through the silent house toward -the rear, hoping to come upon a man-servant -somewhere, was met at last by a startled maid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A room upstairs is on fire," he said. "Any -men here to help me put it out? If there are n't -I must send in an alarm. Any fire-extinguishers -about?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl's wits scattered at the news, but she -managed to recall the fact that the coachman -must be at the stable again by this time, and -flew to call him. Peter ran back to keep track -of events. He saw that the walls were heavy, -that the fire was thus far confined to the one room, -and that if help came speedily it would not be -necessary to call out the fire department, an -expedient to be avoided, he felt sure, unless -the danger to the house was greater than he -thought.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the frightened maid forestalled him in this -plan. She ran to the telephone and sent in the -alarm herself, although in the confusion of her -fright she lost some minutes in getting the message -properly reported. Meanwhile, the coachman -having arrived to aid Peter, bringing with him -the apparatus kept in the stables for the purpose -of extinguishing fire, the two were soon successfully -fighting the flames without further aid.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley, downstairs, was still trembling in -Jane's arms, and incoherently crying for her -brother Murray, who, she insisted, had not gone -out with the others that evening, but had been -reading in the room which was now on fire. At -that moment Murray himself came limping in at -the open door. The maid met him at the threshold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Mr. Murray," she began--and Jane, in -the reception-room, heard her--"the house is -on fire, and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What? Where? Where's Shirley? Who's----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane, with the child in her arms, appeared -at the door of the reception-room. "She 's -here--quite safe," she said; and with an exclamation, -Murray came anxiously toward the two. Then -he paused and looked up the staircase, for through -the distant closed door upstairs could be heard -the sounds of voices, shouting directions. The -maid was beginning an excited explanation when -Jane interrupted her:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My brother is here, and he and your coachman -are putting it out, I 'm sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has anybody sent in an alarm?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did," said the maid. "The young man -told me not to, but how did he know he could -put it out? And the master 'd be blamin' -me----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We don't want the firemen here if we don't -need them," Murray was beginning, when the -distant and familiar clang of a gong stopped the -words upon his lips. In a moment more it became -evident that a fire-engine and its train were upon -them. Murray turned away, and started hurriedly -up the stairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the approaching noises, which to the delicate -child had always been peculiarly terrifying, -little Shirley began to cry afresh. Jane gathered -her up with an air of determination.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm going to take her to our house across -the street," she said to the maid. "There's no -need of her staying here to be so frightened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl made no remonstrance. She was too -excited to do more than bewail the absence of the -other servants, and the misfortune of her having -been left alone in charge. "I 'd just stepped out of -the door a minute, miss," she explained, "to speak -to a friend of mine that was passing. 'T was a -mercy I left the door open, or the young gentleman -couldn't have----. There's the gong!--There 's -the fire-engine!--Oh, my--but look at the crowd -comin' after 'em!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Show me a side door where I can slip out, -please," requested Jane hurriedly, and the maid -obeyed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As the firemen ran in at the front door, Jane, -with Shirley in her arms, hurried out at a low -side entrance, from which a path through the -shrubbery led to a gateway in the high hedge next -the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As she reached her own porch, the rest of her -family came rushing out, having heard the -commotion in the street. She almost ran into Nancy -who stopped abruptly to stare at Jane's burden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come back into the house with me, Nan," -said Jane, quickly. "Here 's our frightened -little neighbour. The fire will soon be out, but -I thought she'd be happier over here, for the -family are all away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the house she put Shirley down upon the -couch in the front room, and the child, staring up, -her big eyes full of tears and fright, beheld the face -of the girl she had so longed to know smiling -down at her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is splendid!" said Nancy Bell. "I've -wanted to know you like everything, and now -I 've got you right here in my own house. Won't -you let me help you get dressed? I 'd love to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Seeing that Nancy would be better for the shy -little visitor than any number of older persons, -Jane left the two together, and went out to see -what was happening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was very little. The fire-engine was already -turning to leave, the driver grumbling at a needless -alarm. "All out!" a voice was shouting, and the -crowd was reluctantly pausing upon the edge of -the lawn, disappointed that no further excitement -was to be had. Upstairs the firemen had found -the fire subdued to a mere dying smother of smoke, -the efficient chemical having made quick work -of the blaze, which had not had time to attack -the walls of the room, but had been confined to its -furnishings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter, his hands and clothes grimy, made light -of the affair to Murray, who was looking in at -the ruin of the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I took a few liberties with your front door," -Peter said, "finding it open and no one about. -Oh, no, it hadn't much headway; I saw that -when I decided not to call out the department. -It was quite a blaze, but mostly the light stuff -about. It must have caught from the curtains -blowing into that student-lamp."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's my fault," Murray owned. "I hate -electric lights to read by, so I lighted that lamp -here. I was reading, but the room began to -feel stuffy, and I opened the window. It looked -so pleasant outside I thought I 'd take a turn -round the square. I 'm not a fast walker"--he -glanced at his lame leg--"and I was probably -at the other side of the square when you came in. -Look here, you must have been mighty quick to -take in the situation, for I couldn't have been -away over five minutes when you saw the blaze."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My sister and I happened to be standing out -on our porch--you see, we live just round the -corner in Gay Street--about opposite these -windows here----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know," Murray nodded. "I 've seen you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We thought at first it was a cannel-coal -fire--you know how they flash with a red light. -But when we suspected, we just ran across. I -hope your little sister wasn't too badly frightened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Her room's next to this. Poor child, she -</span><em class="italics">was</em><span> frightened. I deserve a thrashing, you know, -for my carelessness. Every one of the family is -out, and all the servants except my mother's maid. -It was very kind of your sister to take Shirley in -charge. She's downstairs with her now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will your people be getting news of the -fire-alarm and be frightened?" Peter asked, putting -on his coat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think so. Father and mother are out -of town at a dinner, and my sister's at a party in a -country house. They won't be likely to hear. -I don't know where my brother is. Don't go. -Must you? I--you know I'm awfully obliged -to you for this----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's nothing. Glad I happened to be on -hand," and Peter would have said good night -and run down the stairs, but he saw that his host -meant to go down with him. So he descended -slowly, keeping pace with the other's halting steps, -and talking with him as he went.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your sister was here when I came in," said -Murray, glancing into the small reception-room. -The maid, who had been watching the departure -of the crowd from the window of this room, -turned to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The young lady took Miss Shirley home -with her," she explained. "I was that flustered -I let her go without so much as asking you, -Mr. Murray, but----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's all right," Murray put in, hastily. "It -was just the thing to do, the child was so scared. -If they 're at your house, I 'll just step over there -with you, if you don't mind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glad to have you," said Peter, wondering -what Jane would say to this second unexpected -introduction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray, as he walked slowly toward the house -in Gay Street, felt distinctly glad of the chance. -Since his illness he had led a lonely life, and he -longed for comrades near at hand. From behind -the curtains he had done not a little watching of -the coming and going in Gay Street, and had -been strongly attracted toward each one of the -household across the way. He liked the faces -of those people. He had wished that he could -make their acquaintance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Walk in!" invited Peter, throwing the door -hospitably open; and Murray, his quick, curious -eyes taking in everything at a glance, entered -the small front room, which was just then unoccupied. -He heard voices and laughter near at hand, -but for the moment, while Peter went to summon -his mother, he had time to look about him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not very much in the room, -and there was nothing of value, as that word -was used in the Townsend house, yet the visitor -could not help finding the place warmly attractive. -There was a homelike look about it, and there -was an indefinable air of refinement. The furniture -was old and very nearly shabby, but it was not -the cheap and tawdry furniture one might have -expected to find in such a house. The pictures -on the walls were all good copies of great pictures, -or photographs set under glass. Piles of music -lay on the old-fashioned square piano, and a -few papers and magazines, all of good selection, -were upon the table, in the centre of which burned -a brilliant lamp. But most of all, the character -of the household was shown by the books--as -it inevitably is.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of these there were a surprising number. -Murray felt his respect for the Bell family rising -immensely as he noted the contents of the rows -of home-made book-shelves. They were in plain, -worn bindings, most of them, quite unlike the -stately rows in the great library at home; but -they were the same old friends, in common clothes, -and Murray rejoiced at the sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter was quickly back, bringing with him -the lady whom Murray recognised as the mother -of the family. She </span><em class="italics">was</em><span> a lady--no doubt of -that. He had been sure of it before. Now, as -he listened to her voice--the test -incontrovertible--he knew beyond question.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She greeted him cordially. He was charmed -with her face, with her manner, with everything -about her. Then Peter brought all the others in, -and Murray shook hands with them all. Shirley -appeared, clinging to Nancy's hands, and Shirley -was so happy, and begged so hard in his ear to -stay a few minutes longer, that he willingly delayed -their departure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fine fellows, Peter and Ross and Rufus proved -to be on acquaintance. Not in the least overawed -by the presence of the rich man's son from -Worthington Square, they talked business and -football and politics and various other things -in those few minutes, in a hearty, half-boyish, -decidedly manly fashion that he thoroughly enjoyed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It happened that Murray said less to Jane -than to any of the others, but he noticed her not -a little. He thought he had never seen a girl -who looked so spirited and sweet and gay and -gentle all in one. He felt that his sister Olive -must learn to know her at once, that she might -learn what it is to be pretty without seeming -aware of the fact, and how it is possible to make -a stranger feel wholly at his ease without -appearing to exercise any arts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose I ought to be taking my sister -home," Murray said at last, getting to his feet. -"The truth is, she has wanted to know Miss -Nancy since she first saw her, and so----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray wanted to know you, too," said -Shirley, in Nancy's ear; but as her brother paused, -the words were audible to everybody.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To know </span><em class="italics">me</em><span>?" queried Nancy, in surprise, -and everybody smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sure my mother and sister will call--soon," -said Murray, trying to feel sure of that -rather doubtful proposition as he made it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moment would have been an awkward -one in some small houses, for it was impossible -not to remember that the Worthington Squares -do not make many calls in the Gay Streets, but -young Rufus, studying Shirley with interest, -broke in, without intention, upon his mother's -reply. Rufus was quite untroubled by the social -inequalities existing between localities divided -only by a stone's throw.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That 's a dandy tennis-court you will have -there when you put it out," he remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's pretty fair--and we shall have it in -shape early this year," replied Murray, smiling. -There was a beauty about Murray's rare smile -which quite transformed his pale face. His eyes -met Jane's as he spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It 's too bad to grow up past the point of -breaking the ice so easily, is n't it?" she said, -merrily, as he shook hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We 'll have to follow their wise example," -he replied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope that you 'll find your way over to Gay -Street often in the future," declared Peter, shaking -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I mean to, thank you, if you'll let me?" Murray -looked into Mrs. Bell's eyes, and a shade -of wistfulness crept into his own, which she saw, -and recognising, was sure she understood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please come, if you care to," she said, cordially, -and he felt her warm, firm hand give his a friendly -pressure, which quite completed the capturing of -his heart.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A ringing step on the porch outside, a knock -at the door--it boasted no bell--and everybody -looked up surprised, for it was nearly ten o'clock. -Ross opened the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon," said a gay and careless -voice outside, "but I came to look for my brother -and sister. They seem to be lost, and I 'm -told they 're here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come in!" said Ross, and the owner of the -voice appeared upon the threshold. Standing -there, surveying the company with his characteristically -assured expression, his handsome face -taking on a saucy smile as his eyes fell on his -brother, Forrest Townsend was carefully and -formally presented by Murray to each one of -the household in turn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked a fine figure in his evening clothes, -his long outer coat falling open, his hat in his hand. -His audacious young eyes fell on Jane before -he was presented to her, and his manner acquired -a sort of laughing gallantry rather effective. -"It was a very lucky fire for us," he said, gaily, -as he bowed. "I only wish I had been at home."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="forrest-plays-a-trick"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">FORREST PLAYS A TRICK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"It's no more than civil, mother, that you -and Olive should go over and call!" insisted -Murray Townsend, with heat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't see that it is necessary at all," replied -Mrs. Townsend, with offsetting coolness. "The -young man has been properly thanked for his -services; indeed, I should say that between you -and Forrest and Shirley the entire family have -had quite fuss enough made over them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't make much of the fuss," Forrest -said. "I was only there five minutes at the -end of the show. Time enough to see, though, -that those people are n't off the same piece as -the usual tenants of that house. They 've seen -better days, or I miss my guess."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all. They 've never had much -money, but they 're educated people, just the -same--self-educated, a mighty good sort. -You 've only to look at the books that fairly -line that little room to see for yourself. Is n't -there any rule for sizing up men but by the dollars -they 've made--or women but by the clothes they -wear?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The vehemence of Murray's speech was so -unusual, and his ordinarily quiet and indifferent -expression had given place to one so eager, that -the family all turned with one accord to look at -him. They were at dinner, one late April evening, -a week after the fire. The dining-room was -the one place in the house where all the family -were accustomed to meet; therefore any question -of the sort which Murray had proposed was -brought up there as a matter of course.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Townsend himself answered his son's -pointed observation, forestalling the rejoinder -about to fall from his wife's lips:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's the way of the world, Murray, and an -unjust one in many cases. Still, one can't help -feeling that a man who has lived to the age of -Joseph Bell without reaching a position higher -than the one he holds with the Armstrong -Company can't be possessed of a very unusual -endowment of brains."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should say that depends on whether making -money has been his ambition, or something else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He certainly hasn't achieved the something -else," was Olive's comment. "Not even a decent -home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Decent!" Murray turned on her. "It's a -home worthy the name--I can tell you that! -And if you refuse to call on these people that live -in it, after Peter Bell saved ours over our heads, -I say you 're acting like snobs!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray!" His mother spoke very sharply. -Forrest laughed. He enjoyed the scene, being -inclined, by his remembrance of Jane, to take his -brother's side. Mr. Townsend came to the rescue.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are rather rough in your language, Murray, -but I think you are right in your notions about -the call. It's only a courtesy, surely, Eloise, -to go over and make one call. You don't need -to continue the acquaintance unless you wish, -but I should be glad myself if you would go. -It is several days now since----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a week," said Murray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He knows--no doubt of that!" laughed -Forrest. "He's cultivated the acquaintance, -anyhow. I saw him walking up the street -yesterday with the pretty girl of the family."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You walked up with her yourself the day -before!" cried Shirley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest threw back his head and laughed. -"You 're a little spy. Well, I don't mind owning -that I did. She's a trim-looking girl on the street, -too, if she does n't wear the furbelows Olive -does. She----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We may as well go over and call, mother," -said Olive, with emphasis. "If both the boys -are running after the family, we ought to find -out what they are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You won't be so condescending as you think," -Murray said to her, as he left the room at her side. -"Mrs. Bell is n't the sort to be impressed with the -honour you do her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Townsend and Olive, realising that the -wishes of the three male members of the family -were not to be lightly disregarded, made the call -without further delay. Dressed as carefully as -if they had been calling in Worthington Square, -they knocked upon the door of the little house -in Gay Street, and were admitted by Nancy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It chanced that this was a Saturday afternoon. -And Saturday was a half-holiday for nearly all -workers in the city. Thus it came about that in -the middle of the stiff little call--stiff in spite -of Mrs. Bell and Jane, who had received their -visitors with all simplicity and naturalness--Peter -arrived at home. Being burdened with -small parcels, he hurried round to the kitchen door, -and depositing his parcels on the table there, -started in search of his sisters.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jane--Nan--where are you?" he shouted -through the little house, and before Nancy, -springing down the stairs, could stop him, he had -bolted into the front room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive Townsend, turning quickly, recognised -the big, fresh-coloured youth, with the -good-humoured, clever-looking face, who had several -times been of assistance to her. Peter was -presented to the visitors by his mother, who seemed -quite undisturbed by the interruption. Jane -only laughed, and Peter himself recovered his -balance with but a momentary show of confusion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was important business, you see," he said, -smiling, and explaining to Jane. "I brought -home the flower-seeds you wanted, and I had -an idea they must get into the ground within -the next fifteen minutes, or it would be too late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't wonder he thought so," Jane said -to Olive, glancing from her brother to her guest. -"I impressed upon him this morning the fact -that if the sweet peas were n't planted to-day -we should n't have any growing before August. -Don't go, Peter. Perhaps Miss Townsend can -tell us what else we ought to have in our garden."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter obediently drew up a chair and sat down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive, responding that she knew nothing -whatever about gardens, because the gardener -always attended to whatever flower-beds there -were about the grounds, was conscious of a keen -and steady scrutiny from Peter's cool gray eyes, -quite as if he were not in the least abashed by -her distinguished presence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was, moreover, forced to acknowledge, -as the moments went by, that Peter could talk, -and talk well. He came to the assistance of -Jane, who had begun to feel the difficulties of -entertaining the visitor, and told an amusing -incident of the morning's experience. Before -she knew it, Olive was laughing, for Peter's clever -mimicry was quite irresistible.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As she rose to go Olive made an immense -condescension: "I believe it must have been you, -Mr. Bell," she said, "who picked up my -handkerchief for me one day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter laid his hand on his heart with a droll -gesture and a formal bow--an interesting -combination.--"I think I had the honour," he -admitted, with a twinkle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And now something unforeseen happened. -Exactly as the visitors rose to go, the April skies, -which five minutes before had been smiling, -suddenly opened, and poured out one of those -astonishing spring downfalls which arrest street -traffic on the instant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Townsend and Olive, with the door opening -to let them out, stood still upon the threshold in -dismay, glancing down at their delicate spring attire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can't go in this," said Mrs. Bell, -cordially. "It will be over soon. Please come -back and sit down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fates must surely have intended from -the first to mix up things between these two -families of Townsend and Bell. With that end -in view nothing could have been more opportune -than this shower, for it lasted a good half-hour -without showing signs of slackening, and it -contributed also lightning and thunder, which -made Olive shrink and shudder. Also Ross, -McAndrew and young Rufus Bell, coming home -in the late afternoon, and being caught at the -corner in the downpour, dashed for the little front -porch for shelter, and then into the living-room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ross, making apologies on account of his -moist condition, and getting through the room -and out with Rufus as fast as possible, was -yet able to take in the surprising fact that Peter -was sitting in the corner with the girl from the -aristocratic square, chatting cheerfully with her, -and eliciting not altogether unwilling smiles in -response.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Out in the kitchen, with the door closed, Ross -and Rufus interviewed Nancy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How on earth did old Peter get into it like -this?" Ross inquired, as he hung his coat to -dry by the stove. "I could hardly believe my -eyes to see him confabulating with Miss Worthington -Square. She seems quite human, does n't -she--when you get her indoors?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know," said Nancy. "I only let them -in. She looks awfully pretty, don't you think? -And maybe she's nice when you get to know her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you ever do," qualified Ross. "Pretty? -Well, all I saw was a gorgeous hat and a pair of -big eyes; I felt as if somebody was looking at me -with a spy-glass. She is n't in it with our Janey, -if you're talking about prettiness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, of course not!" cried loyal Nancy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By the time the storm had ceased, a good -deal of the stiffness in the little front room had -melted away. It may be possible for some people -to be formal and frigid for the space of a -ten-minute call, but to keep it up for full -three-quarters of an hour longer, while rain pours, and -lightning flashes, and unconventional young -persons dash in and out, and a youth like Peter -tells jolly stories--that becomes much more -difficult. Mrs. Townsend maintained a peculiar -dignity to the end, but Olive--well, in spite -of her prejudices, Olive was young, and liked -young associates, and as she looked and listened, -it became more and more difficult for her to refuse -to recognise that the people in this little house -were not ordinary, not commonplace, not uneducated, -as she had fancied them, but bright, and -gay, and interesting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When she gave Jane her hand, as she took -her leave--the April storm having at last given -place again to brilliant April sunshine--she -found herself wishing she might know this -prepossessing maid. There was a straightforward -sweetness in the glance of Jane's rich hazel eyes, -a captivating charm in her free smile, which the -other girl had never encountered in quite so -beguiling a form. Olive Townsend, of all the -girls whom Jane had ever met least likely to -succumb to the fascinations of another girl not -in her own "set," fell, nevertheless, considerably -under Jane's influence on that very first encounter. -In taking leave she said to Jane that which she -had not dreamed of saying, commonplace an -expression of friendliness as it was: "I shall -hope to see you often, since we live so near."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gone--gone--all gone?" queried Ross, -putting in his head cautiously at the living-room -door, as the visitors turned the corner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All gone," replied Peter. "Gone forever--silks -and velvets and new spring hats."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ribbons and laces, and sweet, pretty faces," -chanted Ross, reminded of the old child-rhyme. -"'Sugar and spice, and everything nice.' Not much -sugar about Miss Worthington Square, eh, Pete?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I don't know," mused Peter, gazing -absently out of the window toward the square, -where Olive's spring finery was just fluttering out -of sight. "She 's not so bad at close range. I -should n't wonder if an earthquake shock might -stir her up into quite an interesting girl. -Lacking that, some lesser convulsion of nature might -possibly----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Bell family certainly did their best -to shock her. If daddy and Nan could have -just burst in from somewhere, I think the effect -would have been complete," declared Jane, -merrily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The subject of these comments, upon reaching -home, found herself called upon for an opinion -of the Bells.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest Townsend, encountering his sister -upon the stairs, followed her to her room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Own up that they 're not as odd as you -thought," he demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They 're very well--of their sort," was -Olive's reply, observing herself in her mirror, -and congratulating herself on the fact that the -new spring hat was undoubtedly becoming.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See here, why not send Jane and Peter an -invitation to your party?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'</span><em class="italics">Jane and Peter!</em><span>' You seem to be pretty -intimate with them already."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't call them that to their faces. But -you 've seen for yourselves they 're all right. -Ask them over; it won't hurt you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Forrest Townsend--people who don't -know a soul in our set! What an idea!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A mighty good idea. Nobody 'll know they -live in Gay Street--and you won't be ashamed -of them either."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall not do anything of the sort." Olive -took off the hat and laid it in its box. "I don't -know what in the world has got into you and -Murray; you 're both perfectly mad over the -Bells. If you 're so charmed with that girl -you can go and call on her, I suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She recalled with some surprise her own -liking for Jane, wondering, now that her brother -showed his prepossessions so strongly, how she -could have fancied her. It seemed sometimes -to be a matter of principle with Olive never to like -the people whom Forrest or Murray liked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See here," said Forrest, frowning, "I think -it's pretty ill-natured of you not to invite one -or two persons I ask you to, whether you happen -to want them or not. This party may be your -birthday affair, but there 's no reason why -somebody else should n't have a hand in the -inviting. Let's see your list, will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive unwillingly handed him a sheet of paper, -upon which the names of her prospective guests -were written. He scanned it sharply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Same old crowd," he observed, his -handsome brows knit into a scowl. "I should think -you 'd want a little fresh blood, to liven things up."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For you to sit in a corner with, you mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you do it to please me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No!" Olive snatched the list out of his hand -and returned it to a box, which she laid in a -drawer of her desk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest stood looking at her for a moment, then, -without a further word, shrugged his shoulders -and walked out of the room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two hours later he came quietly back. Olive -had gone out, as he knew. He crossed the -room to the desk, searched and found the box -into which he had seen the list put, and -discovered, as he had expected, the invitations to the -birthday party folded and partially addressed. -He knew that they were to go out upon the -morrow, and that Olive doubtless would finish -the task of addressing them that evening. He -had heard her bewailing the fact that this labour -consumed so much time, but he had not cared -to offer to assist her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest looked the invitations over, smiling to -himself, took out two unaddressed envelopes -and put them into his pocket, closed the door -and strolled away. In his own room he took -them out again, and wrote upon them in his -best hand, "Peter Bell, Esq.," and "Miss Jane -Bell," adding the street and number, and stamping -and sealing them, still with the laugh in the -corners of his mischievous mouth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The next day, when Olive's invitations went -into the letter-box on the corner, they were -shortly followed by two of which the giver of -the party had no knowledge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It happened that the early morning mail in -Gay Street always arrived just before the departure -of the family workers for their place of business. -So when Nancy, after answering the postman's -ring, came back to the table with the mail, both -Peter and Jane, just finishing breakfast, were -on hand to receive it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Whose handwriting can this be, I wonder?" -speculated Jane, intently studying the dashing -address.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter glanced over her shoulder. "Same as -mine," he observed, ripping his envelope open. -"Looks like a wedding invitation; but since none -of our friends, Janey, are so much as thinking -of getting married-- Hello, what's this?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, why--" Jane was stammering, eagerly. -"O Petey--how lovely--why-- There, I -knew she was n't as cold and proud as you thought her!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who--what?" demanded Nancy, with excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Olive Townsend," explained Jane, -flushing with pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What! Miss Worthington Square invited -you two every-day folks to her party?" Ross -inquired, getting up from the table and reaching -for his hat. "Pete, you 'll lose your car if you -stand mooning over that thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you know she was to have a party?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Little Miss Shirley confided it to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Me, too!" cried Nancy, proudly. "But -she did n't tell me her sister would ask you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Olive probably didn't intend to," -hazarded Peter, folding up his note and putting -it carefully in his pocket, "until she came to call -and saw our charms. She came--she saw--we -conquered--eh, Janey?--with our sweet smiles -and our stories. How about it, sister? Do we go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If," began Jane slowly, the smile fading -a little on her bright face, "if----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we've anything to wear!" supplied Ross, -and began to whistle gaily. "</span><em class="italics">Oh, ye shall walk -in silk attire</em><span>," breaking off to glance at the clock -and start hastily for the door, with Peter and -Rufus after him. Jane turned to Mrs. Bell, -who, sitting quietly in her place at the head of -the table, was regarding her young daughter as -if she understood all the doubts which had -instantly risen in the girl's mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think we can manage it, dear," she said, -"if the party dress does n't have to match the -invitation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane's face grew flushed again. "I can wear -anything, mother, if I have some fresh ribbons. -But Peter----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes--Peter--" agreed Mrs. Bell. She rose -and came round to Jane. "Peter shall have -a new cravat," said she, and smiled into Jane's -eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane smiled back. Each knew that the other -was thinking of Peter's best black suit--in -which he went to church on Sundays. Each -knew that the Townsend sons would wear evening -clothes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, with a new cravat Petey will be all -right," said Jane. "Dear boy, he was pleased, -was n't he? And it </span><em class="italics">is</em><span> nice of her to ask us!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="without-gloves"><span class="large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WITHOUT GLOVES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"O Jane, the big porch is all shut in with -white stuff, and there's a striped awning -where the carriages stop, just as if it was a great -grown-up party or a wedding. And I saw them -carrying in loads of palms and things. Oh, -are n't you excited to be going?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This was Nancy Bell, flying into the front room -upstairs, where Mrs. Bell and Jane were putting -the finishing touches to Jane's frock, to be worn -that evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Awfully excited, darling," admitted Jane, -smiling at the eager little sister.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, how pretty that is!" Nancy clasped -her hands in ecstasy over the dainty ruffled skirt, -with its tiny yellow flowers scattered over a white -ground. Then she caught up the long sash belt -of primrose-yellow ribbon, its graceful rosettes -and flowing ends promising an effective finish to -the simple toilet. "You 'll be the prettiest girl -at the party!" she declared, joyously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Bell and Jane laughed across at each -other. "In a ten-cent dimity," their eyes said, -with congratulations, "reduced from eighteen!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My ribbon is what rejoices my soul," said -Jane, touching the soft silk. "That was a -bargain we just happened on--the price cut -in two because of a few soiled places. We simply -did n't use those at all, and there were enough long -lengths to make the streamers. It's such a -beautiful quality it makes the whole dress look finer -than it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can you ever wait till evening?" sighed -Nancy. "O Jane, Shirley wants me to hide in -the shrubbery over there by the hedge, and she's -going to slip out with some ice-cream and cake -for me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Bell's eyes and Jane's met again with -a smile. Jane's eyebrows went up in interrogation. -Mrs. Bell nodded. "I think Nancy may have -that much of the party," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Evening came at last, although Nancy had -moments of feeling sure that it never would. -Jane, her curly auburn locks tied up in charming -fashion, with various rebellious tendrils waving -about her face, slipped into the pretty frock, and -Mrs. Bell arranged the primrose girdle, which set -off the whole effect. Peter, in his best black -suit and wearing the new cravat, looked at his -sister approvingly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My, but I 'm proud of my girl!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not prouder than I am of my big brother," -responded Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The family saw them off, rejoicing in their -youthful good looks, and sure they would hold -their own in appearance with anybody in -Worthington Square. Peter and Jane, not feeling quite -so confident, yet experiencing a pleasant stir -of anticipation, walked slowly round the corner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nearly all the guests were arriving in carriages, -and the brother and sister, as they crossed the -porch, encountered a number of these, entering -from the </span><em class="italics">porte-cochère</em><span>. As Jane's eyes fell upon -the gaily dressed young people, the first thing -she observed about them gave her an unpleasant -shock. They all, youths and girls, were wearing -gloves. Jane glanced from her own round white -arms, bare from the elbows, to Peter's uncovered -hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peter, we never once thought of gloves," -she murmured in his ear, as they lingered to let -the party from the carriages go in at the door -ahead of them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter stared from her to the other guests. -Then his gay twinkle replaced the look of -dismay. "Gloves--on youngsters like us! Don't -you care a bit," he whispered back in her ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a little difficult not to care, especially -for Jane, as in the dressing-room upstairs she -met many curious glances. The maid in charge -even offered to help her put on her gloves, and -Jane could not help feeling a bit unhappy as -she replied that she was not wearing gloves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the sight of Peter, smiling serenely at her -from the head of the staircase, where he awaited -her, strengthened her resolution not to mind. -A glance at the mirror had assured her that the -inexpensive little dimity with its primrose ribbons -was irreproachable in its dainty distinction of -style--thanks to Mrs. Bell's clever fingers--and -this knowledge was very comforting. Her face -was as bright as ever when she joined Peter, whose -hearty whisper: "You 're all right!" put her -quite on her feet again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Downstairs, where Olive Townsend stood -receiving with her mother, with Forrest and -Murray close at hand, a brief but interesting -colloquy took place just before Jane and Peter -came into the reception room. Forrest had been -keeping sharp watch on the hall entrance, and -the moment that he saw the two Bells arrive -and make their way toward the staircase, he -watched for a chance to get a word in the -ears of his family. A lull in the arrivals gave -him his opportunity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Olive," he said coolly to his sister in an -undertone, "I took the liberty of sending Jane and -Peter Bell an invitation--and they 're here. -I want you to brace up and give them just as nice -a welcome as you 're giving the rest. Hold on! -If you 're angry at anybody, it's at me, and -you 've no right to take it out of them for that. -One thing I can tell you; if you are frosty to -them you 'll settle with me afterward."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had his sister in a corner--so to speak. -Olive cared very much for appearances. There -were many eyes upon her; she could make no -angry response or show chagrin in any way -without attracting notice and comment. All -she could do--which she promptly did--was -to whisper back, with lips which smiled for the -sake of those who looked at her:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You wretch, I 'll pay you off--never fear!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do; I don't mind," and Forrest approached -his mother. He was her favourite son, and she -was a thorough woman of the world. He had -reckoned on her making the best of the situation; -and when he had told her, with a gay glance -and a furtive squeeze of her hand, he received -no more severe threat of punishment than he -had expected in her light: "You naughty boy! -You 'll have to take care of them; nobody else -knows them, or will care to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll see to them," was her son's careless -reply, and he crossed over to Murray, who was -indifferently playing his part of young host. -To him, as Jane and Peter appeared at the -doorway, Forrest made a hasty explanation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray's face instantly brightened, and he -answered promptly: "It was a risky thing to do, -but I 'm glad they 're here. Between us we 'll -make sure they have a good time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was nothing in the greeting of -Mrs. Townsend or of Olive to give Peter and Jane a -hint of their position. The Bells had expected -only a formal reception on an occasion like this, -and when they received it, felt no special lack. -And whatever was wanting in the greeting of the -hostesses was made up by the masculine half of the -receiving party.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is jolly," said Forrest, giving each a hearty -grasp of the hand. "'I 'm immensely glad you -could come," and as others pressed toward him, he -passed them on to Murray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know," said Murray, "having you -two come to-night makes up to me for the whole -thing. I detest parties, as a rule, never go to them, -and would n't come downstairs at our own affairs -if I could get out of it. But I 'm glad I could -n't--this time--. See here, you don't know many -of these people, do you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody at all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course not--having only just moved into the -neighbourhood. I can't do much myself except -sit about and look on, and I 'm going to be so -bold as to beg your company, Miss Bell, for so -much of the evening as you 'll give me. There are -a lot of pleasant nooks about the rooms and halls, -and I 'd like to try them all with you. That's -a selfish plan, is n't it?" and he smiled at her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's lovely of you, of course, and you know -it," she answered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a risk for me, lest I lose you, but I 'll -present a few of these chaps to you, first, so if -you care to dance----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't--truly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm glad. But I 'll do it, for the sake of my -conscience," and Murray began the task on the spot.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half a dozen youths accordingly bowed -ceremoniously to Jane, gazed with interest at her -charming face, said something or other in the way -of an attempt at conversation, and got away again. -Not one asked Jane to dance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She needs Olive's guardianship, not mine," -thought Murray, resentfully. "If Olive backed -her up, the rest would accept her in a jiffy. But -Olive won't do it--I know that well enough,--so -I 'll do my best in my way, and thank my -stars for the chance. There is n't a girl in the -house to match her, that's sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moment that his duties in the reception-room -were over Murray convoyed Jane away to one -of the attractive retreats he had mentioned, a -beflowered nook on the staircase landing, from -which they could view the hall below, and see the -greater part of the long drawing-room, where the -dancing had begun. Strains of gay music from -the orchestra floated pleasantly up to them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now this is something like!" said Murray, -sinking back upon the soft divan behind the -palms. He pulled off his gloves as he spoke, -rolled them into a ball and crammed them into -his pocket. He did not put them on again that -evening--a bit of kindliness which two guests -understood and appreciated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I 'm not monopolising the host when he -ought to be looking after his other guests," replied -Jane, as her eyes followed the distant dancers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If there is any monopoly, I 'm the guilty -one--and enjoying my guilt. Honestly, Miss Bell, -it's a fine chance for me to get acquainted with my -neighbour, if she 'll let me. And as for my being -missed--" A shake of the head told Jane more -than its owner meant of his loneliness, at which -she had hitherto only guessed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile, Peter had also fallen into friendly -hands, if youthful ones. Shirley, allowed to play -a modest part in the affairs of the evening, but -finding nobody willing to give her more than a -smile and nod, fell upon Peter as a possible ally. -He had been standing at one side of the crush, in -the doorway of the drawing-room, looking on with -interested eyes, but feeling a trifle deserted, -nevertheless, when he felt a warm little hand slide into -his own. Looking down, surprised, he met -Shirley's friendly smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't know many people, do you?" -asked that frank young person.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know anybody," returned Peter. -"No, I ought not to say that, for your brother -Forrest presented me to a number of girls. But -I don't know how to dance, and they soon left me -for livelier company."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Nobody asks me to dance, either," said Shirley, -"because Olive would n't invite any boys of my -age, and the big ones want the big girls."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't," Peter assured her. "I want one -about thirteen years old, dressed in a jolly white -lacy frock, with pink ribbons and pink slippers. -I feel more at home with a girl like that than with -any of those I was introduced to. You see, their -hair was so--done up!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Done up! Was n't your sister's hair done up?" -queried Shirley. "Oh no, I remember! Those -lovely thick curls of hers were tied in a bunch at -her neck--such a lovely way; none of the others -do theirs like that. She 's awfully pretty, is n't -she? Prettier than Olive, I think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I admire my sister very much," agreed Peter, -"but it would be hard for anybody to be prettier -than your sister."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His eyes turned to Olive as he spoke. She -stood near by, exchanging gay talk with a tall -youth in the interval between dances. More -beautifully dressed than any young girl he had -ever seen, her dark face lighted into brilliancy by -excitement, the rare colour in her cheeks set -off by the big bunch of red roses she carried, she -was a picturesque figure indeed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Olive does look pretty," admitted Olive's -little sister. "Excuse me a minute, please," she -added, and slipped over to Olive's side. If Peter -could have heard the brief whispered conversation -exchanged, he would hardly have dared to stand -watching it, as he did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Olive," begged Shirley, when with difficulty -she had secured her sister's reluctant attention, "if -I take care of Peter Bell for a while, won't you be -nice to him? He does n't dance, and he does n't -know anybody----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's enough that he 's here!" retorted Olive, -with a frown. "I didn't ask him or his sister, -so I----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did n't ask him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no--run along!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But who----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forrest--without saying a word to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh!" Shirley gasped, and was silent for a -minute. Then she pulled at Olive's arm again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Olive, but they 're our guests just the same, -and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shirley, don't bother me now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Listen, Olive, just a minute. Peter says -nobody could be prettier than you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a shot which told. Olive's grudging -attention was arrested. She glanced over her -sister's head, in the direction of Peter. Her eyes -met his, and she turned away again, but not before -the momentary vision of the strong, intent face -had impressed itself upon her as rather better -worth consideration than many of the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The thought of such a compliment as Shirley -had reported coming from those firm-set lips of -Peter Bell gave the recipient rather a novel -sensation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive had been out of patience with Peter from -the moment that she caught sight of his unconventional -attire, but she felt all at once more tolerant -of his presence. "He did n't tell you to tell me -that, I suppose?" she whispered to Shirley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, no, I only----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go back, and tell him to save some time for -me after this dance. I 'll keep the next one for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, Olive, you know he does n't dance----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll sit it out with him, since he doesn't -know enough to come and ask me for himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour later Jane, passing through the -hall with Murray, on the way to the library, -where he was to show her certain books of which -they had been talking, caught sight of her brother -just mounting the staircase to the retreat on the -landing. To her surprise and relief--for she -had anxiously looked for him from time to time, -and had seen him with nobody but little Shirley--she -noted that he was now in the company of his -girlish hostess, and that that young person was -turning upon him a gracious face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Jane the remainder of the evening passed -in full pleasure. She spent an interesting hour -in the library with Murray, who made himself -a delightful companion, expanding in the -sympathetic atmosphere of her good comradeship -into a more genial warmth and sincerity of manner -than she had imagined him capable of showing. -Then Forrest came in search of her, and bore her -away to join a company of young people who were -going to supper together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Under Forrest's wing she found her position -secure, for he was a much-admired youth, and -whatsoever girl he chose to favour must--as he -had known--be treated with friendliness by all -his companions. Jane's own charms came to -her aid also, and brought several unattached young -gentlemen to her side, so that before the evening -was over she had made what Forrest inwardly -congratulated himself upon as "a respectable -success."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Upon the landing Peter established Olive and -himself on the divan among the palms. He -studied his companion's face a moment, then -said abruptly, "I want to tell you, Miss Townsend, -that I 'm more than sorry to be here by an -accident."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked up at him, startled, but met only a -quiet smile. "How did you--I didn't mean -you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know you did n't--and you were very -kind not to show how you must have felt. Perhaps -it would be in better taste for me not to mention -it at all. But I wanted you to know that I -appreciated your courtesy in accepting the situation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But how----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I found out--from a little slip of Miss -Shirley's. I wanted to go home, of course, -but--I could n't make up my mind to spoil my sister's -evening, and besides--I thought your brother's -invitation made it right for us to be here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive's dark face was colouring warmly. She -looked down at her roses, wondering what to say. -Somehow she found herself unwilling to let Peter -Bell think she did n't want him at her party, for -it was becoming clear to her that she did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm so sorry," she murmured. "But I'm -very glad you did n't go home. If I had known -you longer I 'm sure I should have invited----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't bother to explain," urged Peter's low -voice. "'I did n't tell you to make you uncomfortable. -Perhaps you won't mind my saying that -looking on at this sort of thing is very interesting -to me. I 've never seen it before."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you like it?" asked Olive, glancing -up at him curiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter laughed, looking off for a moment toward -the drawing-room. "I 'm an outdoor sort of -chap, I think," he said. "Yet it's very pretty, -all that down there, and I like to look at it. Miss -Townsend, do you ride horseback much?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sometimes--not often. I don't care for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neither should I, down the boulevard or -in the park, but out on a country road. I 'm -a country boy, and I like a good gallop down -the old Northboro Road--miles of it as smooth -as a floor. As for cross-country--ah, there's -sport!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've never seen you ride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter's face changed. "No, I don't ride now," -he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you have Saturday afternoons free?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are three saddle-horses in the stable," -said Olive, making a sudden resolve, "and only -one of them gets much use. Would you--care -to take me for a gallop down the Northboro -Road some day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That she should make such a proposition as -this would have seemed to Olive Townsend but -an hour before preposterous. But now, looking -up at the sturdy figure before her, noting the -wistful smile with which Peter had spoken of past -experiences, it had come to her all at once that a -new pleasure might be hers. She saw plainly -that she should not be ashamed of Peter as an -escort anywhere.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter stared at his hostess for a moment as if -he could hardly believe that he had heard aright. -"Do you really mean that, Miss Townsend?" -he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I do. I 'm not in the habit of saying -things I don't mean."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, thank you, I should like it immensely," -he said, with a smile and bow, more attractive, -Olive admitted to herself, than any she had -received that evening.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="weeds-and-flowers"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">WEEDS AND FLOWERS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Good morning, Miss Jane Bell! May I come in?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane lifted her head quickly from over the -phlox-bed she was weeding in the little garden back -of the house, to see Forrest Townsend looking -over the wooden gate which shut away the garden -from the surrounding neighborhood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good morning! Yes, indeed, come in," she -responded blithely, waving a discarded white -ruffled sunbonnet at her guest. He vaulted over -the low barrier and came swinging down the -narrow path to the end of the enclosure, where -the phlox-bed lay. Here he stood still, regarding -with favour the girl in the blue dress, whose -bronze-tinted hair glinted in the early June sunlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always busy at something, are n't you?" he -said, tipping over a bushel-basket half-filled -with weeds, and seating himself upon it. "Yes, -I know I 've spilled out the weeds, but I 'll pick -'em up again when I 'm through. I came over -to have a serious talk with you, and I 've got to -be down here near you, where I can look you in -the eye. The grass is too damp yet to sit on -in white trousers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane laughed. "It can't be a very serious -matter that's troubling you, or you would n't -think of your clothes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is serious, though. I 'm full of it, and -can't stop to talk about the weather, so here -goes.--I 've quarrelled with my father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane, who had thus far not ceased her weeding, -stopped work and sat still to look at her neighbour. -He met her gaze defiantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I know. You think this is another -case of schoolboy heroics, like the last fuss I -told you I had with him--"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish you would n't tell me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've got to tell somebody. Come, Jane--you 've -grown to seem like the best friend I have--don't -turn the cold shoulder on me just when -I need you. You know what my mother and -sister are like----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With a gesture of disapproval Jane turned -away to her work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest watched her for a moment in silence; -then he began again:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, I won't complain if you 'll just -let me tell you about this last scrape. There 's -nobody else I can talk to--you know enough -about us to know that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There ought to be. Your brother----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, Murray! With all respect to him--since -you insist on respect--he 's not off the -same piece of cloth with me, and can't -understand me any more than I can him. His blood -is n't good red blood at all; it's white, I think, -and I----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane rose up from her knees and stood above -her visitor, determination on her frank face.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forrest Townsend," said she, "if you can talk -to me without running down your family, I 'll -listen, but not otherwise. I don't think you -ought to tell me your affairs at all, but if you 're -sure I can be of use I 'll hear them, on that one -condition."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest studied her a moment without replying, -while her clear hazel eyes returned his gaze. -Then he laughed rather awkwardly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 're the soul of honour, are n't you?" he -said. "And that's just why I need your advice. -I don't want to do anything dishonourable, but -I 'm in a corner, and don't see any way out except -a jump over the wall. Let me tell you--please!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane dropped upon her knees again and gave -her attention to her work. Taking this as -permission, Forrest began, picking up a long, -pink-headed weed and pulling it through his fingers -as he talked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've known all the while father wanted me -in the house with him, and wanted me to go to -college with that end in view. We 've had a -few brushes on the subject from time to time, -and I 've told him over and over I never meant -to go to college, or to go into the business, either, -but he 's thought it boy talk, I suppose. Anyhow, -it turns out he's never taken me seriously when -I 've told him I meant to live my own life in my -own way. He had me tutored all last winter, -to get me ready for my entrance examinations, -and he expects me to go down and take them -next week. That 's where I balked. He tackled -me last night, and I had it out with him. The -result was"--Forrest tried to keep up the -nonchalant manner he had assumed when he began -this explanation, but his voice showed his strong -feeling as he ended the sentence--"the result -was--he gave it to me hot and heavy, and -I--talked back at him. In short, I----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane, her pretty lips set close together, her -troubled eyes on the ground, listened anxiously -for the words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't mean----" she began, slowly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest nodded, and she caught the gesture. -It brought her head round and her eyes to search -his. "You didn't--say you wouldn't do what -he wants?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did--and meant it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane drew a long breath. She forgot her -weeding and sat back upon the walk, pulling off -her gloves. Forrest waited silently for her first -comment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Imagine my brother Peter doing that," she murmured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't imagine it--though Peter's no -soft-head. But your father's human, Jane. -Mine--isn't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, he is--he is! Don't say that! He may -seem stern and hard, but that 's only on the -surface, I 'm sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Much you know about it!" muttered Forrest. -"But, anyhow, hard or not, I 'm not going to be -put into a business life I hate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What would you like to do?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go into the army."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane stared at him, astonished. This idle -youth live that sort of life? Her lips curved -slowly into a smile, at which Forrest promptly -took umbrage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See here," he said, sitting up straight, "you 're -not to judge me, you know, from what you 've -seen of me in the two months you 've lived in Gay -Street. I 've been on vacation, I admit, ever since -my tutor left in March. Besides, it 's not enlisting -as a private I 'm thinking of--no, no! I want -to enter the army by the way of West Point, and -get my lieutenant's commission at graduation. -That 's a very different thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that's true. It means, I believe, four -years of the severest training in the world. I -know a boy who went--he could n't stand it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest flushed hotly under his fair skin. "And -you think I could n't. That settles it. I 'll go, -if only to prove you 're mistaken."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl looked up quickly, startled by his -tone. "Ah, please," she began, "don't talk -that way. Tell me--will your brother go into -the business?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not much! His health settles that for him. -Besides, he 's too bookish, and father 'll let him -do what he pleases, anyway--he does n't mind -having one son of that stripe. But the other -son--he must go into the mill, whether he wants -to or not!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Could you get to West Point without your -father's permission? Don't you have to be sent -by somebody--your Congressman, is n't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, there 's a lot of red tape, and father -could block the whole game, I suppose. If he -does--well, I 'd enlist and get into the ranks -and work my way up, rather than go into that -dingy old office and tie myself to a desk and a -telephone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest got upon his feet as he spoke, brushed -a clinging weed leaf or two from his clothes, -and stood looking gloomily down at Jane, who -had risen also. "It 's evident I get no sympathy -from you," he said. "I thought you were a girl -who could understand a fellow's ambitions--not -wet-blanket them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane looked up at him, smiling, although her -eyes were still troubled. "I can, I think," she -said. "Yet--somehow--I'm imagining the -disappointment it must be to a father who has -built up a great business like Townsend & -Company's to have his son take no interest in it. I -can't help thinking--"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What?"--as Jane paused abruptly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never mind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I want to know what you can't help thinking."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I 'm wondering if it would be any -harder for you to go into your father's office than -it is for Peter to work with my father in the -note-paper factory. Do you know what Peter wants -to be?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. I know he has a good position for his -age, with the Armstrongs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but Peter wants--has wanted for six -years--to be a chemist--an expert, you know. -Oh, I 'm not sure I ought to tell you--please -never speak of it. Even father does n't know -it's any more than a boy's fancy. Peter could n't -afford the years of training, of course--and -father can't spare him. There are"--as Forrest -looked surprised--"more people dependent on -father and the boys than you know of--and I -must n't tell you. All I want you to know is -that"--Jane smiled wistfully--"there are other -people who can't have their own way--and -who are making the best of it, and pretty bravely, -too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Bell came to the door of the house, and -with a pleasant nod and smile to Forrest, told -Jane that a certain bowl of bread-dough had -reached a critical condition of lightness. The -girl picked up her basket, and Forrest bent to -toss into it the weeds he had thrown out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please don't feel I 'm an unsympathetic -listener," begged Jane, as her visitor took his -leave.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I won't. I know you mean it all right. I -just think you don't understand all the facts in -the case. Much obliged to you for hearing me -out. If I turn up missing some day, you 'll -know you did your part, and gave me the proper -grandmotherly advice." And Forrest swung away -through the gate with a reckless air, which Jane -thought rather melodramatic, and quite in keeping -with a certain staginess sometimes apparent in -the youth's bearing.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Jane's acquaintance with Olive Townsend had -progressed very slowly. Olive was not a girl who -possessed the gift of making many warm friendships. -She was not well liked even by the young -people of her own chosen circle. Girl visitors -were not frequent at the Townsend house, and -Olive was seldom seen coming or going with one or -another of such friends. Yet there was something -about her personality which held a strong -attraction for Jane, and made her want to know -Olive well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Peter returned from his first horseback -ride in Olive's company, Jane had waited with -interest for his description of the event. Peter -always told Jane his experiences--for the reason, -perhaps, that she never demanded them from -him, never betrayed his confidences, and invariably -showed her appreciation of his comradeship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She 's an odd girl," said Peter to Jane. "She -seemed principally occupied, for the first two -miles, in noticing how I rode, whether I kept -elbows in, head up, back stiff, like herself, and -whether I held my whip in the proper position. -We jogged along at a fussy little pace, talking -about nothing in particular, and minding our p's -and q's as if we were at Professor Miller's riding -academy, with the eye of the master on us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope she was satisfied with your correct -style," Jane said. "I saw you start, and I -thought you looked more at home in the saddle -than she."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I probably am. After riding everything on -grandfather's farm ever since I was a little shaver, -and breaking every colt he had for the three years -we lived there, I ought to feel fairly comfortable -on a model saddle-horse like the one she -gave me. She's been trained in the school, -which leaves a lot of things to be desired, to my -way of thinking. She broke loose all right, -though, when I got my chance to show her what -my idea of the sport is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter's face took on a comical expression, -and Jane hurried him on with an eager "Well?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We got out on the Northboro Road. You -know that long stretch where there are so few -houses--just a sort of lane between big trees, -shady and cool, and the road like a -training-track at this time of year?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I proposed that we let out a reef or two. She -agreed, and we broke into a baby canter. I -kept hitting up the pace a little. Her horse -caught the idea, and began to quicken. She -bumped about a bit, but I saw she would know -how to stay on, even if she moved faster than -she ever had before. Just as we got up a fairly -decent speed, one of those little </span><em class="italics">crack-a-cracks</em><span> -of motor-cycles came bursting out of a driveway, -and both our horses shied and threatened to bolt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was nothing, you know; they were over it -in a jiffy, and she kept her seat all right, and -showed she was game. But it stirred both horses -to take the rest of that stretch at as pretty a gallop -as you 'd care to see; and when I saw the girl -was all right, I shouted, 'Come on!' and let them -have it. I tell you, she forgot the riding academy -and Professor Miller, and rode for fair. It was -jolly good fun, and she enjoyed it, too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter laughed reminiscently. Jane remarked -that she had noticed Olive's masses of black hair -were not in quite such trim shape when she came -home from that ride as upon setting forth; and -Peter admitted that upon that joyous gallop she -had dropped not only her whip, but most of her -hairpins, of which latter articles he had been -able to recover for her only a few.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all the girl needs," he observed, sagely. -"Just shake out a few of her hairpins each time -you 're with her, and she 'll learn how to be -good friends with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't have much chance to shake out her -hairpins," Jane objected.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will. You're to go next time--some -day when her brother Forrest is away, and I -can ride his horse and you the one I had. I -told her a pitiful tale of how you loved to ride, -how well you could do it, and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peter!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I didn't whine--just let her know I -was n't the only horseman in the family. She 'll -ask you--see if she doesn't; if she doesn't I -won't go my self."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive did not ask Jane, however, and after -one more ride with her, Peter suddenly became -too busy to accept her invitations. Olive went -off by herself one day, suffered a fall and a sprained -shoulder, and was thereby initiated at last into -Jane's friendship.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My sister sent me over," said Murray -Townsend, one June evening, to Jane, who, -hemming a tiny ruffle, sat in the western sunlight -upon the little back porch, where the family now -spent their evenings, enjoying the first blossomings -of the small garden. "She's been fretting -all day with that shoulder of hers she hurt last -week, and vows she can't get through the evening -with me. The others are all away--as usual. -Won't you do us the favour of coming over?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was it really her suggestion--or yours?" -Jane challenged him, for it was not the first time -he had made the attempt, upon one excuse or -or another, to get her across the street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hers, on my honour, though I 'll admit I -seconded the motion. She really wants you. -She's lying on a couch round on the side porch. -It's a jolly place, or would be if it--had you in -it," he nearly said, but discreetly substituted--"had -such a nice crowd in it as this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He glanced from one to another of the group -upon the little porch. Ross was softly breathing -notes from a flute. Mr. and Mrs. Bell sat side -by side, in happy comradeship. Peter, his long -legs extending well out upon the grass before the -porch, whittled at a bit of wood; and Nancy, -close beside her cousin Ross, was holding for -him a page of music, which he evidently was trying -for the first time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stay with them, if you 'd like to," suggested -Jane, softly, as she put away her work and -prepared to accept his invitation. "You know -they always like to have you--every one -of them--and I can slip across by myself. -I 'll take her some of my mignonette and June roses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you for your kind permission," -answered Murray, following Jane's white-clad -figure slowly down to the mignonette-bed at the -farther end of the garden, "but I 'd rather accept -it some evening when Miss Jane Bell is to be at -home. 'Hamlet' with Ophelia left out would n't -be much more of a play than it would be minus -the melancholy gentleman himself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Armed with a great bunch of the fragrant -blossoms from the garden, Jane accompanied Murray -across Gay Street, through the gate in the high -hedge, and over the lawn and round the house -to the great sheltered porch on the other side, -its tall columns making it as great a contrast to -the miniature place she had just left as could be -imagined. Rugs carpeted the floor, big bamboo -and rush chairs invited repose, and screens hung -ready to be dropped, and to shut it quite away -from invading breezes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On a wide, richly cushioned settee lay Olive, -listless and unhappy. She scanned Jane closely, -noted that her visitor was not less attractively, -if far less expensively, dressed than herself, and -lifted to her face eyes into which had suddenly -come a look of relief and interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For me?" she asked, as Jane put the flowers -into her outstretched hands. "Oh, how sweet! -Why don't we have such mignonette as that in -our gardens?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are a lot of flowers," thought Murray, -as he watched Jane take her seat by his sister -and begin to entertain her, "that they grow in -Gay Street which we don't know the smell of -over here. If we could just transplant the one -I brought over to-night, what a beginning of a -garden we should have!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="jane-puts-a-question"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">JANE PUTS A QUESTION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On her way home from a trip to a not -far-distant fruit-shop, Nancy Bell caught -sight of her friend, Shirley Townsend, waving -an eagerly summoning hand from the gateway -in the hedge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a hot morning in early July, and Nancy, -after running into the house to report her return -to her mother, joined Shirley in a shady corner -under the shrubbery, which had become a favourite -trysting-place of the two children.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour afterward Nancy, her eyes wide -with excitement, sought out her mother and -Jane upon the small back porch, where each -was busy with the morning's work--at this -moment the looking-over of raspberries and the -shelling of peas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O mother--O Jane!" the child began, "the -dreadfullest thing has happened over at the -big house! Forrest Townsend 's run away, and -they don't know where he is!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Nan!" Jane's busy fingers, red with -raspberry stains, stopped their work, as she stared -at her sister in dismay. "That can't be so!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it can--it is! Shirley told me. He's -been gone three days, but they thought he must -be off on a visit till they got a letter this morning. -And they don't even know where the letter was -mailed from. Mrs. Townsend 's sick in bed about -it, and Shirley says her father won't say a -word--just looks white and angry and queer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The poor father and mother!" murmured -Mrs. Bell, her eyes full of sympathy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he can't have gone away to stay," said -Jane, staring at Nancy, still incredulous. "He's -an impulsive fellow--quick tempered, hot-headed--and -he and his father don't get on well together. -But to run away----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he has," persisted Nancy. "The letter -said it was no use looking for him; he'd come -back some time when he 'd shown he could look -after his own--oh, I don't remember just what -he said--Shirley was n't sure what it meant. -But she said her mother just cried and cried, -and told her father she'd always known his harsh -ways----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't, dear--don't tell us!" Mrs. Bell -interrupted, quickly. "Shirley should n't have -told you anything that was said; we have no right -to know. When people are hurt and sad, they -say bitter things they are very sorry for -afterward. The only thing for us to know is that -this trouble has come to our neighbours. We -must think how we can help them. I would -go over at once if I thought I could be of use to -poor Mrs. Townsend--and were sure she was -willing I should know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They discussed the situation, Mrs. Bell and -Jane, as they went on with their work; and Jane -told her mother all she knew of Forrest's differences -with his father. "It bothers me so," she ended, -sorrowfully, "that I did n't realise he was in -earnest about taking things into his own hands, -and do something to let the others know. Do -you suppose that foolish threat about enlisting -in the army could really have been what he meant -to do? Do you suppose he has done it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a possible clue. I think they ought to -know it, if they have nothing else to guide them. -When your father comes home I will talk with -him about it, and he may think it best to go to -Mr. Townsend himself, tell him what we know, -and offer to help."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But it proved not necessary to wait until the -evening to consult about offering sympathy and counsel -to the troubled family in Worthington Square. -Early in the afternoon, while Mrs. Bell lay -resting in her room, and Nancy and Jane sat in -the shadow of one of the big maples at the end -of the garden--their special retreat on hot -days--the tap of Murray's cane was heard on the -walk outside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Run into the house, dear, please!" Jane -whispered, quickly. "It 's Murray, and I believe -he's come to talk with me about Forrest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her surmise proved correct, as she knew from -her first glance at the pale face and grave eyes -of her friend. He was her friend--that she -had come to know very clearly in the last few -weeks--her friend in quite a different way from -that in which Forrest had shown her friendship. -There had developed a genuine congeniality of -interests between the quiet, book-loving youth -and the girl who had not gone to college, but -who was persistently giving herself the higher -education she longed for. Books he was lending -her, lessons in French and German he had been -lately begging to be allowed to give her, and many -inspiring talks he had with her on the subjects -both loved, whenever a chance offered or he could -make one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So now, as Murray came toward her, his eyes -fixed upon her as if he were sure that here he -would find something he sorely needed, Jane -felt an added longing to show her power to be -of use in time of trouble; and dropping her -book--one that belonged to Murray--she came -forward to meet him with outstretched hand, -and a look which showed him that she already -understood.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 've heard?" he asked, in surprise. "I -don't know how, but I 'm glad, for I dreaded -to tell it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shirley told Nancy--just the bare facts--and -of course my little sister told my mother -and me. We 've been thinking of you all ever -since, wishing we could help you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can; we need you. Even mother feels -it. Olive says when she asked her if she wanted -a nurse, she refused to have one except her maid, -but said, 'I wish I dared to ask that kind-faced -Mrs. Bell. I feel as if she could tell me what to do.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mother will be so glad. She will go over -by and by. She loves to help people, and always -knows how better than anybody else in the world."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can believe it. She makes a fellow feel -as if he belonged to her, somehow, and she was -interested in him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is--that's why she makes you feel so.--Come -over here in the shade, please, and tell -me what I can do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray dropped upon the grass beside Jane's -low chair with a sigh of weariness, and ran his -hand through the thick locks of his hair, pushing -them away from his forehead with an impatient -gesture, as if he would like thus easily to clear -away the clouds which bothered him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see," he began slowly, "I feel more or -less responsible myself for this outbreak. I can't -help thinking that if things had been between us as -they ought to be between brothers Forrest would -have brought his notions and troubles to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you--but he----" Jane paused, surprised -at the tone he took. "You have n't been -able to be with Forrest much, because--because -he has been so active and lived such a different -life----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are kind to excuse me, but I don't see -how that makes it any better. I could have -shown interest and sympathy enough with his -tastes and plans to have made him come naturally -to me. I 'm the elder brother, and I have n't -been a brother, only a querulous, fault-finding, -elderly relative, as if he were fourteen and I -forty. He did come to you with his grievances -against father, did n't he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane coloured a little as his eyes keenly questioned her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, though I did n't want him to tell me, -and would n't listen to very much of it. I felt -guilty to let him talk at all, but he was so----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm glad you did. If anybody could have -given him advice that he would take it would -have been you. I was pretty sure he had been -to you, by the way I saw him fling over here -just after he 'd had a bout with father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He said something that day I feel as if your -father ought to know, and I 've been wondering -how I could let him know," and with this -introduction, Jane told Murray all she had learned -of Forrest's inclination toward the army and -its varied experiences, ending as gently as she -could with the boyish threat of enlisting if he -could not bring about his own appointment -to West Point. Murray listened to her very soberly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Father would veto the West Point proposition -from the first word," he said, "merely because -he has no notion of the sort of fascination the idea -would have for a restless chap like my brother. -So if Forrest asked him to let him go, I 've no -doubt he refused him, and then--well, I can -easily imagine Forrest carrying out his threat -out of pure bravado. It gives us something to -go by, anyhow. We can soon find out if he 's -had the folly to enlist. He may have the dash -and bravery to do a gallant deed, to fight stoutly -enough at a time of need, but the patience and -endurance for the every-day army life----" He -shook his head. "He's only a boy, you know. -You could n't expect it of him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just here Peter opened the little garden gate -and came swinging in. "Hello!" he called, at sight -of the pair under the maple-tree. "You two -look cool and restful out there. May I join the -picnic party when I 've freshened up a bit? -A breakdown in the power at the factory sent -fifty or sixty of us in our department home for -a quarter-holiday."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That 's luck for us, too!" called back Murray, -cordially.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane bent forward eagerly. "Do you mind -Peter's knowing?" she asked. "Pete's so big and -strong and--ingenious; he 's like mother at -knowing what to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want Peter to know," Murray replied, -without hesitation. "We 're going to try to keep -this thing out of the papers, of course, and away -from our acquaintances as long as we can, but -your family must all know. I feel, somehow, as if -having the Bell family stand by us would be worth -a lot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Peter came out, in fresh clothes, his -brown hair damp from the splashing shower he -had just taken, and joined the two others under the -maple, he was told the whole story. He listened -in clear-eyed gravity, with once or twice a short -exclamation of regret. As Murray ended with -Jane's suggestion about the runaway's possible -enlistment in the army, Peter drew a long breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe I can understand how he felt about -it," he said, throwing his head back and staring -up at the sky for a moment. Then, coming back -to earth with a squaring of his broad shoulders, -he added, with a rueful smile at Jane, "And that's -not because my home is n't the happiest one on -earth. It 's just the feeling a fellow gets once in -a while that he 'd like to jump over something and -make a dash for the horizon line--to see what's -beyond it! And I can see how he----" Then -he broke off suddenly, looking at Murray. "That -does n't mean I don't appreciate what this is -to all his family. And if there's anything I can -do to help, I 'm your man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 'd be a good one to send after him," -Murray answered, with a slight smile. "You 'd -know better than to pounce on him like an officer -of the law. You 'd treat him like a brother--a -better brother than I 've been,"--and the smile -faded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here, don't take it that way. There -are few brothers I know who stand shoulder -to shoulder as they ought to do. It's odd, but -it's so, and a pity it is, too. I think our family -is different from most--for the reason----" Here -Peter stopped abruptly once more, meeting -Jane's eyes. He could not say that early -training, given by wise parents, had made all -the difference in the world with their family life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I fancy I know the reason," said Murray, -wistfully, "and I congratulate you on it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm a stupid sort of Job's comforter," Peter -went on. "But one thing is sure; if you 'd like -an extra brother, to stand by in this difficulty, -here he is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He laid his hand on Murray's arm as he spoke, -and Murray flushed with pleasure. He turned -and held out his own hand, and Peter's closed -on it with a grip. Then both began to talk -with a will about other things.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Murray went home he took Mrs. Bell -with him. He watched her vanish through the -doorway of his mother's room, where that poor -lady had been all day in a state of nervous prostration, -and felt that he had brought her a friend -worth while.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The moment that his father came home -Murray went to him with the news he had obtained -in Gay Street. The two had a long conference, -during which Murray discovered his father to be -watching him with a peculiar expression, as if -surprised to find this reserved son so ready with -suggestions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Townsend shook his head over the notion -that Forrest could have carried his revolt against -authority so far as to have taken the step of -enlisting in the army; but when Murray urged -that the clue should be followed up, the elder -man said slowly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know whether it would do any good -to hunt him up and bring him home. He's -taken things into his own hands. I feel like -letting him manage his own affairs for a while. -He has n't the force of character to deprive -himself of the comforts of life very long. If he has -enlisted, he 'd better take the consequences. I 'm -not so sure but a term of service in the army -would do him good, take the conceit out of him, -and show him that he cannot escape discipline -anywhere;--life itself means discipline of one -sort or another."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we should find he had enlisted, then, you -wouldn't take the steps to get him off? You -could, you know, sir, since he 's under age. Peter -says so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peter? Peter who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peter Bell--in Gay Street."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes. You see a good deal of the Bells, -Murray?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think I should apply to have him -released from service," said Mr. Townsend, -slowly, grim lines settling about his mouth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A week went by. At its close a second briefly -letter arrived from Forrest, addressed to his -mother. It stated that Forrest had enlisted in -the army, and had, at his own application, been -allowed to join a regiment just leaving for -San Francisco, to be sent for a term of three -years' service in the Philippines. By the time -the letter reached home, Forrest would have sailed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The letter was written in a spirit of boyish -bravado, like the first, but although it upset -Mrs. Townsend again and sent her back to her -bed, it relieved the tension of the family. It -furnished definite news of the young fellow's -whereabouts, and made it possible to -communicate with him when he should have reached -his destination.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Townsend spent many days thereafter -in urging her husband to apply at headquarters -to have her son returned. It could be done, she -was sure, because the boy was but nineteen, -and having enlisted without his father's -permission, must have misrepresented his age at -the recruiting-station. But Mr. Townsend -remained firm. He said that Forrest, having -chosen this course, must abide by it, at least for -the term of service for which he had enlisted. -He would not have a turncoat for a son, he said -sternly, although with a suspicious lowering of -the voice; and he was more and more impressed -with the conviction that the hard realities of life -would make a man out of Forrest if the stuff -of which men are made was in him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Meanwhile," he said to Murray, with a -sadness which the other detected, "it is the -father, rather than the son, after all, who has -the bitterest dose of medicine to take."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm sorry, sir," was all Murray could say, -wondering if his father meant the fact that his -plan for taking Forrest into the business would -have to be given up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He suggested this to Jane Bell, in the little -garden one evening, down by the phlox-bed, -where she had gone to pick a bunch of flowers -for Olive, who sat upon the porch with Ross -and Peter. Olive had at last learned the way -over to Gay Street, and having found it, had -discovered that the knowledge lent interest to a -life she had felt to be very dull.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose he feels badly about it," said -Murray, holding the phlox Jane gave him while -she picked a cluster of lilies to go with it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, he must."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the thing he has looked forward to -for years--ever since he realised he could n't -make a business man out of me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, and I suppose, even if your brother -came back after two or three years, less -head-strong than now, he might not be any more -willing to settle down to that life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I doubt if he would. It's all up for -father, and it's a tremendous disappointment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am very, very sorry for him," said Jane, -gravely, musing over her lilies. There was -silence for a moment; then she looked up. "You -don't think," she ventured, her hazel eyes scanning -his, "that anybody could possibly make it up -to him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Anybody? Who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who, indeed?" Jane was breathing a little quickly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray stared at her in mingled astonishment, -questioning and dismay. Then he spoke, abruptly -and roughly: "In the name of all absurdity, -you can't mean </span><em class="italics">me</em><span>?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane dropped her eyes, flushing deeply. She -bit her lips. "It would be very, very hard, -would n't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray drew a deep, impatient breath. -"</span><em class="italics">Hard!</em><span>" he exploded, and turned away. Then -he wheeled back. "You're not serious?" he -said, hurriedly. "You can't be serious in even -suggesting such a thing. I--bookworm, cripple, -weakling----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane raised her eyes once more. In the -deepening twilight Murray felt as if they were -searching his soul.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet," she said, slowly, and almost -wistfully, "it would be such a magnificent thing -to do. It would take hero stuff, I know--yet," -she smiled, "I think--you--could----" Then -she stopped short. "Oh, forgive me!" she -cried, softly, under her breath. "What am -I that I should suggest hero deeds to you? A -girl who cries nearly every night of her life because -she can't go to college!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="murray-gives-an-answer"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">MURRAY GIVES AN ANSWER</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I wish I knew," observed Olive Townsend -to Jane Bell, "what in the world is the -matter with Murray. He acts as if he had -lost his head completely. I went into his room -this morning, and almost fell over a pile of Indian -clubs and dumb-bells; and I saw a set of chest -weights hanging against the wall. It's the -queerest thing! He's never gone in for that sort of -thing at all--and I shouldn't think he was -strong enough for it, either."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two girls were driving along the park -roadway in a high-hung phaeton of Olive's, -behind a very smartly harnessed horse. This -was the third time Olive had asked Jane to drive -with her, and although Jane would have enjoyed -excursions into the country much more than -these drives about the fashionable city streets, -she appreciated the honour Olive meant to do -her in thus exhibiting their friendship to all -beholders. Olive had grown to be rather proud -of Jane's company upon these drives, for she -was conscious that they attracted considerable -admiring attention, and she fancied that Jane's -quiet daintiness of attire set off her own rather -more striking style.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane laughed at the notion that Murray was -not strong enough to put himself in the way of -being stronger. She knew it was Peter who -had suggested this course of proceedings in -response to an envious comment from Murray, -when he had seen Peter scantily garbed for some -severe physical labor about the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Biceps?" Peter had laughed, as Murray -grasped the sinewy arm and expressed his -admiration for the fine development thereof. "And -deltoid?--Oh yes, that's easy. If your particular -form of daily toil does n't give you muscle -where you want it, get it for yourself with exercise. -You can build up anything you like in a -gymnasium--or in your own room, if you have the -persistence."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You could, with your splendid health to -begin on, of course," Murray replied, with a -sigh, for he had begun to suspect that Peter's -unusual level-headedness and efficiency came in -considerable degree from his well-developed body.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So could you. A year of solid work with a -good instructor would make another chap of -you. Two years, an athlete."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, no--not with my constitution."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your constitution, man!" Peter had almost -shouted. "What's constitution? Something to -be made just about what you will of. Fellows -with a direct tendency toward consumption have -made themselves giants by living outdoors and -sawing wood."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This had been the beginning, the first result -of which serious talk had been the dumb-bells -and chest-weights which had called forth Olive's -suspicion of her brother's sanity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he's never cared for anything but -books--and to be let alone," objected Olive, when -Jane replied that she thought nothing better -could happen to Murray than to become interested -in building up his physical being. "It's just -since Forrest has been gone--only think, that's -six weeks now--that Murray has been at this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's telling on him already, too," said Jane, -feeling a sense of elation over the fact which she -could not quite account for. "He has a better -colour. I noticed it yesterday."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That was sunburn," declared Olive, skeptically. -"He spent the afternoon lying on the ground -with a book down by the hedge, right squarely -in the hot August sun. I think it was ridiculous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He's lived in the house ever so much more -than was good for him," Jane insisted, gently. -"So does everybody in cities. My idea of -happiness--one sort--is a day on my grandfather's -farm. It's only about ten miles out, and we 've -a plan. Should you, Murray, and Shirley, care to -spend a day with us out there? A sort of picnic, -you know. Down by the river there are the -loveliest places you can imagine, and Peter says -he 'll take you fishing if you care for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I should, I 'm sure," agreed Olive, -with real pleasure. She loved new sensations, -and the notion of going fishing with Peter Bell -appealed to her strongly. She was growing -more and more to respect and admire Peter; -in a way, it was true, in which she quite failed to -appreciate his best qualities, but in which she -responded, nevertheless, to those which his family -would have rated as his second best.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't forget the picnic," was Olive's last -word, as she set Jane down at her own door. -"I shall begin to get an outing hat ready now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I should forget, Peter would remind me. -It's his plan," Jane reassured her--a fact which -of itself pleased Olive, for she was confident that -it meant his regard for her entertainment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If she had known, however, the whole plan -was a plot of Peter's for Murray's diversion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fellow 's worrying about something," -Peter had said. "He's pitching into the exercises -I showed him, but his mind 's counting against -him. I know what he wants to build himself -up for. He told me that if he had to be the -family's sole representative in the matter of -sons for the next three years, he wanted to put -up a better showing, and I 'm decidedly glad he -takes it that way. I 'd hate myself to be five -feet ten and weigh only one hundred and thirty. -Let 's take him--and the girls if you like--out -for a day on Grandfather Bell's farm. What -do you say? Do you suppose we could make -the thing acceptable to Miss Worthington -Square?" After due consideration of the matter, -and some consultation with her mother, Jane -had enthusiastically agreed. Now, upon returning -from the drive, she was able to tell Peter that -Olive had accepted the invitation with alacrity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What--fishing and all?" he laughed. -"Really, I think better of her ladyship than ever -for coming down to earth like that. The question -is now, how to get them there without resorting -to hay-wagons--a form of conveyance I judge -Miss Olive would n't deign to accept."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Imagine one rolling up to the </span><em class="italics">porte-cochère</em><span> -on the Worthington Square front!" and Jane -broke into such a merry laugh that everybody -joined in--for Jane had told Peter her news -at the dinner-table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let Miss Olive and Murray and Shirley -drive in their own trap, and have Pete bring -out grandfather's new surrey for us. I 'm sure -it's as trim a looking vehicle as any, if his horses -don't have quite the smartest harness going," -suggested Ross McAndrew. "The horses -themselves are crack-a-jacks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That will have to do, I think," Jane agreed, -"though it seems too bad to ask our guests to -take themselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No matter in what order we go, you 'll find -we 'll come home democratically mixed up," -prophesied Ross. "I defy Miss Worthington -Square to withstand the leveling influences of a -day on Grandfather Bell's farm. I 've no doubt -Peter will drive the trap home, with Rufe hanging -on the back seat, and Murray will learn what it -means to coax a pair of shy farm horses past -the electric cars. As for me, I may come home -as jockey on young Major's back, the city youth -having proved not up to the situation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With such merry comments the preparation -for the picnic was made. And if the Bells had -known it, their guests looked forward to the -affair with quite as pleasant anticipations as -themselves. When the day came--a sultry -August morning, with signs of thunder-showers -in the west--Olive and Murray and Shirley -found themselves as willing to risk a possible -wetting as the Bells themselves, who never -minded such small things as thunder-showers -in the least.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The farm horses--Grandfather Bell's pride, -and with reason, for they were a fine pair of -blacks--led the way, the new surrey carrying -such a jolly company that the guests, following -close behind in the smart trap, tried in vain to -rival their hilarity. The three Townsends were -all arrayed in white linen from head to foot, -and presented a cool and attractive spectacle; -but Murray's eyes watched with envy the -parti-coloured group in the conveyance ahead, and -Olive reluctantly owned to herself that Jane's -fresh little blue cotton frock, while better suited -to a farm picnic than one of white linen, was also -a charming spot of colour upon the landscape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, who's going fishing?" called back -Peter, as he drove his steeds briskly in through -Grandfather Bell's gateway, followed by the trap -at its best pace. "It's clouding over now, so -that we ought to have some good sport--if the -rain holds off, and I think it will, judging by the -wind. Grandfather Bell can tell us that," he -added, as a tall old man of a hale and vigorous -aspect came out of the house to greet his guests.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The rain won't bother you before afternoon, -I guess," prophesied Grandfather Bell, shaking -hands cordially with his guests. "When it -does, you 'd better put for the house. You can -have your picnic indoors, where you won't get -your clothes wet," and his glance fell on the -three white-clad young people from the city.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Never mind our clothes," said Murray. "We -were thinking of the hot day coming when we -put them on. It would have been more sensible -to dress like you fellows," and he glanced from -Ross's worn gray corduroys to Peter's faded blue -flannels, in which costumes both young men -looked ruggedly--and not unattractively--ready -for roughing it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Picnics appeal to people from different points -of view," suggested Ross. "Now, Miss Olive -can certainly sit on a rock and watch Peter, -Rufe, Nan and myself fish, giving us practical -suggestions from time to time--in a whisper. -Perhaps she 'll photograph us with that camera -she has there. But I would advise that -Mr. Murray Townsend, Miss Shirley Townsend, -and Miss Jane Bell, sit apart on some mossy -bank and read some pleasant tale </span><em class="italics">about</em><span> fishing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nonsense. You talk like a stage manager," -jeered Peter. "Miss Olive 's going to do some -real fishing if Grandmother Bell has to lend her -a dress to go home in--and so are the rest. -Fishing is the first thing on this programme -and fishing is to be done. You saw to the rods -and lines, Rufe--where are they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rufe raced away to the barns, and came back -with a full fishing equipment for everybody. -After greeting Grandmother Bell, a pleasant -little old lady, with a warm welcome for every -one, the party proceeded through the orchard -and down a long, maple-Leaded lane to the river--a -picturesque spot, which had been the paradise -of the Bell family from its earliest recollections.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here sport reigned for an hour, although few -fish were caught. The spirit of hilarity ruled -the holiday too thoroughly to admit of much -wooing of the frightened prey; but nobody minded -except Rufus, who finally left the others and -wandered away up-stream, whence he returned -after a time, triumphant, with a respectable -showing of fish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The clouds don't look as threatening as they -did. Could n't we climb that small hill on the -other side of the river? I 've been looking at -that winding path for an hour, wishing I could -see where it leads," said Murray to Jane, propping -his fishing-rod against a tree.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It leads to a little hemlock grove, and a field of -corn beyond," answered Jane, fanning her flushed -and laughing face with her wide-brimmed hat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, don't tell me! Come and explore it -with me, will you?" Murray gave her such a -pleading look that she could not refuse him, -although she and Peter had agreed that this -picnic was not to be a "pairing off" affair, because -that would leave Ross in the lurch, and Ross -had been working hard of late, and needed an -outing, his cousins thought, more than anybody.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll just go over and back, if you like--to -satisfy your curiosity," and Jane let him walk -away with her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They slowly climbed the hill path, Murray -stopping to cut himself a stout staff in lieu of -the cane he no longer used. "I shall always -be lame," he said to Jane, "but I 'm not going -to depend on canes any longer except for such -special occasions as this. Do you know, I think -I 'm growing a shade brawnier--thanks to -Peter's training."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm sure you are; you look it," responded -Jane, warmly, "and I 'm so glad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There has been wonderful work done in the -world by people in ill health. But I 'm afraid -I could never be a Carlyle or a Stevenson, no -matter how bright the fires of genius burned. -They worked for the love of it, but when the -task a fellow sees before him is one he dislikes, -he certainly needs the backing of a sound body."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As they attained the top of the hill, panting -a little for breath, Murray stared ahead into the -hemlock grove.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That 's a cool-looking spot. Can't we sit -down there a few minutes? I 'll have to rest a -bit before I do more," he urged. "It's three -years since I climbed a hill like that--just the -day before I had my accident. I seem to have -got started on the uninteresting subject of myself, -so I may as well go on a little further and tell -you my plans about the same chap, if you don't -mind listening."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'd love to hear them. Here's a fine mossy -spot, and two trees to lean against," and Jane -dropped at the foot of one of the trees she had -pointed out. Murray, casting aside his stick, -threw himself down at full length near by, his -arms clasped under his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, this is great!" he murmured. "Smell -those balsams? It makes one want to live -outdoors. And that's what I'm thinking of doing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Really? How? Will you pitch a tent on -the lawn? That would be fine for you, and -we should all envy you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I want a more radical change to outdoor -life than that--or at least I want the results. -I 've made up my mind that to live my life out -as a bookish invalid, if I might do better, is 'too -poor a way of playing the game of life,' as one -author I like immensely puts it. I shall stick -to the books all I can, but--I want some good -red blood in my veins besides."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Forrest's words spoken weeks ago, charging -Murray with the very lack of "red blood," came -to Jane's mind, and she smiled and sighed, -thinking what a change those weeks had made -in the relations of the two brothers. And here -was Murray wishing for the very thing the want -of which his vigorous brother had deplored.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm sure you can have it, and all the good -things that go with it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which are many, as you people have already -taught me. Honestly, it's seeing your family so -alive and hearty and happy that's brought me -to be dissatisfied with myself. I 'm going to -have need of all I can put into Murray Townsend, -and so--I 've about made up my mind----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He hesitated, pulling a hemlock branch through -his slim fingers with nervous energy. Then he -began again: "I 've been reading a lot lately -about life on one of those Western ranches--real -ranch life, I mean; not Eastern play at it. -I 've a cousin who went to Montana six years -ago. I get a letter from him once in a while. -He's a Westerner now, full-fledged. I doubt -if he ever comes East again to stay. I 've written -him to ask if he has any room for a tenderfoot -on his ranch, and if he says he 'll take me in, -I think I 'll go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Right away?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Right away, if father agrees--and I think -he will. He 'll be only too glad to have me take -the chance of making a man out of myself, -instead of a bloodless bookworm." Murray turned -over with a short laugh, and propping his chin -on his elbows, lay looking at Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How long shall you stay?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Long enough to do the business. A year, -if necessary. When I come back, I 'll probably -be wearing leather leggings with fringes, a -handkerchief round my neck, and a sombrero. I 've -no doubt the cowboys will have played tricks -enough on me to prove satisfactorily to all -concerned whether I 'm a man or a mushroom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane looked steadily down at the face below -her, and realised that it was a face of strength -as well as of fineness. The eyes which met -hers were enlivened by a determination she had -never seen in them before, and her answer brought -into them a light which surprised and pleased her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think it's the best plan in the world," she -said, heartily, "and I know it will succeed. -Nobody ever set himself to accomplishing anything -without accomplishing either that thing or -something better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What could the 'something better' be in my case?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know. Do you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The question was a challenge. Murray sat -up. A tinge of red crept into his cheek. "Yes, -I know," he answered. "So do you, I think. -You put it into my head. Am I a coward, -that I can't decide to give myself over to my -father and the business?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. But you are planning to put your -shoulder to his wheel somehow--I know you -are, or you would n't be trying so hard to -strengthen that shoulder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're a wizard--or a witch." Murray -spoke soberly; then he laughed, as the two pairs -of eyes met, and he caught the fire in Jane's. -"Are you always so sure of your friends?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always. If I have a friend, I believe -in--her--whether she wants me to or not. She -always proves me right."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Suppose it 'him'?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know so much about the 'hims,'" -said Jane, "except my brothers. The rule -works with them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must be an inspiring sister. You 've -brothers enough already, I suppose, but I wish -you 'd adopt another. My sister--she can't be -far from your age, but she seems years younger. -She has n't thought about things the way you -have. Look here! If I go to Montana for a -year, I shall be pretty lonesome sometimes, I -expect. Will you let me write to you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be great fun," answered Jane, -simply, "to have letters from a real cowboy -with six-shooters in his belt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll take them out when I write to you. -Must we go back? Well, if you think we -ought--though I 'd like to lie here all day and dream -dreams about the great things I 'm going to do. -But a fellow can't dream much in the society -of the Bells--he has to be up and doing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With a heart for any fate," quoted Jane, -blithely, as she led the way. "I 'll tell you a -better motto than that, though, fine as it is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it? Give it to me, will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll write it out for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To-morrow, perhaps."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To-day, please. I 'm an impatient chap."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. You shall have it when we -get home. It's one I can't talk about, -somehow--it gives me a choke in my throat--I don't -know why."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hours later Murray found out why. By the -time he and Jane had rejoined the rest of the -party the threatening storm-clouds had brought -the promised rain. The lunch had to be eaten in -Grandmother Bell's pleasant kitchen, but the -guests enjoyed it almost as much as they could have -done in the sylvan spot that Peter had picked -out. By three o'clock in the afternoon the storm -had passed. It had cooled the air a little, so -that it was possible for the party to spend three -long and delightful hours upon the river before -going home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We three in what was once white," said -Murray, as he stood by the trap, "are a pretty -sorry-looking crowd to go back all together. -Why may I not change places with Peter, and -drive the Bell family home?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ross chuckled as he winked at Jane, and she -recalled his prophecy of some days earlier. But -it was he and Nancy who took the back seat of -the trap, leaving Rufus and Shirley in the surrey, -to carry on an acquaintance which had developed -to great friendliness in the Townsend tennis-court, -where the children had played every evening -throughout the summer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Up in his own room Murray took from his -pocket a slip of paper Jane had given him as -she said good night, and unfolding it as if it -were a message from a royal hand, he read it -slowly through. The expectation of this -message had been warm all through the pleasant -drive home in the twilight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The words of Jane's quotation were these:--and -as it happened that he had never seen -them before, they came to him at this crisis of -his life with peculiar force.</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>"Life is an arrow--therefore you must know</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>What mark to aim at, how to use the bow--</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Then draw it to the head, and let it go!"</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>There was a little constriction in Murray's own -throat as he studied the brave words. He saw -at a flash their deeper meaning. "Make myself -fit to live my life," he thought "and then--whether -it's the life I want to live or not--let -it go! Jane, you know how to fit the arrow to -my hand--bless you! I will </span><em class="italics">draw</em><span> it to the -head--</span><em class="italics">and let it go</em><span>!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="snap-shots"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">SNAP SHOTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"A letter from Montana for Miss Jane -Bell," observed Peter, distributing the -mail at the breakfast-table one May morning, -nine months after the picnic at Grandfather -Bell's farm. "It strikes me these Montana -letters are beginning to arrive with astonishing -regularity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They began," declared Ross, enjoying the -sight of the sudden colour in Jane's face, as she -tucked the letter into her belt and tried vainly -to look unconscious as she went on serving the -family from a big dish of oatmeal porridge, -"by coming modestly once in about three or four -weeks. Then they got to once a fortnight--that -was in midwinter. Along about April----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I were a big, grown man," murmured -Jane, "I 'd never condescend to keep track -of----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Along in April," pursued Ross, unmoved, -"once in ten days was the schedule. But this -last, coming as it does just one short week after -its predecessor, and carrying, as it does, two -large red postage-stamps--which, I am -confident, is underpayment----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop teasing!" cried Nancy, always loyal to -her sister. "Every one of you is envying Jane, -wishing you could have letters from a real cowboy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A real cowboy!" laughed Ross. "I think -I see Murray Townsend getting himself up in -that rig. With his pale face and thin shoulders -he 'd look like the tenderest kind of a tenderfoot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane pulled the letter out of her belt. The -previous letter had promised that this one should -bring some snap-shot pictures of the writer and -his surroundings. She hoped, as she broke the -seal, that she should find them, feeling sure that -the extra thick letter indicated that it carried the -promised enclosures.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As she pulled out the sheets a little packet -of blue-prints dropped into her lap. She picked -them up and fell to looking at them. Peter, -sitting next to her, laughed to himself, as he -reached for his dish of oatmeal, Jane having -forgotten to serve him. But everybody forgot -breakfast, as the blue-prints went round the table. -All but one were scenes of ranch and camp life, -bringing into view horses and cowboys of all sorts -and conditions, each carefully labelled with its -descriptive title. But the one at the bottom of -the pack was called "the tenderfoot"--the only -one of the set in which Jane's correspondent -was in evidence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can it be possible this is Murray?" exclaimed -Mrs. Bell, studying incredulously the erect figure -on horseback, life and energy in every outline, -from the tilt of the wide hat to the set of the leg -in the saddle. "Why, he looks as if he weighed -thirty pounds more than when he went away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"By George, the fellow has n't roughed it -nearly a year for nothing, has he?" admitted -Ross. "He doesn't look the stage cowboy, -either--I 'll say that for him. Those clothes -have seen wear and rain, and that hat has had -the true Western shape knocked into it. It -makes you envy him, does n't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter said nothing, but his eyes dwelt upon -the figure in the saddle with a look of longing -so intense that if anyone had been observing -him it must have told his story plainly. One -person was observing him, and as Peter looked up -at last, with an involuntary glance at his father, -who had just made some observation on the -advantage it had been to the rich man's son to get out -among the ranchmen and gain a new view of -life, he met his father's eyes. Joseph Bell -understood just what it meant to Peter to stay at home -and work as foreman in a note-paper factory -when there were such places as Montana in -the world waiting for young men to come and -explore them. And there was that in his father's -look which told Peter that his sacrifice was -appreciated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Up in her own room, when a dozen duties had -been done, Jane read her letter. It was to her -a deeply interesting letter, as had been all those -which came before it, for Murray wielded a -graphic pen, and his pictures of the sort of life -he had been living were vivid as colour-sketches. -He was rejoicing in the coming of spring and -summer, after the long, cold winter, and his -delight seemed to Jane so unlike any pleasure -in outdoor life she had seen him show at home -that it filled her with joy. The letter said, as it -neared the close and fell into the personal vein, -as letters do:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span class="small">I never knew before what it was to breathe way down to -the bottom of my lungs. My existence--after my accident, -and up to the time I came here--seems now to me like that -of some pale monk in his cell, feeding on other men's thoughts, -but never living them himself. I've learned to live! You, -who have long known that secret, will be glad with me, won't -you?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span class="small">All through the winter I was wrapped to the eyes whenever -I put my head out of the cabin door. Men dress warmly -here in the winter--flannel-lined canvas overcoats--"blanket -coats" they call them--felt boots, and all that. But they -don't make grannies of themselves as I did--at first. As the -winter advanced, though, I began to get hardened to it, and -before spring I could stand a pretty low temperature without -feeling my blood congeal. But when spring came--spring -in this Western country! I wish I could describe it. The -air like wine, the sunshine like--nothing I can think of. -When spring came I began to expand mentally and physically--and -in still another way, I think. Anyhow, I 'm not the -same fellow who went to the doctor for an outfit of drugs -before he dared start West.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span class="small">I 've learned a lot from these men I 've been associated -with. A rough set they would seem to you, most of -them--they did to me at first. But when I got to know them, -underneath the roughness I found--men. It's no use trying -to put it into a letter. I must talk with you, face to -face--and just what that means to me when I think of it I won't -venture to say. I 'll be home in the fall, and then--I 'm -going into my father's business. I have n't said that before, -have I? You 'll please not mention it to anyone, except -Peter, if you like; I want to surprise father. That's going -to be my reward for doing my duty. It is my duty--I see -it plainly at last, and every ounce of determination I can -grow from now till fall is going to be just so much more to -offer him. But I won't brag about that. Do the best I can, -it won't be a wonderful gift, for I 'm afraid my talents don't -lie in that direction. But if honest effort can make -up--Jane, I have n't watched some of these heroic chaps for -nothing. I 'm simply shamed into taking my medicine, and -shutting my mouth tight after it. And that's the last word -about it's being medicine. I 'm going to get interested in -the business if pitching in all over will do it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span class="small">This is a long letter, and I 'm done--except to tell you -that the West does n't deserve all the credit for my altered -views of life. A certain girl I know, who wanted to go to -college, but gave up all thought of it because, besides the -family, her father and brothers had half a dozen helpless -elderly relatives to support, isn't the poorest sort of -inspiration to her friend, when he happens to be a fellow who never -gave up anything for anybody in his life. He values her -friendship far more than he dares to tell her now. -Somebody--Ruskin?--said a knight's armour never fitted him quite -so well as when the lady's hand had braced it--and I 'm -beginning to understand what that rather picturesque -metaphor may mean. Do I sound sentimental, and are you -laughing at me? Don't do it! I 've not a "gun" in my belt, but -I'm rather a rough looking customer nevertheless. I came -in an hour ago, wet to the skin--caught out in a cloudburst -without my slicker--and while my clothes dry am attired -in my cousin's (seven sizes too big!) being averse to putting -on any of the clothes in my trunk, the foolish clothes of -civilisation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span class="small">I weigh one hundred and sixty-five. What do you think -of that? And it's not flesh, but worked-on muscle and sinew. -Did I say I was done? I am. But I am also</span></p> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span class="small">Faithfully your friend,</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span class="small">MURRAY TOWNSEND.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"You look it," agreed Jane, studying the -photograph. "You certainly look it." She gave -the little print one more careful examination, -noting the steady gaze the pictured face gave back, -a spirited expression very different from the -half-moody look she had first known; then she put the -photographs away and went about her work. And -as she went, a little song sang itself over and over -in her heart--the song of trust in a ripening -friendship of the sort that makes life worth living.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Spring and summer passed slowly by, marking a -growing interchange of amenities between the little -house in Gay Street and the big one in -Worthington Square. Things had happened during -the winter, things kept on happening as the year -advanced, to draw the two families together. -In January Shirley had had a long and severe -illness, during which Mrs. Bell and Jane made -their way into the inmost heart of every member -of the household. There were nights during -that illness when Joseph Bell, feeling that -difference of social position counted for nothing when -a father was in trouble, went over to shake Harrison -Townsend's hand, bidding him be of courage--and -found himself detained as a friend in need.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By and by, when the anxiety was over and the -Bells ceased coming often in and out, the -Townsends began to summon them. Mr. Townsend -discovered the shrewd wisdom and genial philosophy -of Joseph Bell to be of value, and often went to -sit with him in the little front room, where his -eyes noted with approval the rows of books. He -discovered that Armstrongs's head man knew -more that lay between the covers of those books -than did Harrison Townsend himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Mrs. Townsend and Mrs. Bell, while -they were too different in temperament and taste -to get far into each other's lives, they found -enough in common to bring them together rather -oftener than could naturally have been expected. -There was a quiet poise about Mrs. Bell which -the other woman, accomplished woman of the -world though she was, could only study in despair -of ever being able to attain. But she found -a rest and refreshment in her neighbour's society -which none of her more fashionable friends -could give her, and she sent often for Mrs. Bell -to keep her company.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Olive's taken one big step in advance," -Peter said to his mother, one day in early summer. -"She has begun to write regularly to Forrest."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm very glad," said Mrs. Bell. "Does he -answer her letters?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He does--only too glad to, I should say. -She's shown me some of his letters. There 's -a homesick grunt to them, that's sure. Life in -the army, and particularly life in the Philippines, -is n't unmitigated bliss, and he's finding it out. -He does n't exactly squeal, but you can see how -it is with him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will do Olive good to take up such a sisterly -duty. Was it your suggestion?" asked Mrs. Bell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you guess that? I did give her a -talk one day, when she happened to say that -Shirley was the only one of the family who wrote to -Forrest with any regularity. She was pretty angry -with me for a day or two, but she came round, -and now she writes once a fortnight. There 's -really more to that girl than you would think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is improving very much, I am sure," -agreed his mother, warmly. "With a different -early training, Olive would have been by now -a much more lovable girl than she has seemed. -But, happily, it 's not too late to give her new -ideals, and I think you have helped in that -direction."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ideals?" mused Peter. "I don't think I -have any of those--at least, I don't call them -by that name. Rules of the game--how will -that do, instead? The foreman of Room 8 in a -note-paper factory is n't supposed to have ideals, -is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know about that. Suppose you ask -the men and women under you. I fancy they -would protest your ideals were pretty hard for -them to live up to?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter laughed to himself. "Maybe they -would. But they would n't put it that way. -'The boss is a tough one to suit,' they 'd say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Call it what you will--rules of the game, -if you like. But, as the children used to say, -'Peter Bell plays fair!'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope he does. If he does n't, it is n't the -fault of his trainer." And the gray eyes met -the brown ones for an instant in a glance which -said many things Peter could not have spoken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The days went on; June gave place to July; -August heat melted into September mildness; -and October, with its falling leaves, marked the -end of the days of outdoor life lived from April -to November in the little garden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The twenty-fifth is Jane's birthday," observed -Nancy to Shirley, several days before that event. -"We 're wondering what to do in celebration."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, it's mine, too!" cried Shirley. "How -funny that we did n't know it! We ought to -celebrate it together."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This remark was duly reported to Mrs. Bell, -who said at once that they must invite Shirley -over to have her birthday cake with Jane's. -But before this plan could be carried into effect, -an invitation arrived from the big house, asking -every member of the Bell household to be present -at a small dinner of Shirley's own planning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the first time we 've all been asked over -there together--it's quite an occasion," declared -Peter, on the evening of the twenty-fifth, as he -stood waiting in the doorway for everybody to -be ready. "I say," he exclaimed, "but we're -gorgeous!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And he fastened admiring eyes on his mother, -who was dressed in a pale gray gown of her own -making, and therefore of faultless effect. The -quality was fine also, for Peter had looked after that.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gorgeous does n't seem exactly the word," -Ross commented. "Demure but coquettish, I -should call that gown."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The party proceeded in a body to the corner -of Worthington Square, where Jane, under escort -of Peter, came to a sudden halt. "Oh, I 've -forgotten something to go with my present to -Shirley," she said to him. "Give me the key, -please. I 'll run back and get it. Don't wait. -I want to slip into the dining-room over there, -anyway, before I see anybody, and I 'll come -in by the side door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Jane ran back alone, and let herself into -the dark house, the lamps having, for safety, -been all extinguished before the family went -out. She hurriedly lighted the lamp in the front -room, for she meant to fill out a card with a certain -appropriate quotation, to put with Shirley's -gift, and the book she needed was in this room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The quotation was not as easily found as she -had thought it would be, and hurriedly searching -for it, Jane consumed considerable time, but -did not want to give it up, for the words fitted -Shirley delightfully, and would give point to -the gift.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So bending over the book, still unsuccessful, -she heard with regret the sound of a quick step -upon the porch, followed by a ring at the bell. -She sprang up, book in hand, wishing she had -taken her affairs, with her light, into the dining-room. -Hoping that her appearance, in her evening -frock, would warn the chance visitor that the -time was inopportune, she opened the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jane!" exclaimed a joyful voice. "Ah, but -this is good luck!" And Jane looked up into -a face so brown and rugged and strong that -for an instant she did not know it. But the -eyes gazing eagerly into her own told her in the -next breath who stood before her. She put out -both hands, speechless with surprise. They -were grasped and held, as Murray Townsend -closed the door behind him with a sturdy shoulder.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I--you--why, I thought you were n't coming -for a month yet," she said, half shyly, for in -spite of the smile and the warm handclasp, it -seemed as if this must be a stranger who stood -before her, radiating health and happiness, and -looking so different from the pale young man -who had gone away a year before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was hit by a sudden wave of homesickness that -swept me off my feet," Murray explained, releasing -the hands which were gently drawing themselves -away, but continuing to stare down at the engaging -young figure in its modest evening attire, as if -he had seen nothing so attractive in all Montana, -in spite of his fine tales of its glories. "I began -to think about it, and that was fatal. Once -the notion of coming home a bit ahead of the date -I 'd set took hold of me, I was no more use to -anybody. They told me to pack up and start, -for I was n't fit to brand a calf, and could n't earn -my salt." He laughed. "Tell me you 're not -sorry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, I'm not. This happens to be my -birthday, and it's the nicest surprise I've had yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you--that's the welcome I wanted. -But"--he glanced at her dress again, and his -face fell--"you were going out?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Only to Worthington Square," laughed Jane. -"It's Shirley's birthday, too, and we're all to be -there at dinner. Why, you must know! You 've -just come from there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is a joke on me. I rang--no latch-key, -you know--and a new maid I 've never seen -let me in. I saw everything lighted up and -flowers all about, and asked if they were -entertaining. She said they were, and everybody -was dressing. So I just turned and ran, thinking -I 'd slip over here and see you first, since I could n't -see much of my family till the affair was over. -Well, well--so I may spend the evening in your -company. Talk about luck!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They stood there, exchanging questions and -replies in the laughing, disconnected way in -which people are wont to address each other in -the first excitement of an unexpected and welcome -meeting, neither of them knowing quite what they -were saying, but each feeling that something of great -importance had happened. Then Jane gathered -up her wraps and Shirley's gift, and said, with -a startled glance at the clock, "It is later than -I thought! We must go this minute."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I put out the light?" and Murray -strode across the floor. Jane noted with gladness -that his walk was the walk of a strong man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They crossed the street to the hedge gate, and -came to the side entrance. As he put his thumb -to the bell, Murray said, half under his breath, -"I've imagined all sorts of home-comings, but -never one quite so nice as this. To make my -entrance with you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, you 're not going to make it with me!" -said Jane, gaily. "I shall stay in the dining-room, -arranging Shirley's plate, until you are -safe in the midst of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And plead as he would, Murray found there -was no way to make her change this decision. -So, at last, hearing the voices of the others -in the big hall, where they were gathered -about the fireplace, in which roared a royal -October fire, he went to the door and opened it -a crack. From this position, he looked back -at Jane, where she stood by Shirley's chair -watching him across the gala decorations of -roses which crowned the handsome table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm at home again!" he called to her softly, -and she nodded, smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then, hat in hand, he threw the door wide and -marched through, shoulders back, head up, -eyes intent upon the faces which, at the opening -of the door, had turned that way.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="hide-and-seek"><span class="large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">HIDE AND SEEK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>There was a moment's astonished hush -as the group about the fire stared at the -erect young figure. Then Murray's father was -the first across the floor to meet him; and in an -instant more the whole family was upon him, -while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear boy!" There was a great gladness -in Harrison Townsend's voice and he wrung his -son's hand as if he would wring it off. Murray's -mother, too--he had not known she was capable -of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a -feeling that in his thoughts he had n't done her -love for him justice.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Olive and Shirley, there was nothing -lacking in the way they showed their joy in -having him at home again. Murray himself, -during this long year of absence, was not the -only one who had learned a few enlightening -truths about the great business of living.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To the full, also, Murray enjoyed the surprising -fact that the Bells were grouped about the fire -in a way which indicated that they were entirely -at home. He rejoiced in the heartiness with -which the male members of that family gripped -his hand--they seemed like brothers. And -when the sweet-faced, bright-eyed lady in gray -pressed his hand in both her own and looked -at him as if her pleasure in his return was -very great, Murray, quite unable to help it, -stooped and kissed her also. Surely, -homecoming was a happier thing than he had dared -to picture it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was off upstairs to his room presently, -while word was sent to an exasperated cook to -delay the dinner yet a little longer. In less -time than could have been expected, however, -Murray was down again, and in his evening -clothes showed even more plainly than before the -astonishing increase in his weight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These shoulders," cried Peter, inspecting -them, "can they be the shoulders of the delicate -young gentleman who went away last year looking -so long and lean and lank? I wonder you could -get them into your coat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could n't," Murray answered, laughing. -"I had to borrow father's dinner-jacket and -one of his waistcoats."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was fortunate for you that the old coat -was n't given away when the new one came home," -his father observed, regarding the shoulders in -evidence with great satisfaction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went out to dinner in the gayest spirits, -and if everybody remembered with regret the -one absent, everybody still rejoiced that this -promising son of the house was once more at -its board. For there could be no question that -the eldest son looked now a fit representative of -the family of Townsend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dinner which followed was an elaborate -one, for it was not within the range of the hostess's -notions to entertain in any simple fashion, even -when the occasion was the birthday of a -fourteen-year-old. But the young people at the board -succeeded in infusing so much of their own -joyousness into the affair that the time passed -swiftly. There were birthday gifts at Jane's -plate as well as at Shirley's, and it would have -been hard to tell, at the close of the feast, which -pair of cheeks was the pinker, or which pair -of eyes the brighter. It is safe to guess -however, that there were elements in the pleasure -of one recipient which must have been lacking -in that of the other, and that the presence of -one birthday guest counted for more to her than -all the gifts put together. The fact that she could -hardly look up without encountering the interested -glance of the newly arrived traveller was just a -trifle disconcerting, and it must be admitted -that when Jane and Shirley gathered up their -gifts at the close of the dinner, the little girl knew -better than the older one just what she had received.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Dinner over, a short and not especially -dramatic little scene took place behind closed library -doors. Scenes which mean the most are often -quietest of all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I just wanted to tell you, sir," said Murray -to his father, "something I thought you might -like to know right away. I--went West to -make myself strong enough to--to go into the -business, if you care to have me. I mean," -he went on quickly, as his father looked at -him as if he could not quite believe the purport -of these words, "I mean in whatever capacity -you can use me. Shipping-clerk, if you think -I 'd better begin at the bottom"--and his smile -was not a smile which supplied "but of course -you won't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Townsend stood looking at Murray, studying -the straightforward gaze which met his; noting -the tints of health, the signs of vigour in the -fine face. "Murray, do you mean it?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And yet you don't like the prospect of a -business life any more than you ever did, do you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not much, sir."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You make this offer knowing fully what it -entails? I have little expectation that your -brother will ever agree to my wishes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's what decided me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are willing to give up your books? -You could complete your college course now, -with your renewed health."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If Murray winced at this he did not let it show.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you need me now, sir. And as for -the college course--and the books--I shall -have my evenings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Townsend studied his son's face a full -minute in silence. Then he held out his hand. -Murray seized it with a grasp which banished the -elder man's doubts and showed him that his -boy's heart was in this offer of himself. The -two shook hands without speaking. There seemed -no need of further words just then.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It being Shirley's birthday, that young -person's wishes ruled the hour. Prompted by -Rufus, who thirsted for something lively, she -decreed a game of hide-and-seek over the whole -house, and succeeded in enticing the elder people -into the frolic. Mr. Townsend and Murray, -coming from the library, found things in full swing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Bell was just emerging from a small -closet under the staircase, his hair much -rumpled. Mrs. Bell, laughing blithely, had run -round a corner of the reception-room and touched -"goal" before her son Rufus could swing himself -down the stairs and get in ahead of her. -Mrs. Townsend--and her husband could not quite -credit his eyes as he saw her--was, with trailing -skirts held close, squeezing out of a very small -corner behind the grand piano in the drawing-room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well!" cried the newcomers, enthusiastically. -"Let us into the game."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come on!" shouted Rufus. "Father 's 'it'! -Let's play it in another way, and hide for keeps. -Everybody stay hid till found, and each man -found join the hunt. Makes it nice and -exciting for the last fellow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 'll have to tell us our bounds pretty -carefully," said Mr. Bell, smiling at his hostess. -"In our excitement we may open the wrong doors."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Open any door," responded Mrs. Townsend -promptly, feeling more like a girl again than she -had felt in many years of formal entertaining, -and preparing, as she spoke, to hurry up the -staircase to a retreat that she felt would be secure. -It proved great fun, and a full half-hour went -by before the last one was found. Murray had -been the first to be discovered, his head so full -of the late talk in the library that he had -somewhat dazedly secreted himself in a position easily -come upon by Mr. Bell. So when the second -round began, it was Murray who stood counting -the tale of numbers in the hall below, while his -quarry scurried away over the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He knows every nook and corner of it, of -course," whispered Ross to Jane, as they ran -lightly up the second flight of stairs, "so we 'll -have to hide pretty close to escape him. I 'm -for a closet I know of where there's a pile of -blankets as big as a barn. Will you come?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No--I know a better place," and Jane -slipped away by herself. She meant to be the -last found, and to elude Murray as long as she -could, a very girlish feeling having taken -possession of her that the time to run away is the time -when you see somebody looking uncommonly -as if he would like to be with you. Although -she longed to hear the outcome of the conference -in the library, she was somehow just a little -afraid of the new Murray, and it was with a -delightful sense of exhilaration that she made -her quick and quiet way up a third flight of stairs -to one of Shirley's haunts in an unused portion -of the regions under the eaves.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a long time before she heard the sounds -of the hunt, in which at last the whole party -had come to join, approaching her hiding place. -But suddenly a lower door was thrown open, -and Murray's voice sounded far down in a -determined challenge:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We'll have you now, Jane--it's no use. -Shirley 's kept us away so far--the rascal--but -your time 's up!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She </span><em class="italics">could not</em><span> be caught! There was a tiny -door low down in the side of the closet where -she was hiding, and dark though she knew it -must be in the unknown region beyond this -door, she opened it, slipped through, closed it, -and crept along the bare beams beyond.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray was carrying a little electric searchlight, -which he was flashing into every nook and crevice. -Its sharp beam had penetrated the hole in the -blankets Ross had kept for a breathing space. -It had likewise sought out the hems of skirts, -the soles of shoes, fingers clutching concealing -draperies, and elbows sticking unwarily out from -sly nooks. Jane saw its rays outline the edges -of the small door beyond which she crouched; -then she heard Murray's triumphant cry, "O-ho, -she's dropped her handkerchief! Now we 're -hot on the trail. She's gone through this door, -the crafty lady!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a shout of mingled laughter and -expostulation. "She wouldn't go through that -rat-hole! It's too dark in there for a girl. There 's -no floor, either."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Murray was attempting to open the door. -It was a sliding door, not a hinged one, and for -a moment it delayed him, for he was not familiar -with these regions, so dear to Shirley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During that moment, Jane, with the breathless -unreadiness to be discovered which takes hold -of the hiding one, even in a game, had desperately -retreated over the rafters, in the hope of coming -upon some sheltering corner. The next instant, -with a smothered cry, she had fallen over the -edge of something, </span><em class="italics">splash</em><span> into three feet of water!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nobody had heard her, and somehow, in the -intensity of the game, Jane's second emotion, -after the startling sensation of her sudden -immersion, was one of absurd relief at finding herself, -after all, safe from discovery. For, as the little -door at last flew open, and Murray's brilliant -light leaped into the space under the eaves, it -disclosed to Jane that she had dropped into a -cistern, the top of which lay level with the floor -beams, and at the bottom thereof, where, having -scrambled to her feet, she stood stooping, was -out of sight of the faces peering in at the small door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not here," was Murray's disappointed observation, -after one wave of his light round the -small space, "unless she's in mother's special -rain-water tank, white frock and all. Come -on. I thought we had her then, sure. Where -can she be? She's been here--witness that -handkerchief. And if there's a cranny we have n't -explored, I 'll----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The little door closed with a slam; the light -faded away from its edges. The voices of the -party were heard retreating down the stairs, -and Jane was left alone to realise the humour -of the situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was undoubtedly humorous. It could hardly -be dangerous, for October had been a mild -month, and Jane was well used to cold plunges. -The wetting of the pretty frock was of no consequence, -for it was quite washable. It was fairly -easy to scramble back to the rafters--Jane -had done that the moment the searching party -was out of hearing, and was carefully wringing -out her drenched skirts. Her impromptu bath -had wet her to the shoulders, besides bruising -her arm rather badly. But the trying thing -was to get downstairs and away without being -discovered--and the whole company in full -cry over the house!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane laughed rather hysterically, shivering a -little, more from excitement and chagrin than -from chill. She crept carefully to the small -door, meaning to push it open and listen, when -suddenly it began to slide quietly aside of itself. -The next instant she saw a sunburned hand upon -its fastening, and heard a cool voice, close by, -say quietly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's all right. Nobody knows but me. -They 've given it up, and sat down to await your -own sweet will in showing up. Here 's a big -steamer rug. Will you have it to wrap up in? -I 'll get you home without a soul knowing, and -we 'll play it off as a joke, somehow."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you," answered Jane, in a very meek -voice, which shook with mingled irritation and -merriment, as the rug came through the opening. -"Perhaps I could put it on better if I were not -balancing myself on these rafters."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon. I 'll get out of this -closet, and you can get in. I just thought you -would n't leave so--so damp a trail behind you -if you were wrapped up in something. Here -are a--er--a pair of Olive's rubbers for your -feet, so you won't show any tracks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray's voice was shaking also, and in a -minute more the two were laughing together. -Jane, shrouded in her rug, emerged from the -closet into the attic, and Murray regarded her -by the light of his electric searcher.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't look much the worse for having -taken such desperate measures to escape me," -he remarked, noting with keen enjoyment the -rich colour on the cheek near which he was rather -mercilessly holding his torch. "Rather meet -a cold ducking than a warm friend any time, -wouldn't you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all. I--you know how one hates -to be caught."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does one? Now I can't conceive jumping -into a tank of water to escape you, if you had -been after me!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please stop laughing at me and help me to -get home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm not laughing at you. I'm--I may -pretend to be laughing, but inside, I assure you, -I 'm tremendously worried lest this running -away indicates a state of mind--"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please take me home!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come, then." He led the way, by back -staircases, to a quiet side entrance, and so quickly -across the street, and into her own house. Then -he went back to the others, to evade their questioning -so cleverly that nobody but Jane's mother -suspected that anything out of the ordinary had -happened. In a very short time indeed Jane -drifted inconspicuously in upon the company -again, and when inquiries from the younger -members of the party as to the change in her -costume fell thick and fast upon her, Murray -protected her with the nonchalant explanation:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't bother her. She's very kindly trying -to shield me for being the cause of a little accident -that happened to the other dress. It was -confoundedly awkward of me, but she cheers me by -declaring that she can easily repair damages!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was Murray who took Jane home again -by and by, and who lingered on the porch, after -the others had gone in, to tell her how his father -had received the good news.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm so glad!" Jane's hands were clasped -tight together. "I knew it would be just as -you tell me. Are n't you wonderfully happy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wonderfully. Happier than ever in my -life--except for just one thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing serious?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well--I certainly hope not. What bothers -me is that--you seem, somehow--not exactly -afraid of me, but--different. I don't know -how to express it--but I----" He stopped, -his tone growing anxious. "You know, I could n't -bear that," he added. "Unless I thought it -meant---- See here, Jane--are we just as -good friends as ever?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, of course we are!" She said it shyly. -She was very glad it was so dark on the little porch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Friends for always?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't change, I think," she answered, -with a proud little lift of the head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you? Well, as I don't either, that -ought to satisfy me. Yet it does n't quite, after -all. It's odd, but I believe just being good -friends who don't change is n't enough. Oh, -don't go! You're not angry? Yes, I know -it's late, but I 've hardly seen you yet. You -will go?--But you 'll let me come over early -to-morrow--after more than a year away? -Well, then, to-morrow I 'll have to teach you -not to be afraid of me. On my honour I 'm not -carrying a 'gun!' Wait a minute--just a -minute! ... </span><em class="italics">How did I ever stay away from you so -long?</em><span> ... --Good night, little Jane--good night!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-the-garden"><span class="large">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">IN THE GARDEN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Winter--long and cold; spring--late -and slow; then, all at once, in June, -radiant summer and the little garden round the -corner in Gay Street was a place of richly bursting -bloom--a riot of colours against the leafy green -background of its vine-hung walls.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Toward the end of June a week of almost -tropical heat had made the evenings outdoors, -on the little porch, and in the garden itself, events -to be looked forward to throughout the day, -Joseph Bell, Peter, Ross, and Rufus, -thought of them many times during the hottest -day of all--midsummer, the twenty-first of the -month--and came home at night to find the -table laid for a cool-looking supper out under -the shadow of the maple, and Mrs. Bell, Jane, -and Nancy, in thin summer frocks, putting the -finishing touches to the attractive meal about -to be served there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Up in a window of the house next door, -behind closed blinds, an elderly neighbour had -watched Jane wreathing a big glass bowl full -of strawberries with a crisp little green vine spray.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Bells certainly are the queerest people -anybody ever lived neighbour to," she said over -her shoulder to her sister, a withered little spinster, -who, in this hot, small upstairs room, was sewing -at another window, which did not look out upon -the garden, and therefore could have its blinds -open. "Anybody 'd think life was just one -picnic to them. Think of lugging all those dishes -outdoors this hot night, and then lugging 'em -all in again--and they all dressed out in flowered -muslins!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sister came to the window and peered -somewhat wistfully out through the closed blinds. -"It does look sort of pleasant out there," she -said. "And we certainly can't say they 're -not good neighbours. Mrs. Bell sent over a -whole tin of those light rolls of hers this morning. -They 'll come in handy for supper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There come the men." Mrs. Hunter brought -her gaze to bear upon the four who had stolen -up to the gate, and who, as she spoke, burst -out suddenly with a crisp clapping of hands -which brought the three in the "flowered-muslins" -to the right-about. If Mrs. Hunter and Miss -Maria, watching those four advance, could have -heard what they were saying as they caught -sight of the flower-decked table, they might have -had a new light shed upon the question whether -the trouble of bringing forth all those dishes -from the house had been worth while.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The neighbours saw the merry little meal eaten, -and saw all hands clear it away at the end, making -short work of the many dishes. But afterward -twilight fell, and little could be discerned except -the gleam of the light dresses and the presence -near of dark forms lying on the grass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was after the midsummer moon was lighting -the garden into a small fairy-land that Peter, -springing up, exclaimed, "There's Olive and -Murray!" and ran to greet them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a third person with them, and a -moment later the others heard Peter exclaim, in -a tone of surprise:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well, well! You don't mean to say -this is----Why, how are you? How are you? -I 'm tremendously glad to see you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you! I 'm a good deal gladder to be -home than anybody possibly can be to have -me." And Jane, recognising first the peculiar -quality of the voice, cried out:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, it's Forrest!" and led the others, as a -general uprising took place.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, it's Forrest," said the voice, and in -the bright moonlight Jane looked up into the -face whose outlines in these two years of absence -had grown dim in her memory. It was the same -face, but she thought it looked older and thinner, -and she realised then and there that Forrest -was not the same careless boy who had gone so -lightly away to lead a soldier's life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the greetings were over and the company -had settled down again on the turf under the -maple, Jane found Forrest next to herself, and -had her first little insight into his thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I feel like a stranger from a foreign country, -I assure you," he was saying to her, presently, -as the talk and laughter of the others made a -bit of confidence possible. "And the strangest -thing of all to me is the sight of my brother -grinding away down there in the office, looking -like the healthiest fellow in town. I can't -understand it; it took me off my feet!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have grown so used to the change," said -Jane, smiling to herself, in the dim light, "that -we don't think about it any more."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see," Forrest pursued, "I came home -on the quiet--just wanting to see, you know, -how they would take it. I thought if they really -still cared, I should know it by the look on their -faces----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, how could you think----" Jane began, eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But he interrupted. "A fellow thinks a good -many things when he 's on the other side of the -world, and I--well, I got to wanting to know -some things so badly, I was n't sorry when I -had my fever. Yes--you did n't know that, did -you? Oh, I had it all right! And I wasn't -sorry when they sent me home with a lot of other -convalescents. So I made for the office the -minute I had seen my mother and the girls, for -they told me that Murray was down there for -good--a thing I had n't known. Maybe they -thought I 'd be jealous--and maybe I was--in -a way, though I don't want the job any more -than I ever did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Father gave me a good warm greeting--I 'll -say that. And Murray--well, when he got up -and came toward me with his hand out, looking -like the strongest kind of a young business man, -I felt as if--But I can't tell you about that now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a general movement of the younger -people of the party, in response to a request -from Ross, who was entertaining them with -some new tricks, at which he was an adept. -During the confusion Murray came and flung -himself upon the grass beside Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take me into the conference, will you?" he -said. "I'm envious of anybody my brother -talks to, I 'm so glad to get him back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Under cover of the subdued light, Jane found -her hand, which had been resting on the cool -grass where she sat, taken into a warm, significant -grasp, as familiar now as it was dear. She -gave back a little answering pressure, without -turning her head toward Murray, at whose close -presence she had grown instantly happier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take you in?" Forrest answered slowly. -"Well, if you--and all the others--will only -take me in, and never turn me out--or let me -turn myself out again--I 'll be--satisfied."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With one hand holding tight the small one -buried in the grass, Murray's other hand went -out toward the fist clenched on Forrest's -knee. "Old fellow," he said, warmly, "if you 'll -just stay where you can get over often into this -garden in Gay Street, you 'll find it will do as -much toward making life worth living as it has -done for every other one of the Townsend family."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe you," answered Forrest, and gave -the brotherly hand an answering grip.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="jane-wears-pearls"><span class="large">BOOK II -<br />WORTHINGTON SQUARE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">JANE WEARS PEARLS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>A tap upon her door sent Mrs. Murray -Townsend flying across the room to answer -it. She expected to find her husband there, -awaiting her permission to come in and see her -in the cloud-like white gown which she had worn -but once before--two months ago. He had -vowed since that he had never seen that wedding-gown, -being occupied wholly upon the occasion -on which it was worn in keeping his head, in -order to play his own part with dignity and self-command.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But to Jane's disappointment, she opened the -door only to a maid with a florist's box. The -box, upon being examined, yielded up among -a mass of roses Murray's card, which bore this -message:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span class="small">Sorry to be delayed, dear, but father wanted to go over -everything that has happened at the office during my absence. -Will be up in time for the pow-wow. Wear one of these for</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"><span class="small">MURRAY.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Jane smiled regretfully. It had seemed a long -day. Only that morning she and Murray had -returned, belated, from their wedding journey -across the continent, to find cards out for a reception -in their honour to take place that very evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You knew the date," Mrs. Harrison Townsend -had said to her elder son, when, upon being -told that his delay had caused much anxiety -to the givers of the affair, he turned to his bride -with a soft whistle of recollection and chagrin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I certainly did," he had owned. "I forgot, -I 'm afraid, that there were such things as -after-wedding festivities due to society, and that this -was the date for the first of the series. I don't -think Jane even knew."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I didn't," said Jane, looking regretfully at her -mother-in-law's handsome face, which betrayed -a slight annoyance. It certainly had been -trying to receive daily telegrams from the -travellers throughout the past week, announcing delays -at this place and that on the homeward way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course it's of no consequence now that you -are safely here. I 'm only sorry Jane will have -no chance to rest and visit. The florist's men -will arrive within an hour, and the house will -be generally upset."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll run away over to Gay Street, then," -said Jane. "Murray 's going down to the office, -and mother and Nan will be looking for me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, I 'm sorry, but Olive has asked -a few friends informally for luncheon, people -from out of town who are coming for to-night. -It would hardly do for you not to meet them--since -two are cousins."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Jane had had to be content with one brief -hour in the little home round the corner in Gay -Street, and then she had come back to the big -house in Worthington Square, there to begin to -act the part expected of her. Murray had been -more than sorry to leave her on this first day, -but his father's affairs were pressing, the office -work had suffered in his absence, and he felt it -a necessity to get back into the harness without -an hour's delay. He had expected to be early -at home, but his message showed Jane that even -for her he did not mean to cut short the work of -taking up again the routine of business at the -point where he had left it two months ago.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Selecting half a dozen of the finest of her roses, -Jane, with a long, light coat slipped on over -her finery, opened the door and peeped cautiously -out into the large, square gallery of the upper -hall. Nobody was in sight. The doors of -Mrs. Townsend's and Olive's rooms were closed, -the ladies dressing for the affair of the evening. -The door of a guest-room, occupied by the two -cousins from out of town, was slightly ajar, and -a maid was to be seen inside, offering a cup of -tea on a tray. One of the cousins had a headache, -and was fortifying herself for a fatiguing evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane slipped quietly by this door and round -the gallery to the point where a staircase led -to the lower landing, a place just now embowered -in palms, which were to serve as a screen for the -string orchestra. She paused an instant on this -landing, to look down upon the brilliant picture -presented by the entrance-hall and its opening rooms -below. The look of it reminded her of an evening -long ago, the first upon which she had set foot -as a guest in the great unknown house in Worthington -Square, when Murray had taken charge of -her and brought her up here on the landing, to -look down upon the scene in which neither of -them had much cared to take part.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can this really be my home?" thought Jane, -feeling as if it could not all be true, even yet. -She ran quickly on downstairs and round the -foot of the staircase to a door beneath, which -furnished an inconspicuous exit from the big -hall, and which opened upon a short passage and -a side entrance not much used by the family. -This had long been a favourite entrance for Murray -himself, for it shortened the way to Gay Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A very short cut Jane made of it, for a flood -of light from the long row of windows in the -dining-room fell across the path, and turned it -into one less obscure than she wished it to be -just now. Holding her delicate skirts well away -from the dust of the road, she hurried across, -through the warm air of the May evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was nobody to be seen downstairs in -the old house, although lamps were lighted and -the small rooms wore their usual air of home-likeness -and order. Jane ran up the steep little -staircase which led to the sleeping-rooms above. -She understood that, as at the big house, the family -were engaged in arraying themselves for the Townsend -reception. She paused at the top of the stairs -to listen and observe, for the various doors were -all more or less ajar, and the usual atmosphere -of friendly family comradeship gave her a little -pang of homesickness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The first thing distinguishable was the fact -that Peter seemed to be having a bad time with -his neck-gear, and that his cousin, Ross McAndrew, -was enjoying his perturbation of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Either my neck is bigger than it was, or this -neckband has shrunk." Peter's growl rolled -out into the tiny hall, and brought a dimple into -Jane's cheek as she listened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Probably both catastrophes have happened." This -was Ross's voice in reply. "Anybody -who has seen you stow away buckwheat cakes -and maple-syrup all winter could n't be surprised -if your neck should take a seventeen collar this -spring."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Seventeen nothing! Sixteen's my size, and -when I wear a bigger it 'll be because---- O -jiminy, I 've burst that buttonhole! What on -earth am I to do now? I don't own but one -dress shirt that 'll fit the barn-door opening in -my white waistcoat."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your mother 'll sew that up on your back. -I 'll do it myself if you won't howl at a prick -or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Much obliged, but I know the general style -of your repairs in a case like this. Nan 'll do -it, if she's dressed," and Peter's door swung open. -Intent on reaching his younger sister, whose -door was next beyond his own, he did not observe -the figure at the head of the stairs in the shadow. -He proceeded to perform a double tattoo upon -Nancy's door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the matter, Petey?" sounded an -amiable voice from within.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Neckband of my shirt's a wreck. Want -you to come and splice the main brace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right--if you 'll button me up the back. -I can't reach below the fourth button, and mother's -busy dressing, too. It's so inconvenient having -Janey married."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give and take's fair play," agreed Peter, -as a charming young figure in pink-flowered -muslin backed out of the door, both bare arms -strenuously demonstrating that they could not -reach below the fourth button. "Stand still -now--no fidgeting. What on earth a girl -wants her rigging fastened behind for is beyond -me! If it must be, why not use buttons big -enough to get hold of?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look out, don't treat my buttonholes as you -did your own, or I 'll have to be sewed up, too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right--you're done. Turn round and -let's see how you look in front. Good work! -You 're a stunner, and tremendously grown up, -too, with your hair that way. Put it up the day -you were eighteen, did n't you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course," admitted Nancy, with her comely -head held high. Then, as Jane's white skirts in -the shadow caught her eye, "Why, there 's -Janey! You dear! Oh, how good it looks to -see you standing there!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the cry three doors flew wide open, and -Mr. Bell, Ross, and Rufus appeared simultaneously -upon their respective thresholds, while a voice -from within called, "Is Jane there? Come -here, dear!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O mother, let me do your hair, will you?" -offered Jane, eagerly, when she had succeeded in -making her way past the embraces of her delighted -family.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not in that dress, child! Mercy, remember -it's your wedding-gown, and don't whisk round -so! Sit down there and let me look at you while -I put my hair up; it won't take but a minute, -and then you shall help me into my dress."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you won't let me do your hair, I 'll go sew -up Pete's buttonhole. I must do something -for somebody. It seems so funny to have got -dressed over in the big house. I just had to come -over here and see the rest of you getting ready -and consulting each other on details as usual. -Where's your work-basket, mother dear? Nan," -running to the door--"don't you </span><em class="italics">dare</em><span> to mend -Peter's shirt! I want to do it myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, Mrs. Townsend, nothing will suit -me better," declared Peter, with satisfaction, -kneeling in front of his sister with his back to -her, while she sat on the edge of his splint-bottomed -armchair and threaded her needle. "What does -Murray think, by the way, of having his bride -rush over here to assist her family, and leave -him to shift for himself? Why are n't you -putting in his studs and things, like a dutiful wife?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He could n't get home from the office till -the last minute. Mr.--Father Townsend -wanted to consult him on so much that's happened -while we 've been gone. Of course I 'm going -back before he comes," responded Jane. "Dear -me--wreck is certainly the word for this -buttonhole. Did you try to put your thumb -through it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tried to climb through it myself bodily at -the last. Anything better calculated to put a -fellow into a lovely frame of mind for an affair -where's he's expected to make himself agreeable -I don't know. Wrestling to get an iron collar -on a steel neckband is--well--it's a trifle -upsetting to the nerves. Be sure you get that -buttonhole the right size. Better try the -collar-button in it before you make fast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When you 're done with him you can tie -my tie for me, if you 're looking for work," -announced Rufus, appearing in the doorway. "I -can't seem to get the right curve on the thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Janey, would you wear this bracelet Shirley -gave me last Christmas, or would n't you?" Nancy -looked in over Rufus's shoulder. At -eighteen she was tall for her years; at twenty-one -Rufus, although sturdily built, had no advantage -of her in inches. It was Peter, with his six feet -of brawn, who was the family pride in the matter -of size.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane snipped off her thread and turned to -look at her younger sister. "Do as you like, Nan, -of course," said she, "but--if you want to look -quite perfect in my eyes you 'll leave it off."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good for you!" Peter observed Nancy's -simple frock and fair neck with approval. "Lots -of time for the gewgaws when they 're needed -to cover up the hollows."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now I 'll go help mother," said Jane, having -adjusted Rufus's cravat to his satisfaction, -mended a tiny rip in Ross's glove, and given -her father a hug, since his dressing was -completed, and there seemed to be nothing else she -could do for him. He had held her fast, regardless -of her bridal attire, for he had missed her -sorely during her two months' absence, and -the thought that, however often she might seek -it, his roof was no longer hers, was one not easily -assimilated.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should really not have felt properly dressed," -averred Mrs. Bell, as Jane hovered about her, -performing all sorts of small offices, "if you had -not been here to assure me that I was quite right -in all points."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Jane smiled, first at her mother, then at -her father, wondering how she had ever been -able, even for Murray's sake, to leave two people -so dear, a low call, apparently proceeding from -downstairs, reached her ear, and she turned -quickly to listen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jane?" came the voice again, interrogatively. -"Gentle Jane, you 're not lost to me for good -and all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane ran to the head of the small stairway -and looked down. In the light from a bracket -lamp at the foot, her husband's face smiled up -at her. A bright, strong face it was, ruddy with -health, and alert with interest in that which he -beheld at the top of the stairs. Murray was in -evening dress, and as Jane observed the fact she -cried softly and regretfully:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, it must be later than I thought! I -did n't mean to be away when you came--I 'm -so sorry! It doesn't seem as if I 'd been here -five minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No excuses necessary, dear," he answered. -"When I sent you word, I did n't expect to be -able to get away till the last minute, but a telegram -from a man who had an appointment with father -let us out, and I followed my message home. I -came after you because mother is getting a bit -uneasy. She wants to be sure the bride is at her -elbow, ready for the fray, though not a soul will -show up, of course, till long after the hour on the -cards."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll come this minute," and Jane caught up -her long coat, threw a kiss at her family, and -hurried down. "You 'll all come right away, -won't you?" she called back, and let Murray -walk off with her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the curb she paused. "I meant to have -borrowed Nan's rubbers," she said, looking -down at her white-shod feet. "I forgot when -I came over."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's easy," and Murray had her across -the street before she could protest that she was -too heavy for him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You could n't have done that when I first -knew you, could you?" laughed Jane, with pride -in his strength of arm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not much. What a slim and sickly whiffet -I was! I wonder you ever looked twice at me, -with Pete at hand as a contrast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I liked muscle, but I like brains too," -explained Jane, as if this were the first time the -matter had been made clear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you. I 'm afraid I had none too -many of those, either. The house looks festive, -does n't it? Have you seen the dining-room? -Mother seemed to be particularly pleased with the -decorations there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm afraid I ran away in too much of a hurry -to notice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray gave his young wife an amused look as -they stood together on the steps of the small side -entrance by which Jane had come out an hour before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know where you are to stand in the -receiving line?" he inquired.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane shook her head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know whether you are to shake hands -with the guests or merely bow?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No. You 'll tell me, won't you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know whether I 'm to present people -you don't know to you, or whether you 're to -depend on mother for that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose I'll find that out when the time comes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you know whether you ought to look -beamingly happy or coolly composed?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which do you prefer?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray laughed. "A judicious mixture of both, -I should say. Well, my small bride, ignorant as -you profess to be of your part, I 'm not worried -about you. Just the same, I expect we 'd better -hunt up mother and be coached as to the precise -line of conduct she expects of us. I 've never -played the leading man's part in a bridal 'At -Home' myself, and mother's something of a -stickler for doing things according to the latest -revision of the code. Well, well," he added in -surprise, glancing at his watch as they entered -the hall, "it's later than I thought. Do you -need to go upstairs?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just a minute--to smooth my unruly hair," -and Jane ran away, leaving him gazing after her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray!" His mother came toward him -from the library, a striking, even imposing, figure -in black and white lace and amethysts. "Between -you and Jane, I was getting anxious. I have n't -seen the child since I went to her room, at least -two hours ago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is all ready--dressed early so she might -run home, since I sent her word I should be late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But where is she now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ran upstairs to see if her hair was right. -Is n't that the invariable custom at the last -minute?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She is wearing her wedding-gown, of course?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She surely is."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No ornaments?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I sent her some roses. She 'll carry them, or -wear one, or something, I suppose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But no jewels?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think she 's wearing the pearl pin I gave her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray! You are quite as bad as Jane! -To be sure, her girlish way of dressing has been -very pretty and appropriate in view of her father's -lack of means. But her position now, as your -wife, is different. Olive insists that Jane does -not care for ornaments of any sort, but I am sure -she would not object, Murray, to wearing that -beautiful pearl necklace of Grandmother -Townsend's--if you explain to her that it's an heirloom -and that it will give me great pleasure to have her -wear it? Pearls are not becoming to Olive," -added Mrs. Townsend, and her son smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you want Jane to wear that, mother, you -will have to ask her yourself. She 's coming -now, I think. Yes"--as Jane looked over the -gallery rail and nodded down at him--"here she -is. Do you really think she needs 'ornaments'? -They strike me as superfluous."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mother and son were watching Jane as she -came down the staircase, her white figure -outlined against the dark green of the palms and -foliage. Her bronze-tinted hair shone like a -crown under the radiance of the lights, and her -softly blooming face made one forget the -simplicity of her attire. At least, it made Murray -forget it. But Mrs. Harrison Townsend saw -in the white neck and arms a background for -her pearls. She picked up a case from the table -where she had laid it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear," she said, "you are very sweet, -and I shall be very proud to present you as my -daughter. And you won't mind wearing, to -please me, these pearls of Murray's great-grandmother's, -will you? They are just what you need -to set off your colouring."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane's face grew warm as her eyes fell upon -the pearls, lying in a worn old case lined with -faded green velvet. She looked from them to -Murray--an appealing little glance and a -questioning one. He nodded ever so slightly in -return, smiling at her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are very kind," said Jane, simply, to -her mother-in-law. "I will wear them--if you wish."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She let Mrs. Townsend clasp the necklace, -received that lady's kiss and approving comment -on the difference it made in her appearance, and -allowed herself to be led to a mirror to see the -effect. As she stood before it, her lashes falling -after one glance of a pair of unwilling eyes, -somebody called Murray's mother away. Jane looked -at her husband again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I know you hate it, little modesty," said -he. "And I own I like to see you without any -jewels. Yet there can be no doubt you become -those pearls. You set them off, not they you. -And seeing they 're not diamonds----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane's eyes flashed. "Not even for you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His eyes responded with an answering -brilliance, as he shook his head, laughing. "Not -even for me! Are you sure? But you need n't -fear. Diamonds, little Jane Townsend, were -not made for you. Let those sparkle who want -to. I prefer a steady glow!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour later Ross McAndrew and Peter -Bell, making their entrance to the long drawing-room -together, and waiting their turn to advance -toward the receiving party, exchanged a series -of low-voiced comments, under cover of the -general hum of talk.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My word, Pete! Can that be our small -girl, standing up there like a young queen? -Watch her! I say, watch her!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am watching her," said Peter, with great -satisfaction. "If you see my eyes drop out, -pick 'em up, will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not that we might n't have expected it of -her. I knew well enough she 'd be sweet and -charming--but that little gracious manner--that -self-possession--jolly, she's great!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look at Murray! Is he proud of her, or is n't he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Proud as Lucifer. And has a right to be. -His mother looks pretty complacent herself. And -Olive--she's stunning, as usual. But our Jane--"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The time to go forward had arrived. With -head up and shoulders squared Peter led the -way. As he passed his host and hostess he was -a model of well-trained propriety, but when he -reached Jane and Murray his formal manner -relaxed, and he grasped each hand with a -hearty grip.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're a delightful pair," he murmured, -"and the sight of you takes me off my feet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You look perfectly composed, even bored," -retorted Murray, laughing, glad to greet a brother -who could be relied upon not to say the usual -thing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Jane whispered as she smiled up at him, -"I 'm dreadfully frightened, Petey, and I can't -do it well at all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Keep on being frightened, then," advised -her brother. "The result's perfectly satisfactory, -is n't it, Murray?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're not really frightened?" whispered -her husband, taking advantage of a slight lull -in his duties to detain Peter. "She does n't -look it, does she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a bit."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 've only to look at mother," was Murray's -comforting assurance, "to know that she's entirely -satisfied. If she were not--well--she'd look -different, that 's all!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="shirley-has-grown-up"><span class="large">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">SHIRLEY HAS GROWN UP</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>As Peter Bell abruptly rounded the -corner from Gay Street into Worthington -Square he saw coming toward him an attractive -young figure in a white frock. He glanced at -it and away again; then back, as he came nearer; -once more away; then returned to look steadily, -positive that his second impression had been -the right one, after all. It must be that he knew -this girl. If he did, he must give her a chance -to recognise him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She not only recognised him, she smiled -outright, and stopping short held out her hand. -The eyes which were laughing at him were eyes -he had surely seen before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter's hat had come off promptly; when she -stopped, he stopped. When she held out her -hand he took it, and stood staring down into the -merry eyes with puzzled interest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Mr. Peter Bell!" she jeered softly. "To -be so slow to recognise an old friend--a -connection of your own family. Dear, dear, you -should go to an oculist! Has it been coming -on long? Can you still distinguish trees and -houses?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The voice told him who its owner was, though -it was a degree richer in quality than when he -had heard it last, two years before. "Shirley -Townsend!" he cried. "Miss Shirley, I mean, -of course. Well, well! No wonder I---- When -did you come? And you've grown up!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I have. Has n't Nancy grown up? -I 'm a year older than she, too. And I came last -night--a whole month before they expected -me. I was supposed to be going to stop in New -York with Aunt Isabel for a month--after -two long years away off in England at school! -But Marian Hille's mother met her at the -ship--she 's the girl who went with me, you -know--and they came right along home. I could n't -stand it to stop in New York, and I came with -them. And you don't mean 'Miss Shirley' at all, -of course--with Jane married to Murray!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you don't mean 'Mr. Peter Bell.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You look terribly elderly yourself. But I -knew you! The mere fact that you are not -wearing the same clothes you were when I went -away----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was n't your clothes--except the extension -on the length of them. It was--it was----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I understand. My hair is up. I no longer -wear two big black bows behind my ears."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your cheeks," protested Peter. "You--the -English air, I suppose----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I 'm not a pale little, frail little girl any -more, thanks to miles and miles of walking. You -don't look very frail, either. Are n't we -delightfully frank--after staring each other out of -countenance? Is Nancy at home, and Mrs. Bell?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They 'll be delighted to see you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They 'll </span><em class="italics">know</em><span> me, too," laughed Shirley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She certainly has grown up," thought Peter, -when Shirley had walked away from him toward -Gay Street. He rather wished he had not been -so obviously rushing away from home when he -met this new-old acquaintance. The little Shirley -had always been a good friend of his; the older -Shirley looked distinctly better worth knowing. -But Peter's days were busy ones; he had few -moments for lingering by the side of pretty girls; -nor was he wont to spend much time lamenting -his deprivations.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley Townsend's appearance at the door of -the Bell house caused a flurry of welcoming. -Nancy, after two minutes of shyness at the sight -of her former chum looking so like and so unlike -herself, discovered that the unlikeness was going -to make no difference. It was a great relief, for -somebody who had seen Marian Hille at the end -of one year at the English school had declared -her grown insufferably consequential, and had -prophesied that Shirley Townsend would come -home "spoiled."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But almost the first remark Shirley made was, -"Isn't Jane the dearest thing you ever saw? -And are n't we just the luckiest people to get her -into the family?" So then Nancy knew it was -precisely the same Shirley, and was glad.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't suppose she's really as good-looking -as Olive," commented Rufus, when he, too, had -seen his old-time partner at tennis, and had had -a game with her, "but she 's a lot more alive, and -jollier, ten times over. And her playing form 's -improved; she can serve a ball that keeps you up -and doing for fair. She knows cricket too; she 's -going to teach us. I 'm glad she 's got home. -It 'll be a good deal pleasanter for Jane over there. -Shirley won't go in for society, like Olive and -Mrs. Harrison."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rufus's prophecy proved a true one. Upon -the second day after Shirley's return, Mrs. Townsend, -Senior, announced--with some languor, as -if she herself found summer affairs wearisomer -after a winter which had been unusually full--that -a garden-party and </span><em class="italics">musicale</em><span> would that -afternoon claim all four feminine members of the -household. "Our men ought to go, too," she -added, "but your father simply will go to nothing -that takes him away from his business, and -Murray seems to be lapsing into the same -attitude. Forrest, when he is at home, is my only -standby, but this freak of his to spend his time -travelling makes him seldom to be counted on. -Shirley, I hope you have something suitable to -wear. It was a strange idea for you to come -home, after being two years within an hour of -London, with nothing but tennis suits and cricketing -shoes. If you had stopped in New York, as I -expected, your Aunt Isabel would have remedied -all deficiencies in your wardrobe. But as it is----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As it is, I 've nothing suitable, mother mine. -So you won't ask me to go, will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must have something that will do. The -Hildreths will expect you, now that every one -knows you are at home. Marian Hille will be -sure to be there, and you ought to be, quite as -much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've had two years of Marie Anne--as she -wishes to be called now. I can do without her -very comfortably for a day or two," objected -Shirley, smiling at Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane was indeed rejoicing in her new young -sister's return. The relations between herself -and Olive, although cordial and affectionate, were -not based on so strong a congeniality of tastes as -existed between Jane and Shirley. The girl, -before she went away, had shown decided -promise of originality and force of character. -Looking at her now, as she stood before them -in short tennis dress and fly-away hat, with -vivacious, wide-awake face full of clear colour, -it needed small discernment to make sure of -the fact that here was a girl out of the common, -and quite irresistibly out of the common, too.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't like to insist, Shirley, and I would -not, if you were showing the slightest fatigue -after your journey. But since all the apology I -could make for you would be that you preferred -to play tennis in the sun with Nancy Bell----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see. It's evident I must face the music--Miss -Antoinette Southwode's searching soprano, -and Mr. Clifford Burnham-Brisbane's wabbly -tenor--and tea and little cakes. Since it's my -duty I 'll do it. But, mother dear, please don't -make many engagements for me. Give it out -that I 'm eccentric--that Miss Cockburn told me -positively, before I came away from Helmswood, -that after a severe course of study under her -unexceptionable tutelage I must have absolute -relaxation. Say that I have no fine clothes, no -floppy hats covered with roses, suitable for -lawn-parties. Say anything, but after to-day don't -make me go--unless I most awfully want to. -Promise--</span><em class="italics">please</em><span>!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two firm tanned hands clasped themselves -behind Mrs. Townsend's neck, two importunate -black-lashed blue eyes looked at her beseechingly. -The mother sighed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Child, what shall I do, with two of you? -Here is Jane, accepting her invitations under -protest, and now you are going to be still more -unreasonable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is Jane another? Then why not just make -a simple division of labour? You and Olive play -the society parts, and give Jane and me the -domestic ones."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, nothing can be so unfortunate for a -girl, or for a young married woman, as to become -known as peculiar. Of course you are not serious--no -girl of your age is ever serious in declaring -that she wants nothing to do with society--but -it distresses me to have you even talk as you -are doing. Go and dress, and look your best, -dear, and don't worry me with this sort of thing. -I am quite worn out already. Doctor Warrener -advises a course of baths at a rest-cure, and I -think I shall have to follow his advice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sorry," and Shirley kissed her mother, -with a pat upon the smooth white cheek, where -faint lines were beginning to show. Then she -went away to dress, discarding the short skirt -and canvas shoes with a smothered breath of -regret, but appearing, in due course of time, in a -costume eminently suitable for a garden-party, -at least from her own point of view. Her mother -did not see her until the carriage was at the door, -and then it was too late for her to do more than -to murmur:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear, if that is the best you can do, I -must take you to a dressmaker at once. White -linen is well enough for some occasions, and that -hat----Did you tell me that Miss Cockburn -advised it, and you got it in Bond Street? But the -effect is decidedly more girlish than is necessary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should think you would want me as infantile -as possible, with Olive to do the dressy young -lady. You and Jane and Olive, with your</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>'Ribbons and laces,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>And sweet, pretty faces,'</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>need a plain little schoolgirl to set you off. And -I shall not be 'out' until next winter. I 'm all -right, mother dear. Miss Cockburn was always -delighted with white linen, and discouraged -fussy frocks. I 'm really beautifully 'English,' -and you should be satisfied. Girls are n't allowed -to grow up half so fast over there as here, and I -think it is a sensible thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Townsend said no more until, crossing -the Hildreth lawn an hour later, she caught -sight of Marian Hille. At the first opportunity -thereafter, she said in Shirley's ear, "Miss -Cockburn certainly did not advise Marian to cling -to the schoolgirl style of dressing. If that is not -a French frock she is wearing, my eyes deceive -me. She is charming in it, too, and not at all -overdressed. That rose-covered hat is exquisite, -and quite girlish enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley smiled, a protesting little smile, but -she did not argue the question further. To -her mind, "Marie Anne" looked like a Parisian -fashion-plate, and her manner was certainly -that of a young person of considerable social -experience. Shirley did not like it. Her eye -went from Miss Marian Hille to Mrs. Murray -Townsend, and rejoiced at the contrast. The -two were close together, taking their seats for the -outdoor </span><em class="italics">musicale</em><span>, which was about to begin. -No fault could possibly be found with Jane's -attire, but in it she looked, beside Marian, like a -dainty gray pigeon beside a golden pheasant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon, but may I ask what you -are staring at so intently?" said a voice beside -her, and Shirley turned to confront the interested -gaze of Brant Hille, Marian's elder brother. -"I 've been standing beside you here all of three -minutes, waiting for you to come back to earth -and recognise me. Do you realise we have n't -met since you and Marian came back? And -won't you let me find you a chair over on the -edge of the crowd, where we can talk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This suited Shirley, and she let him establish -her in a corner where a clump of shrubbery -screened the two from a part of the audience. -Until the music began, young Hille plied her -with questions about her experiences at Miss -Cockburn's school, evidently enjoying the fact -that her point of view seemed decidedly to differ -from that of his sister.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should n't know you had been at the same -place," was his whispered comment, as the first -notes of the initial number on the programme smote -the summer air and caused a partial hush to fall -upon the assemblage. He had been noting, -with interest, the change in her. He had known -Shirley since their earliest days, but beyond the -friendly liking she had always inspired in him, -as in everybody, by her girlish good humour and -love of sport, he had not thought her especially -attractive. Now, however, as Peter Bell had -done, he found himself discovering in her qualities -distinctly noteworthy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So they took you to a lot of old churches and -cathedrals," he began suddenly to Shirley, after -an interval during which they had listened politely -to Miss Antoinette Southwode's truly "searching" -soprano and Mr. Burnham-Brisbane's astonishingly -"wabbly" tenor, intermingled in an elaborate -Italian duet. "Did n't you find that sort of thing -deadly dull?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a bit," denied Shirley, promptly. "It -was such fun to hear the dear old vergers proudly -recite the histories of the antiquities. And the -antiquities themselves! In one very, very old -church there was a tablet of a man and his six -wives, all kneeling before a shrine. He knelt -first and they came after, all in profile. The poor -dears were all dressed alike--they must have -worn the same dress, handed down. One's -head was gone--that made her more touching -than the others. You could n't help feeling that -her husband had been harder on her than on the -rest. He looked that sort, you see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No doubt he was," agreed Hille, laughing. -"Did you see anything else equal to that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No end of things. Of course there was ever -so much that was dignified and beautiful, but -one could n't help being glad to find something -funny now and then. One tablet in another -ancient chapel showed three men, one above -another on their painted wooden tombs, all -lying sidewise and half rising on their elbows, -and staring right down at you with their eyes -wide open. They had pink cheeks and black -hair. They were father, son, and grandson, -and the father looked the youngest. Their wives -were all lying quietly asleep at one side. It -did n't seem fair for the men to be so wide awake, -while the poor wives had to slumber and see -nothing.--Oh, there goes Mr. Brisbane again! -Why </span><em class="italics">does</em><span> his voice shake so much harder than -when I heard him last?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He 's that much more celebrated," said Hille. -"See here, are n't you and Marian about the -same age."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley shook her head. But when the song -was over he asked the question again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm three months older," admitted Shirley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She looks three years older. Why is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley shook her head again. It was one -thing to air her views to her family, quite another -to tell Brant that Marian was leaping into young -ladyhood and its signs too fast. But Brant -studied his sister. Her blond head, the hair -elaborately waved, could be seen between the -heads and shoulders in front, the striking -rose-crowned hat conspicuous among other elaborate -hats of all patterns.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She looks twenty-five, at least," he commented, -approvingly. "She looks older than your -sister Olive. And she seems to have that cad -Maltbie glued to her for the afternoon. If that 's -the best she can do, she 'd better take me. But -she 's no use for brothers. Look here, when 's -Forrest coming home?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've no idea. He was leaving Ecuador before -the hot season began, and was intending to stay at -Jamaica as long as it was comfortable. He wrote -he might be off for the South Sea Islands soon. -He 's had a tempting invitation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He 's a rover. His taste of army life gave him -the fever. I wish he 'd get enough of it and come -back. Things always 'go' while Forrest's home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Altogether, between Brant Hille and two or -three other young people, Shirley found the -garden-party endurable. But its cakes and ices -spoiled her appetite for dinner, and the moment -that meal was over, she was off to the tennis-court. -Here she and Rufus played several sets -in so spirited a fashion that Murray and Jane, -strolling over the lawn to watch them, were -moved to comment upon Shirley's vigour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm just working off the garden-party," -declared the girl, when her brother asked the cause -of so much energy upon so warm an evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You should have put on your tennis skirt, -dear," said Jane, as Shirley came up to her, -racquet in hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So I ought, but I was afraid mother would -be made ill by the sight of me, if I did, after -dinner. Oh, how good it is to be at home! Let's -camp down here on the grass and send for the -rest of the clan. Run over, Rufie, will you, and -get all the Bells that will come?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As she spoke, Shirley dropped upon the smooth -turf close by the big wicker chair that Murray -had just drawn up for Jane, on the terrace at -the edge of the court. Her cheeks were flushed -by the lively exercise she had been taking, her -hair curled moistly about her forehead. Jane -looked at her with a touch of envy in her -affectionate glance. Being Mrs. Murray Townsend, -she supposed it became her to sit demurely -in a chair, instead of putting herself, as she longed -to do, beside Shirley, on the grass. But Murray, -with no such restraining thought in his head, -cast himself upon the turf beside his sister, at his -wife's feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently Rufus returned, bringing Nancy and -Ross McAndrew. Olive, spying the group upon -the lawn, came trailing out in all her pretty finery -of the afternoon. Two or three young neighbours -appeared. By and by Peter Bell, just home from -the paper-factory, looked across from the Gay -Street porch and descried the distant group. -Somebody had brought a banjo, and somebody -else was essaying to sing a boating-song to the -accompaniment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall I go over?" thought Peter, when he -had had his bath and his supper, and had come -out upon the porch again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was quite alone, for his mother, after serving -his supper, had hurried out to see a neighbour -who had been long ill, and who depended upon -Mrs. Bell for her daily cheer. Mr. Bell had -driven out to Grandfather Bell's farm. The -little house seemed strangely silent, and the -porch, in the early summer twilight, more -companionable. A hammock swung behind the vines, -and after a moment's indecision, Peter stretched -his long form in it, clasping his hands under his -head. He was unusually weary, for the day had -been very hot. He lay quietly listening to the -distant 'plunkings' of the banjo and to the -faint sounds of talk and laughter which floated -across the space to him. So, after a little, he -fell asleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was awakened by the sound of voices on -the step. The Bell porch, unlike that of the -Townsends, possessed no electric lamps, and -the nearest illumination to-night came from an -arc-light on the corner. Peter, in his hammock, -lay shrouded wholly in darkness. He could see -a gleam of white between the vines which -sheltered him, and the voices were those of his sister -Nancy and Shirley Townsend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's such a relief," Shirley was saying, "to -get away from that banjo. I seem to have been -listening all day to the sorts of music I like least. -Rodman Fielding and his banjo are the last -straw. Nan, what do you suppose is the matter -with me that I don't seem to care for the things -most girls do--clothes and boys and--banjos. -I detest banjos!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you care for?" Nancy asked. "Tennis, -anyhow. And you like Rufus and Ross and -Peter, don't you? As for banjos--I don 't -think anybody thinks they 're very musical. -They just like the funny songs that go with them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Rufus is like a brother, and Ross like an -uncle--a young one. As for Peter--I don't -seem to know Peter. He 's changed. What 's -he been doing to make him look so old and -sober? I almost thought I saw a gray -hair--and he 's no older than Murray."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Peter old and sober?"--Peter himself was -growing fairly awake, although not fully enough -roused to the situation to realise that he was -playing eavesdropper.--"What an idea! He -has n't changed a particle. Gray hair! It -could n't be. Why, Peter 's stronger than all -the rest of us put together!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He's been taxing his strength, then. He -looks as if he had been carrying loads of -responsibility--solving problems--worrying over some -he could n't solve. He's working too hard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nancy laughed incredulously, and said that -Peter's work was quite the same as it had been, -and that her friend's absence had made her see -things unnaturally. But Peter's eyes, in the -darkness, opened wide. Here was extraordinary -discernment for a nineteen-year-old girl, who -had met him only once since her return, casually -upon the street, during which time she had merely -laughed at him for not knowing her immediately, -and then had walked on. Was it possible that -she had seen that which he had been carefully -guarding from the eyes of his family for a long, -long time, and at which even his mother did not -guess?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But here was Shirley again, speaking low and -thoughtfully: "I seem to see everybody, since -I came home, as if I had never seen them before. -I see father looking as if he thought it did n't -pay to have made so much money, after all; and -mother looking worn-out playing the grand -lady; Olive following after, and not finding much -in it. Murray and Jane absorbed in each other, -but Jane wishing--no, I 'll not say what I think -Jane is wishing. She would n't admit it, I know. -Ross and Rufus and you, busy and happy. Your -father and mother contented as ever. But Peter----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It would not do. He was fully awake now. If -she was going on to talk about him again he must -let her know he was there. Besides, if she really -divined something of the truth, he must not let -her make Nancy anxious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley had paused with his name upon her -lips, as if soberly thinking. Peter sat up. But -at the fortunate instant a figure dashed across -Gay Street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You runaways!" Rufus called, reproachfully. -"A fine hostess you are, Shirley Townsend! -They 're asking for you. You 'll have to come back."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So they went away and Peter was left alone -upon the porch. There was a queer feeling -tugging at his heart. Nobody else had seen, -nobody else had even noticed the slightest change -in him. Of course it was not possible that Shirley -could know the least thing about his situation, -but it was something that she appreciated one -fact--that he was working to the limit of his -capacity, and that, although he was not yet -overdone, the strain was beginning to tell. Not the -strain of work, but the greater and more exhausting -drain of anxiety.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="luncheon-for-twelve"><span class="large">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">LUNCHEON FOR TWELVE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Mrs. Murray, Mrs. Townsend would like -you to come to her room, if you please."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, Sophy, certainly. Is Mrs. Townsend's -headache better this morning?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's very bad, Mrs. Murray. And she's -that upset about the luncheon she's giving. -Cook's taken sick, too--the bad luck!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Since breakfast, Sophy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'T was Norah and Mary served breakfast. -Cook but got out of bed and went back. -Mr. Townsend bade me send for the doctor. He -says she 'll not leave her bed again the day. And -Mrs. Townsend says the luncheon must go on, -and not a bit of outside help to be had at this -short notice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane hurried down the hall, Sophy's laments -in her ears. She found Olive sitting on the foot -of her mother's bed talking perturbedly with -the elder woman, in the effort to dissuade her -from the purpose of attempting to entertain any -guests whatever in the circumstances. But it -became evident to Jane at once that Mrs. Townsend -was not to be dissuaded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There must be somebody to be had," she -asserted, as Jane drew up a chair, after laying a -cool hand on the aching forehead and expressing -her sympathy with the headache. "It can't be -possible that Lemare could n't send me somebody -if he understood the necessity--or Perceval. -We don't need much done. Cook had all the -preliminary baking done yesterday. It's only to -get everything together."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But that's the whole of it, mother," Olive -urged. "You may say it's only a simple luncheon, -but Norah and Mary are certainly not equal -to it. Is n't it excuse enough to send those -women word that you 're ill? I 'll telephone--or -write notes, if you prefer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She rose as she spoke, but Mrs. Townsend -waved an agitated hand, and shook her head -violently. "You don't understand," she moaned, -pressing her hand to her head and falling back -among the pillows. "There are reasons why I -can't have this thing fail. Mrs. Arlo Stevenson -is a most difficult person to get for any affair -whatever--and this is particularly in her honour. -I could have had a caterer, of course, but I -consider it not good form to put small entertaining -into any hands but one's cook's. I am indebted -to Mrs. Wister very deeply, and she is bringing -a guest whom she is very anxious to have meet -Mrs. Stevenson. There are other reasons----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, mother"--Olive's tone was growing -impatient--"what can't be, can't be. We can't -get any one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps I could do it," Jane began, with -some hesitation. "If it's really a simple -luncheon----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is!" Mrs. Townsend spoke with eagerness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I might not be able to manage the most -elaborate dishes----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cook can't be too ill to tell you what is -necessary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, mother," Olive protested, "Jane must -be at the table. She can't be in the kitchen, -sending in courses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's of no consequence," declared Jane, -quickly. "I don't mind missing the luncheon -in the least."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are all older women," murmured -Mrs. Townsend, closing her eyes wearily. When -Olive took things in hand, it was always difficult -to oppose her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but Jane is our bride. And you expect -me to be there. If Jane stays in the kitchen, -so shall I."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know what to do," and the poor -lady on the bed, among her pillows, looked as -if she were indeed suffering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a minute's silence. Then Jane -spoke with gentle decision.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Olive, dear, that is very nice of you, but I -truly don't mind in the least. It is n't as if you -had n't already introduced me everywhere, and I -had n't been entertained over and over. If mother's -guests are older ladies, my absence surely won't -be noticed. And I 'd love to try what I can do. -You know I 've had years of training at cookery, -and if I can't manage all of Cook's dishes, perhaps -I can substitute others that are n't at all common. -I can promise at least that nothing will be burned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a dear child," said Mrs. Townsend -fervently. She wiped away a nervous tear or two.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive followed Jane to her room to watch -her new sister exchange her morning dress for -one more suitable for the affairs she meant to -take in hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is going to be fun," said Jane gaily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't see how you can think so. It's -certainly very foolish of mother to persist against -all odds. One would think her life depended -on that luncheon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It does--in a way. Her poor nerves are -quite worn out. I 've seen it for a long time. -Having things go wrong just now is the last straw."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Jane, what's going to happen?" -called Shirley, five minutes later, encountering -Jane on the stairs which led to the servants' -rooms on the third floor. Shirley had been -up to see Cook, who adored her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is Bridget able to see me?" asked Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She 'll be much flattered. It's sciatica, and -it lays her low, but she can converse with intelligence, -even with brilliancy. She 's in a terrible -state over not being able to get up that luncheon."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm going to hold a council of war with her," -and Jane disappeared into Cook's room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour later she came out again, her -eyes dancing with anticipation, pencil and paper -in hand. As she ran downstairs, Sophy came -up with a tray, and caught the overflow of -Bridget's emotions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The cleverness of her!" exclaimed the -invalid. "To take the menyou into her own -pretty hands and think she can see to it all! -She can, too, or I 'm deceived. Consultin' with -me and gettin' my directions, and tellin' me -where she makes bold to follow, and where she 's -not quite sure. It's a pity she 's not mistress of -the house in Mrs. Townsend's place--and her so -wore out she ought to be at a sanitarium this -minute. Look to it, Sophy, that Norah and -Mary does their duty by Mrs. Murray this day, -If they 're inclined to be triflin', bid them come -up to me. I 'll soon put them in mind of what -Mr. Murray says to me when he brought home -his wife. 'Whatever you do to please her will -be appreciated,' he says, 'by me.' And it's -nothing I would n't do for Mr. Murray and Miss -Shirley, these seven years I 've lived here. And -now I 'm feelin' the same way toward Mrs. Murray."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Whether it was the potency of the message -which reached scullery maid and waitress by -way of Sophy, or whether it was Jane's own -engaging manner, together with the respect she -soon inspired by the assured and competent way -in which she "took hold," there could be no -question that by the end of the first hour not only -Norah and Mary, but also Ellen, the laundress, -were flying about as they had rarely done before, -even for Bridget, who certainly knew how to get -out of them work enough and to spare.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At a moment when they chanced to be all -together, Jane had said to them, as with deft -fingers she mixed a bowlful of ingredients, that -if with their help she could only bring about the -serving of a luncheon which the guests would -like to eat, she should be happier than over any -entertainment she herself had ever been offered. -And she had been able to tell from their smiling -interested faces that she was to have from that -moment the best service they could give her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley, when affairs were well under way, -had gone to the telephone and called up Murray's -office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want you to come home for a few minutes -at two o'clock!" she said, imperatively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What for? Anything the matter?" asked -her brother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a thing," said Shirley, reassuringly -"But there 's something happening up here at -the house that you must see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm pretty busy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 'll never forgive yourself, when you hear -about it, if you don't see with your own eyes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, I 'll try to make it. Anything -connected with Jane?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course. Do you suppose I 'd ask you if -it was n't?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll be there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought you would," and Shirley laughed -as she hung up the receiver. No doubt Murray -was a happy man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you suppose Jane is going to be able to -do it?" queried Mrs. Townsend, dressing with -the help of Shirley and Sophy. As the hour -for the arrival of her guests approached, doubts -were beginning to assail her. Jane was no -doubt an extremely capable young matron, but -the preparing of such a luncheon as Bridget had -planned meant not only accomplished cookery, -but much skill and care in the details of serving. -Had Jane's eyes been open during the brief -period of her entertainment at various fine tables! -It was too late to do anything but hope so.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't worry, mother," Shirley had urged. -"Jane's doing wonders. If she can keep it up -she 'll surprise you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had a bit sip of the booly-on just now when -I was down in the kitchen," offered Sophy, "and -it was elegant. And you know yourself 'm, -Bridget says that's one of the most trying things -of all to get tasty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Townsend went wanly down into her -rooms, to find flowers all about, distributed by -Olive's skilful fingers. She looked into the -dining-room. Her table was faultlessly laid, -to the last detail, and a charming arrangement -of lilies was mirrored in the polished mahogany.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now come and rest until the last minute," -urged Shirley. "And don't worry. Mrs. Arlo -Stevenson won't have a thing to criticise--except -the conversation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour afterward, Murray, letting himself in -with his latch-key, found Shirley awaiting him -inside the door. "Don't say a word," she -whispered. "Just walk straight past the dining-room -without looking in. Mother 's entertaining -Mrs. Stevenson at luncheon, you know, and it's a very -solemn occasion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Wondering, Murray, hat in hand, followed his -sister as she walked demurely by the wide entrance -to the dining-room, from within which he could -hear a subdued murmur of voices. But once -past, she hurried him, by a circuitous route, -to a narrow hallway at the back of the house, -which led to the kitchen. Here she stationed -him, and bade him push the door open a cautious -crack and peep within. He obeyed her. Shirley -stood behind him, alive with anticipation, while -she watched her brother's shoulders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley could not see his face, but she heard -his subdued exclamation as he gazed at the scene -within. She knew what it was. The luncheon -had reached the salad course. Jane was arranging -plates picturesque with an enticing combination -of ingredients, parti-coloured, crisp and cool. -Her fair arms were bared to the elbow, her cheeks -were flushed. At her right hand Mary was -ready with assistance, her eyes respectfully -studying the arrangement--not of the salad, but of -her young mistress's hair, which was certainly -worth studying for its effective simplicity. The -maid could never hope to match that daintiness -of arrangement with her own ash-coloured locks, -but she meant to try.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray turned about at last. "Well, by Jove!" -he exploded, softly. "How does this come about?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley noiselessly closed the door and -explained in a whisper. Murray's eyes grew -eloquent as he listened. "The little trump!" was -his comment. "I wish I could stay till she's -finished. I suppose it would n't do to call her out -now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mercy, no! You might upset her. So far -I don't think the least thing has gone wrong."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What possessed mother to put the thing -through, anyhow? Jane ought to be in there -with the others."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was something about entertaining -Mrs. Arlo Stevenson. Mother felt it must be done, -though the heavens fell. They nearly did fall, -till Jane came under and held them up. As for -Jane's being at the table--she did n't want -to be there. And Olive would n't be, without -her, so there's nothing noticeable. They 're all -women of mother 's age--on some special board -of charities, or something like that, that makes -them congenial."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Its making them congenial does n't necessarily -follow, unfortunately. So Olive stayed -out, did she? That's one count for Olive. Why -is n't she helping Jane, though?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jane would n't have either of us in the kitchen. -Olive did the flowers, and Norah and I the table. -I got in an English fashion or two that will either -drive mother to distraction or fill her with pride. -I forgot to tell her," and Shirley began to laugh. -She led Murray away to safer regions, but he -looked at his watch and said he must be off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wasn't it worth coming up for?" she demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No question of that. Much obliged for letting -me know. I 'll settle with Jane later. Take -her out for a drive, or something, to cool her off, -will you? Good bye!" And Murray vanished, -smiling to himself. "That ought to make her -pretty solid with mother," he reflected, as he -raced to his car.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But when the last guest had rustled away, -Mrs. Townsend was in no condition to fall upon -Jane's neck and overwhelm her with thanks. -Instead she had to be carried to her room by -Phelps, the coachman--summoned in haste from -the stable--and put to bed by her daughters. -Her physician arrived in short order, and his edict, -when he had telephoned for a nurse, was stern.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When you society women stop putting yourselves -through a grind that no strong man could -stand up under, you will get a grip upon your -nerves," said he. "Mrs. Townsend was at the -end of her forces two months ago, and I told her -so. She has simply been keeping up on will--with -the inevitable result. The moment she is -fit to travel she must get off to the quietest place -on my list--and stay there. Home would be a -better place for her, if she would obey the rules; -but she won 't, so that settles it. And you, Miss -Olive"--he turned abruptly to the elder daughter -of the house--"would do well to go with her. -It's evident you 've been travelling along the -same road."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"O Doctor Warrener, how absurd you are! -I 'm perfectly well. And I 've half a dozen -invitations to lovely places. They 'll do me far more -good than going to some invalid resort and taking baths."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook his head. "You're all alike," said -he. "I may talk till I 'm dumb--you 'll pay the -price. And when you 've paid it, you 'll remember."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are two," said Olive, indicating Jane -and Shirley, "who will never have nervous -prostration on account of overdoing society."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Doctor Warrener surveyed them, and the -grimness of his face relaxed. "I'll acquit them -on their faces," said he. "Tell your husband, -Mrs. Murray, to shut you up in a bandbox--or, -better, take you off West to that place where -he got back his health--before he lets you drift -into the swirl. As for Shirley,"--he laid his -hand upon her shoulder--"if I'm any reader -of destiny--and I ought to be--she 's going to -swing that tennis racquet for several years yet -before she gives up and settles down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this had happened before Mr. Townsend -and Murray came home. Mrs. Townsend's -breakdowns after fatigue in fulfilling her -engagements, and the summoning of the doctor, had -become too frequent occurrences to imply the -sending for her husband. The orders away, -for rest and recuperation, were also, within the -last few years, of semi-annual recurrence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It simply means," said Murray, pacing with -Jane up and down the long flower-bordered walk -between the house and the tennis-court, "it -simply means six weeks or two months for you -to try your hand at being mistress of the -establishment. And judging by what I saw that hand -do to-day----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane looked quickly up at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should say that it was competent to run -anything. That salad was a--what do women -say?--a symphony--a star. Not that I care -much for salads myself, but to see you putting -it together----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray--you didn 't!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Didn't I? You had on a pink-and-white -checked apron that came up over your shoulders. -Your sleeves were short, and your hair curled -round your ears, the way it does on damp days. -You----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where were you? How did you know! Who----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was on the other side of the door, which you -forgot to lock. Never in my life was I so bowled -over by the sight of a girl in a kitchen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I had known you were looking----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Precisely. That was why Shirley wouldn't -let me call you out. Of course I should have -kissed you--I never felt more like it--and that -might have endangered the composition of the -salad."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm afraid it would," laughed Jane. -"As it was, I made the one real mistake of the -luncheon--I sent that salad in on the game -plates! The girls were in such a flurry they -did n't notice till the plates began to come out -again. I hope mother did n't mind very much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll warrant nobody else did. Mrs. Arlo -Stevenson is as short-sighted as an owl in the -day-time, and as I understand it, Mrs. Stevenson -was the guest who counted--goodness knows -why! I think she's insufferable. I 'm glad -mother 's got her off her mind, for the time being. -It will give her a chance to recuperate. Poor -mother! She misses a lot of fun, does n't she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She thinks it's we who miss it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps we can show her better some day--when -we 've been very good and earned that -house by ourselves. Hi! What?" exclaimed -Murray. "How you jumped! Did you think -that house by ourselves was n't really to -materialise some day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I--wasn't sure." Jane's voice was low. -She did not mean to show how much she cared, -or how she longed to believe definitely in a -prospect which, as yet, had not been in so many -words held out to her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, it's a certainty! Have n't I made that -clear, little girl? You know, when I told you -how anxious father was to have us live with -them, I said it would n't be for all time. Don't -you remember that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know. But I thought----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You thought, I see, it meant while he needed -me, which would be as long as he lived. No, he -does n't insist on that. It was to be only while -he stayed an active partner in the business. He -wanted me at his elbow, and I did n't feel like -refusing him. He means to retire within five -years--or sooner, if his health shows signs of -breaking. Then he understands that I 'm to -have a home by myself--build one, you know. -Well, well, what a squeeze my arm is getting! -Are you so glad?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm pretty glad. It's not that--that this -place is n't pleasant, and everybody more than -kind, but----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You needn't be afraid to tell me--in fact, -you don't need to tell me. You 're too much of a -born Jenny Wren not to want to feather your own -nest. And I want to see you do it. We 'll begin -to look over plans. We can talk about it -and think about it----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, we can't, Murray."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not? Isn't anticipation----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, but it would make it harder to wait. -Now I know it's sure, I can----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be good?" said her husband. "You are -being good--heavenly. What you did to-day--well, -if you could have known what I thought -about you when I saw you out there putting -those pretty shoulders to the domestic wheel--proud -is n't the name for it. And let me tell you, -Janey Townsend, it is n't every girl who could -take command of the forces and have them -working for you at the top of their ability, like -that. Norah has n't a nose and chin of that -perky shape for nothing; and Mary can soldier -for fair when she chooses. As for Sophy--but -you had Sophy for your own from the start. And -it 's not been done with tips, either, has it? -Honestly, now, have you ever given Sophy a tip -since you came to the house?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A tip?" said Jane. "Money, you mean? -Why, no. Should I? I never thought of it. -Does she expect it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She probably doesn't now--from you--or -want it, as long as you reward her with your -smiles and ask about her invalid brother, the -way I overheard you doing the other day. She'd -probably rather have your friendly interest than -all Olive's dollar bills. Oh, there are several -ways of winning people's loyalty, dear--and -yours is the best. Only everybody can't do it. -Do you know, gentle Jane, I 'm a good deal -interested in seeing you in the role of mistress of -this house for a while?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray, I 'm so doubtful about it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You need n't be. The commanding officer -who has proved to his regiment that in an -emergency he can work with them, shoulder to -shoulder--and work better than they can--need -have no fears. It 'll just be a case of 'Bridget, -Norah, Sophy, Mary, Ellen--fall in! Shoulder -arms! March!' And off the regiment will go, -heads up, chests out, eyes to the front."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="pot-hooks"><span class="large">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">POT-HOOKS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I want to have a talk with you, Murray."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All right, sister, I 'm at your service."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please come over to the seat beyond the -shrubbery, where nobody will see or hear. It's -not a very suitable place, but it's better than -the house this hot night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a suitable place?" queried Murray, as -he followed Shirley across the lawn. "Not so -fast, child. It is a hot night, and I 've only just -cooled off since dinner. It was insufferable -in the office to-day--or would have been if -anybody had had time to stop and think about -it. Why is n't that romantic seat beyond the -shrubbery just the place to talk?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because the talk has no romance about it. -The office would be the place for it, only you 've -no time to give me if I should come there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You excite my curiosity." Murray disposed -himself comfortably upon the wide rustic seat, -screened from all beholders without and within -the grounds, not only by shrubbery and hedges, -but by the fast deepening July twilight. "Fire -away. Anything gone wrong?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nothing--except me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You alarm me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't joke. I 'm serious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I see you are. And that's what alarms me. -Seriousness, at eighteen----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm nineteen--nearly twenty. And I 'm not -only serious--I 'm cross. Murray, I want -something to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Haven't you plenty? Jane tells me she -could n't get on without you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jane is a dear. And I love to help her. But -I want to be doing something--else. I want to -amount to something. I want to learn something."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Cockburn's finishing-school didn't finish -then? Is college the bee you have in your -bonnet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I 'm afraid I 'm too unsettled for that -now--I don't know why. Once I spent a -whole week trying to convince mother I must -go to college instead of to school in England. -But I don't want that any more. I want--Murray, -please don't laugh when I tell you!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should I laugh? It's plain you -mean business of some sort, and I 'm honoured by -your confidence. Go ahead, little girl, and -don't be afraid of your big brother."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, then, I want to learn stenography -and typewriting." It came with a rush, and -after it Shirley sat still, one hand holding the -other tightly while she waited for the explosion -she expected.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It did not come. Murray turned his head -until she could feel that he was looking directly -at her through the dim light. He sat up slightly, -and thrust his hands deeper down into his -pockets--a masculine action which usually indicates -concentration of attention. He was silent for -a full minute before he spoke. When he did -speak, it was in the tone that one man uses to -another when the basis of their intercourse is -that of mutual respect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Would you mind giving me your idea? It's -plain you have thought something out to the -end. I need to know it from the beginning, -if you want any advice worth while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can, now I know that you're not going -to knock me down with arguments against it -before you know mine for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That would be poor policy. That's the -boomerang sort of argument--the one that comes -back at one's self. Besides, I've too much -confidence in my sister's good judgment to believe -that she would fire a proposition like that at me -without a reason back of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The reason is easy. I'm restless for something -to do. I don't want to be a next season's -debutante, and go through a winter like the -five Olive has spent. I want to work. I want -to fit myself to be independent. If anything -should happen to father's money, I don't -want to be like the Desmond girls after their -father's failure, as helpless as baby birds pushed -out of the nest. Olive could n't do a thing. -Forrest is just an idler. You have Jane to take -care of. But I--I could be learning to support -myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The business is in fine condition. We never -were so substantial a firm as now. There's -very little danger of our going to pot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That may be," said Shirley, "though things -do happen, Murray, out of a clear sky. But -that's not my real reason. My real reason is a -genuine, great big longing to amount to something. -I never come down to the office without envying -the girls I see there. I envy them because they -have to do it--because they 're supporting -themselves and somebody else by it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean that you would like a position -in our office?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, would n't I! If I could study and study, -and practise and practise, and then some day -take a dictation from you or father and bring -you a perfect copy, I believe I 'd be--Murray, -I 'd be the happiest girl that ever lived!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mean that, do you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you thought that if you took a position -in our office, or in any other, you 'd be shutting -out some poor girl who really needs the salary?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I've thought of it. I know that's an -argument against it. But, Murray, don't you -think the rich men's daughters need employment -sometimes quite as much as the poor -ones do? Why, I 'm telling you I envy the -poor ones!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know; but the fact remains that they need -the money, and you don't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are n't you keeping some poor man out of -the salary you get by taking the place of father's -right hand man?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray laughed. "There's a back-hander for -me! But I 'm practically a partner, you know, -and a firm can't do without its heads, no matter -how many poor fellows would like the job."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you have the right to make something -of yourself. But I have n't because I should -be taking work away from some girl who needs -it. I don't want to do that. I 'd work for nothing, -or give my salary away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, but that wouldn't solve the problem. -The girl whose job you took from her would n't -accept your salary from you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then, just because a girl's father can support -her, must she give up learning how to support -herself? And the fun of doing it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What do you expect the family to say about it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course they won't like it. Except father. -I think he will."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Possibly, after you have wheedled him and -hung round his neck. Well, do you feel you -have a right to disappoint mother and Olive, -as you will do, if you so much as begin on this -course, to say nothing of sticking to it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley was silent for a moment. Then she -answered, very gently, "I should be sorry for -that, of course, but I think I have the right. -Devoting one's self to society can't be a duty one -owes to one's family, if one does n't feel satisfied -with that life. And my learning to earn my -own living won't disgrace my family--not in these -days of millionaire milliners and violet raisers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it won't disgrace your family. Instead, -it makes one member of it sit up and look at -his small sister with a good deal of respect. If -you take hold of the thing, you 'll go through -with it. I 've not the least doubt of that, for -you 're no quitter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you. Then will you go with me -to talk with father about it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now. He 's in the library."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray got up. "You are in earnest," he -remarked. "Yes, I 'll go with you. But you 'll -find the question will have to be pretty thoroughly -threshed out with him before he agrees. He -employs none but experts; you 'll have to win -your spurs before you can wear them. And -good stenographers are born, not made. If -you 've got it in you, you 'll succeed; if you have n't, -you won't, no matter how hard you try."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He could not see his sister's eyes, but he could -read the determination in her voice as she -answered that it was the expectation of winning -those spurs that made her heart jump just to -think about it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a fortnight after this talk, and the longer -and more earnest one which succeeded it, that, -coming away from the factory one warm July -afternoon at an earlier hour than usual, Peter Bell -happened upon his young neighbour in a most -unexpected place. Far downtown, blocks below -the usual shopping district, he saw Shirley -Townsend come out of a doorway and start rapidly -up the street. She had not seen him, and he -was too far away to call to her, so he was forced -to quicken his pace almost to a run to overtake -her at the next corner before she signalled her car.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had walked so fast that the best he could -do was to run and swing himself aboard the same -car just as it got under way. The car was full, -and Shirley herself was obliged to stand, clinging -to a strap. Peter secured a strap beside her. -There was little chance for conversation during -the long ride uptown, but Peter's eyes were -observant, and he noticed a peculiarity in Shirley's -attire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At an hour in the afternoon when the girls -of her sort would all be wearing light frocks -and ribbons, Shirley was dressed like the girls -in the office he had just left. With a -difference--which Peter's eyes also discerned, although -he could not have told just where the difference -lay. Shirley's white blouse, her blue serge skirt, -her sailor hat, her trim shoes, all bore about -them the stamp of quality, indefinable, yet not -to be denied.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for her face, Peter thought he had never -seen it so alight with life. The smile she had -flashed at him was brilliant. He was glad he -had caught the car. It was a decided -enlivenment of the long ride, monotonous with -daily repetition, just to stand beside the trim, -swaying figure, and occasionally exchange a word -with its possessor. Besides, he was feeling not a -little curiosity as to the errand which had taken -her to a place where hung the sign of a well-known -commercial college.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a hot day, isn't it?" observed Shirley, -when he had handed her off the car, and they -were walking up Gay Street toward Worthington -Square. "Just the day to get into the country. -I 'd like a gallop over about ten miles of good -roads--just to feel the wind in my face."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be great, would n't it?" agreed Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked up at him. "You and Olive don't -ride as much as you used to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She has n't seemed to care for it for the last -year or so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hasn't she asked you to ride Grayback -whenever you wanted?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She 's been very kind about offering him. -But I don't like to go over and order him out -myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He 's pining for exercise. So is Pretty Polly, -though I had one short canter on her before -breakfast. You 've never been out with me on -horseback. Perhaps you don't know I can ride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have my eyesight. And as for inviting -you to go with me--how can I, when you have -the horses? If you 're asking me to go with -you--there 's nothing on earth I 'd rather do -just now."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe that," thought Shirley, as she ran -into the house to change her clothes. "If ever -a man looked as if he 'd like to drop his cares -and get off on a horse's back, Peter does to-day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a few minutes she was crossing the lawn, -in her riding habit, crop in hand. Peter met -her, himself in riding trim. His face showed -his pleasure in the prospect, as he put her up -and swung into his own saddle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'If wishes were horses,'" he quoted, as they -turned toward the Northboro road. "And -sometimes they are. An hour ago I was looking out -of the office window at the factory, and wishing -for this very sort of thing. I ought to see -Grandfather Bell. Do you mind if we go that way?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm fond of that way. It will give us a good -gallop down the old turnpike, and a cool walk -through the woods to freshen the horses."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Once out of the city they were off at a brisk -trot, talking a little now and then, but mostly -busy with thoughts. They had seen so little of -each other since Shirley's return that a sense -of having begun a new acquaintanceship hampered -them both. They had not yet found common ground.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now for the gallop," said Shirley, as they -rounded a turn and came out upon a long, level -stretch of road, with few vehicles in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the spot where your sister lost most -of her hairpins, when she took her first ride with -me," said Peter, indicating to Grayback that a -change of pace was in order. "I don't think -she 'd ever had such a dashing get-away before. -Off, are you? Well, well, you do mean business, -don't you? All right, I 'm with you. But don't -expect me to recover the hairpins!" he called, -as Grayback picked up the pace Pretty Polly -had set.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But both Pretty Polly and her rider were -evidently on their mettle, and Grayback, bigger -and longer of stride though he was, had to look -to his heels to keep up with the little brown -mare.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley proved a daring rider, and before she -finally pulled Polly down to a canter she certainly -had felt the wind in her face with a rush.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When she looked round at Peter, as they entered -the mile-long course of wood-shaded road which -succeeded the turnpike, she met a brighter smile -than she had seen on his face since she came -home, two months before. Once more, for the -moment, he looked the care-free boy again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may be a pupil of the riding-schools, -but you 've taken plenty of road-training since," -was his comment. "And not a hairpin loose, -so far as I can see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's because I always tie my mop with -a ribbon for riding, like any schoolgirl. It's -childish, but comfortable. Is n't this deliciously -cool in here? And I 've forgotten all about -the pothooks already." But having said this, -Shirley bit her lip. She had not meant to tell yet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pothooks?" repeated Peter, curiously. "Have -you been bothered by pothooks lately?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A trifle." She turned away her head, and -pointed out a fine clump of ferns, growing on -a bank by the roadside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you want them?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no, not enough to get down for. I--said -something I did n't mean to, and the ferns -offered a way of escape."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter was silent, wondering what she could mean.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Shirley said, frankly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That sounds rude, and I 'm going to tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not because something slipped out. I won't -even guess at it, unless you want me to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do--now. I think I 'd like to tell you, -though not even Nancy knows yet. My family -do--but I don't think even they quite realise -what it means to me. Perhaps you would."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'd like to try."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I--have begun to study stenography," said -Shirley. "When I've learned it--and -typewriting--thoroughly, I 'm to have a place in -Murray's office."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She said it with her eyes looking straight -between her horse's ears; and she did not see the -quick, astonished glance which fell upon her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter made no answer for so long that she -turned, wondering and a little resentful.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg your pardon," said Peter. "I believe -I forgot to answer. But that was n't from lack -of interest. You took my breath away. When -I got it back I fell to thinking that I might have -expected it of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You might? Why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm not good at telling my thoughts. But -I knew you had a mind of your own from the -day you first gave Nancy Bell of Gay Street -the preference over the little Hille girl of -Worthington Square."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gay Street was sixteen times more interesting -than Worthington Square, always," declared -Shirley, frankly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you like the pothooks?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm going to like them, whether they 're -likable or not. Just now I 'm in a sort of delirium -ever them. Little black quirls and dots and -dashes walk through my dreams. I 've -just one week of it now, and I 'm fascinated. -The only trouble is, I want to get hold of -everything at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hold steady and make sure as you go. Slow -accuracy at first is much better than a fast jumble -that you can't read yourself. If you like it, -and are getting hold of it already, that shows you -are going to win out. It's easy to tell, from the -start, who 'll make a stenographer in the end -and who won't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's what Murray says, and it encourages -me. You 've studied it yourself, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Taught myself in odd hours; thought it might -be useful some time, and it has been, many times. -I can show you a lot of technical short cuts that -will be of use to you, when you 're familiar with -the regular method.'</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, thank you--I'll be grateful. Come -Polly--you 've cooled off--try a smooth little -canter for a while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At Grandfather Bell's Peter took Shirley -down and sent her to roam about the great -orchard, while he hunted up the old gentleman -and had a talk with him. This consumed -nearly an hour, and when they were off upon the -road once more, Shirley discovered that the -care-free look had vanished from her companion's -face, and that his mouth had taken again the -grave expression it had acquired after she went -away to school.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She let him ride to the edge of the woods, -four miles toward home, in the abstracted silence -which had fallen upon him; but as they came -under the first cool shadows, she brought Pretty -Polly down to a walk, and began to talk lightly -about Murray and Jane, and the successful way -in which Jane had taken up the cares of managing -the big house and its affairs. Peter obediently -followed her lead, but after a short time she discovered -that he gave her his attention only by an effort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She longed to know what was the matter, -for that something had gone wrong with him -she was more than ever sure. Two years ago -she would have demanded, with the familiarity -of long acquaintance, an explanation of any -cloud upon his brow, for she and Peter had been -as good friends as seventeen and twenty-six may -be, when the families of both are united by certain -common interests. But somehow nineteen and -twenty-eight had not yet recovered quite the old -ground of mutual frankness, and Shirley's anxious -questions halted upon her lips.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had another gallop when they came to -the smooth stretch, but this time, although Peter -said, "That was a good one, was n't it?" his face -did not clear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just before they reached home, however, he -appeared to realise all at once that he must have -been poor company, and said so, with a word of -regret.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't mind a bit," said Shirley. "One -does n't always feel like talking. And I know -in your position, you must have a good many cares."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A few. I 'm afraid I 'm not good at carrying -them, since I let myself keep them on my own -shoulders, even on horseback. They fell off on -the way out, but at the farm they climbed up -Grayback's tail again. I 'm sorry, for you 've -been jolly company, and I 've honestly enjoyed -the ride more than anything that has happened -in a year."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We 'll go again, then, on another half-holiday, -and next time we 'll leave Black Care behind -altogether. Or, if you will take him along you -shall introduce me. Will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her look was so girlishly sympathetic and -inviting, Peter could hardly be blamed for finding -a ray of comfort in it, although he only said -stoutly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That would n't be fair."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed it would. What are one's friends -for? And Black Care does n't like the society -of two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's true. But he's not a desirable -acquaintance, and I don't mean to introduce -him to you. Remember the pothooks--they 'll -keep you busy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He smiled as he said it, but Shirley persisted, -more boldly, for she thought she detected the -fact that it would be a relief to Peter to tell -somebody his troubles, if his conscience would let him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've seen, ever since I came home, that -something was worrying you. It's made me feel -badly. Perhaps just telling would make it easier."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should imagine it might. I 'll think about -it. Meanwhile, thank you for two fine hours. -We 're back just in time for your dinner--and my -supper. Will you go to the house door, or -dismount here at the stable?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here, please. And next Saturday we'll go -again, if you really care to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall think about it through the week. Here -you are--you don't half let me help you. Success -to the pothooks! Good-bye!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="black-care"><span class="large">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">BLACK CARE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>On the following Saturday it rained all day, -and no horseback-riding or excursions -of any sort were possible. Before another -half-holiday had come round, an unusual and -severe pressure of work had overtaken Peter, -which shut him off from any leisure whatever for -many successive weeks. Night after night, all -through July and August, he came home late in -the evening, too weary for anything but supper -and bed. During all this time he saw little of -the people in Worthington Square.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Shirley, although she thought often -of Peter, and was sorry that no chance -seemed to favour her getting at the secret of his -burdens, whatever they might be, her own work -absorbed her. She was proving a ready pupil, -keen of intellect and quick of eye and hand. -As she advanced in the mastery of stenography, -she became more and more fascinated by its -details, and spent more and more of her spare -hours in practice. The typewriting she acquired -in an unexpectedly short space of time, but her -chief ambition was to achieve the ability to take -dictation rapidly and accurately, and to this -end she laboured with much zeal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nancy Bell was taken into confidence, and -became an active and interested partner. Many -were the hours she spent with Shirley, reading -aloud to her from all sorts of books and papers, -with a view to accustoming her to any kind of -composition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You certainly can do anything now," Nancy -said, one day in late September, when she had -given Shirley an unusually trying test at top speed, -and the worker had typewritten it without an -error worth mentioning.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm not so sure." Shirley studied her paper. -"I 'm used to you, and you don't flurry me much. -But if I should go to father and offer myself for a -trial, I 'm afraid I should bungle it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you can't get office practice without -office practice. Nothing can take its place or -give you confidence, I should think. Why don't -you let Murray try you? If he dictates as fast -as he talks when he 's discussing business with -Peter, he must be hard enough for anybody."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That evening, as Murray and Jane, in the -library, were discussing certain household matters, -Shirley, sitting at the big table with her -notebook, turned a leaf and began to take down the -conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did I say that?" Murray asked, toward the -close of the conference. "I thought I put it -quite differently."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You said, dear," said Jane, "that it ought -to cost that, not that it did."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you sure?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must have been wandering in my mind. -I seem to hear myself saying in a tone of great -assurance that it actually did cost seventeen -dollars. I could n't have said anything else, -knowing the facts."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Jane merely smiled, sure of her ground, but -not liking to dispute it further. Murray took -a turn up and down the room, whistling softly. -He himself would not insist upon the thing he -was sure he had said, but he was none the less -confident. It seemed to bring the discussion to -a standstill, as such small differences of statement -sometimes will.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley began to read aloud from her note-book -a reproduction of the conversation which had -just taken place. Listening incredulously, -Murray heard himself quoted as saying precisely -that which Jane had asserted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here," said he, coming over to the -table and seizing upon the note-book. "Are -you sure you have that straight--that you 're -not saying it from memory of what Jane said -I said?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did n't get every word you said, but I did -get that sentence. You brought out the 'ought' -so strenuously I put the exact sign down."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll give in, of course, but I 'll have to be -careful of what I say in your hearing after this. -You must be pretty good at it, if you caught all -that off our tongues. We were talking fairly -fast, if I remember."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You were very nearly too fast for me--in -spots. Conversation 's harder to take than -anything else. Do you want to try me on a business -letter?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"With pleasure," and Murray promptly pulled -a letter out of his pocket, glanced it over, and -began to dictate a reply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before she had done two lines, Shirley realised -that the actual receiving of dictation from a -man of business, who was seriously putting her -to a test, was quite different from any amount -of practice with Nancy Bell. Murray's keen -eyes were upon her, he was watching her fingers -as they flew, he was using business terms with -which she was not familiar. These technicalities -she was forced to omit, but after a little she -steadied under the consciousness that he was -speaking not too rapidly, and that he paused -now and then between sentences, as if studying the -letter he was answering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the end she said, "I 'll make you a copy," -and flew out of the room. Murray smiled at -Jane, who had been an interested witness of the -scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't get used to the idea that the child is -serious in all this," said he. "I know she's -been working at it all summer, but I 've seen so -little of it, and she 's been so quiet about it, I -forget that she means business. If mother and -Olive had been at home all this time I should -have heard of little else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There 's no doubt of her being in earnest. She -and Nan have practised by the hour," answered -Jane. "I think you'll find her copy pretty -correct."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I doubt it. She certainly caught the gist -of our conversation, but that 's comparatively -easy, for her memory would help out on the sort -of thing we were saying. But when it comes -to getting it word for word, as a business letter -must, she 'll find that 's another thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley came back presently and handed her -brother the letter. He read it through carefully. -"By Jove!" he ejaculated, and looked at his sister.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I had to leave spaces for the words you used -that I had never heard," said she. "I did n't think -of it before, but there must be a lot of such words -in your correspondence. Would you mind making -me out a list of them, or giving me a catalogue? -Next time I 'll know them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll warrant you will. Except for them, -you 've practically every word just as I gave -it to you. See here, when have you done it? -You have n't had time to accomplish so much. -It takes at least six months to make a respectable -stenographer. You 've been at it but four. -Come here and let me look at you. By rights -you ought to have grown thin. No, I can't -see that you have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I have n't. I 've never been so -happy in my life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Miss Henley, who is in the office, is going -to be married in October." He studied her face -keenly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She looked at him with eager eyes. He laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you were a pauper with a family to support, -you could n't look more appealing," he said. -"Well, keep pegging away, and I 'll recommend -you to father."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Mrs. Harrison Townsend did not come home -at all that autumn. Instead, she sailed for -Italy, taking Olive with her. From Europe -Mrs. Townsend wrote Murray a letter which -he showed to no one, but which gave him no -little discomfort of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am much better away," she wrote, "where -I shall not be in the throes of the revolution -which has overtaken my household. With Jane -refusing many of her most important invitations, -Forrest away, and Shirley casting herself into -the business world, like any poor man's daughter, -I should be too distressed to be able to play my -own part with composure. I hear that Jane -is not keeping up her calling list as conscientiously -as she should do. Please try to impress her with -her duty to our friends, even if she does not care -to make them hers. When I return, I shall -wish to take up my social life where I left it, -and if I should find my friends alienated by the -eccentricity of my daughter-in-law, I should feel -that a wrong had been done which it would be -difficult to overlook."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About the hardest thing in the world," thought -Murray, as he pondered these lines, "seems to -be for one woman to get another's point of view. -Here 's Jane, staying at home all summer to keep -me company, when she might have gone off to -the seaside or the mountains with Olive. She 's -tackling big problems every day in the -management of the house, to say nothing of looking after -all mother's social correspondence. She 's -entertained relatives of ours from in town and from -out of town, to say nothing of making father's -evenings pleasant and seeing to her own family. -Yet because some woman on mother's list writes -her that Jane has failed to pay a call within the -required limit of time, the poor girl is 'eccentric.' Well, -she shall not be taxed with it, if I can help it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Feeling that Jane, although unconscious of -the elder woman's dissatisfaction with her -endeavours, should have amends made her after some -fashion, Murray arranged to take her with him -upon a week's business trip, a flying journey -half-way across the continent and back. In -the absence of Mrs. Townsend and Olive, this -left Shirley and her father quite alone for a week.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the evenings of that week Mr. Townsend -spent with Joseph Bell--as was now his frequent -custom. On this evening Shirley settled down with -a book before the library fire. She had been -working harder and harder to perfect herself -for the position which she had been assured should -be hers upon the resignation of Miss Henley, a -fortnight hence. And she had at last arrived -at that state of confidence in her own powers -which permitted an occasional indulgence in an -idle evening without a twinge of conscience.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The book proved so entertaining that an hour -passed, during which she took no note of time. -She could not have told whether it was late or -early, when a slight stir in the hall brought her -attention to the fact that somebody was there, -awaiting her recognition. She looked up to see -Peter Bell standing in the doorway, his face so -grave and worn that she gave a little cry of amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, Peter!" she said, and came forward -to give him her hand. He looked down at her -almost as if he did not see her. His hand was cold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 've been out in the wet--you 're chilled," -she said, eagerly drawing him toward the fire. -"Why, you 're very wet! You did n't have an -umbrella."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I believe I did n't," Peter answered, glancing -at his coat-sleeve, which was, indeed, almost -dripping with dampness. "I 've been walking -a long way--I don't know how far."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took the big armchair which she offered -him, but she stood regarding his moist condition -with concern. His visits were too few to make -her willing to run the risk of losing this one by -suggesting that he ought not to sit down in his wet -coat; and after a moment she ran away and came -back with a house coat of Murray's.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please put this on," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter protested that he had no need of taking -such precautions, but Shirley persisted until -he obeyed her and donned the coat, throwing -his own upon a chair, whence she rescued it -and hung it where it might have a chance to dry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now rest and be comfortable," said she, -drawing her own small chair into a friendly -nearness to the big one, "and tell me what's -wrong. It needs to be told at once, I know--or -I 'd try to talk about something else first."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid I couldn't talk about anything -else first," said Peter. "Yet I don't know that -I can talk about this. But--I had to come. -There was no one else I could go to. I 've stood -all the rest by myself, but this----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He stopped short, as if he could not go on. -Something about his appearance made Shirley's -heart begin to beat fast with apprehension. It -must be a very bad trouble indeed which could -make Peter act so unlike himself, Peter the -strong, the self-reliant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her mind went back in a flash to the day, weeks -before, when he had half promised to give her -his confidence in regard to matters which it was -evident were bothering him. But he had not -looked then in the least like this. It had been -merely business care which was heavy on his -shoulders at that time. This was trouble, or she -did not know the signs. His set face, upon which -her welcome had brought no hint of an answering -smile, the lines about his mouth, the suggestion -of pallor which was already succeeding to the -colour which had been the result of the tramp in -the rain, all made her sure of her conclusions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I want to hear," began Shirley, very gently, -controlling the anxiety in her voice. Then, -suddenly, as a startling thought occurred to her, -"Peter, it's not--Murray--or Jane?--or mother?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no," said Peter, quickly, turning to her. -"No, it's not your trouble, it's mine--ours. -Only the others don't know it yet. They must n't -know it till it--comes. That's why I came -here. It' s not right to burden you with it, I 'm -afraid. But, somehow I----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley impulsively put out her hand, as if -to touch his. He did not see it, and she -withdrew it again. She longed to give him comfort -in some way. Yet, until the story was told, she -could not tell what to do. If only he would tell -it quickly. But, plainly, it was hard to tell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He drew a deep breath; then sat up straight, -staring into the fire.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There has been a long succession of -misfortunes," he began, slowly. "I don't need to -go into those, though I thought them bad -enough--until now. Now--if it were nothing worse -than those things, if I could just go back to them, -I 'd shoulder them all gladly, and not mind. It -was property business, all of it--foreclosure -of a heavy mortgage threatening Grandfather -Bell's farm, loss of the little money father had -got together and put into stocks that have gone -to pieces--that sort of thing. It was up to -me to straighten it all out--and not much -to do it with. And father--he seemed not -very well--had two or three queer attacks of -illness at the factory during the hot weather. -I felt I could n't worry him with it. He -seemed to be getting old--all at once. Finally, -yesterday----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter paused; then he went on in a lower voice:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yesterday he had another of those attacks--much -worse than before. A man near him sent -for me, and I sent for a doctor. The doctor -brought him round, but it took some time. -To-day I made him go to another doctor--a specialist. -He examined father, and told me what it was."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley, in a breathless silence, waited.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Any over-exertion, excitement, worry--anything--may -end it at any time. If he would -give up and stay quietly at home, he might last -a good while. But that's what he won't do. -He knows it all--took it as coolly as if it were -nothing at all, but won't give up. And he won't -have anybody told. Says they 'd never know -another happy moment--and that's true enough. -He 'll just take his chances. It's brave of him, -and I can understand how he feels, but the hard -thing for me is--I 've got to keep still, and stand -by, and--see it come."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With the last word Peter's voice almost broke. -He turned his head away. Shirley got up and went -to him. She laid one hand on his shoulder, -standing still beside him, her heart aching with -sympathy, but finding not a word to say. In all -his unhappiness, Peter recognised the light touch, -and putting up his cold hand grasped the warm -one. He held it tight for a minute, for the sense -of comradeship and comprehension it brought -him gave him courage to go on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley understood the warm and close -relations which had always existed between Peter -and his father. And she realised, with a pang, -that which Peter had not mentioned, but which -must add its share to the poignancy of his -apprehension--the fact that with the loss of the head -of the family, the burden of the support of that -family must fall upon the son's shoulders. Money -problems were not to be mentioned in the same -breath with the threatened loss of a dear parent, -but the anxiety they were bound to cause would -make Peter's trouble immeasurably more serious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Peter spoke his voice was steady again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I 'm facing nothing harder than -other people have to face every day, in one way or -another. I mean to stand up to it, like a man, if -I can--it would n't be worthy of a chap with a -father like mine to be bowled over by what he -bears with such courage. But it seemed to me I -must tell somebody, and you--something you -said weeks ago, when we went riding together, -made me sure you would care."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do care, very, very much," Shirley answered. -"I 've wished ever so many times since then that -I knew what was the matter. If you had told me -that, it would have been easier for you to come to -me with this, I think. I 'm so glad you did. I -only wish--oh, how I wish--there were something -I could do!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can. You 're doing it now. Just -knowing you know makes it easier. If there were -anything I could do myself I could bear it better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She slipped out of the room. In a few minutes -she came back, bearing a tray, upon which was -a cup of chocolate with a little mound of whipped -cream on top, and beside it a plate of sandwiches. -She set her tray at Peter's elbow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Father is so fond of this, late in the evening, -that Cook keeps a double boiler ready on the -back of the range, and the rest of us make use of -it," she explained. "You may not be hungry, -but it will be good for you. Tell me, did you have -your supper?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, I haven't been home," he owned. "If -a fellow could eat at all, he ought to be able to -eat this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Shirley's satisfaction Peter consumed every -one of the six thin sandwiches, and when she -suggested a second cup of chocolate, he gratefully -accepted it. He had been famishing, though -he had not known it. The interview with the -specialist had taken place before lunch time, and -Peter had not remembered lunch at all.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Being human, and very weary, creature comforts -did their part in strengthening him, in mind -as well as body. When he had finished, and had -spent another half-hour listening to Shirley's -account of news from Forrest, who was in the -West Indies now, he rose, a very different young -man from the one who had come in out of the -rain an hour before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he had exchanged the velvet house-coat -for the rough tweed one, now dried by the fire, -he stood before her, hat in hand. He looked -down into her friendly uplifted face and -something very appreciative showed in his own. He -could summon only the suggestion of a smile, -but his eyes were less heavy, his colour had come -back, and resolution was once more in his bearing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You would put heart into a craven," he said, -shaking hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 're no craven," answered Shirley, returning -the look steadily with her frank eyes, "but -one of the stoutest-hearted I ever knew. I know -lots more about you than you think, and I know -what you have been facing all these years in the -way of sticking to work you did n't like."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's nothing. Everybody does that, if he -amounts to any thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Everybody doesn't. But it's made you -strong and brave. You 're brave now--and -you 're going to be braver yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He studied her a moment in silence. Then -the smile she had missed shone briefly out upon -her as Peter said fervently: "If I am, it will be -thanks to you, my friend. Good night!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-breakdown"><span class="large">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A BREAKDOWN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Now make her come!" commanded Marian -Hille, as her brother Brant brought his -big green motor-car to a stand in front of the -great building belonging to Townsend & -Company. "Don't let her refuse. How she can -spend her days down here, drudging away, I -don't see! Brant, tell her I shall simply never -forgive her if she does n't shut up that -typewriter at once and come along."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll say what seems to me to suit the situation," -declared her brother, sliding out of his seat and -divesting himself of his motoring coat. "Whether -it will make any impression I 'm not so sure."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He walked leisurely off, but when he was -inside the building he made a short trip of it to -the fifth floor and the offices. He was quite -as anxious as his sister for the success of his -errand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray himself welcomed young Hille cordially, -and when Brant asked for Shirley, he led -his visitor into an inner office. Here Brant stood -still, gazing with interest. He had not yet seen -his old acquaintance at her new tasks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley sat before a typewriting machine, her -fingers playing as lightly and swiftly over the keys, -for all Brant could see, as those of any veteran -at the business. The girl did not look up. -Plainly she was much absorbed in her work, a -little flush on her cheek, her eyes devouring the -"copy" before her in the shape of her note-book, -held open by a device above her machine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brant turned to look at Murray, and Murray smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She looks as if she enjoyed it!" Brant -exclaimed, under his breath.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She does. No question of that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It 'll wear off, don't you think?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I doubt it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He walked over and stood at her elbow, waiting. -Shirley paid him no attention while she finished -the long business letter before her, and she would -not have turned then if her brother had not said -quietly, "A caller is waiting to see you, Miss -Townsend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then she glanced up, and rose, pulling a -glove finger from the forefinger of her right hand -before she let the visitor take it. "I still seem to -give this finger a bit of extra work," she said -smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brant said a complimentary thing or two in -recognition of her businesslike command of the -typewriter, and then proceeded to put his case.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As she knew, a November house party was in -progress at the Hildreth's country place, eighteen -miles out. He and Marian had come in on an -errand, and were going back. A particularly jolly -evening was in prospect. Somebody had -suggested that the Hilles bring Shirley back with -them, just for the evening. They felt she owed -them that much, after so resolutely declining the -original invitation for the entire week. Would -she not go? It was a rare evening for early -November, the air mild, the moon magnificent, the -roads like a floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Hildreths wanted her to stay the night; -but Brant would rise with the lark and bring -her back to town before breakfast, that she -might not miss so much as a semicolon of her -day's work. Or--as Shirley continued to look -doubtful--he urged that, if she preferred, he -would actually get her back to-night. Some of -the married people would drive in with them -for the sake of the run in the moonlight. Please!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go, Shirley, and have a fine time," said her -brother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She was only human--and a girl--after all, -and after many weeks of close and serious work -the prospect of the little spin of an hour's -duration, with the "jolly evening," appealed to her. -Smiling at Brant's last proposition, Shirley yielded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall have to go to the house first," she -said, setting the cover on her machine and putting -away her work. The clock already indicated -the end of the working-day in the Townsend office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course. We 'll take you right up in a -jiffy." And Brant led the way to the elevator, -his soul filled with satisfaction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The green car was shortly </span><em class="italics">chug-chugging</em><span> in -front of the Townsend house, while Shirley ran -up to exchange her office clothes for the pretty -dull red silk frock which seemed to her to fit the -November evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A sense of exhilaration took possession of her -as she pulled on her long driving-coat, and -pinned in place the close hat and swathing gray -veil which made her ready for the swift drive -in the autumn air. To be really a working girl, -and yet not to be shut out from an occasional -taste of this sort of pleasure--it was certainly -a pleasant combination. And Shirley had -accomplished one of the best day's works that she -had yet done, and felt as if she had earned -whatever of jollity the evening might have in -store for her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I'm certainly thankful to see you acting -like one of us again, if only for a few hours," -asserted "Marie Anne," as they whirled away. -"Shirley Townsend in a blue serge at four o'clock -in the afternoon is an extraordinary sight. Now -you look like yourself again. What have you -got on? That Indian-red silk? When you like a -thing you like it forever, don't you? I wonder -how many times you came down to dinner last -winter at Miss Cockburn's in that red silk!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be brutal, Marian!" called her brother, -over his shoulder. "As if it made any difference -what she wears as long as she comes with us! -Besides, I haven't seen the red silk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Shirley was only smiling at Marian's -comments on her attire. She had not summered -and wintered Miss Hille as a room-mate for two -years in the English school not to have become -inured to her style of intimate criticism. -Besides, she knew perfectly that that Indian-red -silk frock had been her friend's envy for the first -six weeks of its existence, on account of its beauty -and the way it became Shirley's colouring.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It does not take long for a motor-car of high -horse-power driven by a young man with the -usual dash of daring in his composition to cover -eighteen miles of smooth roadway, and it was -not yet six o'clock when the car shot up to the -entrance of the Hildreth's country place. Half -a dozen young people, returning from the golf -links, hurried up to welcome Shirley Townsend -back to the ranks of the pleasure-seekers, and she -was borne into the house on a little wave of -good-fellowship and merriment which she could not -help decidedly enjoying.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's a shame to think of that girl throwing -herself away on the sort of fad she 's taken up!" -growled Somers Hildreth to Brant Hille, as the -two came in, after dressing for dinner, to find -Shirley Townsend the centre of a gay group -before the great fireplace, which was the heart -of the country house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder what fault Marian had to find with -that dress," Brant was thinking, as he caught -its gleam in the firelight and saw the sparkling -eyes and warm-tinted cheeks above it. "If she -is n't by long odds the finest girl in that crowd -I 'll go without my dinner." But aloud he -responded, calmly, "It does n't seem to have dulled -her charms. She never looked more as if she -found things worth while, did she?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's reaction," declared the other young -man. "Shut any girl up in a cage, and she'll -stretch her wings when she gets out. It will -tell on her after a while, though, if she keeps -it up. But she won't. That goes without saying."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you fool yourself!" muttered Brant, -adopting Murray Townsend's view of the matter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley, indeed, did not look like a girl who -was accustomed to adopt courses, only to abandon -them when weary. Whatever her views of the -"things worth while," she certainly enjoyed -that evening. Those who had sent for her -congratulated themselves on their foresight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Without making herself in any way a -conspicuous figure, or appearing to take the lead, -Shirley's very presence seemed somehow to bring -about that result most desirable to a hostess, -the making things "go." The young people -had been together for five successive evenings, -and had about exhausted their resources and -those of their entertainers in the way of diversion. -But with Shirley Townsend's softly brilliant eyes -looking on, her spirited mouth curving into -mischief or merriment, her appreciative comments -spurring them, the young men of the party at -least found themselves stimulated to their best -achievement, and exerted themselves to bring -the response of her pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for the girls, they all liked her, although -not without here and there a touch of envy at -the success of a style so free from affectation -that nobody could accuse its possessor of not -being genuine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can't say you 're not having a good time," -urged Hille, cornering Shirley as the evening -went on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There 's no reason why I should want to -say it. I 'm having a delightful time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought it was part of your code, from now -on, to enjoy nothing but hard labour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Her laugh rang out softly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did n't believe anything of the sort. -If all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, -what would they do to Jill? She would be -unendurable."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She would. But anybody would have taken -alarm at sight of you to-day, over your typewriter. -You looked as if you were nothing short of carried -away with it. You did n't so much as notice -I was in the room."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm not supposed to notice people who come -into Murray's office. I learned that at once, by -watching Miss Henley. While I 'm there I 'm -to be merely an intelligent machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Machine' doesn't strike me as exactly the -word--in your case. As for the 'intelligence'--I -suppose Townsend & Company are very exacting. -Do you suppose they 'd take me on the force?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You!" It seemed to amuse her very much.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brant looked nettled. He had asked the -question in sport, but he did not like to be taken -that way. "Look here, am I such a joke as that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The notion of your working for anybody, -even for yourself, is very interesting."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You think I 'm not capable?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think the mere thought of going to an office -every morning at nine o'clock would be too much -for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must have a pretty poor opinion of me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all. But you have never needed to -work, never expect to need to work, and have -never shown the first sign of intending to work. -Why shouldn't the idea of your working seem -strange?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I might have said the same of you a few -months ago." Brant was getting red.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So you might. But I 'm a girl."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does my being a man--I'm twenty-four--make -it a foregone conclusion that I should roll -up my sleeves and tackle a shovel and pick, -whether I need the money or not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley surveyed him. "No, I don't think -it does--</span><em class="italics">with you</em><span>."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The red which had begun to show above -Brant's collar now spread toward his ears, -extended his forehead, and finally suffused -his entire face. He broke out hotly: "Look -here, you used not to be sharp-tongued like that. -If your taking up this sort of thing is going to -make you not mind how you cut your friends, -it 's my opinion you 'd be better at your -embroidery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley bit her lip with a mischievous desire -to say something which would make the angry -gleam in his eyes light up still more vividly. She -and Brant had played together and quarreled -and made up since their nursery days, and this -retort, which she would have resented from -anybody else, merely delighted her from Brant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She liked to wake him up, and considered that -hurting his feelings on the score of his idleness -was both salutary and justifiable. Ever since -she had returned she had been feeling more and -more annoyed with him for seeming to settle -down so unconcernedly to a life of absolute ease -and the spending of his share of the estate left -him by a father who had toiled a lifetime to get -his property together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But she did not intend to be led into a serious -argument with him now and here, nor did she -wish to make him like her less on account of -her new method of employing her time. She -liked him for many good points, and she was -rather wiser than most girls in perceiving when -she had said enough. So after an instant's -silence, she asked, with a bright glance, disarming -because unexpected, "Shall we call it even?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Did my shot about the embroidery hit?" -Brant exulted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hard. It doesn't matter that I don't know -how to embroider."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not in the least. Yes, I 'll call it even, -though I got the worst of it. I was mad enough -to bite something a minute ago, but you always -did have a way of making a chap double up his -fists, and then open them again, feeling foolish. -Oh, here comes Mrs. Hildreth. You don't want -to go back to-night, do you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll wait till morning. But we must be off -early. I would n't miss being on time for a -week's salary."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Before breakfast?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course--if they'll let us. We'll have -breakfast at home; the early morning run will -make us hungry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It certainly will. See here, we don't have -to get anybody up to go in with us, do we?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley looked doubtful. "I 'm afraid we do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I 'd rather take you in to-night," said -Brant, promptly. "We 'll fill up the car with -chaperons, and you can sit in front with me. -They 'll be tickled to go, in this moonlight. I 'll -ask Mrs. Hildreth and Miss Armitage; they 'll -discuss dressmakers all the way in and leave -us in peace."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley let him arrange it, personally much -preferring to reach home that night and get up -at the usual hour in the morning, with an interval -between her pleasure-making and her work. -The hour was not late, and Brant professed to -be able to make incredibly quick time, so he had -no difficulty in arranging his party.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There were many sallies at Shirley's expense -as her friends saw her depart. Her devotion -to business was considered a caprice, likely at -any time to give way to more rational behaviour, -and she was assured of an enthusiastic welcome -back to the company of sane beings when her -"craze" should be over. She went away smiling -at the thought of how little they understood her, -and with a sense of having at hand resources -of contentment at which they could not even guess.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With an empty road ahead, and the moonlight -making all things clear, Brant sent his car -humming. In the rush of air caused by their flight, -all four travellers stopped talking, and it was -upon a silence hitherto disturbed only by the -muffled mechanism of the car that the startling -</span><em class="italics">bang</em><span> of an exploding tire woke the echoes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Confound the luck!" burst from the young -man in the driver's seat, as he brought the machine -to a standstill. "That means stop and repair -right here. We can't run her in on her rim. -We 're not half way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley looked about her. Ten rods away, -its big barns looming against the sky, its -white house showing clearly in the moonlight, lay -the farm of Mr. Elihu Bell, the grandfather of -her friends. Although it was after eleven o'clock, -there were lights showing in windows which -she knew belonged to the front room of the farm-house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall you need help?" she asked, as Brant -threw open the box which held his repair kit. -"The noise has brought somebody to the door -over there. It 's the Bell farm--my sister -Jane's grandfather, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it? Then we'll pull over there into the -yard, and you people can go inside, since they -seem to be up. It may take me quite a while -to get out of this scrape. I 'm not much of a -mechanic, and I 've been lucky enough not to -puncture many tires."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He got in again, and ran the car slowly over -to the open gate of the Bell place. As he turned -in, the two figures which had been standing in -the doorway came out and crossed the yard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley recognized them both, one tall and -slim, with the slight stoop and characteristic -walk of age; the other also tall, but broad-shouldered -and erect. She wondered what Peter -Bell could be doing out here, calling on his -grandfather at this late hour, and then remembered -that Peter's time was so full by day that he must -needs make his visits by night. She thought of -the mortgage he had spoken of, and surmised -that the visit, prolonged past the hour when -farmhouses are usually dark and silent, was on -business.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well!" called the kindly voice of the -old man. "Broke down, have you? Anything -we can do? Your lights are brighter than any -we can furnish you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter came close. "Will the ladies come into -the house?" he asked. He could not see who -they were.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Hildreth and Miss Armitage accepted -the offer, for the November air was not so mild -as it had been during the day, and they had -no great confidence in Brant's ability to repair -his own machine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter offered a helping hand. When the older -ladies were out, he turned to the girl on the front -seat. She sprang down, and stood still before -him. She had pulled her gray veil closely about -her face, and she spoke in a muffled whisper: -"Guess who I am."</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 64%" id="figure-49"> -<span id="she-sprang-down-and-stood-still-before-him"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""SHE SPRANG DOWN, AND STOOD STILL BEFORE HIM"" src="images/img-264.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"SHE SPRANG DOWN, AND STOOD STILL BEFORE HIM"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter glanced toward Brant, who had now -come around into the glare from his own -headlights. Peter knew Brant, as anyone must who -was included in the entertaining done in the -Townsend house. But it had always been many -leagues farther to Gay Street from the Hille home -on the north side of Worthington Square than -from that of Murray and Shirley Townsend on -the south side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid I can't guess," admitted Peter, -who thought he knew that Shirley was at home -that night, having noted a light in her window -when, at nine o'clock, he had mounted his bicycle -to make the trip to Grandfather Bell's. Her -figure in the long coat and shrouding veil was -not familiar to him, and the whisper had -conveyed no note of Shirley's real tones.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you shall never know," the sepulchral -whisper assured him, and he found some difficulty -in holding his hand from the desire forcibly to -remove the provoking veil. The possibility that -it was his sister Jane caused him to estimate sharply -the height of the figure before him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a little too tall for Jane, and Peter was -about to hazard a guess that it was one of the -least formidable of the girls of Shirley's set whom -he occasionally met at her home, when Brant -Hille called out, annoyance sounding in his -voice:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 'd better go in with the others, Shirley--this -is going to take time. I 've got to put -on a new tire--worse luck!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter's fingers grasped the veil and gently -pulled it aside from the laughing face beneath, -"No wonder you wanted to hide!" he jeered, -under his breath. "A working-girl like you, -off on midnight larks like this, with to-morrow -ahead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But there was a distinct hint of pleasure in -his voice at the discovery of her here, thrown -upon his hospitality. He led her away to the -house, within whose open door the other ladies -had disappeared.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Grandmother has gone to bed long ago," he -said, as they came up on the porch, "and I don't -think I 'll disturb her. She 's deaf and won't -hear, and she needs her sleep. But I can get -you all something hot to drink, and something -to eat, too, if there 's much delay."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley presented him to Mrs. Hildreth and -Miss Armitage, who were already making -themselves at home in the low-ceiled, pleasant -living-room which lay all across the front of the -farm-house. A dying fire reddened the hearth, which -Peter soon revived into a blaze. Then he went -in search of refreshments. Thereafter, returning -to the scene of the breakdown, he rendered Brant -valuable assistance, proving handier at the process -of replacing the injured tire than Brant himself. -When they finally had done the work, and Brant -pulled out his watch with a hand black with dirt -and grease, he gave an exclamation of dismay.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One A.M., by all that's unfortunate! Better -let me take you back to Longacre, Shirley, and -get you home comfortably in the morning. What -difference does it make if you do miss part of a day?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Leave her here," said Mr. Elihu Bell. "We 'll -take care of her to-night, and I 'll drive in with -her in the morning, bright and early. That's -the best way out, and you people can go back -and go to bed. Grandma 'll be mightily pleased -to wake up in the morning and find the little -girl here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Feeling it the simplest solution of a situation -which was involving somebody's sacrifice, -whatever she did, Shirley accepted the offer. Brant -did not feel altogether pleased over driving away -and leaving her standing on the porch beside -Peter, but he was decidedly weary with his -exercise, and sleepy after two brimming glasses of -milk, and he resigned his charge with one -murmured speech: "Shows what a fool thing it is -for a girl like you to play at holding down a -business position. You can't be either one thing -or the other with any comfort, and it even gets -your friends into trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This surly farewell was punished by the girl's -gay rejoinder:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose it was the weight of your cares -that was too much for the car! I 'm sorry, and -I 'll promise not to run away from my work -again--with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the car was off, Peter promptly brought -round his bicycle. "This is n't quite so imposing -a conveyance as Hille's automobile," he said, -standing at the foot of the steps and looking up -at Shirley, "and I can't invite anybody to share -it with me and ride home. But it's very -convenient for these little runs out to the farm, and -I 'm glad I happened to be here to-night. -Somehow, just the sight of you, without any chance -to talk, does me good."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If that is true, I should think you might take -advantage of living so near just a bit oftener -than you do. Do you know how long it is since -you 've been over?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems six months to me," said Peter, smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is six weeks. Are you so busy all your -evenings?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pretty busy. And I spend what little spare -time I can make with father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course," she agreed, gently. "But I -think you need a little more change of scene -than you get."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'd like it. But I can't be bothering a girl -like you with entertaining an old chap like me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An old chap!" mused Shirley. "Is that -the way you feel?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was feeling forty, at least--till the tire -blew up. Then I came down to thirty. When -I found the girl under the veil, I dropped off -several years more. But when I looked at that -boy Hille I became a patriarch again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish he could hear you call him a boy! -Suppose I give you a special invitation, and -run the risk of your bothering me, will you accept -it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"In a hurry!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your first spare evening then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You tempt me to cut everything and come -to-morrow night. No--I 'll wait a decent -interval, to let you get caught up after this midnight -dissipation. May I come early?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The earlier the better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And you won't invite anybody else to help -make it jolly for me? The last time I ventured -over you had a roomful."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll invite nobody. Come, Peter Bell--do -you know I 'm being much nicer to you than I -ordinarily am to anybody? I let mother and -Olive do the inviting, and I just look demure, -as if I did n't care."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You do care, then, this time?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's time you were off, is n't it?" and she -retreated, laughing, to the open door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter looked back at her, an alluring figure, -with the lamplight falling over the dull red silk -of her frock, and wished he need not go at all. -But Grandfather Bell's tall form appeared just -behind Shirley's. This was an unheard-of hour -for Grandfather Bell. So, with a friendly good -night and a warm feeling at his heart, Peter -bestrode his wheel and was off down the moonlit -road toward home.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="christmas-greens"><span class="large">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">CHRISTMAS GREENS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Jane, I've the most charming plan in my head -for Christmas week you ever heard of."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you, Shirley dear? And are you -going to tell it to me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am, indeed. Listen. Let's take cook -and Norah, and go--all of us, your houseful -and ours--and spend part of holiday week at -Grasslands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shirley! You take my breath away! Could -we do it? Would n't it be fun if we could?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't see a thing in the way. When I -stayed overnight, in November, your Grandmother -Bell said she wished she could get her -family together once more at Christmas there, -instead of going in to have dinner in Gay Street, -as they 've been doing since your family went to -live in town. She said she 'd like to have us -all if she were younger again, but she has no -'help,' and thought it would be a pity to ask -us, and then have your mother and Nan do the -work. I 've thought about it ever so many -times since, but this idea has only just popped -into my head."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should think it could be done," mused Jane. -"There are rooms and rooms at the farm, and -little open wood-stoves in every one. You and -I could go out the day before, and get everything -aired and ready."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What if you and Mrs. Bell and Nan and I -went, without telling any of the men? I 'm to -have Christmas week for my first vacation, you -know. Then when they came home in the -evening, have a bouncing big sleigh ready to carry -them off to the farm, and a jolly supper waiting? -Then a tree that night, and Christmas next day, -with coasting and skating and snowballing, -if the weather is right?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You artful child!" exclaimed Jane. "It -would do us all heaps of good--especially father -and mother. Father looks to me so worn and -tired. Have you noticed it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley nodded. She had indeed noticed it, -and a deep-laid plot, having for its beneficiary -Mr. Joseph Bell, was at the back of the planning. -But she did not intend that anybody should find -that out. So she agreed lightly that Jane's father -needed a holiday, as did all the others.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If we can't get any of them to take more than -Christmas day, we can at least bring them out -there every night and back every morning," -she said. "We 'll give them such good things -to eat they won't mind the drive. With Grandfather -Bell's big horses, all jingly with sleigh-bells, -they certainly won't. Oh, will you go -and speak to Cook now? I simply can't wait -to get things under way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean to surprise Grandmother Bell, too?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, if your grandfather agrees, as I 'm sure -he will. If we told her she 'd tire herself all out, -doing wholly unnecessary things. Everything -in the house is always in apple-pie order, but -she would n't think so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 're quite right, I think. I 'll go and -talk with Cook"--and Jane hurried away, looking -as girlishly eager as Shirley herself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She had small doubt of Cook. If Mrs. Murray -Townsend had a friend in the house, it was Bridget. -Mrs. Harrison Townsend had never considered -Bridget a particularly amiable person, but Jane -had won her completely by treating her always -with consideration, and by showing the interest -in her affairs, which is appreciated most by those -who expect it least.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sure, then, we 'll go, Mrs. Murray, and take -it as a holiday," agreed Cook, when her young -mistress had explained her plans. "And we 'll -take some of the fixings with us they 'll not be -havin' at the farm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the week that intervened before Christmas, -Shirley's head was so full of her schemes -that for the first time since her initiation into -office work she had considerable difficulty in -keeping her mind upon her tasks. Christmas -fell upon a Tuesday that year, fortunately for -her plans, so after Saturday noon she was free -to give her mind to the pleasures in prospect. -Mrs. Bell and Nancy had agreed enthusiastically -to every detail of the arrangements, and -Grandfather Bell, when cautiously consulted over the -telephone and urged to keep it all a secret from -his wife, had responded as joyously as a boy that -the party might occupy every nook and corner -of the house and have things all their own way, -if they would only come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It proved necessary to let somebody into the -plan at the last, in order that the men, returning -to their homes on Monday evening, should be -directed what to do. Rufus was selected for this -office, an appointment which tickled him so that it -was with difficulty he kept from bursting out with -his secret. At night he was first at home, and as -the others one by one arrived, he haled them to -their rooms, bade them make themselves ready -in short order, and surreptitiously packed away -several travelling bags in the recesses of Grandfather -Bell's capacious market-wagon, now on -runners and fitted with seats.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What on earth does it all mean?" asked -Murray, taking his seat in the sleigh in which -the energetic Rufus had stowed the male members -of his own family, amidst a storm of questions -and surmises, accompanied by much good humoured -raillery at his own quite evident excitement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It means that you 're kidnapped, and may -never see home again," responded Rufus, tucking -a hot soapstone under his father's feet, for the -night was sharp, and Shirley's orders imperative. -"Warm, daddy? Want an extra rug over you? -I 've enough here to wrap up a party of elephants."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm very comfortable," Mr. Bell replied. -His shoulder rested against Peter's, and Peter's -arm lay along the low back of the seat behind -him. Mr. Bell always felt a comfortable sense -of support and protection when Peter was -near--and Peter generally was near in these days. -The elder man well understood why, and appreciated -the devotion which showed itself in acts -rather than in words.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I've only one objection to make," declared -Ross, as the sleigh moved briskly off, driven by -Grandfather Bell's next neighbour, a man who -did odd jobs for him when needed, and worked -for him steadily during the summers. "I 'm -hungry as a bear, and don't want to go more than -fifty miles to supper."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would pay you to go a hundred, judging -by my observations," asserted Rufus, from among -the fur robes at Ross's feet. "And we 'll be -there in a jiffy. Don't these boys go, though? -They must get fed plenty of oats."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They certainly do," agreed the driver. -"Elihu Bell is n't the man to starve his horses, -let alone humans."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's encouraging," and Murray, who also -boasted a vigorous appetite, fell to conjecturing, -after the manner of hungry man, what supper -at the farm would be like. He knew nothing -of the arrangements that had been made, and -felt rather doubtful whether anything could take -the place of the dinner of Jane's planning he had -expected to find at home.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The ten miles were covered in a little more -than an hour, for the sleighing was good, and -the driver anxious to show what his horses could -do. As they turned in at the gate and drew up -at the side porch, they saw that the old house -was aglow from top to bottom with lights in -every window. At the jingle of their bells the -door flew hospitably open, although no one was in -sight, and only the roaring fire in the wide fireplace -opposite the door seemed on hand to give them -a welcome.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It looks Christmas-sy enough in there, does n't -it?" said Ross, catching sight of holly branches -and ropes of ground-pine adorning the chimney-piece, -and holly wreaths tied with scarlet ribbons -in the windows.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, well!" ejaculated Mr. Joseph Bell, -slowly, as Peter gently pushed him ahead into -the room, and his eyes fell upon a tree, its top -touching the low ceiling, its branches twinkling -with candles and loaded with packages. He blinked -with astonishment, and sat abruptly down in the -first chair that offered, looking as pleased as a boy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are they all?" and Rufus, putting -his hands to his mouth, gave a ringing hail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Merry Christmas!" responded a chorus of -gay voices, and a curtain fell aside. Grandmother -Bell, her rosy old face beaming, advanced -with outstretched hand, her husband close behind -her. In the background appeared Mrs. Joseph -Bell, Jane, Shirley and Nancy, all in white dresses, -with holly berries gleaming in their hair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is the best surprise ever heard of!" -cried Peter, stooping to kiss Grandmother Bell's -soft, wrinkled cheek, and then turning to wring -his grandfather's hand. "This beats Christmas -in town all to nothing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It </span><em class="italics">is</em><span> jolly!" and Murray saluted the old lady -in his turn, for he was a favourite with her, not -only because he was Jane's husband, but because, -from the first, he had taken pains to be very good -to her. He smiled at Jane as he stood straight -again, thinking she had never looked prettier -than she did to-night. But Murray was apt -to think that, wherever he first caught sight of -her after a day's absence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've been trying all day," said Ross, as he -greeted the old people, "to make myself realise -this was Christmas eve. But from this hour -all difficulty leaves me. I smell Christmas in -the air."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's the pumpkin pies, and mince, and -doughnuts, and plum pudding you smell," laughed -Nancy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The greens smell sweet and Christmas-sy, -too," said Shirley. "We had such fun gathering -them this morning. It seemed a pity to do it -by ourselves."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I 'd known of it, I should have blown out -through the factory roof and landed over in -grandfather's woods!" declared Peter, coming -up to shake hands. "Woods in winter! And -to-morrow's a holiday! Are we to stay? I -thought I fell over a grip as I got out of the -sleigh."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed you are--for four days."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Four days! I only wish I could!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can--evenings and nights and mornings."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean it? Are we invited?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who thought this magnificent scheme up?" -demanded Peter. "Ah, you 're blushing! I might -have----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've been out in the cold air more than half -the day," and Shirley covered one brilliant cheek -with her hand. "Are n't you hungry?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Famishing!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We 're to have supper right away. Your -grandmother calls it supper, and Cook calls it -dinner."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cook!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She 's here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, of all the----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Peter had to be hurried away by his sister -Nancy to his room--his old room upstairs -under the eaves, where he found his hand-bag -awaiting him, and a brisk fire snapping in the -old box stove. For the time being, he felt he -could let himself forget that the old roof was -encumbered by a heavy mortgage, due in six -weeks now, and held by a man who had long -coveted that farm. It was Christmas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The meal spread in the long, low dining-room, -to which a merry company presently sat down, -was a delicious one. Grandmother Bell's old -blue-and-white Canton plates and cups had -never been more delectably filled, nor had her -antique silver forks and spoons clinked to a livelier -measure than the talk and laughter which went -round as the supper proceeded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Does it seem like home here?" Shirley -asked Mr. Joseph Bell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Home?" said he, with a glance from the old -prints upon the walls to the antique side table -below, with its turned-up leaf. "It's the only -place in the world that will ever really seem like -home to me. It 's just a makeshift, living in -the city, to people who were brought up on a -place like this. You see, though I went away -from here when I was a young man, and lived -a long time in the city, working up in the paper -factory, we came back here again and stayed -five years, while the children were little, on account -of a breakdown in my health. Then when I -grew strong again, we moved back and settled -in Gay Street. But the farm is home--always -will be. My wife feels the same way, though -she was a city girl. She 'd like to live here now -as much as ever."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't wonder. It's one of the pleasantest -farm-houses I ever saw." And Shirley smiled -across the table at Peter as she spoke, meeting -his eyes as he glanced from his father's face to -hers, well pleased to see the elder man looking -as if heartily enjoying himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The tree is only to look at this evening," -announced Jane, when they were all back in -the living-room. "Nothing is to be taken off -it till to-morrow evening."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And we're to be tantalised all that while? -I 'm willing to see it shorn of its fruit any time -after I 've made a quick trip to town--which -will be the first thing to-morrow morning," said -Murray, with a meaning wink at Peter, who -nodded, comprehending.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Rufus grinned at his father, and a general -spirit of understanding appeared to prevail among -the guests, who had been brought away to the -party without a chance to get together the parcels -they had stowed in sundry secret places.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We 're glad you 're so clever at seeing our -reasons for delay," said Nancy, gazing up into -the thick branches of the tree, her eye upon -various packages of her own, all tied in the -same way, so that they were easily recognisable. -She had worked for months over her gifts, having -little money to spend, but possessing much love -and ten skilful fingers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Meanwhile we must have something doing -this evening," said Rufus. "What shall it be?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How will making candy suit your zest for -sport?" asked Jane.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bully! We haven't made candy since we -grew up--not real candy. I don't count Nan's -caramels and Shirley's fudge. Let's make some -real old-fashioned molasses candy, and </span><em class="italics">pull</em><span> it!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What else, at the old farm? As soon as the -kitchen is clear we 'll go out," and Jane -disappeared, to hasten operations in the kitchen by -tying on an apron and wiping dishes herself -with Norah. Her blithe talk, while her fingers -flew, kept both Cook and Norah smiling while -they worked, and the big farm-house kitchen -was soon in spotless order.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It does be after doin' me good to work in a -place like this again," declared Cook, as she helped -Jane measure out molasses and get the big kettle -on. "It's not that I don't like the tiles and the -copper and all the conveniences of my kitchen -in the city. But when a person has been brought -up in the country, there 's always the fondness -clingin' to them for the old ways, even if they 're -a bit inconvenient. See the gourd dipper, now, -Norah. Will you say that water does n't taste -better out of it than from granite ware?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never saw a dipper like this before," -answered Norah, who had been born in town, and -could hardly share Cook's enthusiasm for these -details of country living.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">She</em><span> knows what I mean," said Cook, with -a nod of the head after her young mistress, just -departing. "Sure, I have n't seen such a sparkle -in the eyes of her since she came to live at the house. -She 's not born to be a great lady, just a home-keeping -one. And that's the best sort, to my mind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then she beckoned Norah away, and they -fled up the back stairs, just as the sounds of -approaching feet warned them that the company -were coming.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Jolly! This is the stuff!" exulted Rufus, -bursting first into the kitchen. "Doesn't that -smell like the real thing? Tie an apron on me -and let me take charge of the kettle. The rest -of you can grease tins. I 'll offer a prize for -the whitest candy. Secure your partners for -the pulling!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I have the honour?" and Peter made -his best bow to Shirley as she appeared from the -pantry, her hands full of shining tins.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course you may, if you 'll show me how. -I never pulled candy in my life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your education has been appallingly -insufficient, in spite of those two years in England. -But I used to be pretty good at it, and we 'll take -the prize if you follow directions. Please begin -by taking off those rings!" commanded Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley obediently slipped off several pretty -rings. Then she tied on a small and frivolous -apron, at which Peter frowned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you call that absurdity of lace and ribbons -an apron?" he demanded. "What do you suppose -will happen to it if you drop a hunk of candy -in the sticky stage on it? Here, I 'll get you -one of grandma's--they 're worth something." Shirley -presently found herself invested in a -bountifully made apron of checked white material, -with a bib and strings, which nearly covered her -from sight. "Now you're safe--and so is -the candy. The minute it's fairly cool, we 'll seize -a generous portion and get away to some cool -spot with it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was some time before this stage in the -operations was reached, and meanwhile Peter found -himself obliged to share his partner with Ross -and Rufus, who had no idea of allowing -monopolies, with no other girls present but Nancy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The elder people, however, proved themselves -nearly as good company as the younger ones, -for everybody seemed to have adopted the spirit -of the season and to be ready for as much -fun-making as possible. And to the great satisfaction -of both Peter and Shirley, not the least care-free -of the company seemed Mr. Joseph Bell himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To Peter, especially, watching his father with -an eye which took note, as the others could not, -the very evident relaxation and refreshment of -the occasion were a source of deep satisfaction. -For once the son felt that he could himself relax and -dare to get out of the hour all the joy there was in it. -Happiness of this sort could not hurt, he was -sure. It could only help.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Our panful is cool enough!" declared Peter, -flourishing the blue-and-white-checked gingham -apron which veiled his long legs, as he returned -from the porch, where the candy had been cooling. -"Now, partner, hands buttered, courage good? -Stand ready to take hold when I say the word, -I 'll work the lump into malleable condition. -Open the door into the wood-shed, please. We 'll -do our pulling there, if it's not too cool for you; -then we 'll not get stuck."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">Ooh-h-h!</em><span>" Shirley gave a little shriek as -Peter presently, with a deft pull of his big lump -into a long, smooth skein, handed her one end -with the injunction to draw it out quickly and -swing it back to him. "But it's hot!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course it is, Miss Tender-Fingers! If -we let it get comfortably cool we could n't pull -it at all. Keep hold--keep it moving. Don 't -let it stay in your fingers long enough to stick. -Pull--swing--pull--swing! Hold on! You're -getting stuck! Wait a minute!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't do anything but wait!" gasped Shirley, -holding up ten fingers hopelessly embedded in -a mass of uncomfortably warm material.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What! Can this be the expert stenographer, -all balled up in a couple of quarts of molasses? -Hold still! Don't try to work out. I 'll pull -you loose. Don't let the others see. Keep -away from that kitchen door!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Rufus, pulling smoothly away from Jane, -with the art acquired by much practice in past -years, spied out the tangled ones. His shout -of laughter brought all the others toward the -wood-shed door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley and Peter were obliged to return to -the kitchen to obtain butter for the stuck-up -fingers. They fell into a state of great -merriment over the situation, in which everybody -else joined appreciatively, and the old kitchen -rafters rang with the laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where would the stage apron be now? This -is no gallery play!" jeered Peter, rescuing one -long string of brownish-yellow sweetness from -the front of Shirley's big white apron. "Want -a taste? Shut your eyes and open your mouth!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, thank you. Eat it yourself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will," and Peter tipped back his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this interesting moment the door between -dining-room and kitchen swung open. A figure -appeared upon the threshold--a figure clad in -silk and furs, topped by a Parisian bonnet. -Over its shoulder showed the heads of two -others--one wearing a wonderful hat covered with -fine black ostrich-plumes, the other its own thin -thatch of short, iron-gray hair.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have found you at last!" said the voice -of Mrs. Harrison Townsend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Behind her, Olive burst into a musical peal -of laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look at Shirley, mother! Don't you think -it's about time we came home to prevent her -quite returning to childhood?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then Mr. Harrison Townsend, from the -background:--"This is rather stealing a march on -you, good friends. But we found our own -house dark--and this is Christmas eve!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="peter-reads-rhymes"><span class="large">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">PETER READS RHYMES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Stay? Of course you'll stay!" declared -Grandfather Bell to Mr. and Mrs. Townsend. -"It'll do you good after all your junketing, -and we'll be mightily pleased to have you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It had not taken much persuasion. There -certainly was a charm pervading the old -farmhouse, and the thought of resting quietly there -for a few days appealed to Mrs. Townsend. -Her husband was delighted at the plan, for he had -been persuaded to join his wife abroad, and -several months of European travel had wearied -him. Everything simple and homelike attracted -him now more than ever. It had been his -restlessness which had brought his party home a -month before the date originally set for their -return.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If there had been a goodly number of packages -upon the Christmas tree on Christmas eve, -there were more than double that number by -the evening of Christmas day. Not only had -Murray and Peter made an excursion to town, -but Mrs. Townsend, mindful of many intended -gifts stored away in her trunks, had sent Olive -in with the others to get them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the Christmas dinner was over, Rufus -proposed that the clan go out for an hour's skating -on a pond not far away. "We can enjoy that -tree a lot better if we have some good brisk -exercise beforehand," he asserted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't skate," said Olive, looking as if she -wished she did.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come along with us just the same," urged -Ross, "and we 'll take turns, not exactly 'sitting -out' with you, but walking up and down the -shore. Or--we'll teach you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive declined to be taught, but agreed to -accompany the others. Promenading along the -bank, fur-wrapped, her dark beauty made brilliant -by the frosty air which nipped her cheeks, she -was a figure to compel attention. She had never -seemed more companionable than now, and both -Ross and Rufus enjoyed, with more zest than -they had anticipated, the period allotted to them -for bearing her company. Murray, observing -her with brotherly penetration, found her -decidedly improved, and wondered what had happened -during the months of her absence to make her -so much more appreciative of her family's society -than she had been wont to be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Peter, in his turn, came to offer himself -as partner in her exile from the gaieties going -on upon the ice, she greeted him with a smile -so radiant that he looked at her in wonder. The -old friendship between the two, begun in the -earlier days of their acquaintance, and carried -on through several years, while they grew from -boy and girl to man and woman, had waned -and nearly died of neglect on both sides during -the past two years. Each had become absorbed -in pursuits so different that they had little in -common, and Olive, especially, had seemed to -outgrow the traits of frankness and friendliness -which had made Peter like her in spite of many -obvious faults. Before she went away, he had -come to think of her as hopelessly spoiled and -artificial. But now--had something changed -her point of view?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A few years ago." said Olive, as the two -paced up and down, exchanging comments on -the occurrences of the past months, "I was in a -hurry to be grown up. When I look at Jane -and Shirley and Nancy, after having been away -from them for six months, I realise that their -genius for remaining girls is going to be an -advantage. What a trio they are! Shouldn't -you say they were all three about sixteen?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The three had just joined hands and skated -away from Murray, Ross, and Rufus, who had -promptly started in pursuit. All three wore -skirts of ankle length, short jackets and close -little caps, and none had considered furs a necessary -article of apparel for lively exercise. A blue -silk scarf about Jane's throat and a scarlet one -floating to the breeze from Shirley's furnished -notes of colour to the agile, dark-clad figures, -and three health-tinted, winsome faces looked up -at the two on the bank with a gay greeting as the -trio swung lightly by.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I certainly should," agreed Peter. "I don't -think Jane will ever grow old. Nan is an infant, -and will be for ten years yet, as far as settling -down to consider herself too old for pranks like -that, and I 'm glad of it. As for your sister -Shirley----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell me what you think of Shirley. The -child is a continual puzzle to me; I can't make -her out. This idea of working steadily at earning -a salary in the office seems to be a fixed one, -though I had supposed it only a freak. Does -she look as contented as this all the time, or is it -just the relaxation of the holiday?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should say it was a permanent condition -of mind. She 's more interested to-day in her -work than when she began, and is growing -surprisingly expert. Murray told me yesterday -she wants to tackle the special foreign -correspondence--French, you know. That means a lot of -extra labour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter spoke as if he felt a personal pride in -Shirley's achievements, an attitude which Shirley's -sister was quick to note.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I felt out of patience with you when she began, -for I thought her zeal for making a working-girl -of herself might be of your inspiring," said -Olive, with a quick look at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a bit of it. I never heard of it till she -had been a week at her first studies. How should -I have dared suggest such a course?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You and she seem to be great friends."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do we? It is an honour I appreciate very -much," answered Peter, with a little touch of -courtliness in his manner such as had often -surprised her in the early days of their acquaintance, -and which struck her now as decidedly interesting -in a young man who spent his days in a factory, -even if he was many degrees higher in position -in that factory than when she had first known -him. What his position was at present she did -not guess, nor did she know that Murray had -begun to look at him as a man to be desired in -his own business, a man whose brain was undoubtedly -to make him an important factor wherever -he might be.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What she did recognise was that she had met -few men anywhere who had the power to -command her interest as Peter had always done, -and seemed now more capable of doing than -ever before. As for his looks--she owned to -herself that she had never before realised quite -how fine and resolute and altogether manly was -his whole personality.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Speaking of contentment," said Peter, breaking -the little silence which had followed upon -his last words, "don't you think it follows rather -naturally upon feeling that you are accomplishing -something worth the doing? It does n't make -so much difference what it is; the point is, that -you 're doing it. If it costs effort, so much the -better."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It depends on what you think is worth the -doing," said Olive. "You and I would be apt -to differ on that--as Shirley and I do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not much question of that," admitted Peter, -smiling. He gave her one of his clear-sighted -glances, under which she shrank a little though -she did not show it. It made her say, rather -defiantly:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course you think, as you always did, -that I 'm the most useless creature living, and -that my ideals are about as insignificant as the -amount of actual work I do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Their eyes met, hers black and sparkling, -his gray and steady and cool. He studied her -for an instant, with a quality in his intent scrutiny -before which her eyes went down. She was used -to admiration in men's observation of her, and -though that element could hardly be lacking -in Peter's, since he was human, and she a more -than ordinarily charming young woman, there -was also in his regard that appearance of taking -her measure, which, quite unconsciously, he -could never help exercising when brought into -contact with men or women. But his words, -when they came, were gentle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you don't mind my saying so, I think -you 're capable of things so well worth while -that your life might be a wonderful thing to you. -You could, if you cared to, do what you pleased -with almost anybody. You have the art, the -magnetism--whatever it may be--of the born -leader. The only trouble is--you don't much -mind--do you?--which way you lead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This from Peter Bell! For a minute Olive -was left speechless. Yet it was impossible to -resent his frank putting of the case, for it conveyed -something which gave her a distinct pleasure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm not sure whether I ought to be angry -with you or not," she said, after a minute.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please don't be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When did you take up the profession of preacher?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the queen?" suggested Peter, with an -odd smile. "But you 're at liberty to order my -head off at any minute, you know. Or to preach -back--which would be worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In spite of this passage-at-arms, they were -both laughing when the others came up with the -announcement that it was time to go back to the -house. But Peter's keen speech sank in; Olive -did not forget it soon. And somehow, she was -more than ever sure that Peter himself was well -worth cultivating.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I never was so excited over a Christmas -tree as over this one," confided Nancy to Shirley, -as the two dressed for the evening. The -Christmas dinner had taken place, after the country -fashion, in the middle of the afternoon. It was -now six o'clock, and the evening was before -them. No supper was in order, after the -tremendous banquet at three o'clock; but Jane had -provided certain light refreshments of the -decorative sort; salad and sandwiches, gay-coloured -ices and bonbons, cakes and a great bowl of -fruit punch, all of which waited in a cool spot -ready for the serving by the young people -themselves. Cook and Norah had been sent into town, -for a celebration of their own with friends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, oh! What a pretty frock!" cried Nancy, -as her friend shook out a soft silken fabric of pale -gray, lighted up here and there with small sprigs -of scarlet flowers, with belt and long streamers -of scarlet velvet to match.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you like it? It's my one French gown, -and an inexpensive one, too, but it looks festal, -and I thought I 'd christen it to-night. Will -you wear the one I have for you? I meant to -put it on the tree, but it occurred to me you -might like to wear it and keep me company," -and Shirley pulled a long box from under the -valance of the high 'four-poster' bed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are the dearest thing that ever lived!" -cried Nancy, going down on her knees before -the box, and lifting out the frock of pale blue -veiling, with its trimmings of flowered ribbon, -a girlish creation of the sort to please young eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a very happy pair of maids who descended -the staircase together. They were happy, -however, in two quite different ways. Nancy's -cup was overflowing in the delight of her pretty -finery; but it was a joy of another sort which -made Shirley's heart beat high. Under the folds -of gray with the scarlet flowers a small envelope -lay hidden, over the contents of which the girl -had spent an anxious hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There has not been room to tell of it in this -brief chronicle, but for the last month Shirley -had been having consultations with Murray -over an important subject--the matter of an -investment she wished to make. She owned -not a small amount of property, in stocks and -bonds, an inheritance from her grandfather, the -management of which had been put into her -hands by her father as a matter of education. -Within a few weeks a chance for profitable investment -of a portion of this holding had appealed to her, -and after a spirited argument with her brother, -she had received his sanction in the course she -was eager to adopt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The legal part of the transaction had been -completed two days before Christmas, and since -then Shirley had been greatly occupied in spare -moments with the composition of something -which might seem to have small connection with -so prosaic a subject as the transfer of certain -legal documents from one pair of hands to another. -She was not yet satisfied with the result of her -endeavours, being no poet, but the best burlesque -production of which she had been capable had -been carefully copied on her typewriter, and -was now reposing where its presence considerably -quickened the heart-beats under the scarlet -flowers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At a moment when she was alone in the room -Shirley slipped round behind the tree, and -extracting the envelope from its agitating position, -quickly, although with fingers which mixed -themselves up a little, tied it in an obscure place -beneath a bough, where a gay golden ball -nearly hid it from view.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come out! Come out!" commanded Rufus, -as, arriving upon the scene, he spied her. -"Absolutely not a feather's weight more allowed on -that tree. There never was a tree so bowed -down with care as that one. Nor another small -boy so impatient to begin as this one. I caught -sight of my name on that package six feet long -under there, and I 've been delirious with suspense -ever since."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As soon as Santa Claus arrives," promised -Jane, who had agreed with Shirley that no -accompaniment of the traditional Christmas should -be lacking, although there were no small children -present to be edified by the sight of the patron -saint. Older people, as she well knew, -frequently enjoy a return to childish means of -entertainment, and when Santa Claus, in full rig, -walked into the room, she was not surprised -to see the looks of greatest pleasure upon the -faces of Grandfather and Grandmother Bell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter made a capital Santa Claus, treating -them all as children, and making speeches as he -presented the gifts which brought forth peals -of merriment. The gifts themselves were many -and varied, from the mittens knit by Grandmother -Bell's skilful fingers, to the silken scarfs -and fans and foreign photographs which were -the contributions of the travelled Townsends.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Skees!" cried Rufus, going into contortions -of ecstasy over Murray's present, and clumping -up and down the room on the unwieldy articles. -"Won't I get out to-morrow night on that hill -back of the pond!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Such beautiful lace I never saw," said -Mrs. Joseph Bell to Mrs. Townsend, her fingers -caressing the exquisite tracery of the pattern -lying in her lap, which had come to her "with -the love of Eleanor Forrest Townsend."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought it looked like you," returned -Mrs. Townsend, who was looking very much pleased -herself over a handkerchief wrought by Nancy's -clever art. The others were busy over their -gifts; it was a pandemonium of exclamations -and congratulations, expressions of gratitude and -observations of wonder and delight. Shirley, -her lap full of parcels, tissue-paper, ribbons, -and cards of presentation, talking and exclaiming -with the rest, was yet keeping her eye on Santa -Claus, as he stripped the tree. She was watching -for the moment when he should find that envelope. -When it came, she meant to be out of the room -and away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Santa Claus dropped a fresh package -into her lap. She recognised the saint's -own handwriting on the wrapper--a bolder, -firmer hand than one would have expected from -a gentleman with so long and snowy a beard. -She opened it with strong anticipation, and found -within a set of note-books of special style and -quality, evidently made to order, for the binding -was of a beautiful texture of leather, and the -paper within of the best known to trade--the -thin India, used only for fine work. Her name, -delicately stenciled on the covers, completed a -gift which appealed to the girl with a sense of the -thought and care put into its make-up. She -looked up, to find Santa Claus's eyes watching -her from behind the tree, his lips smiling beneath -the white beard, for her surprise and pleasure -were plainly to be read upon her face. She -nodded at him, colouring rosily--a picture, -in her gray and scarlet frock, as she sat upon the -floor surrounded by her gifts, the sight of which -was quite sufficient to reward any giver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Almost everything was off the tree. "Hello, -here 's something I nearly missed!" murmured -Santa Claus, catching sight of the corner of the -white envelope beneath the golden ball. Shirley -looked up quickly, saw him struggling with the -red ribbon which tied the envelope in place, -and rose to her feet, letting a lapful of -miscellaneous articles slide to the floor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Everybody was busy, and only Mrs. Bell -noticed, and said, gently, "Look out, dear, you 're -dropping things." But Shirley was gone, through -the crowd of people and packages, to the door, -and had closed it softly behind her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter had already had a gift from Shirley, a -little thing. She was not the girl to present -any man with a keepsake more valuable than -the small book of modern verse which had in -it certain stirring lines that she knew would be -a stimulus to him. So when he saw his own -name in typewriting upon the envelope, he -opened it without much consideration, thinking -it a joke of Ross's or Rufus's. But a second -envelope was fitted inside the first, and it was -labeled, "Please don't read this in public."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His curiosity was awakened now, and slipping -the communication into his pocket, he -summarily finished his duties by distributing -the few remaining parcels without comment, -and then walked away out of the room. It had -occurred to him that that note-paper was of a sort -that he had seen once or twice before, when Shirley -had had occasion to send him a note of invitation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Outside in the hall, which was dimly lighted by -an oil side-lamp screwed to the wall, Peter opened -his inner envelope. Still in typewritten characters -was a set of rhymes, cast in a popular fashion used -by makers of humorous doggerel. His eye ran -over them hurriedly, with a low ejaculation of -astonishment and incredulity at the end; then -he read them again more intently, looking as if -he could not believe the evidence of his eyes, -They ran thus:</span></p> -<blockquote> -<div> -<div class="line-block outermost"> -<div class="line"><span>A farm owned by people named Bell</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was a place where a Thorn would fain dwell.</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>So he bought up a mortgage,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Intending to war wage</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>On the property-owners named Bell.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="line"><span>Now one of the Bells, christened Peter,</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Thought life would be fuller and sweeter</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>If the farm could be shorn</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Of this sharp-pricking Thorn,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>For he feared a foreclosure, did Peter.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -<div class="line"><span>A designing young person called Townsend</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>Was seeking investment (cash down), and</span></div> -<div class="inner line-block"> -<div class="line"><span>She purchased the mortgage.</span></div> -<div class="line"><span>She never will war wage,</span></div> -</div> -<div class="line"><span>She'll never foreclose, will S. Townsend.</span></div> -<div class="line"> </div> -</div> -</div> -</blockquote> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Peter had noticed, if nobody else had, when -Shirley went out of the room. He now -understood her sudden disappearance. He made a -quick trip through the lower part of the house, -paper in hand, his questioning gaze penetrating -every corner. She was not in the sitting-room, -or the dining-room, or the kitchen--at least he -thought she was not, although he even looked -into the wood-shed. As he was returning through -the kitchen, an expression of determination on -his face not wholly obscured by his patriarchal -beard, whose hitherto uncomfortable presence -he had quite forgotten, a slight movement of the -pantry door caught his eye. He seized the -door-knob. It would not turn for a moment; then it -slipped slowly round, for his fingers were stronger -than hers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two confronted each other--the white-bearded -gentleman, with the figure of an athlete -and the eyes of an excited youth, and the slim -girl in the gray silk, with cheeks like her scarlet -ribbons.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What does this mean?" demanded Santa -Claus. He put forth one vigorous arm and drew the -runaway out from the closet by her resisting hand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just what it says, I should think," answered -Shirley, bravely, although trembling. Had she -offended him? Through the whole transaction -that had been the one burden of her anxiety. -"It doesn't say it very clearly, but she never -tried writing limericks before. They 're not so -easy as you might think."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She! Who?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'S. Townsend.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you mean to say you 've actually bought -that mortgage?":</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Murray did the business. I didn't see Mr. Thorn."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you own the mortgage?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thorn did n't want to sell it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No--but he had to take payment if it -came when the mortgage matured."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is n't due for six weeks yet."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He did n't mind being paid sooner, when -he found all hope of the chance of foreclosing -was gone."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He would n't sell for the face of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm not familiar with business terms," urged -Shirley.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not? A girl who holds a position with -Townsend & Company! Tell me, Shirley--you -did n't get that mortgage six weeks before it -was due, for the face value of it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not quite."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How much did you pay?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not more than it was worth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please tell me </span><em class="italics">how much more</em><span> you paid."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think that's my affair," said Shirley, with -her head up. But her eyes were down.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a silence. Peter put his hand -to his mouth with intent to cover a sudden urgent -and unwonted necessity to steady his lips. He -encountered the beard, tore it off, and cast the -wig beside it upon the floor. A young man with -a face of mingled light and shadow emerged -from the disguise of the elderly one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I didn't know that, with this farm as -security, you 'd made a safe investment, I -could n't stand this." he said, in a low tone. -"But I know that making a safe investment -was the last thing you cared about. You wanted -to stand by in a time of need--and you 've done it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You mustn't think," said Shirley, looking -up eagerly, "that you 're under the least obligation -to me. It's just as you say. The farm itself -is more than security. It's merely a matter -of business. You know, I 'm learning to manage -my little affairs. Father thought it would be -good for me. And a change of investment -like this is great fun."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter looked at her steadily. "Oh, no, we 're -not under the least obligation to you!" he -answered. "It's very easy to find people to take -a mortgage at terms that will induce a man to -sell it who 's looking for a chance to foreclose--that's -why I have n't done any worrying about -the matter! Shirley--you 're----" he seized her -hand. "You're----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It 's all right," said Shirley, turning her head -away with a sudden access of shyness. There -was no knowing what terms Peter might be going -to use, when his voice dropped to that vibrating -note.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But she did not escape. Peter was ordinarily -a self-controlled young man, with a cool head -not likely to be carried away by sudden emotion. -But he had a warm heart, none the less, and the -girl's friendly act had touched him deeply. -Besides, he was, as has been admitted before, -entirely human, and Shirley, in her gray and -scarlet, with her brilliant cheeks and drooping eyes, -was a very captivating figure. Tightening his -grasp upon her hand he ended his impulsive -speech half under his breath with--"You 're -the--dearest--girl in the world!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What he would have said--or done--next -can only be conjectured, for upon this unexpected -and most disconcerting demonstration Shirley -pulled her hand away and ran--somewhere--anywhere--she -did not just know where. In -this indefinite region she remained for fully half -an hour. In the end she had to come back to -the living-room, but when she did it was not to -look at Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Peter himself, when he had got rid of -his Santa Claus costume and put himself in -order again, he also came back to the living-room. -His face had been put in order as well as his dress, -and nobody noticed anything odd about him. -But there </span><em class="italics">was</em><span> something odd about him--very -odd. He felt like a railway locomotive off the -track, obliged to convey to the beholders, by its -steadiness of gait, the impression that it was -still on!</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-red-glare"><span class="large">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">A RED GLARE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"By all that's astonishing, are you actually -idling? And may I come and idle, too?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley looked up from the depths of one of -the capacious willow chairs, which, well stocked -with cushions, were favourite lounging-places -upon the great side porch of the Townsend house, -and from which one could look out over a long -and charming stretch of lawn toward the tennis-court.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a warm evening in late May. Everybody -else was away, and Shirley had settled -herself for one of the rare hours of rest and solitude -which she so much enjoyed when her work was -done. But she answered Brant Hille cordially:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course you may, if you will be nice and -soothing. These first warm days make me feel -a trifle lazy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not strange, when you spend them in a -stuffy office." Brant accepted the cushions she -tossed to him, and disposed himself comfortably -upon them on the top step near her feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The office is n't stuffy. I 've sat by a -wide-open window all day. Besides, the first thing -Murray did when he went in with father was -to overhaul our whole system of ventilation. -So the office is never stuffy, even in winter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be belligerent, or I 'll not be responsible -for the soothing effects of my society. What -can I do to lull you to repose? You don't like -banjo music, or I 'd have brought my banjo over. -It's just the evening for that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you had, you'd have gone home again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You </span><em class="italics">are</em><span> in a sweet mood!" Brant spoke -with the familiarity of old acquaintance. "Would -you object to telling me what's gone wrong with -your ladyship?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't find out the French for certain phrases -it's necessary to use in the correspondence we -have on hand just now. There are no equivalents -for the idioms that I can discover as yet, and -it's most important that I get them right. I 've -practically had to make a phrase-book for myself -so far, because the dictionaries and hand-books -don't give the terms I want. I got hold of some -old correspondence last week that helped me -immensely, but to-day I was completely baffled. -I suppose it has got on my nerves, and made me -fractious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Yet she did not look particularly nerve-worn, -lying there in the low chair, in her thin white -frock, her round arms resting upon the arms -of the chair, her head thrown back, as she -regarded her visitor from under low-sweeping lashes. -Neither did she look in the least like the young -woman of business she had become.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brant was always trying to convince himself -that her work was spoiling her--it would be a -comforting realisation if he could think it. But -as often as he had succeeded in making himself -half believe that some other girl, whose ways -of living were such as he approved, was nearly -as attractive as Shirley Townsend, just so often -did the sight of Shirley in some unbusinesslike -surroundings upset his convictions. To-night -she looked particularly feminine and alluring, in -spite of her avowed fractiousness and her -explanation of the cause.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All baffling things wear on one," he answered, -with an air of being sympathetic. "I know -how it is, from experience. I 'd like a dictionary -or a phrase-book myself--one that would tell -me what to say to you when you want to be -'soothed.' Shall I go in and get a book of verse -and read aloud to you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please don't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Fiction, then?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Worse and worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"History? Philosophy? Science? Travel?--Or humour?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None of them. I don't like to be read to--as a duty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Duty! I'd be delighted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should n't, then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What </span><em class="italics">do</em><span> you want?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Silence, I think," said the girl in the chair, -with a mischievous look at the back of her -companion's head. Her face was demure again, -however, when he turned. "Don't you like just -to sit and gaze off into space on a languid night -like this, and say nothing at all?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you prefer to have me go home----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not in the least. I 'd like to know you were -there on call--if you would n't talk."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A silence of some length ensued. Brant stared -moodily off over the darkening lawn, watching -distant electric lights twinkle into existence -along the rows of tree-tops which outlined the -streets. Shirley closed her eyes. She really -was more weary than she knew. It had been -a busy winter in the office, and she had worked -hard to be able to fill the place she held. Her -achievements in the matter of the technical -French correspondence had proved of -considerable importance to the firm, and her -satisfaction at becoming so useful had led her to -spend much of her spare time in making herself -proficient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was fully fifteen minutes--he thought it -at least an hour--before Brant looked around. -He had vowed to himself that he would give her -all the silence she wanted, that he would not speak -until she spoke. But after a time her absolute -motionlessness struck him as caused by something -even less flattering to himself than her desire -for absence of speech.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Confound it--I believe she 's gone to sleep!" -he said to himself, and rose abruptly, to stand -looking down at her, discomfited and very nearly -angry. Of all the odd girls, one who would tell -you to stop talking, and then go off to sleep in -your presence, was certainly the oddest. He -supposed she might be tired, and with reason, -but--to go to sleep!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The shaded electric bulbs, which hung at each -corner of the porch, at this moment came glowingly -into life, as somebody within switched on the -current. They were not designed to illuminate -the porch strongly, only to turn its gloom into a -mellow moonlight effect. But the light was -quite sufficient to show Brant that although -Shirley's lashes still swept her cheek, her lips -were smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was a frightful test of your friendship, -n't it?" she murmured, without opening her -eyes. "But you did nobly. I never thought -you could hold out so long!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You--rascal! I 'll wager you wanted to -talk, yourself, after a while."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course I did. The minute a woman -gets what she wants, she wants--something else."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it now? Me to go home?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How distrustful of yourself you are to-night!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's the effect you usually have on me." Brant -drew up a chair. "Shirley," he began -again abruptly, "do you know what I wish?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you want to know it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not badly."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't care a straw for me, do you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Several straws."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You do! I say----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A door opened. Sophy said, deferentially, -"You 're wanted at the telephone, if you please, -Miss Shirley."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley vanished. Brant rose and paced about -the porch, waiting.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course it's no use!" he said, discontentedly, -to himself. "I 've got as far as this forty -times--and no farther. The next thing she did would -be to throw a soaking wet blanket over me. I -ought to be used to it. But she might at least take -me seriously. She never does. It 's no good--this -growing up with a girl and then trying to -convince her that you mean anything when you speak!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Inside, Shirley was listening to a rapid fire -of words which woke her up as thoroughly as -anything had ever done in her life. They came -in the voice of Peter Bell, a voice at once excited -and controlled:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shirley, the factory is on fire. I don't want -father to hear about it--he 'd come down--you -understand. Will you think up some way -to get him off with yourself for the next hour? -We 'll probably have to turn in a general alarm, -and if we do, somebody 'll be sure to call him -up and tell him. That 's all. I can count on you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes--yes. Peter----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Peter was already gone. Evidently he -had no time to spare for answering questions. -Shirley turned away from the telephone, thinking -rapidly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She knew that Mr. Joseph Bell was at home, -for she had seen him, an hour earlier, training -vines over the front porch. She understood that -Peter had remained for late work at the factory -office, as he so often did, although it was -now nearly nine o'clock. And she knew well -that it would never do for Peter's father to go -down to the burning building--the excitement of -a great fire at his own place of business would be -the worst thing in the world for him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Joseph Bell had kept steadily on at his -work throughout the year, and nothing that -Peter had feared had happened. It had been -arranged somehow so that the most fatiguing -part of his duties now came upon the broad -shoulders of the son instead of the bent ones of -the father. But it was as necessary as ever -that there should be no sudden strain, either -physical or mental, and it was this which she -now must prevent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brant Hille, waiting impatiently outside, saw -Shirley fly back to him, and looked up at her -with gratification. But her first words made -him sit up, for she spoke in haste:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Brant, is your car ready for a start?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Always is. Want to----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you get it--quick? The Armstrong -paper-factory is on fire. Mr. Bell mustn't -know it. I can't stop to explain. I must get -him away where he won't hear. I 'll go ask -him and Mrs. Bell to take a drive with us--out -to the farm, perhaps. I 'll run over. You -drive round there--will you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why on earth should n't he know? He----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, don't stop to talk about it. I 'll tell -you afterward. The general alarm may go in -any minute, and somebody will telephone him -if he's at the house. Quick--please!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Of course Brant did not understand, but -Shirley's manner was not to be taken lightly. -Even as she spoke she left him and ran indoors -again. Well, if he could serve her, it would be -better than having to sit beside her in silence -while she thought about technical French phrases. -Besides, he was an enthusiastic motorist, and a -hurry call for the car always gave him more or -less pleasure. He bolted across the lawn, through -the hedge by a short cut to the street, and so to -his own home, on the farther side of Worthington -Square.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley hurried across Gay Street, having -stopped only to pick up a long coat and scarf. -She caught sight of Mrs. Bell's light skirt at the -edge of the vine-screen of the porch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Isn't it a perfect night?" Mrs. Bell heard -a familiar, clear-toned voice ask. "Don't you -and Mr. Bell want to take a gentle little spin -down Northboro road in Mr. Hille's car? He 's -asked me out, and given me leave to invite -whomever I want. I 'd love to have you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Brant Hille--inviting Mr. and Mrs. Joseph -Bell to go motoring with him at nine -o'clock on a May evening--there was no precedent -for this! But Mrs. Bell, with the intuition -of the mother of young people, thought she -understood. Shirley wanted a chaperon, and -her kind young heart prompted her to ask a -pair who were not much accustomed to the delights -of automobiling in the moonlight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, yes, we'll go," said Mr. Bell, getting -up from his rocking-chair. "We 're all alone -to-night--the young people are off at a party. -If you 'll persuade the young man not to put on -too much speed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So in less than five minutes the party were -settling themselves in the big green car, its -headlights making a wide, brilliant track before it -down the quiet street.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All ready?" asked Hille, and started the -car. As it began to move, the distant but -distinct sound of a telephone-bell struck upon -Shirley's ear. Mr. Bell turned his head. -"Was that in our house?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. Bell was tying a scarf over her hair, -slightly muffling her ears. She had not heard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go on--fast!" breathed Shirley in Hille's -ear. The street was nearly empty, and he -obeyed. For a moment Mr. Bell's attention -was taken by the new sensation of speed,--not -appreciable speed, from the motorist's stand-point, -because the car was within city limits, but -to the novice considerable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the intersection of Gay Street with Conner -Street it was possible to look for a moment straight -down toward the heart of the city, into the -business district. A red glare was plainly visible, -although partly dimmed by hundreds of twinkling -electric lights between.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Must be a big fire," said Mr. Bell, straining -his eyes to see. Then the trees and houses hid -the city from view. "It was down our way, -too. I wish I could telephone the factory and -find out. Peter's there. He 'd know. Might -be that was our telephone-bell that rang."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did n't hear any bell, dear," his wife assured him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A fire always looks nearer than it is," said -Hille, over his shoulder, driving on without -diminishing his speed. Instead, he accelerated -it. The street was a quiet one, there was nobody -in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One summer, when I was a little girl, and -we were staying in the country, father and I -walked half a mile to see a fire--and found a -big red moon coming up behind the trees," said -Shirley, and talked lightly on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Brant seconded her efforts with skill, for which -she inwardly thanked him, and between them -they soon had the thoughts of their guests far -away from the dangerous subject. They ran -quickly through the suburbs out into the open -country, taking the Northboro road, for that -course led directly away from the red glare which, -as Shirley covertly glanced back from time to -time, could be clearly perceived on the western -side of the city behind them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gaily as she talked and laughed, the girl's -thoughts were with Peter. He was somewhere -back in that red glare, working, without doubt, -if there were anything for him to do. She was -thankful that it was after hours, and that there -were probably few of the factory hands about -the place, yet there were undoubtedly many -things to be saved in the office--books and papers -and drawings. She knew Peter well enough to -be sure that his own personal safety would be -the last thing he would think of, so long as he -could do what might look like his duty to the house -he served.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Bells did not know how far they went, -nor did they guess at what a pace. Brant's -machine was a fine one, and he was an expert -at smooth running. The flight through the -warm moonlight was a delightful experience, -for few curves and no sharp grades gave accent -to the speed, and the hour flew by as swiftly -as the road. When they turned again toward -the city, the crimson glow upon the clouds had -gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The fire is out," remarked Mr. Bell, as they -arrived at the top of a small hill in the suburbs, -from which he could see into the heart of the -business district. "Hope it was n't as serious as it -looked."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Brant's eyes and Shirley's, younger and -sharper, could make out a dense mass of smoke -hanging over the place where the flames had been.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It won't do to take them home yet," thought -the girl, setting her wits at work again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The result was an invitation to the Bells to -alight at the great porch of the Townsend house, -instead of in Gay Street, with the promise of -some light refreshment. At first they shook -their heads; but Hille declared so loudly that -he knew what Shirley had to offer, and could -not think of letting them down short of the full -measure of the entertainment, that there seemed -to be no way out without spoiling the pleasure -of the two young people. So presently they were -all partaking of a hastily concocted iced drink, -served with tiny cakes, and laughing over Hille's -stories of certain college incidents, which he -told with gusto, incited thereto by Shirley's -whispered, "You 're helping me splendidly. -Please keep it up, and I 'll be forever in your debt."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If there's any way of making you forever -in my debt," Brant made reply under his breath, -"I 'll do a continuous performance for your -friends till daylight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But such an effort as this would have been was -unnecessary. Mrs. Bell presently took her -husband away, and since it was a late hour, and no -other chaperons appeared upon the scene, Brant was -forced to go, also. He was obliged to give up -making any further attempts at gaining headway -in Shirley's good graces, for although she -dismissed him with hearty thanks, it was with an -air of abstraction hardly to be wondered at. Her -one desire was to hear the telephone-bell ring -again, and learn that although the factory might -have burned to the ground, no lives were lost--and -that not a hair of her friend's head was hurt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She stood alone upon the porch, waiting -anxiously, when the Townsend landau drove -in at the gate, bringing home Murray and Jane, -who had been out to dinner.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There she is," said Murray, with suppressed -excitement. The next instant he was out, had -whirled Jane out also, and was grasping his -young sister's hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be frightened--it 's all right. But -a few things have happened this evening. The -Armstrong factory----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know. Is it gone?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the foundations. Peter found the fire, -fought it alone till the firemen came, rescued -the night-watchman--played the leading part -generally--till an accident put him out. My -word!--that fellow----Well--he 's all right, but -he 's burned a bit, and his leg 's broken. He -was so confoundedly risky, trying to save the last -calendar on the wall----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"St. Martin's Hospital. We 've just come -from there. He got his knock-out the first -half-hour after the thing began, so there 's been time -to get him fixed up. Our man Larrabee was -at the fire, saw Peter put into the ambulance, -and telephoned me at the Kingsfords'. Tried -three times to get his people at home, but could n't. -See here, he wants you to tell his mother--says -Jane is too much upset."</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 60%" id="figure-50"> -<span id="larrabee-was-at-the-fire-and-saw-peter-put-into-the-ambulance"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=""'LARRABEE WAS AT THE FIRE AND SAW PETER PUT INTO THE AMBULANCE'"" src="images/img-322.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">"'LARRABEE WAS AT THE FIRE AND SAW PETER PUT INTO THE AMBULANCE'"</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley looked at Jane. "I 'm not upset," -said Jane, but her lips were unsteady. Murray -put his arm around her.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You see, Larrabee thought it was worse -than it was with Peter, when they put him in -the ambulance. He was stunned by the fall -that broke his leg. It gave Janey a bad shock, -and no wonder--it did me. But the old boy 's -himself again, all right, and his one idea is to -let his mother know why he does n't come home, -but to keep even the news of the factory fire from -his father to-night, if he can. We don't see why, -but he seems to, so we 'll follow his wishes. It's -the least we can do for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley slipped through the hedge, and slowly -crossed Gay Street in the moonlight. She was -trying hard to be cool and do as Peter wanted -her to do. If she rang, Mr. Bell would come -to the door, and then how should she manage, -what excuse should she give? She thought -of a way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mr. Bell," she said when he appeared, -"Janey 's come home from her party--and she 's -had just a little bit too much party. She feels like -a small girl again, and wants her mother to come -over for a few minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, of course," said Mr. Bell, heartily, -from the shadow of the doorway. "Nothing -much the matter with the little girl?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, no--she 'll be all right in the morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So Mrs. Bell crossed the road with Shirley, -and the girl, with her arm round the elder woman's -shoulders, gently told her the news. Mrs. Bell -took it as Peter had known she would, quietly, -although, aside from his personal injury, there -was much cause for anxious thought in the loss -of the factory and the consequent putting of its -workers out of employment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Peter's mother had gone home again, -resting on Murray's promise that in the morning -he would take her to the hospital, Shirley turned -to her brother. He had taken Jane upstairs, -and come down again, himself too restless to go -to bed. He discovered his sister to be in a like -mood, and they sat down once more in the moonlit -porch to talk it over, regardless of the hour, -which was past midnight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder sometimes," said Murray, suddenly, -when he had told Shirley in detail all -he knew of the events of the evening, "whether -anybody but me fully appreciates that chap, -Peter Bell. Do you know what I' ve been -thinking a long time? That he 's the man we need -at the head of one of our departments. From -all I can learn, he 's been growing as nearly -invaluable to the Armstrongs as a man can be, -yet they have n't raised his salary for two years. -Now 's our chance to jump in and get him. If -I can only convince father--and I think he 's -pretty nearly convinced--I 'll make Peter an -offer to-morrow. Pretty good medicine for a -broken leg and burned hands--eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I should hope it would be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 'd like to see him in the business, would n't you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If you think him fit for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I think him fit! What about you?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can I judge? It's for you to say."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Murray looked sharply at her, in the shaded -light of the electric bulbs. He smiled, for in -spite of her remarkably quiet manner, her fingers, -unconsciously twisting and untwisting her delicate -handkerchief, were, as he put it to himself, -"giving her away." He had an idea that it -mattered a good deal to his sister what Peter -Bell's future might be, although he was confident -that there was no understanding between them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If he knew Peter, that young man was not -the one to ask to marry a rich man's daughter -until his own feet were on substantial ground. -But that Peter cared, and cared very deeply, for -Murray Townsend's sister, Murray was well -assured.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's for me to say, is it?" he went on, wickedly -persisting in his theme. "But it's for you to -think! How about having him round our office -every day--desk next mine--giving you dictation, -now and then, maybe, when it suits me to -put it off on him? Think you could stand it? -Look up at him as coolly as you do at me? Could -you, Miss Townsend, stenographer? See here, -what are you jumping up for?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because you are getting impudent," responded -Miss Townsend, turning her head so that her -face was in shadow. Her heart was beating -so quickly she was afraid her brother would -recognise the fact. It had been an agitating -evening all through, and now this last suggestion -was rather more than she could face with composure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've a notion P. B. himself could put up -with the situation," went on Murray, watching -her. "His dictation might be a trifle flurried -at first, and he might forget himself now and -then, and ignore those purely businesslike relations -which should always exist between a business -man and his stenographer. But I 've no doubt -that by a judicious course of snubbing you -could----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But he was talking to the empty air. By a hasty -flight and the abrupt closing of a door, his sister -had put herself out of range.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="peter-prefers-the-porch"><span class="large">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="medium">PETER PREFERS THE PORCH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"You 're quite sure you want me?" asked Peter Bell.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite sure," replied Murray Townsend. The -two pairs of eyes looked into each other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter's gaze shifted to his father. "I 'll do -it under one condition," he said. "That father -gives up factory work and goes to live at the -old farm."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. Harrison Townsend turned also toward -Mr. Joseph Bell. He smiled slightly, noting -the hesitation of the other man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's time you and I retired, Bell," said he. -"I 've been getting to the point for a long time. -Let's make a bargain of it. If you 'll go back -to the farm, I 'll come and spend a good share -of my time there. I 'd like to help with the -haying. I should enjoy watching the cows -come home. I 'll venture to say I could drive a -mowing-machine--for an hour or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The four men occupied the small rear porch -of the house in Gay Street, looking out on Nancy's -garden. Peter lay upon a couch, his leg in -splints, his hands in bandages. After a few -days at the hospital he had been brought home, -to spend the long hours of his recovery where -he could bear them best. The other three were -close by, Murray nearest. He had put off making -his proposition to Peter until he and his father -could arrive at a perfect agreement as to every -term of the offer.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Joseph Bell met his son's meaning gaze with -understanding. He knew nothing counted with -Peter as did the anxiety over his father's physical -condition. He had kept his boy a long time upon -the rack, because of his own unwillingness to -give up his old work. But the work was taken -away from him now; there would be a considerable -interval before the Armstrongs would be ready -for him again; and he could hardly think of -trying for a new position. Meanwhile, the haying -season was approaching. He thought with longing -of the scent of the newly cut grass. He could -not work hard out under the sun, he knew that; -but--he could play at work. And his friend, -Harrison Townsend, rich man though he was, -was offering to play, too.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He looked at Peter and smiled, under his -short gray beard. Peter smiled back entreatingly. -Slowly Joseph Bell nodded. "All right, -Peter," he said. "I'll let you have your way -at last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a moment Peter could not speak. He -lay with dropped eyelids, fighting lest the sudden -relief from the long strain should unman him -before these who had been paying tribute to his -manhood. But after a short space he looked -from Mr. Townsend to his son.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'll come," said he, and forgetting his -bandaged hands, started to hold one out. Then he -smiled whimsically, and added in an odd tone, -"If you 're not afraid of the bad omen in taking -on a man with a pair of hands like these?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not much, when we remember what put -them in that shape!" declared Murray, in a tone -of great satisfaction; and his father gave an -emphatic assent.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"What do you think 's going to happen </span><em class="italics">now</em><span>?" -cried Nancy, rushing out upon Peter's porch, -a week later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Give it up. But nothing can surprise me, -after recent events," replied Peter, removing -his gaze for a moment from the morning -newspaper pinned up in front of him to the excited -face of his sister, but looking immediately back -again at the absorbing column of business news -he had been with some difficulty perusing. His -hands had been slow in recovering from the -severe injuries they had received.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This will. Somebody's going to be married."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remarkable. But such events have occurred -before in the history of nations," replied her -brother, abstractedly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at the Townsend house, for Murray -married Jane over here. Ah, ha! I thought -you 'd give me your undivided attention at last," -crowed Nancy, triumphantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter did his best to look unconcerned, but -his heart had begun to thump quite suddenly -and disconcertingly. He waited. He forgot the -newspaper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have n't you noticed how devoted Brant -Hille has been for the last year?" Nancy demanded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then you 've been blind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 've been busy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How oddly you speak! Is your throat sore?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't tease, Nan. I'm not up to it." It -was no use trying to look unconcerned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nancy saw, and took pity on him, as she might -not have done if he had been upon his feet. "It's -Olive, then--though I believe I could have made -you think it was Shirley. It's not Brant Hille's -fault that it is n't, I can tell you that. Olive's -going to marry an Englishman she met last -summer abroad--Mr. Arthur Crewe of Manchester. -It's just announced. The wedding 's to be the -first of July. You 'll be on crutches, Peter. -Is n't that lucky? You can go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, yes, I 'll dance at the wedding!" agreed -Peter, looking as if the shot that missed him -had come uncomfortably close.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's going to be a big wedding--a gorgeous -one. Is n't that like Olive? Shirley's to be -maid of honour, and there 'll be six bridesmaids. -Six ushers--and you 'd have been one if you -had n't broken your leg. Olive told me so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Compensation in all things," murmured Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The best man is the Englishman's brother. -Olive says he 's stunning. Would n't it be funny -if he and Shirley should take a fancy to each -other? The maid of honour and the best man -often do, you know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very interesting. I should say you had been -taking a course of novels, you 're so full of -possible plots." And Peter eyed his newspaper as -if he preferred its practical columns to his -sister's outlines of sentimental situations. Nancy -laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shirley's to have a vacation, for a week -before the wedding. Perhaps she 'll find time -to get over to see you oftener, then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She 's been over to see me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many times?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Twice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For how long?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Five minutes, the first time, three, the second."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How many other people present?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A dozen or so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have a satisfactory visit?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, very!" Peter hit the newspaper with -his elbow, and it fell down. "What have you -got it in for me this morning for, Sis?" he -demanded, wrathfully.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Nancy stopped laughing and looked serious. -"It won't hurt you any. It may wake you up. -I just want you to know that I 'm honestly and -truly worried about Brant Hille."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Then she vanished, and Peter lay wishing he -had two good legs, that he might get up and go -and see for himself just how much all this meant. -He read the newspaper no more that morning; -it lay forgotten on the floor where it had fallen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The weeks went by slowly enough to the -convalescent, impatient to begin his new work, -and full of plans for it. Long talks with Murray -helped most to make the waiting endurable, -and the two young men grew to know and respect -each other still more deeply than ever before. -Everybody was kind. Both Mr. and Mrs. Townsend -came often to see Peter; and even -Olive, although at times distraught with the -business of preparation for her approaching -marriage, found a half-hour now and then in -which to slip across to Gay Street and talk -with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At these times she found decided refreshment -in his society, for Peter's ideas on the subject -of matrimony were both novel and sensible, -and in after years she often found herself -remembering and putting into practice one or another -of his quizzical maxims, founded on much shrewd -observation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are coming to my wedding, you know," -she said, on the last of these occasions, three -days before the date set for that event. "And -I want you at dinner the evening before, so you -may get to know Mr. Crewe, and he you, as well -as you can in one short evening. I'm so -disappointed he could n't be here all this week, as -he planned."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Dinners?--weddings?--on these sticks?" -scoffed Peter, that day promoted to crutches and -finding them as yet merely invitations to ironic -humour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly. If you make them an excuse -for staying away, I shall never forgive you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Please let me off from the dinner. If you 'll -put me in the porch, and let me be found there -afterward, I 'll agree, but I can't hobble out to -the table on crutches of torture."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not even to take out Shirley?" Olive glanced -at him mischievously, and saw him colour slightly -as he answered:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That would be an inducement if anything -would. But I 'm sure you 'll adopt my point -of view if I beg you to."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I shall have to send her in with Geoffrey -Crewe--or Brant Hille."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will the men stay behind when the ladies -come out?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, of course."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then I prefer the porch," persisted Peter, -comfortably; and Olive acknowledged that he -had chosen the wiser part.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>So on Tuesday evening, when Shirley, in the -midst of a rainbow-tinted group of young women, -floated airily out from the brightly lighted and -oppressively warm dining-room to the cool, softly -lighted recesses of the great porch, it was with a -sense of refreshing change that she went straight -to the big chair by a pillar, where Peter sat waiting -for her. As she dropped into a low seat by his -side, she thought she had never seen him show -to greater advantage, although he could not -rise to do her honour, and could only say, with -a straight, upward glance, "This is kind of you. -I 've been thinking for an hour how you 'd look -when you came out that door."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do I look it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My imagination fell a long way short. It's -months since I 've seen you in this sort of thing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He indicated her gauzy evening frock of pale -rose-colour. A wreath of tiny rosebuds crowned -her hair; a little silver basket of roses, ribbon-tied, -lay in her lap, a dinner favour like those the others -carried, but suiting her attire with special charm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do you remember our first party?" asked -Shirley, smiling at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I certainly do," Peter assured her. "You -had on a white dress and pink ribbons--pink -slippers, too. You came up and slid your hand -into mine, because you saw I was feeling lonely. -You were jolly kind to me that night, and I never -forgot it. I suppose I was a pitiful object, -standing there looking on, all by myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You did n't look pitiful at all, but rather -superior, if I remember, like a big St. Bernard, -condescending to watch the antics of a lot of -frolicsome terriers."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter threw back his head and laughed low, -with a gleam of white teeth. Whatever there -might have been that was odd about Peter's -appearance at that first party, there could be -no criticism of his looks to-night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive, taking critical note of Shirley's -companion, owned that she should feel no hesitation -in presenting him to Mr. Arthur Crewe and his -brother as a connection of the family. When -that moment arrived, the American and the -Englishmen appeared to take a frank liking -to one another on the spot, for the Crewes both -sat down to talk, and Peter, sitting up, met them -half-way in a cordial effort to become acquainted -in the brief time allotted them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you tell me what you think of him?" It -was Olive, slipping for a moment toward the -end of the evening into the chair by Peter's, he -being temporarily left to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think he's a man," said Peter, heartily, -and to the point. "There 's nothing better I -could say than that, is there?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose not, being one yourself. A woman -would think it necessary to add a number of -complimentary things about his appearance and -his manner and all that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could do that, at a pinch," said Peter, -smiling, "for my memory would tell me that -they were all right, though I thought nothing -about them at the time. I was looking to see -what it was you were going to marry, and I -found out--as far as a half-hour's talk would -show it. I wish you great happiness, Olive--and -I believe you 'll get it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank you," and Olive was gone again, being -in constant demand, as the central figure of the -occasion. She found time, however, to ask -much the same question of Arthur Crewe -concerning Peter Bell, and received so nearly the -same sort of answer that she laughed, and told -him of the similarity in the two estimates.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am flattered," said Crewe, "for I don't -know when I 've met a young American I 've -liked better. He 's both frank and reserved--a -combination which appeals to me. It looks -a bit as if you were going to have him in the -family, I believe you told me? I sincerely hope -you will--though, if you don't mind my saying -it, now that I see your sister, I feel as if I 'd like -to leave Geoffrey here for the summer, with -deliberate intention. I fancy it's too late for -that, though."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm glad you like Peter. It would be too -unkind to the family to take more than one daughter -to England."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"See how well Geoffrey appreciates his -privileges?" whispered Crewe, indicating his brother, -as that personable young man went by with Shirley, -his manner suggesting concentration of attention -upon the subject in hand. Then he looked in -Peter's direction. "The chap in the chair isn't -deserted, is he? I think each bridesmaid has taken -a turn at him, and he seems equal to them all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>However this might have been, Peter found -himself thoroughly weary at the end of the evening, -and glad to be put into a wheeled chair and taken -home, ignominious as that mode of departure -seemed. Arthur Crewe insisted on walking at -Peter's elbow, all the way round to the house in -Gay Street and the two parted with friendly -warmth of good-will on each side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>According to Nancy, who kept Peter informed, -Geoffrey Crewe neglected none of the opportunities -afforded him by his brief visit, and in -one way and another Shirley was kept busy all -the next day. The wedding was to take place -in the evening, so Peter had plenty of time to -rest and reflect on the advantages an able-bodied -man has over a temporary cripple, as he caught -glimpses, from time to time, of such sights as -Shirley driving off in the trap with the younger -Englishman, or sitting beside Brant Hille as he -took a portion of the bridal party away for a -spin in his big green car.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive had chosen to be married at home, so -every effort at effective decoration had been -expended upon the house and grounds in -Worthington Square. For a hot night in July, -it was expected that the outdoor arrangements -would be most popular, and the great lawn, -with its natural beauties of landscape-gardening -enhanced by the devices of electricity and -Chinese lanterns, flowers and bunting, was like a -fairyland.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If a fellow's will amounted to anything, -a scene like this would make him get on his legs, -if both of them were only just out of the -repair-shop!" groaned Peter, as he was brought through -the gates by Rufus at an early hour. He took -note of the paths winding away through the grounds, -made enticing to promenades by every witchery -of art, and his imagination already pictured -Shirley, in her maid-of-honour attire, floating -away down one of them, devotedly attended by -Brant Hille or Geoffrey Crewe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Cheer up. The wounded-hero role is awfully -taking with the girls, you know," consoled -Rufus, divining the tantalising effect of this -stage setting upon his handicapped brother.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wounded hero be shot!" retorted Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be the most soothing thing that could -happen to him. Would you like to change places -with him, instead of being able to dash about -in search of what you want?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shouldn't mind, if my crippled condition -seemed to have the hypnotic effect yours did last -evening. According to Nancy, the bride-elect -was n't in it with you at posing as an -interesting figure. She said the bridesmaids were -four deep around you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Kind-hearted things--they were nearly the -finish of me. When I become a society man please -notify my family. I shall not have the brains, -myself."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will. Where will you be placed for the ceremony?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Behind a screen of palms, if possible," -requested Peter. He did not get his wish literally, -but by grace of a special plea to one of the -ushers, he was put in an inconspicuous place -of great advantage, where he could not only -view the entire scene, but could watch the bridal -party during its whole course, from stair-landing -to improvised altar beneath a vine-covered canopy -at one end of the long drawing-room.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Olive made a strikingly beautiful bride, as -her friends had known she would, and her bridesmaids -were nearly all more than ordinarily fair--or -seemed so in their picturesque garb. But to -Peter, in all the bridal party there was only one -face and figure worth more than a moment's -glance. And when the maid-of-honour finally -turned away from the altar to take her position -by the side of the best man for the ceremonies -of reception and congratulation which followed -upon the conclusion of the marriage service, -the one onlooker who could not get up and take his -place in the gay company forming in line to greet -the bridal party, was feeling more than ever like -a stranded canal-boat in the company of a fleet -of racing yachts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They came to him, however, when they were -free--Olive Crewe and her husband, Shirley -and Mr. Geoffrey Crewe, several of the -bridesmaids, and even Brant Hille, and Peter said -all the things that were expected of him, and -said them well. He might be no "society man," -as he had said, but he possessed the self-command -and quickness of wit which take the place of -familiarity with such situations. Arthur Crewe -liked him better than ever as the two shook hands, -and Peter spoke his quiet but earnest words of -felicitation and prophecy for the future.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm sorry I can't be here to see you when -you get about again," said Crewe, at parting. -"I can quite fancy the energy and enthusiasm -you put into your work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't need to see you at yours to be sure -you 're a steam-engine both at project and -performance," responded Peter, smiling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We 'd work jolly well together, I venture to -say," said the Englishman. "Perhaps we'll -have the chance some day."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish we might," and Peter gave the friendly -hand a hearty grip. "Good-bye--good-bye. -The best of luck."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Peter sat alone upon the Townsend porch, -waiting for someone to come and take him -home. Everything was over; the bridal pair -had gone; the last lingerers along the -lantern-lighted paths among the shrubbery had straggled -in and reluctantly taken their departure. The -big marquee in the centre of the lawn, where -supper had been served, was empty except for -scurrying caterer's men. The string orchestra -stationed in the summer-house had at last stopped -playing, mopped their perspiring heads, and -packed up their instruments. Mrs. Townsend -had betaken herself to her room in a state of -collapse, requiring the attendance of her husband -and Jane; and Murray paced up and down the -upper hall, thinking to himself that he had never -before realised what unpleasant things weddings -were when they occurred in one's own family.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As for Shirley, no one had laid eyes upon her -since the moment when the Townsend landau -had driven away, with everybody throwing confetti, -and Olive, leaning out, had flung her bouquet -straight at her sister's feet. Everybody had -laughed as Shirley picked it up, but the girl had -run away with the white bridal roses crushed -close against her breast, her lips set tight and -her eyes brilliant with unshed tears. She and -Olive had been more to each other during this -last year than ever before--and England, as a -place of permanent residence, seemed a very, -very long way off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was odd that at the last everybody seemed -to have forgotten Peter. Ross, laughing with -a pretty girl, had walked directly past him and -gone home, unmindful. Peter had supposed -he would come back, but he did not. The -servants were busy, the quiet of the deserted porch -restful, and Peter leaned his head against one -of the tall white pillars, thinking less of the -evening that was past than of the future that was, -coming--so soon as he could walk sturdily about -once more.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Up through the narrowest and least conspicuous -path of all, one which few of the wedding revelers -had noticed because its entrance was designedly -unlighted, came a slim white figure with bent -head. Peter, gazing dreamily out over the -lawn, saw it at once, and recognised it with a -start of gladness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley came on across the velvety grass -without looking up, and slowly ascended the -porch steps with her eyes still cast down. -Reaching the top, she turned about and stood leaning -against the pillar, on the other side of which -was Peter's chair, without noticing his presence, -staring off at the rainbow-tinted lights, and seeing -a little misty halo about each one.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When she had stood motionless there for some -time, Peter spoke, so quietly that he hardly -startled her. She turned about with a little -choking breath, said, "Oh, is it you?" in a tone -of relief, and resumed her former position.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish I could help make it easier," said -Peter, very gently. "You 've made things easier -for me so many times, first and last."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You do," said Shirley, in a half-whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do I? I'm glad. But how?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just by being there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter's face lighted up. This was a most -unusual tribute from his independent little friend. -He got slowly to his crutches, and with a greater -effort than he had yet made, came stumping -round to her side of the pillar, and stood near -her, leaning against a great green tub which held -a towering palm. He felt somehow as if he must -be literally upon his feet in order to stand by her -in this crisis.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Both were silent again for some minutes, -until suddenly Shirley looked round at him, -and exclaimed, "Why, I mustn't let you stand -like this! Please sit down again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not unless you do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why? I 'm not tired."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I want to be near you. I 've done nothing -all the evening but envy the men who could get -about and do things for you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You 'll soon be walking off at your usual -breakneck pace," said Shirley, the colour coming -back with a rush into cheeks which had been -pale since Olive went.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the office--yes--your office. I can -hardly wait. But I wonder sometimes if I can -keep my wits and do my work there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't you know why?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Shirley's little moist ball of a handkerchief -was all at once being clutched very tight in her -fingers. She shook her head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I think you do. I think you must know why -I 'm half out of my head with the prospect of being -manager of the new house of Townsend & Son."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm glad that you like the prospect," said -Shirley, in the lowest of voices, and looking -anywhere but at Peter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are you? Do </span><em class="italics">you</em><span> like it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Peter forgot his crutches, and one of them -fell with a rattle at Shirley's feet. She would -have bent to pick it up, but he prevented her, -and laboriously reached for it himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I 'm not going," said Peter, deliberately, -"to let you wait on me, when all in life I want -is the chance to serve you--all my life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be a very poor partnership," said -Shirley, in a half-whisper, after a minute--and -Peter's heart stopped beating--"if the serving -were all on one side"--and Peter's heart went -thumping on again, though not in proper rhythm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Partnership! </span><em class="italics">Is</em><span> it a partnership, Shirley?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She nodded. But she moved three steps out -of reach. Peter made a hasty movement, and -both crutches slipped down to the floor with -a crash, and slid away off the edge of the porch -to the ground. Peter glared after them. Then he -looked at Shirley, standing there, rose-cheeked, -her tear-wet eyes now full of laughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, </span><em class="italics">please</em><span> get them for me, dear!" he pleaded. -"Or--no--never mind the crutches! Just--</span><em class="italics">come here</em><span>!"</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>ROUND THE CORNER IN GAY STREET</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42370"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42370</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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