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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #51979 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51979)
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little Royal Highness, by Ruth Ogden
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-Title: His Little Royal Highness
-
-Author: Ruth Ogden
-
-Illustrator: W. Rainey
-
-Release Date: May 3, 2016 [EBook #51979]
-Last Updated: March 13, 2018
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE ROYAL HIGHNESS ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by David Widger from page images generously
-provided by the Internet Archive
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-HIS LITTLE ROYAL HIGHNESS
-
-By Ruth Ogden
-
-Illustrated by W. Rainsey
-
-New-York
-
-1887
-
-[Illustration: 0001]
-
-[Illustration: 0008]
-
-[Illustration: 0009]
-
-[Illustration: 0010]
-
-[Illustration: 0012]
-
-[Illustration: 0013]
-
-
-
-
-I.--CORONATION DAY
-
-
-[Illustration: 9013]
-
-HE king's body-guard waited in the outer court of the palace, but the
-palace was only a dull, red cottage, and the court a low porch that
-surrounded three sides of it. As for the body-guard, they were not
-dressed as such great people are wont to be. One of them wore a calico
-dress, canvas shoes, and an untrimmed hat of soft red felt. The other,
-for there were but two of them, was resplendent in gray knickerbockers,
-and a blue flannel shirt, with white anchors worked in the corners of
-the sailor-shaped collar. As for the king, but a short time before' he
-had been only a rollicking little fellow astride of a cherry tree bough,
-and a blue-eyed little Nan had stood holding out her apron to catch the
-cherries he threw down, and gazing up at him with a face full of wonder
-at his daring. But the old and brittle bough had suddenly given way
-under his weight, and Reginald Fairfax tumbled in a sad little heap to
-the ground.
-
-[Illustration: 0015]
-
-Quick as a flash Nan sat down by his side, with her feet straight out
-before her, and drew the brown head into her lap, while the tears fell
-fast on the face that seemed so still and lifeless. Her brother Harry
-ran for the young doctor up at the hotel, as fast as his stout little
-legs could carry him.
-
-All this had happened only last week, and now Reginald lay on a hospital
-cot in his own little room in the cottage, and Harry and Nan were
-waiting on the porch till the doctor should come out and they could be
-admitted.
-
-They were both very quiet, for they had not seen Regie since the
-accident, and were awed at the thought of being soon ushered into his
-presence. Harry kept making round holes in the gravel path with the heel
-of his boot; Nan sat staring in abstracted fashion at a little wreath of
-oak leaves which she was balancing on one extended hand.
-
-Presently the doctor came out. “You can go up now,” he said, “Regie
-expects you.” Then he caught up his tennis racquet, which he had left on
-the porch, and hurried away, for the doctor was taking his vacation.
-If he had not been quite a young doctor, perhaps he would rather have
-forgotten for those two short weeks that there was such a thing as a
-patient in the world. But as matters stood he did not seem to mind in
-the least, that now and then he must stop whatever he was doing, and run
-over to see “how the little Fairfax boy was coming on,” and, young as he
-was, he had set Regie's leg as neatly and dexterously as any older and
-more experienced surgeon could have set it.
-
-The children crept quietly up the stairway which landed them at
-Reginald's door. Nan paused midway in the room and looked toward Regie
-with a puzzled frown, for the little fellow stretched out on the cot did
-not seem exactly like the Regie she had known, tumbling around out of
-doors.
-
-Harry scarcely stirred a foot beyond the door-sill, and screwed his
-funny round mouth into a funnier pucker, a queer little habit to which
-he always resorted in moments of embarrassment.
-
-“I'm very sorry for you, Regie,” said Nan, drawing a trifle nearer.
-
-“It is too bad,” replied Regie. “It couldn't be helped though;” a remark
-which he had volunteered several times, as if anxious that no one should
-think that carelessness had aught to do with the accident.
-
-“We've thought of a splendid game,” said Harry, feeling that he ought to
-say something.
-
-[Illustration: 0016]
-
-“I guess the only game I'll play for a good while will be still pond, no
-moving,” said Regie, with a poor little ghost of a smile.
-
-“Oh! no, indeed,” cried Nan, eagerly, “you're to be the principal one
-in this game. You're to be a little king, and we are to be your
-body-guard.”
-
-“What's a body-guard?” asked Regie, in a tone as though he doubted
-the merits of everything with which he could not claim previous
-acquaintance.
-
-“Oh! it's a----, but we are not going to tell many people,” answered
-Harry, glancing significantly toward a room opening-out of Regie's,
-where some one, a stranger to him, sat knitting.
-
-“She's only my nurse,” Regie explained; “you mustn't mind her, for
-she'll have to be round a great deal, and you don't catch me having a
-body-guard unless I know just what it is.”
-
-“It won't hurt you,” laughed Nan, with her hands behind her back, and
-still standing in the centre of the room. Harry had made so bold as to
-take a seat on the edge of a high-backed rocker, so very much on the
-edge, in fact, that it threatened to land him on the floor any moment.
-
-“Why don't you sit down, Nan?” Reginald asked at last.
-
-“I can't sit down, Regie, because of the crown,” and Nan looked
-beseechingly toward Harry, as if acting under orders.
-
-“Yes, you may show it now,” was Harry's patronising answer; whereupon
-Nan exultingly held up the little oak wreath before Regie's wondering
-gaze.
-
-“Oh! is that the crown?” and Regie betrayed a shade of disappointment
-in his tone, having a conviction that such articles ought to be made of
-gold, or at least of silver.
-
-“Oh! Regie, don't you like it? It took me a whole day to make it,” Nan
-exclaimed, with a perceptible quiver in her voice.
-
-“Oh yes, it's very nice, very nice indeed! only--well! it'll wither, you
-know.”
-
-“I can make another then,” she said, complacently, as though that
-objection were easily met. “May I put it on your head?”
-
-“Certainly;” and Regie bent his head forward from the pillow.
-
-“Nan stood in great awe of the apparatus of weights attached to the cot
-to keep Regie's limb from shortening while the broken bone was knitting.
-
-“Are you sure it won't do your leg any harm?” she asked, nervously,
-holding the crown, poised in both hands, above his head, for she could
-only boast eight years, and was rather a timid little body. Regie
-laughed outright at this, and Harry shouted, “Of course not, goosie!”
- with true brotherly disgust.
-
-Thus encouraged she dropped the crown on to Regie's head.
-
-“You look lovely in it,” she said, bringing the hand-glass from the
-bureau; “you can lean your head back, it won't hurt the crown.”
-
-“It hurts me though,” said Regie, settling back against the pillow, and
-holding the little mirror at arm's length that he might see the general
-effect; “it pricks.”
-
-“I do not think a king ought to mind such a thing as a prick,” Nan
-remarked, seriously, for she possessed a lively imagination, and, for
-the time being, Regie was a real little king.
-
-“Perhaps not,” said Regie, recalling something about “Uneasy lies the
-head that wears a crown” (which proverb had once been set for a copy in
-his writing book at school), and thinking how very true it was. “But you
-have not told me anything about the body-guard,” he added.
-
-“As I understand it,” said Harry, who liked to use a big word when he
-could, “the body-guard sort of takes care of the king, and does whatever
-he tells 'em to do.”
-
-“Then you and Nan are to do _whatever_ I tell you,” with an accent on
-the “whatever.”
-
-“Yes,” said Nan, with hearty seriousness. Harry merely nodded his head,
-as if not quite willing to commit himself by an audible “yes.” He
-looked as though he foresaw some unpleasant possibilities in Regie's
-“whatever.”
-
-“If you think of anything you'd like to have,” Nan farther explained,
-“why, Harry or I will run and get it--and things like that you know.”
-
-“My! but that'll be fun for me,” said Regie.
-
-“Of course it will,” Nan replied; “that's why we thought of it, because
-there's a great many kinds of fun you'll have to do without while
-you must lie so still. Will it be for very long, Regie?” she asked,
-wistfully.
-
-“Pretty long, I guess,” answered Regie, with an honest little sigh.
-
-“It was Nan that made it up,” said Harry, whose thoughts had a trick of
-following their own bent independent of other people's; “I don't know as
-I'm going to like it.”
-
-“Like what?” queried Regie, with a puzzled frown.
-
-“Why, the being ordered about.''
-
-“Oh, I'll be easy on the body-guard,” laughed Regie.
-
-“I'm ashamed of you, Harry Murray, to talk like that right before poor
-Regie!” and Nan's face showed how real was her mortification.
-
-“I don't believe kings wear their crowns to bed!” exclaimed Regie,
-having borne the pricking of the stiff little leaves as long as he
-could. “This king won't, at any rate. Hang it on that nail, Nan, where
-I can reach it, and put it on whenever you seem to forget that I am
-the king, and you must mind me,” with a sly look toward Harry. Harry's
-threatened downfall became a reality just at that moment, and the
-unbalanced-rocking-chair landed him suddenly on the floor.
-
-“I think we had better go now,” he said, picking himself up, with a
-furtive look in the direction of the nurse, knowing that such a mishap
-was rather inexcusable in a sick room.
-
-“I should think we had,” observed Nan, with a good measure of reproach
-in tone and accent; and after a good-bye to Regie, and a friendly
-word or two from the nurse who had come in with Regie's luncheon, the
-children took their departure.
-
-[Illustration: 0019]
-
-Down the path, across the boulevard and over to the beach they
-trudged, side by side, but without saying a word to each other. Nan was
-preserving a dignified silence, which means that she wished Harry
-to understand by her manner that she did not at all approve of his
-behaviour during their visit. But Harry was so completely absorbed in
-his own thoughts as to be quite unmindful of the implied rebuke. When
-they reached the beach he lingered to watch the fishermen bring their
-boat in over the surf, leaving Nan to walk the rest of the way home
-alone.
-
-Regie felt tired after his talk with the children, and having eaten the
-luncheon, soon dropped off into a sound little nap, to dream of kings
-and queens and all sorts of royal things, suggested, no doubt, by the
-oak-leaf crown on which his brown eyes were resting the last moment
-before the long lashes closed over them. In these brown eyes and long
-lashes lay the charm of Regie's face, and he had reason to be very
-grateful to them. Perhaps you wonder how this could be? Well, the very
-next chapter will tell you.
-
-[Illustration: 5020]
-
-[Illustration: 0021]
-
-
-
-
-II.--THE KING HOLDS AND INTERVIEW WITH SISTER JULIA
-
-
-[Illustration: 9021]
-
-HE second evening after Reginald's accident, Mr. Fairfax sat down by his
-cot, and taking up his little brown hand, said cheerily, “Well, Master
-Regie, we shall need to have a nurse for you.”
-
-“I should think I was rather too old for that, sick or well,” replied
-Regie, biting his lip, lest unruly tears should betray that he was not
-so very old after all.
-
-“Why, Reginald,” laughed Mr. Fairfax, “grown-up people have nurses
-when they break their legs, and are glad enough to get them. Your mamma
-Fairfax will never be able to do all that must be done for you, and Dr.
-Delano knows of a splendid nurse. He is sure you will like her, and he
-would be glad to have her come here to the seashore for a while. He says
-it will do her good as well as you.”
-
-So it happened that Sister Julia arrived the very next day, and Regie
-grew fond of her in almost less time than it takes to tell it. He
-thought she had the sweetest face he had ever seen, and a good many
-other people thought so too. She always wore a pretty cap, a little
-square shawl, and a long full apron, all made of the same soft, white
-material.
-
-“Of course,” thought Regie, “it's all right for a nurse to wear an
-apron, and I know some children have French nurses with caps; but Sister
-Julia is not French, and besides, what's the use of the little shawl?”
- and as was usual when he did not thoroughly understand anything, he soon
-made inquiries on the subject.
-
-[Illustration: 0022]
-
-Sister Julia was sitting at the east window of Regie's room, watching
-two schooners far out at sea, whose sails, aglow with the red light of
-the sunset, made them look like fairy boats of conkshell. “Oh, Regie!”
- she said, at last, earnestly, “I never saw the ocean as beautiful as it
-is to-night. I wish you were able to have me lift you up, so that you
-could have a look at it.”
-
-“I would rather look at you any day,” Regie said, honestly, “because you
-do look lovely in those white fixings, but I do not see very much sense
-in 'em.”
-
-“I'm afraid there isn't very much sense in them, Regie; only that we all
-wear them.”
-
-“All your family?”
-
-“Yes, all my family. And how many do you suppose there are of us?” Regie
-looked mystified. “There are seventy-five.” Regie looked incredulous,
-but he had a foolish notion of never liking to appear astonished at
-anything, so he said quite casually, as though he were asking the most
-commonplace question, “And are you the oldest of seventy-five?”
-
-“Do you think I look old enough for that?”
-
-“No, not exactly, but your hair is pretty gray, and no one that's young
-has gray hair, you know.”
-
-“You are not far from right, Regie, but gray hair or no, I am not
-the oldest of my seventy-five sisters. Have you never heard of a
-Sisterhood,--that is, of a society of women who bind themselves together
-for some sort of work?”
-
-“Oh yes, often,” said Regie, not meaning to be untruthful, but because
-always averse to pleading ignorance on any subject. At any rate, if he
-had heard of a sisterhood his ideas were somewhat vague regarding it.
-
-“Well, I belong to such a society, and all who join it pledge themselves
-to follow its rules, to take the title of Sister, and to wear these
-white fixings as you call them, and the work of our society is to care
-for the sick.”
-
-“Have you got to do it all your life?” he asked, shaking his brown head
-from side to side by way of sympathy.
-
-“No, we are not obliged to do it always. We can resign at any time, but
-most of us love the work so much, that it would be a great trial to give
-it up.”
-
-Regie did not speak for several seconds, then he said, timidly, “Would
-you not like to be married, Sister Julia?”
-
-“Well, Regie, that depends,” she answered, with an amused smile.
-
-“I should think some one would have wanted you. Did nobody ever?”
-
-“These are pretty plain questions, Regie,” said Sister Julia, as indeed
-they were; and then Regie suddenly remembered that Mamma Fairfax had
-told him, and but a little while ago, too, that he must get the better
-of this questioning trick of his.
-
-“I did not think you would mind,” he said, and his voice trembled a
-little.
-
-“Oh no, dear! Of course I don't mind; only you see it might be rather
-embarrassing to have to own up that nobody ever had wanted me.”
-
-“But I know somebody did, because----” Regie paused a second, for he
-was not sure he ought to tell this; but his desire got the better of his
-judgment, as often happens with older people, “because I overheard Dr.
-Delano tell Papa Fairfax that somebody did want you, but that you sent
-him away 'cause you thought you'd better care for sick children.”
-
-“It does not matter much, Regie, whether all that is true or not; but I
-think we have talked quite long enough about me. Let us talk about you a
-little while.”
-
-“Oh, there's nothing particular about me, 'cept that I'm adopted. I
-suppose you know that, everybody does,” with a little sigh, as though he
-wished everybody didn't.
-
-“Yes, I know; but I do not believe Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax could love you
-more if you were their own little boy.”
-
-“I am their own little boy, too. I mean, I mean----” and without a word
-of warning Regie burst into tears.
-
-An unusually sweet look of sympathy came into Sister Julia's face
-just then, as she moved her rocking-chair close to the cot, and began
-stroking Regie's hair, for he was crying too hard for her to attempt
-to reason with him. Her heart went straight out to this high-strung,
-sensitive boy, and she was sorry enough in any way to have grieved him.
-By-and-by, when the tears were somewhat under control, he said, with a
-little convulsive sob between every two or three words----
-
-“I know you did not mean to say anything, but I could not help crying.
-Some folks, you know, thinks there isn't any good in adopted children.
-It's an awful pity fellows can't choose their own fathers and mothers;
-I'd have chosen Papa and Mamma Fairfax every time, and then I could have
-called them just papa and mamma the way other children do. I do wish
-they'd never told me about it,” and the tears threatened to overflow
-again.
-
-“Ah, Regie,” said Sister Julia, quietly, “you know that they have taught
-you to call them Papa and Mamma Fairfax only because they feel they
-have no right to the very same names as you would have used for your own
-father and mother, if they had lived.”
-
-“Yes, I know,” he answered, sadly.
-
-“Regie, I would like to tell you a story. Do you feel like listening?”
-
-A sort of little after-sob helped to give Regie's head a forward shake
-which meant, yes, he would like to listen.
-
-“Well, about thirty years ago, a little girl was left quite alone in the
-world. Her father, a young physician, and her mother, were both taken
-away in one week by a terrible fever, which had broken out in the
-village in which they lived. At first there seemed to be no one to care
-for the little girl, but after a while a lady, whose baby had died with
-the fever, offered to take her; and oh, how kind she was to her for
-years and years, and the little girl never dreamed that she was not her
-very own mother. Well, it happened one day at school, when the little
-girl was twelve years old, that an unkind boy called to her: 'Say,
-Julia, you're only adopted, aren't you?' Only adopted, what could he
-mean? The words kept ringing in Julia's heart, and at recess she slipped
-away and ran home as fast as she could.”
-
-“'It is not true that I am only adopted, is it, mamma?' she said, as she
-rushed into the house.”
-
-“'Yes, yes, it is true,' said her mother, sadly; 'but who has told you
-about it, Julia?' The little girl did not answer; she cried and cried
-and could not be comforted. 'Why did you not tell me yourself, mamma?'
-she sobbed over and over again.” Sister Julia paused a moment to run
-the window shade up to the top, so that Regie could see the evening star
-growing bright in the deepening twilight.
-
-“I should not wonder,” said Regie, “if we were talking about you again,
-Sister Julia.”
-
-“I should not wonder if we were, so you see I know just how to feel for
-you; only I think it is better always to have known the facts as you
-have done, than to have it come suddenly upon one, and perhaps as
-roughly as it did upon me.”
-
-Regie laid his hand over in Sister Julia's lap, “I'm awfully glad you
-were adopted,” he said, stroking her hand affectionately.
-
-“Why, dear child?”
-
-“Oh, because--well--I shall never be ashamed of it now, I guess. I used
-to think it was kind of disgraceful, and that it made a difference in a
-fellow's looks somehow; but I'm sure it doesn't in yours.”
-
-“Oh, Regie! what a foolish notion,” and Sister Julia laughed merrily.
-
-“I did though,” said Regie, “really.”
-
-“Do you know, Regie, I think you ought to be one of the happiest
-children in the world, and you yourself know why.”
-
-“Well, I suppose,” said Regie, thoughtfully, “that I ought to remember
-how different it would have been if they had not taken me, and that
-ought to make me very happy; and, Sister Julia, I am happy, almost
-always. Anyhow, I guess I'll never be unhappy again about being adopted.
-I do love Papa and Mamma Fairfax dearly; nobody knows how much,” and
-Regie's face glowed and his eyes kindled with loyal affection. Speaking
-of eyes, a promise at the end of the last chapter must not be forgotten.
-Regie owed a particular debt to these brown eyes and long lashes of
-his, because when he was but a little baby, and while his own mother was
-living, they had won his way right into Mrs. Fairfax's heart, and so,
-when he was left an orphan, what more natural than that they should win
-his way right into her arms as well.
-
-[Illustration: 5026]
-
-[Illustration: 0027]
-
-
-
-
-III.--THE FAIRFAXES CALL ON THE MURRAYS
-
-
-[Illustration: 9027]
-
-EGIE'S accident had happened late in June, and the weeks had worn slowly
-away with their dull monotony varied by many a visit from loyal Nan and
-Harry. Now, it was the middle of August, and Regie was about again,
-only with an addition to the bodyguard in the shape of two sturdy little
-crutches. It happened one evening about this time, when Regie had been
-stowed away for the night, that Mr. Fairfax was walking up and down in
-front of his cottage in a “brown study,” which means, you know, that
-he was thinking too hard about something in particular, to pay any
-attention to things in general. It seemed a pity he should not discover
-in what a glory of gold and crimson the sun was setting, and how
-beautiful its reflection over on Pleasure Bay. Then a party of
-the neighbours' boys were engaged in some dexterous and pretty
-bicycle-riding a little way up the road, and he was missing that also.
-
-Hereward, a greyhound, only he was fawn-coloured instead of gray, and
-Ned, a Gordon setter, would now and then come bounding up to their
-master, expecting to be petted, and look strangely surprised when he
-took no notice of them. They would plant their forefeet in the ground,
-with their heads on one side, in a questioning, beseeching manner, and
-stand gazing up for a moment into his face, but only for a moment; there
-were too many circles to be described, and too many matters to be looked
-into, to waste much time upon such an indifferent master. Presently the
-click and bang of a swinging screen door roused Mr. Fairfax from his
-reverie, and he hurried to join his wife, who had just come out from the
-house.
-
-She was a lovely little woman, this Mrs. Fairfax, with a face not unlike
-Sister Julia's, and whether joy or pathos found most expression in her
-clear gray eyes no one could discover.
-
-She had no sooner stepped on to the piazza, than Hereward and Ned were
-fairly leaping upon her. There was a little shawl on her arm, and a lace
-scarf on her head, which they well knew meant a walk to the beach, and,
-from their point of view, nothing quite compared with that.
-
-“I do not need to ask what you have been thinking about, Curtis,” Mrs.
-Fairfax said to her husband, when they had gone but a little way; “you
-are wondering and wondering, and so am I, whatever we shall do with
-Regie.”
-
-“It has been a puzzling question, Alice,” said Mr. Fairfax; “but I
-believe I am prepared to answer it. I think the best thing we can do
-will be to leave him here at the beach.”
-
-“Why, Curtis dear, that is simply impossible,” Mrs. Fairfax replied, in
-a decided little way of her own; “there will not be a cottage open here
-two months from now.”
-
-“I know of one cottage, at any rate,” said her husband, “that is open
-all the year round, and where Reginald and Sister Julia would be likely
-to have a very happy time of it while we are away.”
-
-“Of course, you mean Captain Murray's.”
-
-“Of course I do. Don't you agree with me about its being a good place,
-and had we not better walk right up there now and see if they will
-consider it?” They had come to the railroad crossing, and the shrill
-whistle of a locomotive brought them to a standstill. Seldom an express
-train went spinning through Moorlow that Hereward did not run a race
-with it, and the engineers on the road were always on the lookout for
-him. Hereward was a very knowing dog; he would lie dozing in the sun,
-and let the local trains steam up to the little station and off again,
-without so much as cocking up an ear, but would detect the approach of
-the “express” way down the track. To-night proved no exception to
-the rule. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax watched him proudly, as in a flash he
-gathered himself together and started for the race. For fully a quarter
-of a mile he held his own, and, if he had possessed as inexhaustible
-a supply of breath as the iron-chested engine, his long limbs might
-sometimes have won him the victory.
-
-As for Ned, this sort of thing was not at all to his taste, and he
-stood looking stolidly on, as much as to say, “Great waste of time and
-energy.”
-
-Between you and me, had his body been as long, and his legs as slender
-as Hereward's, he would probably have joined in the wild scamper. There
-are people here and there in the world not at all unlike Ned; they sit
-and frown upon certain innocent pleasures simply because they are not
-fitted by nature to enjoy them.
-
-Breathless and satisfied, Hereward was soon back again, trotting and
-sniffing along as though nothing had happened.
-
-“I do not believe we had better go to Captain Murray's tonight,” said
-Mrs. Fairfax, taking up the conversation where the train and Hereward's
-performances had interrupted it; “I would like time to think it over.”
-
-“Oh, I've thought it over enough for both of us, Alice. Besides, you
-see, we must decide upon some plan pretty quickly; it is only ten days
-now before we sail.”
-
-[Illustration: 0029]
-
-So Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax kept on down the beach, climbed the short flight
-of wooden steps that scaled the bulk-head in front of Captain Murray's
-cottage, and knocked at the door. Mrs. Murray opened it.
-
-“Why, how do you do?” she said, with evident surprise and pleasure, as
-she ushered them into the sitting-room.
-
-[Illustration: 9030]
-
-Hereward and Ned poked their noses in at the door, and acted as though
-they intended to crowd their bodies in too. One look from Mr. Fairfax
-seemed to change their minds, and with grave faces and limp tails they
-lay down on the porch instead.
-
-“Here, Harry, bring a chair for Mrs. Fairfax,” said Mrs. Murray, “and
-Nan, darling, go call your father.”
-
-This little sitting-room was the very cosiest, perhaps, that one would
-find from end to end of the whole Jersey shore. Cheery and cool-looking
-in this summer weather, with the linen floor covering and the vines at
-the windows, and so warm and cheery in the fall and winter, with pine
-logs blazing on the old brass and irons.
-
-“Father's coming,” announced Nan, returning to the room. “And how's
-Regie?” asked both the children in one breath.
-
-“Oh, he's getting along finely,” answered Mr. Fairfax.
-
-“I'm _right glad_ to hear _that_,” said Mrs. Murray, who always
-conversed with strong accents on certain words. “And it's a good piece
-of news to carry to bed and dream over,” she added, turning to
-the children, and looking toward the energetic little clock on the
-mantel-shelf. “Come, it's high time; a good-night to Mr. and Mrs.
-Fairfax, and a kiss for your mother.” The children mechanically obeyed,
-and with reluctant, backward glances trudged up the winding stairway
-leading directly from the sitting-room.
-
-“Well, well,” exclaimed Captain Murray, a wiry, weatherbeaten man, as he
-entered the room, “a call from the Fairfaxes; what's up, I wonder?”
-
-“Seems to me, you're pretty free, father,” said Mrs. Murray, half
-apologetically.
-
-“Well, something is up,” replied Mr. Fairfax, “one may as well be
-honest. We have a proposition to make, and we are very much afraid you
-won't accept it, and then we shall be all at sea again.”
-
-“Oh, I see,” laughed Captain Murray, “you want an old sailor to bring
-you into port, or something like that, eh? Well, if there's anything we
-can do for you----”
-
-“There is something,” said Mr. Fairfax, eagerly, “and a pretty big
-something too. We want to know if you will take Reginald and Sister
-Julia into your own snug little harbour for three or four months. You
-know, when we adopted Regie, Mrs. Fairfax promised that he should never
-stand between us----”
-
-“He means,” interrupted Mrs. Fairfax, thinking she could better explain
-matters, “that if ever the question came up of remaining with Curtis or
-Reginald, the decision should always be in favour of my husband.”
-
-“That is the way of it,” said Mr. Fairfax, “and at last the question has
-come up. I am obliged to go to Europe for three or four months, and I
-have no notion of putting that great ocean yonder between my wife and
-me. Of course, Reginald is not in a condition to travel, and we have
-been greatly at a loss to know what to do with him. This would be such a
-fine place for him, if you only would be good enough to let us board him
-with you.”
-
-“I don't know much, after all, about the domestic harbour,” said Captain
-Murray, with elevated eyebrows. “You must ask the first-mate. What do
-you say, Mollie Murray?”
-
-“Do you think we could really make him comfortable, father?” asked Mrs.
-Murray, smoothing out her white apron; “we live very plain, and the boy
-has been accustomed to----”
-
-“Comfortable! Oh, Mrs. Murray,” interrupted Mrs. Fairfax, “why this
-seems to me altogether the most _comfortable_ little home that I know
-of, and Reginald will be so happy here with the children. As for Sister
-Julia, I am sure she will be a help rather than a trouble, and you will
-fairly love her before she has been in the house twenty-four hours.”
-
-After this the conversation fell into a quiet chat between the
-“women-folk,” and a more business-like one between Mr. Fairfax and
-Captain Murray, and when, in its thumping, ringing way, the little
-clock struck nine, everything had been arranged to the satisfaction of
-everybody.
-
-“I cannot tell you what a load is off my mind,” said Mrs. Fairfax,
-pressing Mrs. Murray's hand in both of hers, as she stood ready to go.
-“I only hope it has not rolled off on to yours.”
-
-“Never you fear, dearie,” Mrs. Murray answered, in her cheerful,
-whole-souled way.
-
-“How about Hereward and Ned?” exclaimed Mr. Fairfax, almost stumbling
-across both as they lay on the porch. “And how about Reginald's pony?
-Can you care for them too, Captain Murray?”
-
-“Yes, yes, send 'em along. We'll do our best by all hands.”
-
-“Oh, Mrs. Murray,” said Mrs. Fairfax, turning back for a moment, “please
-don't tell the children about the plan. Regie would so much enjoy
-telling them himself.”
-
-“Oh, to be sure,” she answered; “I'll not say a word. Happy secrets are
-hard things for me to keep; but I'll keep this, I promise you.”
-
-The two dogs who had come over in such rollicking fashion, trotted back
-again quietly enough, but Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax felt half inclined to
-dance all the way home, so delighted were they over the success of this
-splendid plan for Regie.
-
-[Illustration: 0033]
-
-[Illustration: 0034]
-
-
-
-
-IV. A SURPRISE FOR THE BODY GUARD
-
-
-[Illustration: 9034]
-
-RULY no one ever looked into a face more beaming than Regie's when Mrs.
-Fairfax told him of their plan to leave him in Sister Julia's care, and
-that they were both to board at the Murrays.
-
-“I've been wondering what you would do,” said Regie. “I knew you
-could not take along a boy on crutches; and, Mamma Fairfax,” he added,
-ruefully, “I thought I was in the way for once at any rate.”
-
-Then Mrs. Fairfax drew the little fellow into her lap, and said, very
-tenderly and earnestly, “Remember this, Regie Fairfax: you have never
-been in the way yet, and you never will be so long as you stay the dear
-good boy you are to-day.” A grateful, happy look came into Regie's face,
-and he nestled his head close down on Mamma Fairfax's shoulder, quite
-forgetting that nine-year-old boys are supposed not to care in the least
-for that sort of thing.
-
-Well, the day for the move to the Murrays dawned at last, though at
-times it had seemed to Regie as if it never would come.
-
-In the thought that he was going to live in the same house with Nan and
-Harry, the little reprobate almost forgot he was to say good-bye to
-Papa and Mamma Fairfax for three whole months at least. But Mr. and
-Mrs. Fairfax were quite willing he should forget it, and were only too
-delighted to see the little fellow anticipating so much happiness. It
-would have been sad enough to have sailed away over that great ocean,
-leaving a brokenhearted as well as a broken-legged little Reginald
-behind them.
-
-Still dependent upon his crutches, Regie of course could not help
-very much with the packing, but as he sat on the piazza, in the warm
-September sunshine, Sister Julia gave him a lapful of his own neckties
-to sort over and fold into a box. They were to move that very afternoon.
-It was half-past eleven now, and at twelve Harry and Nan were coming, as
-they thought, to say “Good-bye.”
-
-Puzzled little Nan and Harry! They had not heard a word of Reginald's
-coming to stay with them. Had they known it, they would not have been
-trudging sorrowfully along the beach as they were that very moment.
-Naturally they wondered at the strange preparations going forward at
-home. Fresh dimity curtains had been tacked up in the room over the
-kitchen, and there was a new bowl and pitcher on the wash-stand, and
-some red-bordered towels that were very beautiful in Nan's eyes. But
-when the children asked their mother the reason for all this, she had
-told them that times were a little hard, as indeed they were, and that
-they were going to take a couple to board.
-
-“I don't like the idea of a couple to board at all,” Harry had confided
-to Nan when they were gathering up the chips one morning in the
-woodshed.
-
-“Neither do I,” sighed Nan, “but if times are hard of course we ought
-to make the best of it.” That Sister Julia and Reginald were the couple
-never entered their foolish little heads for a second.
-
-Regie sat sorting the neckties, putting the worn ones, and the ones he
-did not like, at the bottom of the box, you may be sure. Now and then
-he would stop to watch the four Brooks' boys, who were playing tennis in
-front of their cottage, and then it seemed as though he could not stand
-keeping still another moment; but he knew he must, and that word _must_
-is a very tyrannical and exacting little master. Presently the waggon
-from the store at Atlanticville, where they sold everything, from
-kerosene oil to shoe-strings, drove up and stopped; and a little errand
-boy, no larger than Regie, jumped down and pulled a basket out from the
-back. The basket was filled with groceries, and was so very heavy that
-the boy had to slip the handle way up to his elbow, so that he could
-rest part of its weight on his hip, as he carried it into the Brooks's
-kitchen.
-
-[Illustration: 0036]
-
-When he came out again he stopped to watch the little tennis players
-with such a wistful look on his thin face, while the old horse, as
-overworked as his child-driver, improved the opportunity for a hurried
-browsing on the Fairfax terrace.
-
-“What a difference!” thought Regie, noting the contrast between the
-boys in knickerbockers and polo caps and this shabby little stranger.
-“I wonder why some boys have to wear themselves out trudging round with
-dinners for other boys who do nothing but have a good time the whole
-summer long!”
-
-In another moment the little fellow jumped into his waggon, and, as if
-to make up for lost time, jerked the old horse into a bobbing sort of
-gait, which was something better than a walk and yet could not honestly
-be called a trot Then Reginald sat dreaming and looking out to sea.
-Perhaps he was thinking of a time when there might be a better order
-of things, not exactly of a better world,--that blue ocean and
-cloud-flecked sky were about as beautiful as anything could be--but of
-a time when the sins and misfortunes of the fathers should no longer
-be visited upon the children, and when everyone should have an equal
-chance. At any rate his thoughts were far away from anything about him,
-and Harry and Nan came nearer and nearer, without his ever seeing them,
-and he only knew they were there when Nan rushed up in front of him and
-said “Boo!” as if to frighten him out of his reverie.
-
-“Why, I did not see you at all!” exclaimed Regie.
-
-“Of course you didn't; you were looking right over our heads,” said
-Harry, seating himself on the edge of the piazza, and straightway
-beginning to whittle on a block, which was fast being converted into a
-boat hull. “You seem to be able to see farther than anyone I know of,”
- he added. “You looked then as though you were staring right round the
-world and up the other side.” Reginald blushed a little. Somehow or
-other, in the presence of matter-of-fact Harry, he always felt ashamed
-of this dreaming habit of his.
-
-“We're awful sorry you're going,” said Nan. “It's so dull for bodyguards
-when there's no king to care for.”
-
-“I'm glad you're sorry,” said Regie, biting his lip to keep from
-smiling. He did not want to have the pleasure of telling them over quite
-yet. Then there was a lull in the conversation. It was going to be very
-lonely without Regie, and the bodyguard, particularly Nan, had little
-heart for conversation.
-
-“How's your base-ball club getting on, Harry?” asked Reginald, feeling
-he must either keep matters going or tell right away. “It was great fun
-your beating those fellows up at the Branch.”
-
-“It was quite a beat,” Harry replied, complacently, “but I guess our
-beating days are over.”
-
-“Why?” asked Regie, astonished.
-
-“Oh, our catcher, the best in the 'nine,' you know, is disabled.”
-
-“That's too bad, but I suppose he'll get over it,” said Regie, cheerily.
-
-“Well, I rather guess not,” Harry drily remarked; “he's dead,” and he
-held the little boat-hull at arm's length to get a better view of its
-shape. If Nan had been paying attention she would have taken Harry to
-task for speaking in such apparently heartless fashion of poor little
-Joe Moore's death. But instead of listening, she was wondering when
-would be the best time to give Regie a little rubber pencil-case her
-right hand was affectionately clasping, as it lay in the bottom of her
-pocket. There was another long pause, and Reginald could keep his secret
-no longer.
-
-“Children,” he said, importantly, “where do you suppose I am going to
-when I leave here?”
-
-“To New York, of course,” replied Nan, with a little sigh.
-
-“No, sir'ree; to Captain Epher Murray's;” and Regie, glancing from one
-puzzled face to the other, fairly beamed with delight.
-
-“To our house?” said Nan, incredulously.
-
-“By Jimmini!” exclaimed Harry, tossing his hat so high in the air that
-it caught on the leader of the roof.
-
-“It isn't so!” said Nan, decidedly, and shaking her head from side to
-side, showing that she believed that to be one of the things literally
-too good to be true.
-
-“Yes, it is true,” said Sister Julia, who had just come on to the porch
-with her arms full of boxes; “and I am coming too, and the pony, and
-Hereward, and Ned.”
-
-“And we're going to stay till Christmas,” chimed in Regie.
-
-“And what is more,” added Sister Julia, “we are coming this very day,
-and you have arrived just in time to escort the king in person, as a
-true bodyguard should. His little Royal Highness will ride in his own
-court carriage,” and as she spoke Pet and the village cart jogged up to
-the door.
-
-[Illustration: 9039]
-
-
-
-Then for a few moments Sister Julia and Nan busied themselves, stowing
-away in the cart such valuable commodities as two or three tennis
-racquets, a base-ball bat, a tool chest, a small photographing camera,
-and other things too numerous to mention. Meanwhile Harry, to use his
-own expressive English, had “shinned up” one of the piazza posts, and
-succeeded in regaining his jubilant hat.
-
-Nan's brown little face as she bustled about was wreathed in smiles, but
-she said nothing. Awhile ago she was too sorry to talk, and now she was
-too happy.
-
-Finally, Sister Julia helped Reginald into the cart, and Nan, with
-Regie's crutches in her lap, took her seat on one side and Harry on the
-other.
-
-'“When is your mother going?” questioned Harry.
-
-“To-morrow morning early,” Reginald replied.
-
-“Well, don't you want to say goodbye to her?”
-
-“Do you suppose I'd be going off like this, Harry Murray, if I were not
-going to see her again?” with as much imperiousness as a real king.
-
-“Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are coming to your house to-night to supper,”
- Sister Julia explained.
-
-“They are, are they?” said Harry, somewhat gruffly. “Well, I think they
-might have told Nan and me something about it all.”
-
-“Oh! I don't,” Nan cried, eagerly. “I think s'prises are lovely. I love
-to be s'prised.”
-
-“And I love to s'prise people,” said Reginald; “and so Mamma Fairfax
-planned for me to do it.”
-
-“Now I guess you're all ready,” Sister Julia remarked, wisely changing
-the subject, as she tucked the linen lap-robe close about Nan, so that
-her stiffly-starched little gingham dress should not puff out against
-the wheel.
-
-“Where are the dogs?” asked Harry, looking forward to their
-establishment in his home with possibly as much interest as to that of
-their little master.
-
-Regie gave a loud, shrill whistle. That was one of the few things he
-could do just as well as before he broke his leg, and so he seemed to
-take special delight in doing it. Hereward and Ned came bounding from
-some point back of the house, and Pet, seeming to understand that all
-was in readiness, started off of his own accord. Hereward and Ned,
-comprehending at once that they were to be allowed to follow, flew
-hither and yon in the wildest manner, bringing up at the cart every few
-minutes as if to report proceedings.
-
-“Regie, why do you always say Papa Fairfax and Mamma Fairfax, instead
-of just papa and mamma?” Nan asked presently. Evidently she had been
-turning the matter over in her mind for some seconds.
-
-“Because--because--” Regie hesitated,--“because, don't you know, I'm
-adopted.”
-
-“'Dopted,” said the children, in one breath. Reginald nodded his head in
-the affirmative, and sat thoughtfully watching the sand as it fell from
-the wheel with each revolution. If he had looked into Nan's face or
-Harry's he would have seen a world of wonder in it.
-
-Finally Nan said, in a very sympathetic way, as though she felt it must
-be something very dreadful,--
-
-“I do not know just what being adopted means, but have you always been
-so?”
-
-“Almost always. You see, Nan, my own father died when I was a little
-fellow, and then Papa Fairfax, who was my father's best friend, took me
-for his own little boy; and that being took is being adopted.”
-
-In certain earnest moments Regie often forgot all about grammar.
-
-“O--h!” said Nan.
-
-It is astonishing how much that one word may mean when one gives it the
-right inflection. As Nan used it, it stood for “Yes, I understand now;
-you need never say another word about it, but isn't it strange? Not your
-own father and mother! I shall have to do a great deal of thinking about
-that.”
-
-By this time Pet had travelled the half mile between the cottages, but
-without doubt Hereward and Ned had made two miles of it. Regie half
-believed they had understood the conversations going on about them, and
-knew that they were to be permitted to enjoy, for three months longer,
-the freedom of their life by the sea, instead of being cooped up in the
-cramped backyard in town. At any rate, they were a pair of very jolly
-dogs that warm September morning.
-
-[Illustration: 5041]
-
-[Illustration: 0042]
-
-
-
-
-V. GOODNIGHT AND GOODBYE
-
-
-[Illustration: 9042]
-
-T was quite an event in the Murray family to have such people as the
-Fairfaxes come to supper, and perhaps it was not strange that great
-preparations were being made; but you might have thought that Mrs.
-Murray expected Mrs. Fairfax to go straight through her cottage on a
-tour of critical inspection. The whole house was put in _apple-pie_
-order--whatever that may mean--from the cool, clean-smelling cellar, to
-the little triangular attic, redolent of thyme and sage and other dried
-things hanging from the rafters. Not that there was ever much disorder
-in that neat little household; but the fact that the Fairfaxes were
-coming seemed to lend an extra touch of thoroughness to everything that
-Mrs. Murray did.
-
-Soon after the children's arrival Sister Julia knocked at the door, and
-was warmly welcomed. She busied herself right away with unpacking the
-trunks, which had been sent down that morning, while Regie sat at the
-pretty curtained window of the room that was to be his, telling Sister
-Julia where to put his own particular treasures. Already he was fond of
-that little window, from which he could look straight out to sea.
-
-Nan was busy in the kitchen, cutting out the thinnest of little round
-cookies from dough that her mother had mixed. Some of them were already
-in the oven, and sending such a delicious savoury smell up into Regie's
-room!
-
-Harry was active, making things comfortable for Ned and Hereward in the
-barn.
-
-[Illustration: 0043]
-
-It was a very happy afternoon all round, though withal a trifle sad too;
-for there is always something in the atmosphere more or less depressing
-on the eve of any decided change, no matter how satisfactorily
-everything may have been arranged for everybody. At six o'clock Mr. and
-Mrs. Fairfax came down the beach, and at half-past six supper was on
-the table. Such an inviting little supper-table, with its snowy cloth,
-polished plated service, and shining glass lamp in the centre, to say
-nothing of innumerable good things to eat, including a dish heaped high
-with a delicious “floating island,” such as few besides Mrs. Murray know
-how to make. The canary, in his cage over the plants, was singing away
-for dear life, as if he wanted to make the occasion just as merry as
-possible; and Hereward and Ned, who must have sniffed the buttered toast
-and broiled mackerel from outside, scratched away at the door trying to
-gain admission. Then they bounded to the window, and planting their
-paws upon the sill, peered in with a most beseeching look on their
-intelligent faces.
-
-I wonder what they thought of what they saw?
-
-The family were standing at their places at the table with their heads
-bowed, and Captain Murray was asking a blessing, a long blessing with
-a little prayer midway, for the dear friends going on so “distant a
-journey.”
-
-Ah! Ned and Hereward, there lies the difference; true and loving and
-grateful as you are, you cannot comprehend that there is a Father in
-heaven willing to hear and answer the prayer of, every soul He has
-created.
-
-“Let the good fellows in to-night,” said Captain Murray, when the
-blessing was over, and he discovered the dogs at the window. Harry
-unlatched the door only too gladly, and they came leaping in; but acting
-under orders from their lord and master, soon dropped quietly down in
-one corner to wait as patiently as possible for their own supper time.
-Regie sat next to Mamma Fairfax, holding his fork in the wrong hand now
-and then, that he might give her left hand a squeeze under the table.
-Regie was happy and contented, and yet there was a real little ache in
-his heart. She was going a long way from home, that dear Mamma Fairfax
-of his, and how could he help feeling somewhat sad about it?
-
-Mr. Fairfax was apparently very full of fun that night, and amused the
-children, telling of certain strange pranks of his own when he was a
-boy.
-
-Mrs. Murray laughed whenever the others did, but she really did not hear
-much that was going on, she was so thoroughly preoccupied in seeing if
-Mrs. Fairfax would not have another biscuit, or if Mr. Fairfax's cup was
-empty, and in caring that everyone had plenty to eat. When supper was
-finished, Sister Julia in her quiet, helpful way insisted upon aiding
-Mrs. Murray to clear the table. Little Nan attended to her regular share
-of the work, and as a result, soon paraded a wonderfully bright row of
-tumblers on the lowest shelf of the dresser. When the red cloth had been
-laid on the table, Captain Murray brought out a great map, and they all
-gathered about while Mr. Fairfax showed them the plan of their journey.
-
-“You'll get it out often and keep track of us, won't you?” he said to
-Regie, taking the crutches from his hand and lifting him to his knee.
-
-“Every night,” Regie promised, solemnly.
-
-“Not every night, Rex,” said Mr. Fairfax. “That will not be necessary,
-because you see we shall spend a week in London, and another whole week
-in Berlin, and two weeks perhaps in Paris.”
-
-“Shall you?” asked Regie, ruefully.
-
-“Why, to be sure; have you any objections, Rex?”
-
-“Oh, I thought you'd keep going and going until you got back again. I
-shall not like to think of you as stopping so long anywhere.”
-
-“We shall come home just as soon,” laughed Mr. Fairfax, giving that
-little adopted boy of his the most genuine sort of a fatherly hug.
-
-All too soon it was nine o'clock, and time for the children to go to
-bed.
-
-Mrs. Fairfax went up herself with Regie. Sister Julia had been up before
-her and lighted the candle, and laid Regie's night-dress out on the bed.
-
-“You will try not to give Mrs. Murray any trouble, won't you, dear?”
- said Mrs. Fairfax, helping Regie to undress.
-
-“Yes, I will, Mamma Fairfax,” Regie answered, with a little quiver in
-his voice.
-
-“And you will write to me once a week?”
-
-“Yes, mamma,” with two little quivers.
-
-“And you will do just as Sister Julia tells you?”
-
-“Yes,” and with a great sob Regie hid his face on her shoulder.
-
-“Why, Rex darling, do you really care so much?” said Mrs. Fairfax, with
-tears in her own eyes. “Well, I am proud that you do, and you will be
-all the more glad to have us home again. In the meantime, you will be
-very happy in this dear little home with Harry and Nan.”
-
-“Yes, I know I will,” said Regie, with a shadow of a smile.
-
-“And your little crutches will be hanging on the wall long before that
-time, because you will have no further need of them.”
-
-“Yes, I know,” said Regie, with a face almost wreathed in smiles at the
-thought, as he scrambled into bed.
-
-Then Mr. Fairfax ran up the little flight, two steps at a time, to bid
-him good-bye.
-
-There was considerable whispering and hugging between the little fellow
-inside the bed and the big fellow outside, and then in another moment
-Papa Fairfax was gone.
-
-And then it was Mamma Fairfax's turn. “I will send Sister Julia right
-up,” she said, for Regie should not be left alone that night. “And now
-two of your best hugs and five of your best kisses--and now, my own dear
-little Rex, good-night and goodbye.”
-
-[Illustration: 5046]
-
-[Illustration: 0047]
-
-
-
-
-VI. IN THE HIGHLAND LIGHT
-
-
-[Illustration: 9047]
-
-T nine o'clock Thursday evening Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had bade farewell
-to their friends at Moorlow. At nine o'clock Friday morning the train
-whirled by on its way to Sandy Hook, and then they waved good-bye from
-the car windows, as they had promised, to Regie and Harry and Nan, who,
-seated on a pile of railroad ties, had been watching and waiting for the
-train a long half hour. At nine o'clock Saturday morning Mr. and Mrs.
-Fairfax went on board the _Alaska_, which some one has called “the
-greyhound of the sea,” and a half hour later the good ship steamed out
-into the Bay.
-
-“Well, I suppose you've seen the last of 'em,” said Captain Murray,
-joining the little party just as the train had disappeared, and looking
-closely at Regie to see how he was taking it.
-
-“The last for a while, I suppose, sir,” said Regie, in a firm little
-voice, but nevertheless gazing very wistfully down the track in the
-direction of the vanishing train. “I would have given a good deal,” he
-added, “to have seen the big ship they are going on.”
-
-“You would? Well, why not?” said the captain. “Yes, why not?” looking
-from one puzzled face to the other in an amused sort of fashion.
-
-“Oh!” said Harry, “do you mean that you'll take us to the Highland
-Light?”
-
-“Of course I do. Where else, to be sure? We can drive over with Dobbin
-early to-morrow morning. I'll take the glass along, and we'll have a
-good look at the _Alaska_, every one of us. What time does she leave the
-dock, Reginald?” for the honest captain believed in calling people and
-things by their right names.
-
-“Half-past nine, sir,” said Regie, promptly, for he was well posted on
-all the details of the projected journey.
-
-“Then she'll round the Hook about eleven.”.
-
-“Is the lighthouse very high?” asked Regie, his face aglow with
-excitement.
-
-“High enough to see a long way out to sea,” answered the captain.
-
-[Illustration: 0048]
-
-“I was not thinking of that,” said Regie, rather ruefully. “I was
-thinking I could not climb up so very many stairs with these crutches.”
-
-“But you can go up mighty easy without them. See! just like this,” and
-Captain Murray caught Regie in his arms as easily as Regie himself would
-have lifted a kitten. “Bring the crutches, Nan,” he added, “there's no
-use in staying here any longer.”
-
-[Illustration: 0050]
-
-“I believe Papa and Mamma Fairfax would like to know we were looking
-at them,” said Regie, with his arms clasped firmly round the captain's
-neck. “They could not see us, but they could know we were there.”
-
-“To be sure,” said the captain, making use of those three monosyllables
-on every possible occasion; “and we'll stop at the railroad station on
-our way home now, and telegraph them to be on the lookout for us.”
-
-“You're a magnificent captain!” said Regie, never hesitating to express
-honest admiration.
-
-“I'm glad you think so,” replied the captain, tightening his hold of the
-warm-hearted little fellow, “but unfortunately your saying so does not
-make it true.”
-
-“But, papa, it is true,” said Nan, loyally, catching hold of her
-father's coat, and trudging along by his side. “All the men say so at
-the Life-saving Station, and I guess they ought to know.”
-
-“None of them have ever been to sea with me, Nan.”
-
-“They know about you all the same,” said Harry, with a significant
-shake of his head; for he was very proud of his tall father, and of his
-handsome weather-beaten face.
-
-They had reached the little Gothic railroad station, and Captain Murray
-sat Regie down on the operator's table while he wrote this telegram on
-one of the yellow paper blanks:--
-
-“Mr. Curtis Fairfax,
-
-“No. --, Wall St., New York.
-
-“The children will wave you good-bye from the Highland Light at eleven
-o'clock to-morrow, rain or shine.
-
-“Epher Murray.”
-
-In two hours back came this answer:--
-
-“Captain Epher Murray,
-
-“Moorlow, New Jersey.
-
-“Good for you. Keep a sharp lookout for special signals.
-
-“C. Fairfax.”
-
-“A sharp lookout for special signals!” the words kept ringing in the
-children's ears.
-
-“What can he mean to do--my darling old Papa Fairfax?” thought Regie, as
-he dropped off into a sound sleep that night.
-
-At eight o'clock the next morning, Sister Julia and Regie and Nan
-climbed into the back seat of Cap-. tain Murray's waggon, while Harry
-took the place beside his father in front.
-
-[Illustration: 8051]
-
-Faithful old Dobbin broke straightway into a canter, bound for the
-“Highland Light,” and fortunately for the party there was no “rain,” but
-plenty of “shine” instead.
-
-Down the fine boulevard they went, past the fine houses, through
-Sea Bright, with its queer medley of summer cottages, hotels, and
-fishermen's huts; then crossing and recrossing the track again and
-again, because the drive on that narrow strip of land between the ocean
-and the Shewsbury river constantly accommodates itself to the curves of
-the railroad; over the rickety Highland Bridge, stopping to pay toll
-on the draw; past the bevy of cottages, where a number of actors and
-actresses have established a little colony of their own; up the steep
-hill, with the great seams washed in the road by the heavy rains, but
-wide enough and deep enough to seem more like the work of an earthquake;
-finally coming to a halt at the gate which opens on the rear of the
-grand old lighthouse.
-
-“Why, how do you do, captain? Want to show the youngsters through the
-light?” asked the keeper, appearing in the doorway at the sound of the
-waggon wheels.
-
-“Want to do more than that,” answered Captain Murray, lifting his little
-party out one by one; “want to see the _Alaska_ off for Europe.”
-
-“Friends on board?”
-
-“This little chap's father and mother.”
-
-“Oh, that's it, is it?” said the keeper. “But what's happened the little
-fellow?” glancing at Regie's crutches.
-
-“He fell from a cherry tree a few week ago,” Sister Julia explained, as
-they walked towards the house.
-
-“Stealing cherries, eh?” chuckled the man, giving Regie a significant
-little nudge.
-
-“Indeed, I wasn't,” answered Regie, with some indignation.
-
-“Why, Reginald, he is only joking,” Sister Julia said, reprovingly.
-
-“Of course I was,” said the keeper. “Such a bright little fellow as you
-look to be ought to know when a man's joking.”
-
-“Yes, I know I ought,” Regie answered, blushing. “I spoke before I
-thought; you must excuse me, Mr. Keeper.”
-
-“'Mr. Keeper,'” laughed the man, “well! that's a new name for Joe
-Canfield; but I like it, and you're a mighty honest little fellow. When
-you're ready to go up, you can leave your crutches below here, and I'll
-carry you over every one of those blessed stairs myself.”
-
-“You'd better let papa do that,” said Nan, “he's pretty heavy, and we
-wouldn't have anything happen to him for the world.”
-
-“Do you think I would drop him, little one? Never you fear; I could
-carry you both as well as not;” whereupon Nan started to travel briskly
-up the stairs, as if to show him she was quite equal to doing her own
-climbing.
-
-“Bide a bit, miss,” called the keeper. “You won't be able to sight the
-_Alaska_ for a half hour yet. If you want to understand about the light
-you'd better look about down here first.” Then he led the way into a
-room on the ground floor, where the oil for the lights was stored,
-the little party following him closely, with the exception of Captain
-Murray, whom the children were glad to have go “on watch” in the balcony
-of the light, for fear, by any chance, the _Alaska_ should be sighted
-ahead of time.
-
-“I suppose you have noticed before you came in, ma'am,” said Keeper
-Canfield, addressing Sister Julia, “that this lighthouse has two
-towers and two lights? The dwellings for the keepers' families are in
-between 'em, and there we live as cosy and comfortable as can be. If you
-have time when you come down you must take a peep at our baby. Have you
-ever seen a lighthouse baby?” he added, turning to Nan.
-
-“Never,” said Nan, seriously.
-
-“Well, a lighthouse baby is worth seeing, for somehow or other they look
-brighter than ordinary babies. It seems as though they were born with
-a notion that their two eyes must cheer us old codgers on life's great
-sea, just as the lights in the tower there cheer the sailors.”
-
-The children looked wonderingly up at their guide, not quite sure
-whether he were in earnest or no.
-
-“Now, you see,” he continued, “this is the room where we store the
-oil, and how much do you suppose we burn in a year? Forty-five hundred
-gallons! We burn mineral oil, that is, oil that comes out from the
-ground through the oil wells.”
-
-The room in which they were standing was flanked with wooden boxes, each
-containing a full oil-can, and everything was scrupulously neat, for not
-a speck of dust was to be seen anywhere.
-
-“Now I guess we had better go up,” said the keeper, when a good many
-questions had been asked and answered, “and we'll go easy, so as not to
-lose our breath;” then, taking Regie's crutches in one hand, he lifted
-him into his arms.
-
-“And, Nan,” said Sister Julia, “you had better take hold of my hand, for
-fear your little head should grow dizzy on this winding flight.”
-
-Of course Harry was half-way up before the rest of the party had even
-started.
-
-The keeper landed Regie safely right inside the light itself, and indeed
-it was large enough to hold them all. What a marvellous place it was! It
-seemed as though they were in a beautiful crystal house, for they were
-surrounded by tier after tier of glass prisms, so arranged as to project
-the light from the lantern against a series of brass reflectors at the
-back, and they, in turn, throw the light twenty-five miles out to sea.
-
-The children were too much awed by the wonderful contrivance to even
-speak, until Harry slipped out of the light and peered in at them
-through the glass. It made him look very funny--eyes, nose, mouth, every
-feature appeared to be drawn out lengthwise by the prisms.
-
-“Why, Harry Murray!” cried Nan, “you're a disgrace to the family. I
-never saw anything so ugly in all my life!”
-
-“I wish you could come out here and have a look at yourself, then,”
- Harry called back. “Your head is about two inches high, and two feet
-wide. You could stand in a bandbox, you are so short, but it would take
-a dozen of 'em to hold you the other way!”
-
-Nan and Harry were so much amused with these ridiculous distortions
-that Reginald was the only one who really paid attention to the keeper's
-description of the lantern, but he listened sagely, and plied questions
-fast enough to atone for the indifference of the others. Harry might be
-partially excused for his inattention, on the ground that he had been
-through the light two or three times before. As for Nan, it must be
-confessed that she was not of an inquiring turn of mind.
-
-“There's one sad thing about this light,” said the keeper to Reginald,
-who sat on a little stool with his crutches laid across his knees.
-“There's one very sad thing, and that is, that some sailors do not
-understand what it is for at all. They seem to be fascinated by it, and
-they steer straight for it, and of course there's no help in the end,
-but that they all get wrecked on the bar.”
-
-“Why, that's very queer,” said Reginald. “I should think a man wasn't
-fit to be a sailor at all unless he understood about lighthouses and
-things.”
-
-“So it would seem,” said the keeper, with a shrug; “but I've thought
-sometimes that the trouble is with their steering apparatus, and that
-the poor things are more to be pitied than blamed. The moment they come
-in sight of the light, their helms seem to get bewitched, and first
-thing they know their queer-rigged little crafts are headed straight for
-the light, and on they come, sort of in spite of themselves, and with
-death staring them right in the face.”
-
-“Have there been many wrecks lately?” asked Reginald, his eyes as large
-as saucers.
-
-“Five last night.”
-
-Regie stared at the man with a look that meant plainly, “I don't believe
-a word of it,” and the keeper laughed outright. Sister Julia, sitting at
-the top of the little flight of stairs just outside the lantern, watched
-him with an amused smile on her face; and Nan, who was listening now,
-was interested enough to wish that she had heard it all.
-
-“You think that I am telling you a yarn, don't you, youngster?” said the
-keeper to Regie, “but 'pon honour it is every word true. If you don't
-believe it, I'll show you the five little wrecks lying in a row on a
-bench in the yard, just as I picked 'em up this morning.”
-
-“Picked 'em up!” said Regie, scornfully.
-
-“Yes, sir, picked 'em up. The reason you don't understand me is because
-you spell sailor with an “o,” but in this case you must spell it with an
-“e”--sailers, you see--which is only another name for birds, you know.”
-
-It was Regie's turn to laugh now. “You fooled me pretty well,” he said;
-but Nan looked more ready to cry.
-
-“Do you mean,” said she, “that five little birds flew against this
-lantern last night, and killed themselves?”
-
-“Five last night, and six the night before,” said the man, as though the
-truth must be told, no matter how unpleasant.
-
-“Ship ahoy!” shouted Captain Murray from the tower balcony, where he
-had been on watch for the last half hour. All knew what that meant, and
-Sister Julia and Nan and Harry hurried down the little flight that led
-from the lantern to the balcony, and the keeper quickly caught Regie in
-his arms again.
-
-“Where is she?” cried Regie, impatiently, as though he could hardly wait
-for an answer.
-
-“You can see her with the naked eye,” replied the captain, “away off
-there in a direct line from the Hook. I knew her build and rig the
-moment she came in sight; but she's flying a queer sort of flag,”
- putting his glass to his eye.
-
-“Perhaps it's the special signal Mr. Fairfax telegraphed us to look out
-for,” said sister Julia.
-
-“Please let me have a look,” cried Reginald, almost pulling the glass
-from Captain Murray's hands in his eagerness. It took a moment to
-adjust it to his eyesight, and then he exclaimed, almost breathless with
-excitement. “Yes, there's a big red flag with some large yellow thing on
-it. Oh, I know, it's a flag from one of Papa Fairfax's warehouses, and
-the yellow thing is a coffee canister; see, Captain Murray, see if it
-isn't.”
-
-Captain Murray took the glass back again. “Yes, you're right, Reginald,”
- he said; “but there's something on the flag beside the canister,
-something that looks like letters.”
-
-“Perhaps it is a message,” cried Rex, fairly wild with excitement. “Oh!
-please let me see if I can make them out.” Once again the glass was
-quickly re-adjusted to Regie's sight, while Nan and Harry pressed their
-faces close to his, as though being as close as possible to the glass
-was the next best thing to looking through it. “Yes, they are letters,”
- said Regie more calmly, “big white letters, and the first is a G, I
-think, and the next an O, but the flag waves so I cannot read the rest.”
-
-“'Perhaps it's 'Good-bye,'” said Nan.
-
-“Of course it is,” cried Regie, “I see the B now, and the E; but there's
-another word besides. Try, Nan, if you can make it out,” and Regie with
-much self-denial gave up his place at the glass.
-
-Wind and tide seemed always to favour little Nan, for at that very
-moment a stiff breeze caught the flag and held it out bravely, so that
-she read “Good-bye, Regie,” as easily as from her spelling book at
-school.
-
-Oh! how the message thrilled through and through Regie's excited little
-frame.
-
-[Illustration: 9057]
-
-To think that Papa Fairfax cared so much for him as to take all that
-trouble; and right then and there a prayer went silently up from Regie's
-full heart that he might never do anything to grieve him--never.
-
-Quickly the glass was passed from one to another that all might have a
-look.
-
-“Oh, if we only could signal back somehow!” said Sister Julia,
-earnestly.
-
-“And what is to hinder, dear?” answered the keeper's wife, who had
-toiled up to the tower with the baby in her arms.
-
-“Daniel,” she added, turning to her husband, “run to the parlour and
-pull down the curtain from the double window. That's big enough for them
-to distinguish.”
-
-Big enough for them to distinguish! you would have thought so could you
-have seen the great expanse of turkey red that floated from the tower a
-few minutes later.
-
-“They see it! they see it!” shouted Harry, whose turn it was now at the
-glass. “They're dipping their colours.”
-
-“So they are!” every one cried, for no glass was needed to discern that.
-
-With happy, wistful eyes Regie watched the great _Alaska_ till she was
-a mere speck on the horizon; then the little party turned their faces
-homeward, and from that moment Regie looked eagerly forward to the day
-when they should come sailing back again.
-
-
-[Illustration: 0058]
-
-
-
-
-VII.--A TRIP TO BURCHARD'S
-
-
-[Illustration: 9058]
-
-EEMS to me, peaches must be at their best about now, father,” Mrs.
-Murray said to the captain, as they sat at breakfast one morning, about
-a week after Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had sailed.
-
-“Shouldn't wonder, Mollie,” replied the Captain, and then he said
-nothing more, for he was busy with his own thoughts.
-
-“Shouldn't wondering doesn't help matters any,” said his wife at last,
-impatiently. “What's to be done about 'em, Epher?”
-
-“About what, Mollie?” asked the captain, for he had really forgotten
-what she was talking about.
-
-“Why! the peaches, to be sure. You must be having one of your
-absent-minded turns.”
-
-“I was thinking, Mollie,” he answered, “about getting some new blankets
-and tarpaulins for the crew. That is more like minding my own business
-than being absent-minded, it strikes me.”
-
-Captain Murray had had charge of the Moorlow Life-saving Station for
-eight years, and had just accepted a new appointment.
-
-“I guess you'd say I hadn't been minding mine, if I let the fall go by
-without doing up any peaches. Nobody sets more store by my preserves
-than you do, Epher Murray, but you'll have few enough to set store by
-this year, unless you do something pretty quick about 'em.”
-
-[Illustration: 0059]
-
-“Well! well! I'll send word over to Burchard's orchard; that's all
-that's needed, isn't it?”
-
-“And who will you send, I'd like to know?”
-
-It seemed to Mrs. Murray as though the captain might offer his own
-services for such an all-important matter as this preserving.
-
-“Couldn't the children drive over for them?” asked Sister
-
-Julia, who always endeavoured to make things as comfortable as possible
-for everybody.
-
-“The very thing!” Regie exclaimed.
-
-“Oh! do let us go, father,” cried. Harry and Nan together.
-
-“Of course you can go,” answered Captain Murray, only too willing to
-give a permission that freed him from any responsibility in the matter.
-
-To be allowed to go by themselves all the way to Burchard's orchard
-seemed quite an adventure in the eyes of the children, and they were
-anxious to be off but certain things must needs be first attended to.
-Nan had various little indoor duties, which kept her busy for a while
-every morning, and Harry had regular morning work in the neighbourhood
-of the wood pile. As for Regie, Sister Julia said, kindly but firmly,
-that “he could not stir a step till he had written a letter to Papa
-Fairfax.” Harry soon succeeded in finishing his task, and hurried out
-to the barn, as he thought, to help the man, Joe, to put Pet into the
-harness. What was his disappointment to find the barn empty. He knew in
-a moment that Joe must have taken him to be shod, for ponies, as well
-as little people, seem to need shoeing very often, and he rushed back to
-the house in a great state of excitement.
-
-Regie was struggling with his letter, with Sister Julia sitting by as an
-authority in the matter of spelling.
-
-“Say,” cried Harry, appearing on the scene, “there isn't a sign of Pet
-in the barn. I s'pose they've taken him off to be shod, and there's no
-telling when they'll bring him back.” His manner showed so very plainly
-what he thought, that he hardly needed to have added that “he thought it
-was very mean indeed.”
-
-“I think it is very mean, too!” said Regie; “seems to me I ought to be
-told when my own pony needs shoeing, and not have him walked off just
-when I want to use him.”
-
-“If that is the case you had better off with my head, then, King Regie,”
- laughed Sister Julia; “for I am the guilty one. The moment it was
-decided that you should go to the orchard I sent Joe off with Pet, for
-it would never do to have him cast a shoe on such a long drive.”
-
-“Oh, that's all right then,” said Regie, apologetically. He had a
-foolish trick of growing indignant over many things, because he would
-not wait to find out the true facts of a case. This may be said in his
-favour, however, that when he found himself in the wrong, which was very
-often, he was always ready to admit it,--an honest, winning trait which
-is somewhat rare in this self-confident world of ours.
-
-“Now run along, Harry,” said Sister Julia. “This letter of Reginald's
-must go out by to-morrow's steamer, and if he does not hurry, Pet will
-be at the door long before he is through with it.”
-
-Harry departed as requested, and Reginald spread his arms out on the
-table, and resumed writing, accompanying every up and down stroke of
-his pen with an earnest little motion of the lips, as if that were a
-necessary part of the proceeding. With long pauses over certain words,
-and constant appeals to Sister Julia, frequently as to the spelling of
-words of which he was perfectly sure, the letter was at last finished,
-and this was the result--
-
-“Moorlow, Sept, 7th '85.
-
-“Dear Papa Fairfax,--We are all well, and having a first-rate time, and
-hope you are having a good time too. The pony is just as well and fat
-as ever, but Captain Murray's cow has a very lame foot. We caught a
-woodchuck last Saturday, and Captain Murray's man, Joe, skinned him, and
-we gave the skin to Mrs. Murray for a little rug. We have been making
-darts with horseshoe nails and corks and feathers. Did you know how to
-do that when you were a little boy? We have had to put the old drake in
-another place. He kept picking up the little ducks and shaking them. We
-are going to a peach orchard this morning (if Pet ever comes home from
-being shod). So good-bye, from
-
-“Your loving
-
-“Regie.
-
-“P. S. It is very nice here. Captain Murray asked me to send his love
-to you. Sister Julia is very kind. I love her next to you and Mamma
-Fairfax.--R. F.”
-
-The careful directing of the envelope was the work of an additional
-five minutes, and Sister Julia stood ready to hand Reginald his hat and
-crutches the moment it should be completed; for Harry and Nan and Pet
-were waiting at the door, and all equally impatient.
-
-[Illustration: 0062]
-
-“Now, children,” said Sister Julia, as they were getting stowed away in
-the cart, “it is eleven o'clock, and it will take you about an hour and
-a half to drive over, and you must allow the same time for driving home.
-I shall be worried if you are not here by five. I shall depend upon you,
-Regie, to keep watch of the time. Let us see if our watches agree.” They
-were found to agree to the minute, and the little party set off. Pet
-was the most energetic pony; going or coming was all the same to him.
-He always trotted over the ground as fast as his little legs could carry
-him, seldom falling into a walk of his own accord. So it was not strange
-that, with Pet's steady pattering and the children's steady chattering,
-they found themselves at the peach orchard in what seemed to them a very
-short space of time, though, in point of fact, they had been on the road
-almost as long as Sister Julia had predicted.
-
-Regie was able to drive right into the orchard, for the bars of the rail
-fence had been let down, and they soon came to a rough platform covered
-with peach baskets, some full and some empty, over which a coloured boy,
-with hands plunged into his trousers pockets, was loyally keeping guard.
-
-“Any peaches for sale?” asked Harry, scrambling out.
-
-“Lots of 'em,” grinned the boy.
-
-“Where's Mr. Burchard?” asked Nan.
-
-“South corner,” indicating the direction with a bob of his woolly head;
-“he's got a gang of men down there with him picking.”
-
-“Let's go and help 'em,” said Harry, “we can eat all we want to and have
-lots of fun,” but the words were no sooner uttered than he realised that
-hobbling over that rough orchard was out of the question for Regie, and
-indeed it was too rough to drive farther in with the cart.
-
-“One of us must stay with Pet,” said Regie, casually, as though there
-was no other reason in the world why he should not go. Harry and Nan
-scampered off, with some misgivings on Nan's part as to the kindness
-of deserting her king; but the vision of a seat on a comfortable bough,
-with luscious peaches within easy reach, was a stronger test than even
-her loyalty could bear.
-
-“Want to get out?” said the coloured boy to Rex, when the children had
-gone. “I'll help you,” glancing significantly toward the crutches.
-
-“No, thank you,” answered Rex, “it is too much bother;” and, foolish,
-sensitive little fellow that he was, he blushed up to the roots of his
-hair, as though a broken leg was something to be heartily ashamed of.
-
-“Lame long?” asked the boy, who seemed averse to wasting breath on any
-unnecessary words.
-
-“Three months,” said Rex, “but I'll soon be over it. I wish you'd let
-down Pet's check,” he added, willing to change the subject.
-
-“Boss pony,” said the boy, carrying out Regie's request, whereupon Pet
-sniffed about him, expecting something to eat.
-
-“Seems hungry,” said the boy.
-
-“That can't be,” said Rex, proudly; “he has all the hay and oats he
-wants every day.”
-
-“Give him a peach?” asked the boy, with elevated eyebrows.
-
-“Yes, if you want to.”
-
-Jim, for that was the boy's name, picked out “a booty,” as he called it,
-gave it rather an unnecessary rub on the side of his old trousers, and
-popped it into Pet's expectant jaws. Pet made a great fuss over it.
-It could hardly be an easy matter to manage a large peach, and the
-good-sized pit inside of it, with a curb bit in the mouth.
-
-“Do they give peaches to horses?” asked Reginald, beginning to have some
-misgivings on the subject.
-
-“Some's feared to do it.”
-
-“Are they afraid of the pit's sticking in their throats?”
-
-The boy gave a little grunt that meant “Yes, they were.” Regie was
-alarmed. “But you need not fear 'bout this un,” added the boy; “he looks
-knowin' enough to spit the pit out.” Jim was right, and in a few minutes
-the pit fell softly to the ground. Then the boys fell to talking about
-one thing and another to while away the time, until it suddenly occurred
-to Jim to put another peach into Pet's mouth.
-
-“I wish you had not done that,” said Regie, a little provoked. “I think
-he came very near choking on the other one.”
-
-There was a sound of wheels just then, and a waggon loaded with peach
-baskets came in sight, with Nan and Harry seated in front of them.
-“There's old black Ned,” said Jim, pointing towards the horse that was
-drawing the waggon; “he eats ten peaches of a mornin', and spits the pit
-out every time; but, my eyes! I reckon this pony ain't got sense enough,
-arter all,” for just at this point Pet began to cough and strangle most
-prodigiously.
-
-“Pull it out, can't you?” said Rex, impatiently, whereupon the boy
-simply stood and stared, plunging his hands deeper down into the depths
-of his trousers pocket. Regie knew that he could get to Pet in no other
-way so quickly as to scramble along his back and drop over his head. It
-was the work of a moment, and the unexpected arrival of somebody on his
-neck caused Pet to jerk his head so violently as to send the unlucky
-stone flying out of his throat, and to land Regie in a topsy-turvy state
-in front of him. Regie hardly touched the ground before Harry was at his
-side, trying to help him up. Pet did not know what to make of all this,
-and stood looking down at his young master with his ears pricked up and
-his head on one side; but no doubt he was grateful to the transaction
-that had enabled him to part company with that deplorable stone.
-
-“Your leg's not hurt, is it, Rex?” cried Nan, instantly appearing on the
-scene.
-
-“I guess not. Get my crutches, please,” and Nan hurried to pull them out
-from under the seat of the cart.
-
-“Why, what's all this?” asked the man, who had been leading the horse
-with the load of peaches.
-
-“Oh, that old coloured boy of yours gave a peach to my pony, and then,
-when he choked on the pit, was too much of a coward to try and get
-it out and Rex turned to wither poor Jim with one of his most kingly
-glances, but Jim had vanished.
-
-“I should think he would take himself off,” said Harry, indignantly. “If
-he'd stayed round here I would have given him a piece of my mind,” and
-Harry made certain significant gestures with the plumpest of fists.
-“Think of his letting a lame fellow like Rex come tumbling out of the
-cart, rather than lift his hand to help a choking pony,” and an angry
-red flush shot over Harry's sun-burned face.
-
-Just at this moment Nan discovered a black curly-headed little pate
-directly under a hole in the platform, but with Harry at this angry
-pitch she did not dare to make known her discovery. Presently, when
-Harry and Rex were busy getting into the cart, and the man's back was
-turned, what did the little witch do but catch up an old tin pail near
-at hand, dip it half full of powdered dust from the road, and pour
-it down through that one small hole in the platform. There was a
-spluttering sound as of suppressed choking. Nan was the only one that
-noticed it, but her little face was sufficiently wreathed in smiles to
-prove that “revenge is sweet” to the “gentler sex,” though the revenger
-be still in pinafores.
-
-[Illustration: 5066]
-
-[Illustration: 9067]
-
-
-
-
-VIII.--ON THE WAY HOME
-
-
-[Illustration: 9067]
-
-HEN you will surely send those peaches this afternoon?” said Harry to
-the man, when all was in readiness to turn their faces homeward.
-
-“Surely; and if you don't hurry up they'll get there before you.”
-
-Hurrying was just in Pet's line, and he pricked up his ears as though
-he fully understood this last remark. Rex gave him the word and away
-he flew, almost running against the gatepost in his eagerness to be off
-from that region of coloured boys and peach stones.
-
-“Which way shall we go?” asked Rex, consulting his little silver watch;
-“we have plenty of time.”
-
-“Of course we have,” said Nan, “and why shouldn't we stop somewhere when
-there is an elegant luncheon in the bottom of this cart and we have not
-taken a minute to eat it?”
-
-“Sure enough,” Harry exclaimed, and the children stared at each other
-with a look of amazement, wondering how it ever could have happened that
-they should for a moment have forgotten anything so important.
-
-“I tell you what let's do,” said Rex; “let's go home by the Rumson
-Road. I know a lovely great tree, where we can rest Pet while we eat the
-luncheon.”
-
-Harry and Nan fell in with the plan, and Pet, who, with true
-pony instinct, had started the shortest way home, was obliged to
-right-about-face. There are not many more charming drives than that
-of the Rumson Road, bordered as it is on one side by beautiful country
-houses, whose windows command a near view of the river and a distant
-one of the sea. Luxuriant hedges and evenly trimmed grass-plots line
-the drive, and here and there a fine old tree throws a grateful shadow
-athwart the red soil road. Though each of the little trio had been over
-it many times before, it seemed to-day to wear a new beauty in their
-eyes, and when they reached a point where it curves gracefully and two
-grand old places confront each other, Nan's enthusiasm found vent.
-
-“Isn't it just too beautiful for anything?” she exclaimed. “Yes, it is
-lovely,” Rex answered,--“just like the country far away from the sea,
-and yet you can see the ocean as plain as day.”
-
-“It is a great pity,” said Nan, “that plants and flowers won't grow as
-they ought to, close down to the shore.” She was looking at a great
-bed of flowers in the midst of one of the lawns, and recalling a
-little company of spindly geraniums, which she had vainly tried to make
-flourish in her little garden at home, so depressing is the effect of
-salt sea-fogs and sandy soil upon all growing things. “And there are no
-trees to speak of near the sea,” she added, with a little sigh, for she
-dearly loved the green and the shade of the inland country; “nothing but
-meadows of great coarse grass.”
-
-“You forgot the lawns round the places on the boulevard, Nan,” said
-Harry.
-
-“Oh, to be sure, but the grass only grows there because they have men
-to sprinkle and 'tend to it all the time. Papa says he could s'port
-half-a-dozen little girls like me for what it costs for one of those
-lawns a single summer.”
-
-“That seems very extravagant,” said Regie, who had quite a business way
-of looking at matters.
-
-“I think I would like to live back here, where things grow as though
-they loved it, and not because they are made to,” Nan remarked,
-thoughtfully.
-
-“Indeed, I know better, Nannie Murray; you love the sea too much to
-be contented away from it a week,” Harry remarked, with brotherly
-superiority. “Why, mother took you to Grandma Murray's when you were
-only a scrap of a baby, and you cried and fretted so she 'was ashamed of
-you, and had to bring you home. The moment you caught sight of the sea
-you crowed and clapped your little hands, and behaved like another baby
-altogether. No, sir-ree, you'd be sick of living back here in a week.”
-
-[Illustration: 0069]
-
-“Well, perhaps I would,” Nan admitted, for she knew, after all, that no
-sound was so sweet in her ears as the roar of the breakers on the beach,
-nor anything that looked quite so beautiful to her as the dear old
-ocean, whether under a blue sky or a grey one.
-
-By this time they had reached Regie's tree. It stood just at the top of
-a little descent in the road, and not many yards away from one of the
-numerous railroad crossings which traverse that part of the country.
-
-Rex was helped out to a comfortable seat under it. Harry took Pet out
-of the shafts and tied him to a rail fence near by, while Nan, a perfect
-counterpart of her energetic mother, began transferring the luncheon
-from the basket to the grass, and spreading it out so that it should
-look as inviting as possible.
-
-Then there was silence as far as any continued conversation was
-concerned for the space of fifteen minutes. There was an occasional
-“These biscuits are delicious,” or a “Please pass me the sponge cake,”
- but that was all. A good appetite and plenty to gratify it generally
-quiets, for the time being, even the most incessant of little
-chatterboxes.
-
-When the luncheon was all disposed of, save a few crumbs,--which, by
-the way, made a beautiful meal for a family of ants the next day,--Regie
-threw himself on his back, and with hands folded under his head, looked
-up into the boughs, and in dreamy fashion watched the birds flying in
-and out. Harry whipped the inevitable boat hull out of his pocket and
-began whittling; and Nan, as any one who knew her could have foretold,
-soon discovered some sort of wild flowers at a little distance, and
-wandered off to gather them. They proved to be Black-eyed Susans, as the
-children call the yellow field daisies; and when she had picked them she
-discovered a larger growth of the same flower farther on in the midst of
-one of those luxurious wild “hedges, which often flourish along the line
-of railroads in the country. Of course she must needs have these too,
-and she hurried to reach them, as though half afraid that someone would
-seek to rob her of the prize. Eagerly she broke the stems; with a quiet
-knack placed each flower just where it would most contribute to the
-effectiveness of her bouquet, and she was just turning to go back to
-the boys when she spied something large and dark lying right across the
-track a hundred yards away.
-
-“Harry! Reginald!” she cried, at the top of her voice, “come here,
-quick!” at the same time shading her eyes with her hand, to discover,
-if possible, what the something might be. Harry was on his feet in an
-instant, for Nan was hidden from sight, and he feared some accident.
-Regie reached for his crutches and followed after as fast as he could.
-It seemed to Nan as though Harry never would come. “Look there,” she
-cried, as soon as he was within hearing distance, “What can it be?”
- pointing down the track as she spoke.
-
-“My jimini, I believe it's a cow!” and, more courageous than Nan,
-hurried on to investigate. Nan, with a pretty native thoughtfulness,
-waited till Rex had hobbled up to her, and then they trudged along to
-join Harry, who had reached the dark object, and stood poking at it with
-a sharp-pointed stick. Yes, it was certainly a great, dark-red cow, and
-the little party, gathering around her, stared at her for a few seconds
-in awe-struck silence.
-
-“Is she dead?” asked Nan, betraying a world of emotion in her voice.
-
-“Looks like it, doesn't it?” said Harry, appealing to Regie. Rex shook
-his head solemnly in the affirmative.
-
-“Oh, dear, dear!” cried Nan, “she'll be run over when the train comes.”
-
-“It won't hurt her if she is,” answered Harry, trying to assume a light
-tone; but his face plainly showed that he thought it a pretty serious
-matter.
-
-“I wonder what we ought to do?” said Rex.
-
-“I think we had better get right off this track this minute,” Nan wisely
-advised, “for there's no knowing when a train may come round the curve
-yonder.” So they clambered up the bank and sat down to deliberate.
-
-“Do you suppose she will throw the train off the track?” questioned Nan.
-
-“I don't believe so,” said Rex, “that's what the cow-catcher is for, you
-know.”
-
-“But the trouble is they don't always catch,” remarked Harry, with an
-emphatic shake of his head.
-
-“Oh, do you suppose a train may be coming?” asked Nan, with a
-perceptible little shiver.
-
-“How should we know, goosie?” answered Harry, with a nervous sort of
-shrug.
-
-“But,” questioned Rex, in business-like fashion, “what are we going to
-do about it?”
-
-“Well,” said Harry, “I don't see that we can do anything. I haven't an
-idea where this road can run to. Perhaps it is not used now.”
-
-“Oh, yes, it is,” cried Nan. “Hark!” and she pushed back her sun-bonnet
-so that she could hear more distinctly.
-
-Yes, surely it was a whistle, all three of the children heard it,--a
-long way off no doubt; but now they hear it again, and it sounded
-nearer.
-
-“I think we ought to run down the track and stop the train,” urged Rex.
-
-“But how shall we do it?” Harry exclaimed. “I don't believe they would
-stop just for our calling; and besides, they might not hear us; we ought
-to signal somehow.”
-
-The words “signal somehow” suggested a red flag to Nan, for she
-knew that was what they used at times of danger, and the thought
-suggested--well, no matter what, but she disappeared behind a bush, and
-in a moment re-appeared, waving a veritable little red flag.
-
-“Where did you get it?” cried the boys both at once, and staring at her
-in blank astonishment.
-
-“It is my flannel skirt,” Nan replied, with cheeks well nigh as scarlet
-as the skirt itself.
-
-“Good for you, Nan; you're a 'cute one!” and Harry quickly fastened the
-skirt to the same stick with which he had poked the cow. Then he rushed
-off, calling, “Come on, Nan; but Rex had better wait here.”
-
-Poor Rex! never had he felt so thoroughly out of patience with that lame
-leg of his. It seemed so hard not to be able to run with the best of
-them when there was so much excitement in the wind.
-
-“May I go?” said Nan, appealingly, and as though she dared not stir
-without permission from his little Royal Highness.
-
-“Of course, child,” said the king, somewhat ungraciously.
-
-Harry hurried along the track, and rounding the curve immediately gained
-a position, from which he knew the little flag could be seen from quite
-a distance? He reached the spot none too soon, for by this time the
-train was in sight. Right away he began waving vigorously. Nan's
-sun-bonnet was hanging from her neck, and she quickly untied the strings
-and shook it wildly up and down.
-
-[Illustration: 0073]
-
-“Oh, Harry! do you think they see us?” she cried.
-
-“See us! why, they can't help seeing us, goosie.” Harry called Nan by
-this name more often than by any other. He did not mean it unkindly, and
-Nan did not mind.
-
-“They are slowing up,” cried Harry, jubilantly.
-
-“They are slowing up,” Nan repeated, in the vain hope that Rex might
-hear her. The next moment the train came to a standstill, and Nan
-dropped in a limp heap to the ground, for, trembling with excitement,
-her little limbs, stout though they were, refused longer to support her.
-
-“Well, children, what's up?” shouted the engineer, from the cab of
-the locomotive. “I hope you ain't stopped the train for the fun of the
-thing.”
-
-“Well, I guess not,” cried Harry, indignantly. “There's a dead cow on
-the track just round the curve; we were afraid she might throw your
-train off.”
-
-“Good for you,” answered the man, “you may have saved us an ugly
-accident. Come, Joe,” he called to the fireman, as he jumped from his
-engine. “Now show us where she is, Johnnie.”
-
-“My name's Harry,” suggested that small gentleman, not caring to be
-addressed by the general title of Johnnie.
-
-“Well, then, Master Harry, lead the way.” Nan stayed where she was.
-The excitement of the last few moments had robbed her of all strength;
-besides, she did not exactly want to see them drag that poor cow from
-the track. And now the people in the train began to crane their necks
-from the car windows to ascertain what might be the' cause of the delay.
-A few men had gotten out and had gone ahead to investigate.
-
-“What's wrong, honey?” asked an old woman of Nan, whose seat on the
-embankment brought her just on a level with the window.
-
-“There's--there's a cow on the track,” answered Nan, with a big sigh
-between the two “there's,” as if her little heart had been quite
-overburdened.
-
-“And de engineer saw it in time to stop de train? Tank de Lord!”
- ejaculated the old woman.
-
-“No, no, he didn't; _we_ stopped the train,” Nan answered, proudly; “the
-engineer couldn't see the cow at all from here.”
-
-“Bress my heart! how did yer do it, chile?”
-
-“Why, with my flannel skirt,” Nan explained. She had not noticed that
-others in the car were listening to their conversation, but at this
-remark a coarse derisive laugh made her realise that a dozen pair of
-eyes were upon her. It proved too much for her overstrung nerves. She
-burst into tears and threw herself flat upon the grass, burying her face
-in her hands.
-
-“Ye'd all oughter be ashamed o' ye'selves,” said the old mammy, turning
-indignantly upon the fellow-passengers, though as much mystified as any
-of them by Nan's reply to her question.
-
-Meanwhile the cow had been pulled from the track, and Regie and Harry
-were naturally much elated by the earnest commendation of the passengers
-who stood about them. “Look here,” said one of them, evidently a farmer,
-“seems to me we ought to do something for these little people; who knows
-but some of us might have been in Kingdom Come but for them.”
-
-“That's so,” answered another passenger, “but what can yer do more'n
-thank 'em? they look like gentlefolks' children. I reckon they wouldn't
-take money for doing a kind turn.”
-
-“Well, I guess not,” said Regie, who had overheard the last remark.
-
-“I thought so,” answered the passenger, with a knowing wink. “He's got
-the right spirit, but I'd like to know one thing: where did you get
-that 'ere red flag?”
-
-“It's my sister's flannel skirt,” said Harry.
-
-“And who was so awful 'cute as to think of it?”
-
-“Why, Nan, of course,” Harry replied, and as though Nan's “'cuteness”
- was a widely-accepted fact.
-
-They had all been walking back toward the train as they talked, and now
-a warning whistle from the engineer hurried every one on board. As the
-wheels of the car began to turn slowly, the old mammy was the first
-to descry the little flannel skirt, whose mention had caused so much
-merriment, flying from the stick, which Harry had thrust into the ground
-when he had no farther use for it.
-
-“Oh, see!” she cried, pointing towards it, “that's how she did it--she
-did make a flag of it. Now that's what I call 'cute.”
-
-“'Cute, I should say so,” exclaimed the passenger who had been talking
-with Regie. “Let's give 'em three cheers as we go, one apiece, and the
-last and the loudest for the girl--the smart little owner of the little
-red skirt.” At the sound of the hearty cheering Nan raised her head,
-with a smile shining through her tears. She had heard the old mammy's
-exclamation, and then she understood why the people had laughed when she
-told them she had stopped the train with her flannel skirt. How stupid
-of her not to have explained that she made a flag of it! Four slow puffs
-from the locomotive were heard above the cheering, then a dozen short
-quick ones, and in another second the train had rounded the curve and
-was out of sight, though for several minutes they could hear the noise
-of it growing fainter and fainter in the distance.
-
-“Well, now we had better hurry home,” said Rex, drawing a long breath.
-“It wall be seven o'clock before we get there, and Sister Julia will be
-awfully worried.”
-
-Nan readjusted the little skirt that had done such good and novel
-service, and then they hurried back to Pet and the cart as fast as Regie
-could manage to get over the ground.
-
-It was indeed nearly seven o'clock before they reached home, and Sister
-Julia _was_ worried--worried enough to have been waiting at the gate an
-hour, peering up and down the road in the deepening twilight, wondering
-what could have happened, and which way they would come home, and
-sometimes wondering if they ever would come at all. Oh! how happy she
-felt when she recognised the patter of Pet's nimble feet on the hard
-boulevard, long before she could discover the little turnout itself.
-
-“Bless your little hearts!” she cried, running to meet them, “I have
-been so worried! what has kept you such a long while?” The children
-tried to tell all in one breath. “Oh, lots of things,” they answered.
-“We had to wait to stop a train because a dead cow was on the track,”
- said Nan.
-
-“And Pet almost choked to death on a peach stone,” added Rex, “and----”
-
-“Oh, wait a moment,” said Sister Julia, putting her fingers to her ears;
-“I cannot understand a word if you all talk at once.” Mrs. Murray was
-standing in the doorway; she had felt sure the children would come home
-all right. “How about the peaches?” she asked as they came up the path,
-for all this excitement did not make her forget that everything was in
-readiness for preserving the next day.
-
-“Oh, they'll surely come to-night, the man promised faithfully,” Harry
-answered. “Hark! I heard a waggon; I guess they're coming now.” Yes,
-the waggon turned in at the gate, and Mrs. Murray's mind was as much
-relieved about the peaches as Sister Julia's about the children. The
-little trio did justice to an ample supper that night, and after an
-hour's narration of the exciting experiences of the day, they were
-perfectly willing to desert the open wood fire in the sitting-room for
-downy pillows and blankets, those comfortable contrivances which waft
-tired little people into the realm of slumberland.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: 0078]
-
-
-
-
-IX.--A DAY ON THE BEACH
-
-
-[9078]
-
-T had been arranged that for the first week Regie and Harry and Nan
-should be allowed to do pretty much as they liked, but after that
-lessons should be regularly begun with Sister Julia. Rex and Harry had
-reached about the' same point in their studies, but poor little Nan was
-a good way behind, farther than her years would warrant. All the winter
-before she had attended school at the Branch, but she had pleaded very
-hard not to be sent back again.
-
-“It is such a large school,” she had told her mother, “that when you get
-ahead they have to hold you back for the other girls, and so you don't
-learn very much.”
-
-Mrs. Murray could not help smiling at her excuse for having made so
-little progress, knowing well enough the fault lay in the fact that she
-could not or would not apply her mind to the task which had been set
-her, but Nan hailed with delight this plan for studying with Sister
-Julia. Of course it had to be quite independently of the boys, because
-they were so far ahead of her, but somehow or other she was really
-in earnest about the matter, and did get along finely. The greatest
-incentive to hard study came to her in the mortification she felt one
-evening at not being able to enter into a game of Regie's, because she
-could not read the printing on the cards belonging to the game.
-
-[Illustration: 8079]
-
-Now that the children had settled down to their schooling the time flew
-faster than ever, and before they knew it, enough days had come and
-gone to allow “Uncle Sam,” one morning, to shake a letter out of his
-mail-bag, directed to Regie and postmarked “London.”
-
-“See here, Reginald, I've brought something for you,” called Captain
-Murray, coming with the mail, just as the children were setting off from
-the house, for it was Saturday and they had planned to spend the morning
-on the beach.
-
-“Hurrah! here's another!” shouted Regie, for he had already received
-a steamer letter, which had been mailed when the _Alaska_ touched at
-Queenstown.
-
-“Yes, another letter,” answered the captain, handing it to him, “and
-it's a rouser.”
-
-Regie stood irresolute a moment. “I tell you, boys,” he said, always
-forgetting that Nan could not be included under this general title, “I
-tell you, I'll save it till we get fixed all comfortable on the beach,
-and then I'll read it to you.”
-
-“All right; let's start,” said Harry, and the little party started,
-though Rex had some misgivings as to his ability to master Mamma
-Fairfax's handwriting, for he knew from the direction that the letter
-was from her. “We haven't played that king game much,” he said, as they
-trudged along. He was able to manage with a little cane now in place of
-the crutches.
-
-“Seems to me we're kind of playing it,” answered Harry, glancing down
-at a heavy rug that he himself was carrying, and then over towards a
-luncheon basket with which Nan was laden: “at any rate the body-guard
-are sort of waiting on Your Highness.”
-
-“Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Harry Murray?” cried Nan, resenting the
-indignity. “You oughtn't to expect Regie to help carry things until he
-can walk as well as you and I do.”
-
-“I hope he'll walk a good sight better than you do before very long,”
- retorted Harry, in a teasing mood. “See, Nan, this is the way you
-always get over the ground,” and Harry threw aside the rug the better to
-imitate Nan's funny gait, characterised by a straightness on Nan's part
-amounting to an actual bending backward, and a jerky, independent little
-step. Harry hit it exactly, and Regie laughed immoderately, which was
-not very polite, considering Nan's gallant defence of him a few moments
-before. But Nan smiled, too, in spite of herself.
-
-“I can't help it if I am too straight,” she said; “there's one good
-thing,--straight people are not so dangerous of having consumption.”
-
-“Look out, Nan, you'll choke if you use such big words,” advised Harry.
-
-“No, really, I think it would be real fun to play the king game this
-morning,” urged Regie, as they came to a spot on the beach where, by
-mutual consent, they spread out the rug and sat down.
-
-“All right, then,” replied Harry, “and I'll be the king.”
-
-“Then I shall not play,” said Nan, “I am not going to keep changing
-kings every day.”
-
-“Of course not,” Regie laughed, “you believe in the divine right, don't
-you, Nan?” Regie had just learned what “divine right” meant, and proudly
-aired his knowledge.
-
-“I don't know,” said Nan, “but whenever we play I believe in your being
-the king; I never could think of Harry as a king for a moment. Besides,
-you're our company, and we ought to wait on you.”
-
-“Bosh!” said Harry, “I don't call people what boards in your house,
-company.”
-
-“'What boards!'” repeated Nan. “Well, I should think you'd better brush
-up your grammar, Mr. Murray. Oh, the letter,” she added, nodding in the
-direction of Regie's pocket.
-
-[Illustration: 0081]
-
-“Oh, to be sure; why, I'd almost forgotten it,” and Rex drew out his
-knife and carefully cut the envelope open at one end, after a neat
-little fashion of his own.
-
-“'London, September 19th. My dear Reginald,'” he read, then paused, for
-in the very first sentence he discovered a word that he could not quite
-make out.
-
-“Guess I'd better read it to myself first,” he said, “there may be
-something private in it.” Harry gave a significant cough, which meant
-that it was easy enough to see through such a flimsy excuse as that.
-Regie wisely paid no attention to it. Both the children knew it must
-necessarily be many minutes before they would be favoured with the
-contents of the letter, so Nan threw herself back on the rug, laid one
-arm under her head, and gazing out over the ocean gave herself up to the
-most delightful daydreams. Harry resorted to whittling, that occupation
-of all leisure moments.
-
-Suddenly, after ten minutes of unbroken quiet, Regie began again,
-making brief halts now and then before words that still proved a little
-puzzling.
-
-“London, September 19th.
-
-“'My dear Reginald,--I doubt if there is a half hour in which we do not
-speak of you, or five minutes in that half hour in which we do not think
-of you, and so you can understand that we are pretty fond of a little
-fellow we have left behind us. Indeed, Papa Fairfax said, only a few
-minutes ago, that he wanted so much to see Regie that if he was not sure
-that he was very happy he thinks he would have to send some one away to
-America to bring him over.'”
-
-“Oh! do you think he will?” questioned Nan.
-
-“Of course not, goosie,” Harry retorted, “don't interrupt again. Go on,
-Rex.”
-
-----“'But if he did,'” Regie resumed, “'you would have to hurry to
-catch us, for we shall be obliged to travel pretty fast as soon as we
-leave London. You do not need to get out the atlas to look up the place
-where this letter comes from, do you? Even little Nan knows how London
-looks on the map.'”
-
-“Don't believe it,” muttered Harry, half under his breath, but loudly
-enough for Nan to hear him.
-
-“Do, too,” whispered Nan, with a defiant shake of her curls; “but please
-don't interrupt. Go on, Rex.” Rex did not mind these interruptions in
-the least, as they gave him a chance to look ahead a little.
-
-“'It is ten years,'” he went on, reading slowly, “'since Papa Fairfax
-and I were here before, and we hardly know this London in the sunshine,
-for the old London of fog and rain, since we are having wonderfully
-clear weather. I shall have to wait till we reach home to tell you all
-about the sights of London. When you are older I shall hope to visit
-with you all the places where Papa Fairfax and I have been this
-morning,--Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's, and the Tower. How you will
-enjoy the Tower, but in a sad sort of way, because so many sorrowful
-things have happened there. Last evening we strolled in for a while to
-see Madame Tussaud's wax figures, naturally looking rather more grimy
-and dusty than they did ten years ago.
-
-“'And now, Rex, I have several other letters to send off by this same
-steamer, so this must do for the present. Do not forget to write once a
-week surely, either to Papa Fairfax or to me.
-
-“'Yours lovingly,
-
-“'Mamma Fairfax.
-
-“That's a nice letter,” said Regie, gazing rather wistfully out to sea.
-
-“Very nice,” said Nan, “but you don't want to go, do you?”
-
-Poor little Nan was blessed with a lively imagination.
-
-I say “poor Nan,” for these lively imaginations play such sorry tricks
-upon the little folk and big folk who happen to possess them. Nan had
-but to catch a glimpse of the wistful look in Regie's eyes straightway
-to make up her mind that he was unhappy and lonely, and would gladly
-leave them all if he could.
-
-“No, I don't want to go exactly,” answered Rex; “but I guess you'd feel
-a little queer sometimes if that great ocean were between you and your
-father and mother.”
-
-“I do not believe I'd mind if I was on the same side of it with you,
-Regie,” said Nan, betraying her unbounded admiration for his little
-Royal Highness.
-
-“Nan, you're a regular spoony,” remarked Harry.
-
-“I don't know what a spoony is,” Nan answered; “but of course it's
-something horrid, or you would not call me one,” and she gave a little
-sigh which seemed to come almost from the soles of her boots. She did
-have to put up with a great deal of teasing from this brother of hers.
-Regie came to her rescue.
-
-“You're not a spoony, Nan, at all,” he said; “and, Harry, you don't
-deserve to have a sister. You do tease her awfully.”
-
-“What's the harm?” said Harry, sullenly. “But, Nan,” he added, “I wish
-you would remember this, that I would not care to tease you if I did not
-really love you, and that when I stop it will be a bad sign.”
-
-“What's going on up there?” asked Nan, willing to change the subject.
-
-“They're getting ready for a drill at the Life-saving Station,” Harry
-answered, glancing in the direction toward which Nan was pointing. Regie
-was on the alert in a moment.
-
-“Oh, are they? do let's go up there. I never saw a drill in all my life,
-and I never was in a Station but once.”
-
-[Illustration: 0084]
-
-It was an old story to Nan and Harry, but Regie was up and off, and the
-body-guard must needs follow.
-
-The station was one of those low, oblong buildings, which, dotting the
-coast at regular intervals, are to be found in the neighbourhood of all
-sea-shore resorts in the United States, and whose well-trained crew have
-been the means of saving many, many lives. This one little station at
-Moorlow had the grand record of having rescued five hundred persons in
-the nine years since it was established.
-
-“What are you going to do?” asked Rex, the moment he came within
-speaking distance of two men who were dropping a coil of rope into a
-box.
-
-“Going to have a drill,” one of them answered; “there's no telling how
-soon we may have a wreck, and we must be ready for it. We had two last
-November.”
-
-Regie was about to say that he hoped they would have at least two this
-November, but realised what a dreadful wish that would be in time to
-check himself.
-
-“What will be the best place to see it from?” he asked. “I would not
-miss any of it for the world.”
-
-The men were amused at his earnest manner.
-
-“That boat hull will be a good place,” said one of them; “but you'd
-better understand about things first. You see we are going to fire a
-shell out of this here howitzer, and the shell is fastened-to this long
-coil of rope, so that when it goes whizzing away to the wreck it carries
-this rope--the whip-line we call it--with it.”
-
-“Yes, but where's your wreck?” Regie queried.
-
-“Why, yonder,” and the man pointed down the beach to where a piece of
-timber, with cross-pieces resembling a mast, was firmly planted in the
-sand. “There's our wreck, and we are going to send this rope flying over
-it.”
-
-“And what are you going to do then?”
-
-“Why, then, one of the men, who is supposed to be on the wreck, will
-haul away on the line till the big rope which is fastened to the little
-rope is drawn over, so that we can send the breeches-buoy buzzing along
-the line.”
-
-“The breeches-buoy?” questioned Regie.
-
-“Yes, to be sure. Have you never seen one?”
-
-“I think not; I was never in a Life-saving Station but once, and that
-was in the summer, when there was nothing particular going on, and
-nobody to tell me anything.”
-
-“Then you come right along into the Station with me,” said the man,
-kindly, “and I'll show you the breeches-buoy, and some other things
-besides. Why, there's Captain Murray's children,” spying Harry and Nan
-seated on the sand at a little distance; “they know the old Station by
-heart. Hallo, Nan!” he called, “come, show this little stranger through
-the Station.”
-
-“Why, that's Reginald Fairfax, Mr. Burton,” cried Nan, coming toward
-them, and in a tone of surprise at such ignorance. “He lives at our
-house, and he's no little stranger at all.”
-
-“Oh, that's it, is it?” said Joe Burton, with elevated eyebrows; “well,
-then, Miss Murray, please have the kindness to show Mr. Fairfax through
-the Station.”
-
-[Illustration: 0086]
-
-Regie would have preferred to adhere to the original plan of having
-Mr. Burton for a guide, but was sufficiently polite not to betray his
-preference.
-
-“You won't begin the drill before I come out, will you?” he called out
-to Mr. Burton.
-
-“Never you fear,” was the reassuring answer.
-
-Nan showed Regie through, and was able to answer all questions to the
-perfect satisfaction of his little Royal Highness. First they went into
-the large room where the surf-boat was kept, and the life-saving car,
-which was oval in shape, with a cover fitting tightly over it. It was
-large enough to hold five people, and was sent out on the line to
-a wreck when the weather was too rough for the breeches-buoy. The
-breeches-buoy was a funny contrivance, made to accommodate one person
-at a time, and closely resembling a life-preserver in tarpaulin
-knee-breeches. Attached to it was an arrangement of pulleys and wheels,
-by means of which it could be run to and fro on a line from the wreck.
-At the farther end of the room hung the shells which had been fired from
-the mortar at different times. They were painted red, and each bore in
-white letters the name of the particular wreck to which it had proved
-such a welcome messenger.
-
-From this larger room opened the “mess room,” a kitchen, where the crew
-spent most of their time during the long winter months. A steep little
-stairway ran up from one corner to the loft overhead where the men
-slept. At one end of it a large window looked out to sea, and from the
-centre of the room a short flight of ladder-like stairs led into the
-cupola which surmounted the Station, and from which you see a great
-distance in every direction. The view from the cupola this clear October
-morning was glorious.
-
-The water was wonderfully blue, with here and there a white sail
-skimming over it, as lightly and airily as the fleecy clouds across the
-blue of the sky. Regie and Nan stood side by side, taking in the beauty
-of the scene. Presently Nan said, “Yes, I do love the ocean so, it seems
-to me I couldn't live away from it; as though I should die if I had to,
-the same as little plants and things die without water.”
-
-“Yes, I guess you would,” answered Regie; “and do you know, Nan, I
-believe you must have been born on just such a day as this, for your
-eyes have the same shade of blue in them as the sea. Besides, you are
-like a little wave anyway, a daring little wave that comes scampering
-way up the beach and then--and then----,” Rex paused. He was sure he
-had hold of a very fine idea, but somehow he could not get on. A
-half-suppressed giggle from the stairway did not help matters much,
-nor a whispered, “Guess you're stuck, old fellow.” Harry always had a
-faculty for turning up when he was not wanted, and never when he was.
-Nan was thoroughly provoked at him. She liked what Rex was saying about
-her being just a little wave of the sea, and now she should never
-know how he was going to finish. But for Rex Harry's coming was quite
-fortunate, for he was himself quite at a loss to know how he should
-wind up the flowery little speech begun so bravely.
-
-“You two spoonies had better come down,” Harry added, descending the
-little flight of stairs as noiselessly as he had come. Just then one of
-the men waved his hand as a sign that the drill was about to commence,
-and the children hurried down to join Harry, where he sat comfortably
-established on the hull of the old boat. The drill amounted to little
-more than a series of experiments with the breeches-buoy. The whip-line
-was shot over the improvised mast, and one after another all the crew
-got into the buoy and came spinning down the line.
-
-“Oh! I should think that would be such fun,” said Regie; “but unless
-we're wrecked some day I suppose we'll never have a chance to try it.”
-
-“Why not?” said Harry; “I warrant you they'll let us play with it awhile
-when the drill's over. I'll ask one of the crew.”
-
-“Seeing as you're Captain Murray's children we can't refuse you,”
- answered Joe Burton, “but look out for yourselves, that you don't get
-a tumble. The little 'un had better not try it.” With Harry's help Rex
-managed to climb the ladder attached to the mast, and after they had
-each had two or three rides apiece, Nan could resist the temptation no
-longer. Watching her chance when the boys were standing for a moment
-with their backs turned, she clambered up the ladder, and dropped into
-the buoy. It was a very funny sight, the red-stockinged legs dangling in
-mid-air, and the blue eyes just peering over the edge of it, for she
-was such a little tot as to be quite swallowed up by this contrivance
-intended for grown-up people. But oh! the fun of it. It seemed more like
-flying than anything else in the world, and in regular turn Harry and
-Rex and Nan took ride after ride.
-
-[Illustration: 0088]
-
-Never, I venture, did three children enjoy a morning of rarer sport, or
-do better justice to such a delicious dinner as they found waiting for
-them when they went home at noon.
-
-[Illustration: 5089]
-
-[Illustration: 9090]
-
-
-
-
-X. A LAND BREEZE.
-
-
-[Illustration: 9090]
-
-RIP! drip! drip! that was the sound that woke Sister Julia the next
-Saturday morning. It was the splash of water dropping from the eaves of
-the cottage on to the tin roof below. As soon as she heard it she gave
-a little half sigh, for what did it foretell but a rainy Saturday? and a
-rainy Saturday in that little cottage was likely to prove rather a
-sorry affair. In the first place it was a small cottage at any time,
-and doubly so on a rainy holiday, when three restless children must find
-their amusement within doors. In the second place, these three little
-people had a fashion of regarding a rainy Saturday as a sort of personal
-grievance, and accordingly indulged in considerable fretfulness.
-
-On this particular morning Master Harry Murray hearing the ominous
-splashing, tumbled out of bed and flattened his gloomy little face
-against the pane.
-
-“Is it raining?” called Nan, in a most woe-begone voice, from her bed in
-her own room.
-
-“Raining? I should think so!” Harry called back. “It's raining cats and
-dogs, and it is not going to stop for a minute all day. Besides, there's
-an awful fog. It's pretty hard lines, it strikes me, to study all the
-week with the sun shining bright, and then have it rain on your only
-holiday. I just wish I could have the managing of things in this old
-world for a while.”
-
-“I don't, then,” called Nan; “it would be an awful hard world for girls.
-You wouldn't think of a thing but just what would please the boys.”
-
-Harry did not hear all of this, for he had flounced back into bed,
-drawing the blanket tight over his head, as though he meant to stay
-there for the rest of the day at any rate. Soon certain familiar odours,
-suggestive of a favourite breakfast, began to steal through his room,
-and his head gradually appeared above the covers, as though he were
-debating in his mind whether on the whole it would not be better to get
-up. A moment later the debate came to an end, for he heard his father's
-voice, and pricking up his ears it was easy enough to hear what he was
-saying.
-
-“Look here, mother!” were the words that reached him, “the next time
-Harry is so late to breakfast he must go without it; I mean it, mother.
-The boy seems to be losing all regard for discipline. You can't manage a
-boy without discipline, no more'n a crew.”
-
-So it was not strange that Harry no longer questioned the advisability
-of getting up, but springing out of bed and dressing in a jiffy managed
-to put in an appearance at the table just as everyone else had finished.
-Mrs. Murray dropped some cakes on the griddle especially for him, and
-the lazy little fellow fared much better than he deserved. Mrs. Murray
-had a very soft spot in her heart for this only boy of hers, and Captain
-Murray's threat that another time Harry should go fasting set that soft
-spot to aching, and made her anxious to fortify him against such an
-emergency by heaping his plate high on this particular morning.
-
-“Now I propose,” said Sister Julia, after breakfast, when the children
-were moping and growling in the sitting-room, “that we have regular
-lessons to-day, and then you can take the first clear day as a holiday
-instead.”
-
-“No, sir-ree,” answered Harry, decidedly. “You don't catch me studying
-on Saturday for nobody.”
-
-He felt rather ashamed of this speech as soon as it was uttered, but
-this was not a day when he was going to ask any one's pardon, not
-he--not even Sister Julia's, though he was very fond of her.
-
-“You ought to be made to study every moment till you learn enough
-grammar to know that you ought never to use two negatives in one
-sentence,” said Regie, indignant at the way in which Harry had spoken.
-
-“What do you say to that proposition yourself, Regie?” asked Sister
-Julia. .
-
-“Well, to tell the truth, I don't feel much like it,” said Regie; “my
-head aches a little.”
-
-“And mine aches like everything,” and Nan threw herself on to the lounge
-and plunged her face into the sofa pillow, as though smothering itself
-were preferable to life on a rainy Saturday.
-
-“Oh, dear me! what a disconsolate little trio,” cried Sister Julia; “the
-wisest thing doubtless for me to do will be to take refuge in my own
-room and write some letters. When your troubles grow insupportable, come
-up, and we'll all try to be as miserable as possible together.”
-
-In their hearts that little trio must have felt very much ashamed of
-themselves, but they continued to mope and fret for another hour. By
-this time Mrs. Murray had gotten through with her morning work, and
-notwithstanding the rain, had gone in the buggy with Captain Murray to
-take some milk and fresh eggs to a sick woman down at the Branch.
-
-“Oh, look here!” called Harry, wandering into the kitchen, and
-discovering that he was monarch of all he surveyed, “we've got
-everything to ourselves, we ought to have a regular good time, and do
-something unusual.”
-
-“Let's play tag through the doors,” cried Nan, proposing a game they
-were seldom allowed to indulge in because of the general disturbance and
-racket.
-
-“No,” said his little Royal Highness, in an authoritative way, “we'll
-have private theatricals. We'll act out a play,” he added, when he saw
-by Nan's puzzled frown that she did not quite take in his idea.
-
-“Good for you!” cried Harry, “that'll be the greatest fun. But oh! what
-do you suppose?” he exclaimed, suddenly lowering his voice to an excited
-whisper,--“crouch! crouch down, both of you; this way, close to the
-window.”
-
-“What--what is it, Harry?” Nan asked, frightened at this strange
-performance, and regarding Harry in much the same dazed, sympathetic
-fashion as she had watched her little kitten endure the horrors of a fit
-the day before.
-
-“Drop, drop, both of you!” was Harry's hoarse answer. “Don't you see?
-the Croxsons are coming.”
-
-[Illustration: 0093]
-
-Oh! that was it, the Croxsons were coming! Regie and Nan quickly obeyed
-Harry's order.
-
-“How many of 'em?” asked Nan, from her prostrate position.
-
-“The whole five,” Harry answered, hopelessly; “but I don't believe they
-can see any of us, and if Sister Julia only does not hear them knock,
-and come down, they'll go away again and think no one's at home. Now,
-don't let's say a word.”
-
-There was the patter of two pairs of little feet without, and the
-scuffle of three pairs of others, and then there came a vigorous
-knocking at the kitchen door, again repeated after an interval of a few
-moments. The children held their breath.
-
-“Guess they're all out,” they heard Joe Croxson say, disconsolately.
-
-“I think it's kind of mean to keep them out in the pouring rain,” Nan
-whispered.
-
-“And I know it is,” answered Regie. “I say, let 'em in,” and it was no
-sooner said than done.
-
-Immediately the Croxsons crowded in after the manner of a rubber ball
-which may be forced through a very small aperture. They all contrived
-somehow or other to get through the door at once, but straightway spread
-out into so large a company that one could but wonder how they had
-managed it. None of them spoke a word till they were safely within
-doors, evidently deeming conversation of no importance in comparison
-with simply “getting in.”
-
-“We made up our minds you were all out,” said Joe Croxson, at last,
-while the family were in the process of removing damp-smelling outer
-garments.
-
-“We thought we'd fool you a while,” Harry answered, with a nonchalant
-air.
-
-The Croxsons were too glad to have gained entrance to take such
-treatment much to heart. “We've c-c-come to spend the morning, and
-stay to d-d-dinner, if you want us,” said little Madge, who stuttered
-dreadfully.
-
-“I'm pretty sure it won't be convenient to have you stay to dinner,”
- said Nan, who no sooner beheld the shabby little Croxsons disposing
-themselves about the room with a permanent air, than with charming
-inconsistency she straightway regretted her noble impulse to let them
-all in. That they were a shabby little company no one could for a moment
-deny. The three girls, the youngest little more than a baby, each wore a
-ragged dress, and for an out-of-door wrap a faded and colourless strip,
-which collectively had once formed a shawl of their mother's.
-
-The mother herself had died five years ago, and since then the children
-had managed for themselves as best they could. Their father was fireman
-on one of the engines belonging to the local road that ran through
-Moorlow, and the children were alone from morning till night. A poor
-woman came in every morning to cook their oatmeal and “tidy up,” but
-being poorly paid, the tidying up was always hasty, and never thorough.
-They were rather a stupid-looking set of children, and no wonder! You
-would hardly expect to find much that was bright in their faces, with so
-little brightness in their lives; besides, none of them had ever been to
-school, and Joe, who was the oldest of them all, knew little more than
-his letters, although he had passed his eleventh birthday. Everyone felt
-sorry for the Croxsons; and no doubt they would have fared better in one
-of the large cities, where they would have been reached by some of
-the organised charities, than in a little place like Moorlow. The rich
-people, who came in the summer in search of rest and refreshment, did
-not interest themselves in the villagers, and the villagers themselves
-were mostly hard-working fishermen with little time or money to devote
-to others. Had it not been for the Murrays the Croxsons would surely
-have fared much worse. Mrs. Murray did them many a kind turn, and when
-Madge had a fever the winter before, Harry or Nan had trudged backward
-and forward every day with beef tea or some other nourishing food. So
-there was one bright spot in their lives after all. Indeed, there was
-more than one, for born by the sea they loved it dearly, and in warm
-sunshiny weather they romped on the beach the whole day long, keenly
-enjoying their perfect freedom, and pitying the children obliged to go
-to school. Nan always spoke of them as the “poor little Croxsons,” and
-it was this pathetic side of their history which made her second Regie's
-motion to open the door.
-
-“Of course we can't play that game now, and all our fun is spoiled,”
- said Harry, seeming to utterly disregard the feelings of the Croxsons.
-Fortunately they were not sensitive, and their stolid little faces
-showed no signs either of pain or resentment.
-
-“Oh, yes, we can,” answered Regie; “they'll be the audience.”
-
-“The very thing!” cried Nan, enthusiastically. “Now, children,” turning
-to the Croxsons, “we are going to have a play, and you'll be the
-audience, won't you?”
-
-Each little Croxson nodded in the affirmative, though they had not the
-remotest idea what it was they were to be. They were literally clay in
-the hands of the potter when they were at the Murrays'. They did not
-care what was done with them, or to them, so long as they were simply
-allowed to stay. Harry fancied the idea of an audience, and preparations
-were at once begun.
-
-[Illustration: 0096]
-
-The clothes-horse was converted into scenery by covering it with a green
-plaid blanket-shawl,' the ironing table was pressed into service as a
-settee for the audience, and the five Croxsons were packed into it in
-one tightly wedged row. From the commencement of the performance to
-its tragic end they sat staring in open-eyed astonishment; for they
-had never seen anything like it before--nor had any one else, for that
-matter. The plot of the play beggars description. Suffice it to say that
-Nan figured as the heroine, with a blue gingham apron for a train and
-a dish towel for a turban. Harry, muffled in a red table cover, was
-terrible as a sort of border ruffian, and Regie played the part of Nan's
-gallant brother. In a greater part of the performance there was so much
-action, so much rushing on and off the stage, that it was difficult to
-gain a clear idea of what was really intended; but matters culminated in
-a hand-to-hand scuffle between Harry and Reginald--a wooden spoon and
-a toasting fork doing service as weapons. Finally Harry succumbed, and
-fell to the ground with the rather inelegant exclamation, “Stabbed!
-stabbed to the liver!” and Nan falling in a swoon to the floor was
-enveloped in the green plaid shawl, which she accidentally pulled down
-with her.
-
-[Illustration: 0097]
-
-“Oh, Harry! why did you give out?” cried Joe Croxson, never more excited
-in his life.
-
-“It was planned for me to die,” Harry answered, still lying motionless
-on the floor. “I was Regie's sister's lover, and I'm a fraud and a
-wretch.”
-
-The play had lasted almost an hour, and to the great delight of all
-concerned.
-
-“P-p-please d-d-do it again!” begged little Madge. Rex and Nan were in
-favour of a repetition, but for Harry the novelty was gone, and novelty
-was everything with him.
-
-“No, I've had enough,” he said, decidedly, and so the project had to be
-abandoned. Meanwhile Harry's assertion that it was going to rain all
-day was fast being contradicted, for it had stopped raining, and now and
-then the sun shone out bravely through a rift in the clouds. With the
-sunshine came a distaste for indoor fun, and there was a rush for hats
-and coats preparatory to a rush out into the November air. Nan, with
-tender thoughtfulness, had hung the Croxsons' wraps on chairs near the
-fire, and now they were dry, and as fit for use again as it was possible
-for such sorry clothes to be. At last all were ready, and Regie hurrying
-to open the door that led to the porch from the kitchen, found it locked
-and the key gone. The little party stared at each other. Harry was
-missing, and nowhere to be seen. Of course he was the guilty one. Then
-there was a stampede for the sitting-room door. Locked, too, and minus
-the key. A suppressed titter from the head of the stairs made them all
-look up.
-
-“Why don't you go out?” Harry giggled; “I'd be ashamed if I couldn't
-open a door.”
-
-“Come down and give us those keys this minute,” demanded Nan, in a tone
-most unlikely to accomplish her object. Harry only smiled provokingly.
-All in vain the children begged and coaxed. Finally they scrambled
-up the stairs to gain possession of them by main force if possible.
-Meanwhile Nan, evolving a little scheme out of her own head, slipped
-into Harry's room, appearing again in a trice with his Sunday suit in
-her hand. Harry had great regard for that Sunday suit, and Nan knew it.
-
-“Look here, Harry!” she cried, “I will throw this downstairs if you
-don't give up those keys right away.”
-
-“You dare!” called Harry, still engaged in a scuffle with the boys, “and
-I know what I'll do.”
-
-Alas! Nan dared, and the precious suit fell in a crumpled mass to the
-floor below. By a sudden jerk Harry freed himself from his captors, and
-rushing into Nan's room, dragged pillow and bed-clothes from the bed,
-and then pitched them over the banisters. In a second they were followed
-by bolster and mattress. The little Crox-sons and Regie looked on in
-speechless astonishment The general encounter had reduced itself to
-single combat between Harry and Nan.
-
-“Well!” said Nan, “mother will soon be home, and then we'll see what
-will happen. Harry Preston Murray” (Nan always called Harry by his full
-name when out of patience with him), “you have an awful temper!”
-
-[Illustration: 8099]
-
-“I'll teach you not to touch my clothes again, any way,” Harry answered,
-carefully shaking and folding the precious trousers.
-
-“But you don't know when to stop, Harry,” sighed Nan, coming down the
-stairs and surveying the havoc wrought with real dismay. What would her
-mother say and do about it? Harry began to have some misgivings of his
-own on the subject.
-
-“You will have to carry all those things up again,” she said, in a
-half-pleading tone.
-
-“And I'll help you, though you ought to be made to do it all yourself,”
- added Regie.
-
-Harry came to the conclusion that he _would_ have to carry them up again
-sooner or later, and deemed it wise to commence before any one arrived
-on the scene. Besides, there was an ominous sound of wheels down the
-road. It might be Captain and Mrs. Murray. Joe Croxson had his own fears
-regarding this possibility, and beckoning his brothers and sisters into
-a corner, confided to them that he thought they had better take their
-departure. “There's going to be a row,” he whispered, “when the old 'uns
-come home. Harry 'll catch it, and if we don't look out we'll catch it
-too.” To the little Croxsons a hint was sufficient. Owing to certain
-personal experiences of a painful character, they seemed to live in a
-constant dread of what they termed “catching it.” The keys had fallen
-from Harry's pocket in the confusion, and hurriedly unlocking the door,
-the whole five slipped out and stole noiselessly away, without so much
-as saying “by your leave,” or “good-bye,” either to host or hostess.
-Harry and Rex and Nan, toiling, tugging, and shoving the unwieldy
-mattress upstairs, did not miss them till many minutes afterward.
-Indeed, they were each too much absorbed with their own thoughts to
-notice anything. Regie was the only one who saw any funny side to the
-proceeding, and the corners of his mouth twitched a little. Nan was on
-the verge of actual tears. The sight of her dainty little pillow shams
-and coverlid so sadly rumpled was almost too much for her. Harry was
-indignant over having to undo his own mischief, and did everything in
-a jerky, disagreeable way. Finally the little bed was in some sort of
-order, but as Nan was adjusting the pillow, Harry, giving her a shove
-which sent her into the middle of the bed, exclaimed, “You are enough to
-try the patience of a saint, Nan!”
-
-It needed nothing more to bring Nan's threatening tears to the surface,
-and lying just where Harry had pushed her, she burst into sobs and
-tears. If there was one thing Harry hated more than another it was to
-have Nan cry, and to add to his discomfort Sister Julia came hurrying
-into the room. She had heard the romping in the hall, but never dreamed
-that it needed investigation till Nan's crying reached her.
-
-“Why, what is the matter?” she questioned.
-
-“There's a great deal the matter,” Regie replied, calmly; “and I should
-think Harry would be ashamed of himself.”
-
-“Nan began it,” said Harry, with Adam-like self-excusing. “Harry got so
-mad,” explained Regie, excitedly, “that he threw----
-
-“Wait a minute, Regie, let Harry tell me himself.”
-
-“Yes, I got so mad,” said Harry, using Regie's own words, “that I took
-everything from Nan's bed and pitched it downstairs. Nan threw my Sunday
-suit down first, or I would never have thought of it. But I helped bring
-all the clothes up again, so I don't see what she wants to cry about it
-now for.”
-
-“I am not crying about that at all, Sister Julia,” sobbed Nan, without
-raising her head; “I'm crying because he said 'I was enough to try the
-patience of a saint.' I don't know what it means, but I think it's an
-awful unkind thing for a brother to say.”
-
-Sister Julia could hardly keep from smiling at this unexpected turn of
-affairs. Harry and Regie laughed outright, which did not help matters
-much.
-
-Sister Julia motioned the boys from the room, and sitting down by Nan,
-on the side of the bed, stroked the brown curls till the sobs grew few
-and far between. Then she explained that “she was enough to try the
-patience of a saint” was not such a very dreadful thing for Harry to
-have said, and finally induced Nan to admit, smiling through her tears,
-that both she and Harry were to blame, and that on the whole they had
-had rather a funny time of it Presently Captain and Mrs. Murray came
-home, finding everything in order about the house. Only you and Sister
-Julia, little reader, ever heard the full history of that rainy Saturday
-morning.
-
-[Illustration: 0102]
-
-
-
-
-XI.--A NEW FRIEND
-
-
-[Illustration: 9102]
-
-T was early in November, but if you had lain by Nan's side on the beach
-basking in the sunshine you would scarcely have guessed it. The air was
-mild and warm, and there were no trees near to betray what sad havoc
-blustering fall winds had made with the foliage. Old ocean was as blue
-and still as in midsummer, with just a single line of breakers falling
-at regular intervals on the hard white beach. Nan was fairly glorying in
-the June-like day, feeling there could hardly be such another till June
-herself should have come round again. The boys had gone off for the
-afternoon on some sort of an expedition, never so much as asking her to
-accompany them, but she was not sorry to be left at home. She was one
-of those little people who, like some big people, loved to have a chance
-for a quiet think now and then, and lying there by herself she was
-supremely happy and tranquil. She had been there fully an hour, and for
-a while had been busy building a little castle in the sand, making a
-foundation of clam shells, and using an old bottle for a tower.
-
-Most of the time she had been “just thinking,” and thinking so hard that
-she did not notice some one coming nearer and nearer until, suddenly
-looking up, her eyes met those of a stranger. She was a pretty little
-picture lying there flat on the sand, with her dimpled face propped
-comfortably between her hands.
-
-[Illustration: 0103]
-
-“I wonder what you are thinking about, my little friend,” said the
-new comer, kindly. “I know from your face that your thoughts are happy
-thoughts?”
-
-“Pretty foolish ones, I guess you'd call them!” laughed Nan, for there
-was something about the stranger that at once won her confidence.
-
-“I'm not so sure of that,” he answered; “but a stranger has no right to
-ask you what they were, so good-bye, my little dreamer.”
-
-“I wish you would not go,” said Nan, sitting up and smoothing out her
-dress; “I would like to talk to you, because I think you look like a
-minister, and I never spoke to a real minister before.”
-
-“Well, you shall now,” he answered, sitting down beside her, “for you
-have guessed rightly, and for that matter there is nothing the minister
-would rather do than talk to you for a while.”
-
-There was a little pause, and then Nan asked hesitatingly, as though she
-feared to seem rude, “You don't belong about here, do you?”
-
-“No, but I almost wish I did. I love the sea with all my heart, so that
-I have hard work to keep from saying something about it in every sermon
-I preach. But if I do not belong about here, it is very certain that you
-do. You must have lived by the ocean week in and week out, to get that
-shade of blue into your eyes.”
-
-“That's what Reginald says!” laughed Nan.
-
-“And who is Reginald?”
-
-“Why, Reginald Fairfax; he's staying with us while his father and mother
-are in Europe. The poor little fellow broke his leg last summer, and
-Sister Julia is here too, to take care of him, but he's almost well now.
-I wish you knew Sister Julia. She comes from one of the great hospitals
-in New York, and she is the loveliest person you ever saw.”
-
-“Well, I should say I did know her,” answered the minister. “She goes to
-my church in town, and so do Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax; and Regie and I are
-the best of friends.”
-
-“Why, are you Mr. Vale?” queried Nan, astonished, for the name of the
-young minister had often been on Regie's lips.
-
-“Yes, I am,” he answered, laughing, as though he must own up to the
-truth.
-
-“But what are you doing here?”
-
-“Well, I'll tell you. Do you see that red-tiled cottage yonder?”
- pointing down the beach.
-
-“Do you mean Mr. Avery's?” for Nan knew the name of every resident in
-the neighbourhood of Moorlow.
-
-“Yes; Mr. Avery is a friend of mine, and stays down here, you know,
-quite late into the fall, so he asked me to bring my sister, who is
-quite an invalid, to his cottage, thinking the change would do her good.
-So here we are; we came this morning, but I am obliged to go back to the
-city again this afternoon.”
-
-“Oh, dear! I'm sorry for that,” said Nan, regretfully, “I would so much
-have liked to hear you preach.”
-
-“Well, that is very kind of you. Perhaps you can some time, when you
-come to New York to visit Regie. By the way, where is he?”
-
-“Oh, he's off with my brother Harry this afternoon, and I don't believe
-they'll be home before supper time.”
-
-“That's too bad, but I shall probably see him the next time I come.”
-
-“Oh, you are coming again then!” exclaimed Nan, her face brightening.
-
-“Yes, surely. Once a week, at least, so long as my sister stays. And
-now, suppose you tell me something about yourself. Your name is----”
-
-“Nannie--Nannie Murray,” answered Nan.
-
-“And you live----”
-
-“In that brown cottage behind us there on the bluff,” nodding her head
-in the direction of the house.
-
-“And you have lived there always?”
-
-“Yes, sir,” she replied, proudly.
-
-“Then you are a fortunate little maiden. To have grown up by the sea is
-something to be very thankful for. It seems a pity to live in town when
-one loves the sea and open country as much as I do.”
-
-“Why don't you come down here?” urged Nan. “There are plenty of houses.”
-
-“But the bother of it is there are plenty of people in town, and the
-preacher must stay near the people. It is more beautiful and wonderful,
-you know, to be able to help a soul struggle up toward high-water mark,
-than even to watch the tide come in as we are doing. But I think I must
-be talking quite over your head. Now that we are friends, perhaps you
-will not mind telling me what you were thinking about when I so rudely
-interrupted you?”
-
-“Do you see that schooner, away off there?” Nan answered. “Well, when
-you came it was right in front of me, and I was pretending it was
-sailing away to a beautiful island with a crowd of poor city children
-on board, who had never been very well, or had a very happy time, and
-I pretended they were already beginning to look fresh and rosy with the
-salt breeze blowing in their faces; and I made believe that some of the
-children had a glass, and were looking here at me on the beach, and that
-some of them thought I was a mermaid, and others a queer sort of a fish.
-Now I suppose you think those were pretty foolish thoughts, don't you?”
-
-“Not a bit of it. It is like a fairy story, only better. But before you
-began to build a castle in the air, I see you built a little one here
-in the sand. I suppose you have peopled this with a lot of queer little
-people of your own too.”
-
-“No,” said Nan, honestly, “I don't make up things much, except when I am
-just looking out to sea.”
-
-“Have you ever thought, Nan,” said Mr. Vale, earnestly, as he banked
-up a falling wall of her castle with his hand, “that your own life is a
-sort of little castle, wonderfully made, richly furnished, beautiful and
-hopeful to look upon? It is fitting that only One should live in that
-fair house--He who is purity and goodness and truth Himself. Ask Him to
-come and dwell within you, to look out of your eyes, to hear with your
-ears, to speak through your lips, to guide your hands and your feet.”
-
-“You mean Jesus, don't you?” asked Nan, looking frankly into his face
-with sweet simplicity.
-
-“Yes, my little friend, I do.”
-
-“Well, it is just like a sermon.”
-
-“But you said, you know, that you would like to hear me preach.”
-
-“Yes, I did,” answered Nan, thoughtfully, gathering up a handful of sand
-and letting it sift through her fingers, “and I like your preaching; I
-like it very much indeed.”
-
-“Thank you,” and Mr. Vale looked as though he deeply appreciated Nan's
-honest praise; “but it is high time the preacher was off. There is the
-train whistle now! give my love to Regie, and I shall surely run over to
-see him next week when I come down.”
-
-Nan watched her new friend hurrying away to the station, and stood
-transfixed till a low sand-hill hid him from sight. Then she scampered
-to the house to tell of her good fortune.
-
-As soon as Regie came home, and while he was making a hurried toilet for
-supper, Nan ran into his room, and curling herself up on the window-box,
-commenced, for the third time (for Sister Julia and Mrs. Murray had
-already been favoured), to give an excited narration of the afternoon's
-experiences.
-
-“Oh, Regie!” she began, “I've had the most splendid time--a good long
-chat with a real live minister. He came from the city, and he told me
-the nicest things, sort of preached, you know; and he loves the sea just
-as much as I do, and his sister is staying up at the Averys', so he's
-coming again. He's a young minister, Regie, and he has the loveliest
-face.”
-
-“I don't like men with lovely faces,” said Regie, scornfully.
-
-“Well, you'd like his face, Regie. It was like a great strong angel's
-face, and he told me he knew you, and for me to give you his love, and
-to tell you that when he came again he would surely come and see----”
-
-“You don't mean Mr. Vale, do you?” cried Regie
-
-“That's just who I do mean,” Nan answered, complacently.
-
-“Oh, dear me! why wasn't I round? Are you sure he's coming again?”
-
-“Sure,” said Nan, wondering if it was selfish to be glad that just this
-once Regie had not been “round” at all, and that she had the young;
-clergyman quite to herself.
-
-[Illustration: 5107]
-
-[Illustration: 0108]
-
-
-
-
-XII.--THE STARLING RUNS ASHORE
-
-
-[Illustration: 9108]
-
-ERTAIN unmistakable signs were in the wind by which anyone could have
-told that, Thanksgiving Day was comparatively close at hand. There was
-a vigorous stoning of raisins on the part of Mrs. Murray, an odour of
-cider in the air which pointed plainly to the concoction of mincemeat,
-and Nan was confident she detected the largest turkey scratching round
-the yard in a nervous, timorous sort of way, as though he knew his days
-were numbered. By the calendar the eventful occasion was still ten days
-off, when one cold and blustering afternoon Captain Murray came home
-from the Life-saving Station, and into the cosy kitchen.
-
-[Illustration: 0109]
-
-“If I'm not very much mistaken,” he said (and in the matter of weather
-Captain Murray seldom was mistaken), “we are in for a pretty heavy
-storm. We shall need to be on the look out, every man of us at the
-Station, the whole night through. Give us a hearty supper, Mollie,
-that'll keep a fellow well braced till morning.”
-
-“Do I ever put you off with a poor supper, Epher?” asked Mrs. Murray,
-reproachfully, pausing a moment in her mixing of some gingerbread in a
-large yellow bowl.
-
-“Never with a poor supper, mother, only you know what I mean. Give us
-sort of an extra touch to-night.”
-
-Mrs. Murray knew as well as could be what her good husband meant by “an
-extra touch,” and soon the waffle-iron was taken from its hook and Harry
-was on his way to the cellar to fill the maple syrup cup. It was one of
-those nights when a cosy, comfortable home seems doubly comfortable and
-cosy, and very reluctantly Captain Murray put on his great coat to go
-back to the Station as soon as supper was over. The rain was falling
-in torrents now, and as he opened the sitting-room door, a gust of wind
-whipped in, sending the papers on the table whirling to the floor and
-overturning the lamp, which fortunately went out as it fell. When order
-was again restored, Sister Julia began reading a bright little story
-aloud to the children by way of cheering them up a bit. Even Harry was
-quite overawed by the violence of the storm, for by this time it was
-violent. The wind was blowing a gale now, and it had grown so cold that
-the fire had to be constantly replenished to keep the room comfortably
-warm. At nine o'clock the children went upstairs, and were glad enough
-to hurry into bed, for on such a night as this it was impossible to heat
-the upper story of the little cottage.
-
-“I'm glad there's a great big lighthouse at the Highlands,” Regie called
-out after he had gotten into bed.
-
-“So am I,” answered both Nan and Harry, and with this comforting thought
-in mind they all fell asleep. But Sister Julia and Mrs. Murray scarcely
-closed their eyes the whole night long. Sometimes it seemed as though
-the little cottage could not hold its own against such a terrific blow.
-At daybreak Mrs. Murray came up to Sister Julia's room, to find her
-already dressed.
-
-“I think there's something wrong at the Station,” she said. “Hereward
-and Ned have been barking and bounding about in the most excited fashion
-for the last half-hour. Then, when the wind dies down for a second, I
-think I can hear the voices of the men calling to each other.”
-
-“Yes, and look here,” answered Sister Julia, pressing her white face
-close to the pane; “I imagine I can discover the masts of a schooner
-near the beach.”
-
-“Yes, surely; there must have been a wreck,” and Mrs. Murray threw open
-the window to see more clearly. “Hark!” she added, “now don't you hear
-the men?”
-
-“Of course I do,” cried Sister Julia; “and I can stand it no longer. I
-must bundle up and go down and see for myself.”
-
-“Oh! my child, you ought never to go,” exclaimed Mrs. Murray, but at the
-same time she helped her to hurry into her heavy ulster. “Oh, dear!
-I've a good mind to go with you; but no, it will not do to leave the
-children. Send one of the men up though, as soon as possible, to let me
-know what has happened, and that you have reached the Station without
-being blown away.”
-
-So out into the storm went Sister Julia, and Hereward and Ned were at
-her side in an instant. The rain had ceased falling, but the wind still
-blew a hurricane, and in walking from the cottage to the station all her
-strength was needed to bear up against it. She had gone but a little way
-before she discovered that a schooner _had_ run ashore, and she tried to
-quicken her steps, fearing and yet anxious to know the truth. Just here
-I would tell my young reader that this story, so far as it relates to
-the work done that morning by the Life-saving crew, is every word true.
-Somebody, whom I choose to call Captain Murray, could show you a letter,
-sent, in company with a gold medal, from the Government at Washington,
-and written in appreciation of his gallant services and those of his
-brave crew, and in which you could read a graphic narration of all that
-happened that eventful November morning.
-
-As Sister Julia neared the Station she heard the men shouting to each
-other in such cheery tones that she felt sure no lives could have been
-lost, and her heart grew lighter. The crew were at some sort of work
-down on the beach, and unnoticed by anyone she entered the Station from
-the landward side. The large room was empty, but the door stood open
-into the kitchen, and there what a strange sight met her eyes! Four men
-were huddled round the stove trying to get a little warmth into their
-half-frozen bodies. On one blanket on the floor, covered by another, lay
-a poor woman, who looked half-dead; and seated on a stool near her was
-Captain Murray, endeavouring to remove the dripping clothing from a
-screaming baby lying across his knees.
-
-[Illustration: 0111]
-
-“God bless you!” he exclaimed, looking up and discovering Sister Julia,
-“you've come in the nick of time. We've just brought these poor wretches
-in from the wreck yonder, and I've sent Burton up to the house to get
-some dry duds for the woman and this baby,” and he laid the soaking
-little specimen of humanity in Sister Julia's arms.
-
-“Now, my hearties,” he said cheerily, turning to the men, “hurry up to
-the loft, strip off your wet clothing, wrap yourselves in the blankets
-you'll find there, and turn into the bunks. You'll have to stay there
-till your clothes are dry, but I reckon you're tired enough to be
-willing to. We'll get you up some breakfast as soon as possible. Now I'm
-off,” he added, turning to Sister Julia. “I am needed on the beach more
-than here.”
-
-The shivering little company about the stove promptly and gladly obeyed
-Captain Murray's orders, and Sister Julia, having succeeded in quieting
-the baby, began to remove its draggled clothing. Just then someone came
-in from the large room.
-
-“There were no lives lost, were there?” she asked, eagerly, without
-looking up, presuming it to be one of Captain Murray's crew, and in the
-same instant the newcomer asked the same question of her.
-
-“No, no lives lost,” answered the woman on the floor, in a weak,
-exhausted voice. The new comer was Mr. Vale, who had come down to
-Moorlow the night before, and Sister Julia was glad enough to welcome
-him, for she needed someone to aid her.
-
-“My poor woman, you ought to get that wet clothing off at once,” said
-Mr. Vale, bending over her.
-
-“I know it, sir, but I'm that weak.”
-
-“I can attend to her now, if you'll take the baby,” said Sister Julia.
-
-“With the greatest of pleasure,” and Mr. Vale took the blanketed
-baby into his arms, with a knack that showed his love for children.
-Straightway he went up aloft, with the little stranger gazing
-comfortably over his shoulder, to enquire for the welfare of the men.
-No sooner had he gone than Burton came hurrying in with the bundle of
-clothing which Mrs. Murray had gotten together. Quickly and skilfully
-Sister Julia helped the woman to make the change, and had but just
-finished buttoning a warm flannel wrapper about her when, overcome by
-fatigue, she fell asleep in the chair in which she was sitting.
-
-“These good people had better have something to eat as soon as
-possible,” said Mr. Vale, returning down the narrow stairway, “and if
-you can show me a place to put this baby, for it is fast asleep, we'll
-see about getting some food ready for them.”
-
-“Here's a good place for it,” and Sister Julia let down a wide shelf
-that was fastened against the wall, and with her ulster rolled up for
-a pillow, made the little waif very comfortable, for it was too young a
-baby to be in danger of rolling off. Captain Murray put his head in at
-the door just then with a most anxious face.
-
-“It is raining,” he said, “and the storm is increasing every moment.
-I can't spare one of the men, for we must lose no time in getting the
-life-saving tackle in order, though it is not probable we shall need to
-make use of it twice in one morning. Do you think you can manage to get
-a breakfast together, Sister Julia?”
-
-“Aye, aye, sir,” answered Mr. Vale, cheerily, “we'll attend to that.”
-
-“That must be Nan's new friend,” thought Captain Murray, but he could
-not take the time to find out, and hurried away, feeling that he had
-left his shipwrecked party in good hands. Then Mr. Vale and Sister Julia
-set right away to work to investigate the supply of provisions in the
-Station. Mr. Vale peered into boxes, and Sister Julia lifted covers of
-crocks and dishes, and then they looked at each other rather blankly,
-for they were disappointed at the result.
-
-“I have it,” said Sister Julia, after a moment's thought. “The best
-thing, I think, would be for you to put on your coat and make your way
-as best you can to Mrs. Murray's. She will have the oatmeal on the fire
-by this time,” glancing at the clock on the high shelf overhead, “and it
-would be just like her, remembering the hard work going on down here, to
-have made a larger quantity than usual.”
-
-Mr. Vale was off in a moment, and then Sister Julia made preparations
-for boiling the coffee, carrying the coffee-mill into the larger room,
-so as not to wake the baby and its mother with the clatter of the
-grinding. Afterward she set the little table as best she could, and
-slicing some stale bread she had found in the closet, placed it at
-one side ready for toasting. So she busied herself about one thing and
-another till there was nothing more to be done. It seemed to her as
-though Mr. Vale would never come back, but in a really marvellously
-short space of time there was a tramping outside the door, and in came
-a little party, well laden with tin pails and baskets. They were all
-there--Mrs. Murray and Nan, Reginald and Harry; and indeed all were
-needed, to carry safely through such a storm as that the generous
-breakfast which Mrs. Murray had prepared; and the whole family at
-once set about serving it. The children trudged up and down the steep
-stairway, carrying the steaming coffee and oatmeal to the men in the
-loft.
-
-“Bless your little heart!” said one of the men, as he took a brimming
-cup from Nan's hand; but the others seemed too hungry to take time to
-say so much as “thank you.” Sister Julia woke the tired mother, who fell
-asleep again as soon as she had eaten a little, and then she quieted
-the baby, who had begun to cry lustily, with a breakfast of warmed milk
-served in a ginger-ale bottle. As soon as she could be spared, Mrs.
-Murray put on her cloak and hurried down to the beach to see how that
-good captain of hers was enduring all this excitement and fatigue. For
-the captain, as he himself said, “was not so young as he once was,” and
-could not stand up as well as in other days against wind and weather.
-
-“Oh, Mollie!” he called, as soon as she came near enough for his voice
-to reach her, “go back to the Station; you'll catch your death o' cold
-in this driving wind.”
-
-“No fears for me, Epher,” she called back, “but you must go right up to
-the Station yourself, you and the men, and get some breakfast, or you'll
-be down sick, every one of you.”
-
-[Illustration: 0115]
-
-All hands were only too glad to obey this order, for the lifesaving
-apparatus was again intact, and they were very hungry. Filing into
-the big room, they laid aside their tarpaulins, and then sat down to a
-better breakfast than ever before graced their mess table. It did Mrs.
-Murray's heart good to see how thoroughly they enjoyed it, and when the
-captain said, “I'd like to see the wife that can compare with Mollie
-Murray,” the colour flushed proudly into her face.
-
-It was eight o'clock when the hungry party finished breakfast, and they
-were just pushing their chairs back from the table when one of their
-crew, who had been left on the beach on patrol duty, threw open the door
-and called for aid.
-
-“Can it be possible that we are to have another wreck this morning?”
- thought the captain, as he and his men hurried into their tarpaulins,
-and rushed out of the Station. But alas! it was possible, for a short
-distance up the beach another vessel was stranded. In a moment the
-little house was quite deserted. Calling for their clothes, the men who
-had been rescued from the _Starling_ got into them, wet as they were,
-and, accompanied by Mr. Vale, hastened to render what service they
-could. Notwithstanding the commotion the mother and baby still slept
-quietly on in the kitchen, while Sister Julia, Mrs. Murray, and the
-children crowded into the seaward window of the loft, to watch as best
-they could the terribly exciting scene taking place below them on the
-beach.
-
-[Illustration: 5116]
-
-[Illustration: 0117]
-
-
-
-
-XIII.--THE WRECK OF THE SPANISH BRIG.
-
-
-[Illustration: 9117]
-
-HE storm that culminated on that November morning was the worst that
-had been known on the Moorlow coast for years. The wind, which was
-north-east, blew a hurricane averaging eighty-four miles an hour. The
-beach was flooded by a furious surf, and, strangely enough for that time
-of the year, the weather was freezing cold. In less than ten minutes
-after the second vessel stranded Captain Murray's crew was abreast of
-her, but in the meantime she had worked to within a hundred yards of the
-beach, and Joe Burton, running down behind a receding wave, cast a line
-on board with a vigorous throw of the heaving-stick.
-
-“Hurrah for Burton!” cried Harry. “He's a fine fellow, I tell you.”
-
-[Illustration: 0118]
-
-As soon as the line reached the ship, the sailors on board of her tugged
-away at it until they had pulled up the larger line, on which Captain
-Murray purposed to send out the breeches-buoy. But before the buoy could
-be rigged up, the sailors, ignorant of his purpose, showed that they
-were going to endeavour to reach the land by coming hand-over-hand along
-the rope. Captain Murray and his men shouted from the shore, and wildly
-gesticulated, for it seemed impossible that any of them could reach the
-shore alive in that way. The surf was very violent, but the greatest
-danger lay in the fact that the position of the brig in the set of the
-strong current caused an enormous swirl of water between her and the
-beach, which retained eddying masses of wreckage, mainly cord-wood from
-the wreck of the _Starlings_ and which masses were continually swept out
-by the undertow, and hurled in by the breakers.
-
-“Oh, those foolish men! those foolish men! why don't they understand and
-see their danger?” cried Sister Julia, attempting to draw the children
-away from a sight so distressing; but the boys were immovable. Mrs.
-Murray, Sister Julia, and Nan went down to the little kitchen to wait,
-since they no longer had the heart to watch.
-
-“There, one of the fellows has started!” cried Harry, with long pauses
-between his sentences, “and he's all right so far. No; my goodness,
-there he goes! a wave has flung him over the rope, and his head is
-caught between the cords of the whip-line. He will choke to death. No!
-there goes Burton again right into the surf holding on to the line.
-There! he's got him, he's got the sailor; but how can he ever bring him
-to land? See, Rex, he's clinging to a piece of driftwood with one hand,
-and holding on to the sailor with the other.”
-
-“Oh! but another man is trying it now!” exclaimed Rex. “Oh! why don't
-they wait? Look there--and another one of the crew has plunged in after
-him; but, goodness! the driftwood has knocked him completely under.
-Ah! there go two more of the men in to his rescue, and Burton is in the
-breakers again, too. Who's that with him, Harry?”
-
-“I can't make out, but--hurrah! they've reached the sailor; they'll save
-him, I know.”
-
-And Harry was right; they did save him, and five others besides, all of
-whom attempted the same foolhardy method of reaching the land, and all
-of whom were rescued by the same hand-to-hand struggle in the surf on
-the part of Captain Murray's gallant crew.
-
-[Illustration: 0120]
-
-“I never saw such bravery, never!” called Mr. Vale, and it could
-plainly be seen that his enthusiasm cheered the men wonderfully in their
-perilous work. He longed to plunge in with them, but he knew that he
-would be powerless to render any aid. It was their long experience
-that was standing the crew in such good stead. By this time a crowd had
-gathered on the beach, that is, every able-bodied resident of Moorlow
-was there, and as the last sailor was brought safely to shore a hearty
-cheer went up that, for the moment, even rose above the pounding of the
-breakers on the shore. Stretched on the sand, in such shelter from the
-wind and rain as the side of the surf-boat afforded, the disabled seamen
-were laid. They were all Spaniards, and only two of them were able to
-stand upon their feet.
-
-“Which of you is captain of the brig?” asked Captain Murray, looking
-kindly down upon this second group of shipwrecked mariners.
-
-“He no here,” answered one of them who had been the least hurt, in
-broken English; “when he think his ship go to pieces, he go below and
-make hisself dead;” but the man's gestures told more plainly than his
-words that the captain had shot himself in the head.
-
-Captain Murray turned to his men with a look that meant, “Our work is
-not over yet.”
-
-“What shall be done with these poor fellows?” ventured Mr. Vale, when
-he saw that the thought of how he should reach the man still on the brig
-had driven all other thoughts from the captain's mind.
-
-“Lord knows!” answered Captain Murray, sorely puzzled. “It'll be more'n
-a week before some of them will get out of bed, when they once get into
-it. There's some ugly bruises among 'em.”
-
-“Do you think we could make them comfortable in the chapel on the beach
-yonder? It would serve splendidly for a hospital.”
-
-“The very thing! I'll leave the arrangements to you, sir,” said Captain
-Murray, confident now that this really was Nan's new friend, the
-minister, about whom she had talked so much.
-
-The first thing to be done was to get the exhausted Spaniards up to
-the Station, where Rex and Harry and Nan, with excited, earnest faces,
-waited to receive them. Over and over again the children had begged and
-entreated to be allowed to run down to the scene of the wreck, but Mrs.
-Murray had thought best to refuse them.
-
-Captain Murray could not have left the preparation of the hospital
-in better hands than Mr. Vale's. Won by his handsome face and simple
-manner, the villagers crowded about him, eager to do his bidding. The
-sexton of the little church hurried home for the keys as fast as his
-rheumatic old limbs could carry him, and with the aid of Joe and Jim
-Croxson, he soon had a roaring fire blazing in the big chapel stove.
-Two men, harnessing up Captain Murray's Dobbin with all possible haste,
-drove to the Branch for doctor and surgeon, for both were needed. Two
-others, borrowing the largest waggon the town afforded, went off for a
-load of cots. There was something for every one to do, and every one was
-happy in doing it.
-
-[Illustration: 0122]
-
-Meanwhile Captain Murray was hard at work in an effort to board the
-brig, with such of his crew as were still able to assist him. Three of
-his men had been helped or carried to their homes, too much exhausted
-and bruised to be of further service. When at last the little party had
-succeeded in reaching the brig, they had the good fortune to find the
-captain still alive, but unconscious from the ugly wound he had himself
-inflicted. They wasted no time in lowering the poor fellow into the
-surf-boat, and then made for the shore, for the vessel was fast going to
-pieces. The rescue of the Spanish captain completed the heroic labours
-of Epher Murray's crew for that morning, and the brave and wearied
-fellows went to their homes for a well-earned rest. Half-a-dozen
-fishermen volunteered their services to get the tackle once again in
-order. Indeed, none of the Moorlow people thought of setting about their
-regular occupations that eventful November morning, and all seemed proud
-to lend a hand in whatever way they could. Fortunately in a few hours
-the crew of the _Starling_ were so far refreshed and rested as to be
-sent by the afternoon train to New York, where most of them lived when
-on land. There was literally no place in Moorlow where they could have
-been accommodated, unless in the chapel, that was fast being converted
-into a hospital. Sister Julia was superintending the work there, and by
-four o'clock everything was in readiness. Mrs. Murray had devoted her
-time to caring for the crew of the brig in the Life-saving Station.
-As soon as damp clothing had been removed, those who had sustained the
-severest injuries were made comfortable on mattresses brought from the
-bunks in the loft, and laid on the floor of the large room. The surgeon
-and doctor found considerable to do when they arrived, and the captain's
-wound claimed their first attention.
-
-Sister Julia had remained to wait upon them, until all the bruises
-and wounds had been dressed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Murray had improved the
-opportunity to slip home and prepare a second breakfast, and Harry and
-Rex and Nan again trudged to and fro, laden with good things, only with
-much less difficulty now, for the storm had greatly abated.
-
-All through that busy day of preparation, Ned and Hereward had kept up
-an incessant racing in and out of the chapel. Now and then they would
-brush against Sister Julia's black dress, and she could never resist the
-temptation, no matter how busy she might be, of giving them a friendly
-little pat. Then the two fellows would go bounding out of doors, as
-though through her touch they had received some special command which
-they must hasten to execute.
-
-Early in the morning, to meet the first need of the surgeon, Sister
-Julia had taught some of the women, who were helping in the chapel, how
-to prepare a bandage. She showed them how they must tear off the muslin
-in strips, twice the width needed, and then must fold them evenly
-lengthwise through the centre, and cut them apart with scissors, because
-tearing both edges was likely to stretch them. Then she instructed them
-in the art of “rolling firmly,” for there is not a more useless thing
-in the world than a poorly-rolled bandage. As she sat now by the side
-of one, and now by another, she would ask some simple question betraying
-her deep interest in them, and so more than one Moorlow woman, almost
-unconsciously, unburdened her heart to this new sweet friend, or told
-the story of her life. As Mr. Vale's work threw him into the company
-of many of the men, one after the other, he would enter into a friendly
-conversation with them, and some of the Moorlow men had their eyes
-opened to the fact that a minister might be something more than a mere
-preacher, standing quite apart from the common interests of their lives;
-that he might be an earnest, sympathetic man, a man subject to the same
-temptations and same trials as themselves, but able to rise above them,
-and even triumph in them, through the Spirit of God, which not only was
-in him, but which shone out in well-nigh every look and word and deed.
-
-Oh! how welcome was the sight of the beds and the cheery fire to the
-eyes of those Spanish sailors, when they were tenderly carried into the
-chapel at sunset. Only a few hours before they had thought the bottom of
-the ocean would be the only bed they should ever know. No wonder their
-faces looked grateful and happy, notwithstanding every one of them was
-suffering more or less from the injuries he had received. When at last
-there was nothing more to be done, and with the exception of Sister
-Julia and her assistants the Moorlow folk were making ready to go home,
-the Spanish captain, who had regained consciousness soon after being
-brought ashore, beckoned to Mr. Vale. The poor fellow was quite too weak
-to speak, but knowing him to be a minister, he glanced round the chapel,
-and then, slightly raising his hand, pointed upward. Mr. Vale readily
-understood that the captain did not want the little company to break up
-till they had united in thanking God for the preservation of the crew
-of his vessel. Stepping into the reading desk, he easily gained the
-attention of everyone.
-
-“The captain of the _Christina_,” he said, “has indicated to me that
-he would like us to give God thanks for the rescue of his crew. Will as
-many of you as are willing remain for a few moments?”
-
-[Illustration: 0125]
-
-The women and children took their seats in the pews near which they were
-standing, and not a man went out. Never was a sweeter or more earnest
-service held in the little chapel, and there were tears in many eyes at
-its close. Every face looked tranquil and happy. For one whole day
-those Moorlow folk had not had so much as a thought of self, and nothing
-brings a happier look into the face than pure unselfishness. It had been
-a wonderful day for them all, and who of the number would ever forget
-it?
-
-Out into the glow of the sunset and homeward went the little
-congregation, leaving Sister Julia and three or four women whom she had
-chosen as assistants in charge of the hospital. Regie and Harry and Nan,
-reluctant to leave, lingered in the doorway, till Sister Julia came and
-urged their going.
-
-“Come, children,” she said, “hurry home. Little Nan there looks ready to
-drop.”
-
-“Yes, I am tired,” Nan admitted; “it has been such a long, long day,”
- and without further urging the little trio trudged silently home;
-silently, because they had so much to think over. Two shipwrecks in one
-day! Regie remembered self-reproachfully that he had had his wish. For
-Nan, the excitement and fatigue had proved too much, and she fell asleep
-at the table before she had eaten a mouthful of supper, and knew nothing
-more till she woke late the next morning, with the sunlight streaming
-so brightly into her room as to make storms and shipwrecks seem the most
-improbable things that could ever happen.
-
-[Illustration: 0126]
-
-[Illustration: 0127]
-
-
-
-
-XIV.--A PUZZLING QUESTION
-
-
-[Illustration: 0127]
-
-ITH so many willing hearts and hands at their service, it had been an
-easy matter to convert the chapel into a hospital; but now that it was
-converted, where was the money to come from to run it? The surgeon had
-said he thought it would be fully two weeks before the captain, and the
-two men who had been most badly hurt, would be about again, and in the
-meantime there were medicines to be bought and food to be provided for
-the entire party. Sister Julia knew well enough that there was no
-money to spare for the purpose in Moorlow, and they could hope for no
-remuneration from the poor sailors. With the wreck of his vessel and his
-cargo the captain himself had lost everything, and he had told Sister
-Julia “he had not even a penny left to go toward paying off his crew.”
-
-So it happened one afternoon, a day or two after the wreck, that Sister
-Julia, wrapping a shawl about her, left her patients in charge of her
-assistants, and went out on the beach to get a breath of fresh air, and
-try and think her way out of this money difficulty.
-
-She had not gone far before she heard voices behind her, and turned to
-see Mr. Vale, with Regie and Harry and Nan, hurrying after her. They
-had hold of hands, and, stretched in one long line, looked like quite a
-formidable little party, as they came toward her.
-
-[Illustration: 0128]
-
-“We have come to take you prisoner for neglect of duty,” said Mr. Vale,
-as the line formed into a circle and shut her in.
-
-“Not exactly neglect of duty,” laughed Sister Julia; “my thoughts are
-all with the hospital. I have been racking my poor brain to know where
-the money is to come from to support our patients up yonder.”
-
-“Yes, I knew that must be troubling you,” Mr. Vale answered; “and I came
-down purposely to talk matters over with you. This log looks long
-enough to hold five people comfortably. Suppose we sit down here a few
-moments.”
-
-So they ranged themselves on the piece of timber, which had been
-stranded from the wreck of the _Starling_, and which two days of
-sunshine had thoroughly dried.
-
-“Now,” said Mr. Vale, “let us proceed to business. Suppose we have these
-men on our hands for two weeks, how much do you think it is going to
-cost us?”
-
-“That is what I have been trying to get at,” replied Sister Julia; “all
-the bedding and things must be paid for, and there is the coal, which
-we are burning at a lively rate the whole twenty-four hours. These women
-who help me can't afford to work without wages, though they would be
-willing enough to, and Bromley the sexton must have something, for he's
-up a dozen times a night tending to the fires in the two stoves.
-It seems to me ten dollars a day might be made to cover our running
-expenses, but I do not see how we can manage to do with less.”
-
-“That will be seventy dollars a week,” said Harry, having worked out the
-difficult sum on the firm wet sand at his feet; “whew! but that's a lot,
-and for two weeks it would be twice that.”
-
-“Yes, a hundred and forty dollars,” said Sister Julia; “it is a pretty
-large sum.”
-
-“And your own services ought not to go unremunerated,” Mr. Vale
-suggested.
-
-“Indeed they ought! I only wish my pocket were long enough to pay all
-the bills myself.”
-
-“I've wished mine was, a hundred times over, since the wreck.”
-
-“There's one thing I want to ask you, Mr. Vale,” said Sister Julia, “and
-that is, if, after all, you think even my time is my own to give. You
-see while Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are abroad I am employed by them to care
-for Reginald. To be sure he is so nearly well now that he does not need
-me, and Mrs. Murray is like a mother to him, but his lessons will have
-to be interrupted, and I wondered if Mr. Fairfax would feel I was doing
-quite right to neglect them.”
-
-“And who would care for the poor men then?” cried Nan, with real
-distress. “Nobody knows just how to do for 'em but you, Sister Julia.”
-
-“You need have no fears on the score of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax,” said Mr.
-Vale, decidedly; “I know them well enough to assure you that they will
-thoroughly approve of and admire your course, and Nan is quite right.
-You know that no one here could care for them properly but just
-yourself.”
-
-“But how about the money?” urged Regie, who was anxious to know what
-they were going to do about it.
-
-“Well, I have thought of two or three schemes,” Mr. Vale replied. “You
-know we could write to Washington, and doubtless get an appropriation
-from some fund or other, but I would take a sort of pride in not
-bothering the Government at all about it; at any rate, not until we find
-it impossible to raise the sum ourselves.”
-
-“Say! Mr. Vale,” said Rex, familiarly, “I'll tell you the very
-thing--take up a collection in your church next Sunday.”
-
-“Well, I hadn't thought of that, Rex,” laughed Mr. Vale; “but, do you
-know, some of the good people there grumble already, thinking we have
-too many collections as it is. No, it seems to me it would be best to
-raise the money here if we could.”
-
-“But you can't,” said Harry, emphatically, “there isn't any money
-here. I guess father has more than anyone in Moorlow, and yet I know he
-couldn't give much.”
-
-“Your father, Harry, has given his share, in the work he has done,” Mr.
-Vale answered. “What I have to propose is this: suppose you and Reginald
-and Nan start out, say two days before Thanksgiving--that will be a week
-from next Tuesday--and take the village cart and Pet, and drive over to
-the Rumson Road. You know there are some well-to-do people living over
-there, who do not go back to town much before Christmas. Now they have
-every one heard by this time of the wreck of the _Christina_, and of the
-injuries her crew sustained, and I believe that every one of them would
-be glad to contribute, if you three little folks were to call upon them
-and tell them you were trying to raise two hundred dollars, which, you
-see, would cover all expenses. You know, at Thanksgiving time, people
-who have a great deal to be thankful for themselves often feel like
-helping other people who have not fared so well. It seems to me the plan
-is worth trying.”
-
-The children's faces plainly showed their delight in it.
-
-“But how will we know where to go?” asked Nan.
-
-“I will give you a list of half-a-dozen names,” Mr. Vale replied. “I
-happen to have a little blank book in my pocket that is just what you
-need;” and, opening it, he wrote upon the first page, “Collection in Aid
-of the Crew of the _Christina_, wrecked off the Moorlow coast, November
-12th, 18----.”
-
-Then underneath he wrote the words, “A Friend, $20.”
-
-“What do you mean by that?” asked Regie.
-
-“I mean that I will give you twenty dollars to start the fund. Then,
-after you have been to all the other places, you must not forget to
-call upon my sister up at Mr. Avery's. She will be glad to give you
-something, I know, and Mr. Avery will, too, for that matter.”
-
-“I wish we could do it to-morrow,” said Nan, whose enthusiasm always
-found it hard to brook delays of any sort.
-
-“Oh, no, indeed!” Mr. Vale exclaimed, “you will get twice the money by
-waiting. Thanksgiving and Christmas have a magical way of letting down
-the bars to people's hearts, and making them more generous.”
-
-Of course Sister Julia entered into this fine plan as heartily as the
-children, and after they had talked a long while about it she bade them
-good-bye, and went back to her duties in the hospital a much cheerier
-woman than she had left it. The week that followed proved a long but
-happy one to the children. Long, because they were continually counting
-the days and the hours till the time should come when they could set out
-on that wonderful collecting tour; happy, in the unexpected holidays,
-which came to them through Sister Julia's inability to keep up their
-lessons. Surely every little scholar knows the peculiar charm of
-unlooked-for holidays.
-
-By the common consent of the body-guard, the collecting-book had been
-placed in the keeping of his little Royal Highness, who had placed it
-for safety in the top drawer of his bureau. On the evening before they
-were to start on this momentous expedition, Regie had taken it out,
-handled it for several moments thoughtfully, and then put it back in its
-place, with an abstracted air, as though he was thinking very hard about
-something. Late that night, when the house was quiet, and every one
-asleep, he had crept noiselessly from bed, leaned out of the window to
-strike a match, for fear of waking Sister Julia in the next room, and
-lit his candle. Then, trying to keep a look out on all sides at once, as
-guiltily as any little thief, he went to the drawer, took out the little
-book, crossed to the table where the candle was standing, put a new pen
-in the holder, and then, with all the customary twists and twirls of his
-funny little mouth, wrote on a line, directly underneath Mr. Vale's,
-
-“A Friend.....................................$20.”
-
-Then he sat, gazing proudly at it for fully five minutes before he put
-out the light and crept back to bed.
-
-[Illustration: 0132]
-
-[Illustration: 0133]
-
-
-
-
-XV.--THE QUESTION ANSWERED
-
-
-[Illustration: 0133]
-
-T was a bracing morning. Of course it was a November morning, for
-to-morrow would be Thanksgiving, and Mr. Vale stood looking out of his
-study window. It was a beautiful window in the spring and summer time,
-when the afternoon sun came streaming in through the Virginia creeper
-trained across it. Mr. Vale, who had the happiest way of looking at
-things, thought it a beautiful window, even in November. It might have
-opened on a blank wall, or a dull row of houses, as so many city windows
-do. Instead of that, it overlooked an old-fashioned garden, with little
-box-bordered flower-beds of every conceivable shape, and narrow gravel
-paths running between them. In some of the sunniest beds a few hardy
-chrysanthemums were still blooming, in brilliant reds and yellows. A
-fine western breeze was whistling through the leafless branches of the
-vine, and Mr. Vale drew in a long breath of the invigorating air. No
-doubt he would have drawn a still longer breath of the salt air he
-revelled in if he had been where his thoughts were, for they were down
-by the sea, where at this very moment a little party was crowding into
-a village cart, about to start out on a long-talked-of expedition. If
-he could have looked into their earnest, rosy faces, and into their eyes
-brimming over with delight and expectation, I think he would have felt
-assured of the success of their undertaking. How could anyone resist
-such a winning troop of little beggars?
-
-[Illustration: 0134]
-
-At last he closed the windows went back to his study table, and wrote
-out his Thanksgiving sermon, which he had been turning over in his mind
-for many a day,--a glorious, invigorating sermon, as any member of the
-large congregation who heard it next day would have told you; but they
-could not have told you that it had won much of its inspiration from a
-little maiden who a few days before had looked up to him and said, with
-loving admiration, “I like your preaching; I like it very much indeed.”
- Well, the children were off at last, and they bowled along the hard
-boulevard road in the highest spirits. They crossed the Sea Bright
-Bridge, and Pet, who had not been over it since that September morning
-when they went for the peaches, started to take the road that led to
-Burchard's orchard.
-
-“No, sir-reel” cried Regie, jerking him back, “we won't go there any
-more,” and then the children laughed heartily over that eventful day's
-adventures, when the little red skirt had done such good service. Before
-long they found themselves in front of Mr. Allan's place, and his name
-came first on the list. It had been agreed between them that Regie
-should be spokesman for the party.
-
-“You see, Harry,” Nan had said, when they were discussing the matter
-in Regie's absence, “Regie has a kind of city way with him that is more
-taking, you know.”
-
-“I don't know anything of the kind,” Harry had answered. “You're just
-gone over Regie. It's a pity you could not have had him for a brother
-instead of me.”
-
-“Now, Harry Murray,” Nan replied, earnestly, “you know I would not
-exchange you for any brother in the world,” which was pretty good of
-Nan, considering how large a share of teasing she had to undergo from
-this same Harry. The discussion had occurred several days previous to
-the expedition, and now that they had actually set out Harry was only
-too thankful that he did not have to play the principal part on the
-programme.
-
-They drove up to the big house and tied Pet to a tree. No one was to be
-seen, and for a moment their hearts misgave them but it was too late to
-retrace their steps, and, with the air of a major domo, Harry marched
-proudly on to the piazza and pulled the bell, which was the special duty
-allotted to him. A coloured man in unpretentious livery opened the door.
-
-“Does Mr. Allan live here?” asked Rex.
-
-He hoped that the man did not notice that his voice trembled a little.
-
-“Yes; would you like to see him?”
-
-Before Rex could answer, “Yes, if you please,” someone called from the
-back part of the house, “Is it three little children, Jackson?”
-
-“Yes, sah, it is.”
-
-“Show them right in here, then,” called the voice, and closing the door
-after them Jackson ushered them into a spacious diningroom, where an old
-gentleman sat toasting his feet and reading his morning paper before a
-crackling wood fire.
-
-“Well, my little friends, I'm right glad to see you,” he said,
-cordially. “You'll excuse my not getting up to meet you, I am such an
-old fellow, you know. Here, Jackson, put that little rocking-chair here
-near the fire for the young lady.”
-
-[Illustration: 0136]
-
-Nan looked about the room to see who the young lady might be.
-
-“Oh! if you mean me,” she said, laughing, taking her seat on a sofa,
-“I'm too warm to go near the fire, thank you.”
-
-“Pray be seated, gentlemen, and tell me what I can do for you,” said
-Mr. Allan, turning to the boys.
-
-“I guess you knew we were coming,” Regie answered, sitting down in the
-nearest chair.
-
-“What makes you think that?”
-
-“Because you called to your man there as we came in to ask if it was not
-three little children, as though you were sort of expecting us.”
-
-“Oh, to be sure! but couldn't I have seen you as you drove up!”
-
-“Not if you were sitting where you are now, sir,” said honest Harry.
-
-“Well, I guess I shall have to own up, then, that I did know you were
-coming. This is how I received my information,” and Mr. Allan drew a
-little case from his pocket and began looking through the papers it
-contained. Nan gazed at the case in silent admiration. It was made
-of alligator skin, and had Mr. Allan's initials, R. T. A., in silver
-letters on the back.
-
-“I wonder,” she thought, “if two dollars would buy one like that for
-Regie when he goes home at Christmas time?”
-
-And then she remembered with satisfaction that Regie had only two
-initials, which would probably make it come a little cheaper. Mr. Allan
-finally found a postal card, and handed it to Regie, who read aloud:--
-
-“'New York, November 21st, 18----.
-
-“'Dear Mr. Allan,--Three little friends of mine will call on you
-to-morrow. I hope they will be none the less welcome when they have told
-you their errand.
-
-“'Yours in haste,
-
-“'F. F. Vale.'”
-
-“Then you do not know what we have come for,” and Regie produced his
-collecting book with a most business like air. Mr. Allan put on his
-spectacles and examined it carefully. “Oh, I see,” he said at last, “you
-are collecting for the poor sailors who were saved from the wreck. I
-hear you turned the church into a hospital. You could not have done a
-better thing.”
-
-“Yes, we did,” said Nan, proudly, “and the sailors are all very nice
-men indeed, and if it had not been for Sister Julia's care, two of them
-would have died.”
-
-“And who is Sister Julia?”
-
-“Don't you know who Sister Julia is?” she asked, incredulously; “why, I
-thought everyone in New York knew about her. She's----”
-
-“Let Regie tell,” Harry interrupted. “You see he has a kind of city way
-with him that is more taking, you know,” he added, with a sly wink and
-in tones too low for Mr. Allan's ear.
-
-Nan immediately relapsed into silence, and Regie came to the front.
-
-“Sister Julia is a nurse, but she's a lady too, and she came to Moorlow
-to take care of me when I broke my leg last June. She lives in a great
-hospital in New York, and takes care of sick people, mostly children.”
-
-“But how does she happen to be here now?” asked Mr. Allan. “Those two
-legs of yours seem to be as strong as anybody's.”
-
-“Oh, yes, it's all right now,” and Regie regarded his right leg rather
-affectionately; “but Sister Julia stayed on to look after me, because
-Papa and Mamma Fairfax have gone to Europe.”
-
-“Then you are Curtis Fairfax's adopted boy?'' Mr. Allan exclaimed with
-some surprise; and readjusting his gold-rimmed spectacles he looked
-Regie over rather critically.
-
-“Yes, sir, I am,” Rex replied, for almost the first time in his life
-hearing that word “adopted” without wincing.
-
-“You'll do well then if you make as good a man as your father. He's one
-of the whitest men in the trade.”
-
-Regie did not quite know what he meant by that, but hesitated to ask.
-
-“Just how are you going to use this money?” asked Mr. Allan.
-
-“For the hospital, sir. It costs seventy dollars a week to run it. The
-brig was wrecked last week, Wednesday you know, and Sister Julia says
-they will not be able to go before the middle of next week, so we need
-a hundred and forty dollars, and sixty dollars more for beds and other
-things.”
-
-Mr. Allan re-opened the little book.
-
-“I see,” he said, “that you have forty dollars promised already. I
-recognise Mr. Vale's hand in this first twenty. Are you free to tell who
-contributes the other?”
-
-“The other twenty!” exclaimed Harry, looking over Mr. Allan's shoulder;
-“why, that is Regie's writing!”
-
-Rex coloured up to the roots of his brown hair, as though he had been
-the most guilty of little culprits.
-
-“I have ten dollars now of my own,” he stammered, “and I know of a way
-I can surely earn ten more when I get back to town, so I am going to ask
-Mr. Vale to lend me the money.”
-
-[Illustration: 8139]
-
-“Good for you!” said Mr. Allan, “I call that downright generous, and as
-I happen to know of a way I can earn sixty dollars when I get back to
-town, I suppose I ought to put myself down for forty at any rate.
-I guess I had better draw a check to your order, as you seem to be
-chairman of the committee,” and crossing the room he sat down at a
-little oak desk. Nan stared at Rex in mute amazement. She had never
-dreamed he was such a wealthy personage. Harry's respect was wonderfully
-increased too, by the way. To think that a boy no older than he actually
-knew of a way by which he could earn ten dollars! He stowed that piece
-of information away in his mind as a matter to be inquired into more
-particularly at a later date, and was so ungracious as to have some
-doubts as to the perfect truthfulness of the statement.
-
-Just at this moment Jackson came again into the room, bearing a tray
-laden with cider and doughnuts; clear, amber-coloured cider, in a
-cut-glass pitcher, and doughnuts generously sprinkled with powdered
-sugar, and fried that morning.
-
-“I thought dese yere children might enjoy a little sumfin to eat arter
-their long ride this breezy morning,” said Jackson, setting the tray on
-the table.
-
-“A happy thought, Jackson,” answered Mr. Allan, smiling; “and now
-suppose we draw up to the table and be comfortable.”
-
-The children needed no urging, and Jackson, placing a plate in front of
-each of them, passed the doughnuts, and then filled four tempting little
-tumblers to the brim.
-
-“Let us drink to the health of Sister Julia,” said Mr. Allan, and he was
-greatly amused at the easy grace with which the children complied.
-
-Captain Murray had once taken Nan and Harry to a “Rip Van Winkle”
- _matinee_, and so they chanced to know what was the proper thing to do
-when a health was proposed. Afterward, Harry proposed the health of Mr.
-Vale, because, as he put it, “he was such a brick at the time of the
-wreck;” and then Regie proposed Captain Murray's. Altogether it was a
-very merry party, and the children finally bade Mr. Allan a reluctant
-goodbye, when Rex decided that “they really ought to go on to the next
-place, for if they kept on at this rate they wouldn't get home till
-morning.”
-
-They had still four names on their list, and already had half the money.
-
-Feeling sure that Mr. Vale had in each place heralded their coming by a
-postal, they entered the other houses with an air of childish confidence
-which seemed to say, “We have called for that money, please.”
-
-Everywhere they were received with more than cordial kindness, and when
-Pet turned his head homeward the whole amount had been subscribed.
-
-“Oh, dear me!” Nan suddenly exclaimed, quite overcome by a thought that
-had occurred to her.
-
-“What is it, goosie?” And it is not necessary to mention who asked that.
-
-“Why, we have all the money we need, and we have not called on Miss Vale
-yet.”
-
-“That's so, by cracky!” said Harry.
-
-“Well, we'll just have to go there and explain,” Rex volunteered.
-
-“Perhaps you had better not give so much yourself,” suggested Harry; “I
-don't see how you are ever going to earn ten dollars.”
-
-“Well, I do then,” in a kingly way, resenting such interference.
-
-“Oh yes, we ought to go,” said Nan; “I only hope she won't mind our
-having collected it all.”
-
-It did not occur to either of this committee (and would there were more
-of these sort of people in the world!) that anyone might possibly prefer
-not being called upon for a subscription. They themselves regarded the
-opportunity for giving in the light of an actual privilege. Nan was
-thankful the money was so easily raised, for she had not a penny in the
-world to give save that two dollars, which she must reserve for
-that little wallet for Regie; but she was planning to present a warm
-comforter, which her own little hands had made, to the Spanish captain,
-and she thought she might favour the first mate with the rubber
-pencil-case which she had bought as a parting present for Regie.
-
-When they reached Mr. Avery's they found Miss Vale ready to receive
-them. She was very much of an invalid, seldom able to leave her room,
-but in honour of their coming she had put on a pretty wrapper, and was
-seated in a large rocking-chair. She was anxious to meet these little
-friends of whom her brother had so often spoken, and looked forward
-to their coming as quite an event in her quiet life. The nurse led the
-children up the oaken stair, and Nan trod as noiselessly as possible
-herself, but was sure she had never heard Harry and Regie make such a
-noise before.
-
-Miss Vale received them very cordially, and they felt at home with her
-at once. They talked about the wreck for some time, and then Miss Vale
-said, “Well, I believe you want some money from me for the hospital?”
-
-“No,” Nan answered, with much seriousness, and as though she was
-breaking the saddest piece of news imaginable; “we are very sorry,
-but we don't need any more; we got enough money before we knew it. We
-couldn't help it, really.”
-
-Nan saw that the nurse was laughing in a quiet way, but never dreamt
-that she was the cause of the merriment. Miss Vale herself looked
-amused, but managed to keep her face straight as she said, feigning much
-anxiety, “Dear me! what am I to do, then? I had made up my mind to give
-you a hundred dollars.” The finance committee looked puzzled enough, and
-as though they saw no way out of this difficulty.
-
-“But look here,” Miss Vale continued, “I have an idea. The captain and
-his crew did not save anything from the wreck, did they?''
-
-“Not a thing, and some of them haven't a penny in the world,” Harry
-answered.
-
-“How many are there?'
-
-“Seven,” answered the children, in one breath.
-
-“Well then, wouldn't it be a good thing to divide the money among them,
-so that they will have something to begin life with again?”
-
-“Seven won't go into a hundred evenly,” said Harry, having a horror of
-fractions.
-
-“Well, I guess we can fix matters if it doesn't,” was Regie's scornful
-response. “I think it is very kind of you,” turning to Miss Vale. “When
-shall we give it to them?”
-
-“It seems to me to-morrow would be a good day. Are the men to have a
-Thanksgiving dinner?”
-
-“Indeed they are,” Nan answered. “They are to have turkey, and mashed
-potatoes, and cranberries that mother has made in beautiful moulds, and
-mince-pie, and lots of things. They'll all be able to come to the table
-too, except the captain.”
-
-“It's just as well that he can't come,” Regie explained, with the air of
-an experienced doctor. “He isn't strong enough to eat turkey dna hearty
-things like that.”
-
-“He's to have some very nice gruel, though,” Nan confided, and as though
-she knew more about it all than both the toys put together; as indeed
-she did, for she had been present at many a conference between Sister
-Julia and her mother regarding the dinner.
-
-The children made a long call, and no one knows how much longer they
-would have lingered in Miss Vale's sunny room, looking at some fine
-photographs of Mr. Avery's, which the maid had brought up from the
-parlour, if the old clock in the hall had not struck two very clearly
-and distinctly.
-
-“Is it as late as that?” cried Nan; “we shall miss our dinner altogether
-if we don't go home this minute.”
-
-That was sufficient to start the boys, and the children took their
-departure, Miss Vale promising to send the money down that night
-in separate envelopes, so that Harry should not be bothered by the
-difficult division of one hundred by seven.
-
-[Illustration: 5143]
-
-[Illustration: 0144]
-
-
-
-
-XVI.--THE CAPTAIN'S STORY
-
-
-[Illustration: 9144]
-
-T is only quite natural that the little folks throughout these United
-States should set less store by Thanksgiving day than Christmas. It may
-seem all very fine to sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner, but, after all,
-Thanksgiving may not hold a candle to Christmas,--to Christmas, with
-its continued round of excitement, beginning in the small hours of the
-morning with the inspection of Christmas presents, and ending, in all
-probability, with the glory and glitter of a well-loaded Christmas tree
-at night. Yet I doubt if the most favoured little darling in the world,
-who knew every wish for a twelvemonth would find its fulfilment on
-Christmas morning, ever looked forward to that day as eagerly as our
-little friends to this Thanksgiving.
-
-I will do them the credit to say that they gave little thought to
-the good things that were to fall to their own share. They were each
-conjuring pictures for themselves of how those Spanish sailors would
-look when they sat down to that good dinner. Two of the sailors knew
-nothing of English beyond the two words “thank you.” Nan could see them
-now saying it with their funny accent every time anything was passed to
-them. And when she wondered how they would look when the money was
-handed to them, she could hardly wait for the glad moment to come and
-see for herself. She did not have to wait long, for those were her last
-thoughts before falling asleep, and when she awoke it was Thanksgiving
-morning. Of course the weather would have much to do with the pleasure
-of the day, so the first thing she did was to fly to the window and
-throw open the blinds. The late November sun, rising out of the ocean,
-flooded everything with a rosy light, and the air was mild enough for
-early October.
-
-[Illustration: 0145]
-
-Three or four seagulls were sailing over the waves In search of their
-breakfast, making a dive now and then when their wonderful far-reaching
-gaze detected a fish near the surface of the water. Nan watched one of
-them circling round and round, and clapped her hands from sheer delight
-when she saw him rise from a desperate dive with a fish quivering in
-his talons, then flying homeward to his nest on the bough of some inland
-tree. It seemed as though even the seagulls ought to fare better than
-on other days. To be sure it put a sad ending to the life of the poor
-little fish, but no doubt it was as allowable for seagulls to dine
-off men-haden, as for people to dine off roast turkeys and ducks.
-This logical train of thought, and some other thoughts not as logical,
-tripped through Nan's mind as she made her neat little toilet. The
-brown hair was braided quickly but very evenly, and tied with a scarlet
-ribbon; the whitest of little yoke-aprons was put on over the blue
-flannel dress, and, notwithstanding it opened down the back and boasted
-fifteen buttons, was carefully adjusted by Nan's own little fingers.
-it is astonishing what “own little fingers” can do for the children who
-must needs wait on themselves.
-
-[Illustration: 0146]
-
-A radiant embodiment of sweetness and freshness, Nan bustled into the
-dining-room, to find the boys there before her. They were curled up on
-the window-seat looking over, for perhaps the tenth time, the budget of
-envelopes which Miss Vale had sent the night before.
-
-“You look good enough to eat this morning,” said Harry, with a look of
-honest admiration.
-
-“Well. I guess I shall not be good enough to let you eat me,” Nan
-answered, blushing a little.
-
-Harry caught her dress as she passed him, and held her firmly while he
-gave her the heartiest sort of a kiss. The truth is that two months ago
-Harry would have done nothing of the sort. It might have occurred to
-him, but he simply would not have done it. Regie had been teaching him
-a lesson. Always gallant and thoughtful himself toward Nan, Harry had
-watched him closely, and gradually had come to the conclusion that a
-brother might really treat his sister with much consideration without
-being set down for a spoony; indeed, might even go so far as to actually
-express his admiration, not only in words, but in the deed of an
-unexpected kiss now and then, without being silly. The lesson was well
-worth learning, and would it might be taught to a host of well-meaning
-little Harrys, who need to learn it every whit as much as this Harry in
-particular! As soon as Sister Julia arrived they had breakfast. She ran
-up every morning from the hospital, for the sake of the change and fresh
-air. As soon as the meal was finished, preparations were at once begun
-for the great Thanksgiving dinner. In the first place Dobbin was brought
-to the door, and the two boys helped Captain Murray carry out from the
-hall several well-filled boxes and baskets; for the dinner was to be
-served in the rear end of the chapel, as Captain Murray's dining-room
-was too small to accommodate so large a party comfortably; besides, one
-or two of the men were not so far recovered as to be able to venture
-out of doors. Pet and the cart were also pressed into service, and made
-numerous trips to and fro, until at last, with the help of the sailors,
-everything had been unloaded at the chapel door.
-
-Mrs. Murray, in a long white apron, presided over the cooking, and soon
-a strange new incense, which was none other than the smell of roasting
-turkey, began to make its way to the rafters of the church.
-
-The captain on his cot sniffed it gratefully, and he wished from the
-bottom of his heart that he was up and about and able to enjoy it.
-Sister Julia busied herself with setting the table. Rex and Harry sat
-in one corner paring potatoes, and the sailors strolled about with their
-hands in their pockets, and broad smiles on their dark faces, rendering
-some little service whenever they could.
-
-The one who could not speak English at all kept near Mrs. Murray,
-watching her intently with his large black eyes, and trying to
-anticipate any little thing he might do for her, such as lifting the
-great pot, in which a Savoury soup was boiling away, or pushing more
-wood into the cooking-stove.
-
-“Well, Sister Julia, what can I do now?” asked Nan, when she had
-finished the glasses.
-
-“Let me see,” answered Sister Julia, pausing a second to count the
-places at the table, to be sure she had made no mistake; “I think you
-might arrange the fruit. The bananas and oranges will look the better
-for a careful rubbing with one of the glass towels.”
-
-[Illustration: 0148]
-
-“All right,” Nan said, cheerily, glad to have so important a task
-assigned to her. Just as she had gotten everything together a sudden
-thought occurred to her, and seizing a fruit dish under each arm, she
-travelled down the aisles and into the vestry.
-
-During the week she and the Spanish captain had grown to be fast
-friends, and his face brightened the moment he saw her.
-
-“I was thinking you might be a little lonely,” she said; “if you like, I
-can bring my work in here and do it.”
-
-“Indeed, senorita, nothing would please me better,” the captain
-answered, in musical broken English. The captain always addressed Nan as
-“senorita,” the pretty word that stands for miss in his native tongue.
-
-Nan asked two of the sailors to carry the great box of oranges and
-bananas into the vestry, and seating herself on the floor, with a dish
-on each side of her, she set to work.
-
-“How do you feel to-day, captain?” she asked, by way of opening the
-conversation, and rubbing vigorously away at an orange.
-
-“Better, senorita; but one does not want to get well too fast, and say
-good-bye to Sister Julia and the rest of you who have been so kind to us
-all.”
-
-“You are sorry, then, that you tried to do it, aren't you?”
-
-“Do what, senorita?” and the colour came into his dark face.
-
-“Why, kill yourself, captain,” polishing away at a banana without
-looking up, and feeling pretty sure it would have been better not to
-have said this.
-
-“I had hoped the little senorita did not know about that,” sighed the
-captain. “It was a cowardly and foolish thing to do.”
-
-“It was a very wicked thing, captain. I hope you never will try to do it
-again.”
-
-“Never you fear,” he answered, smiling; “all my life I will try to make
-amends for it; and I will tell you something you may think strange,
-senorita, and that is, that this has been the happiest week in all my
-life. Two or three times when I have been lying here, just at sunset,
-where I could watch the great white breakers come rolling in, and Sister
-Julia has been playing on the organ in the church there, I have thought
-I must be dreaming in my berth in the poor _Christina_. Then I have
-raised myself on my elbow, so that I could look into the chancel yonder
-and see the cross on the altar cloth, and feel sure it was really all as
-it seemed.”
-
-“You are not exactly glad you were wrecked, though?” Nan asked,
-practically.
-
-“Yes, in a way, I am glad.”
-
-“You don't forget about losing all your money and things, do you?”
-
-“No, but perhaps it's worth while to have lost one's money to be wrecked
-on a coast of big and little angels.”
-
-“Big and little angels!”
-
-“Yes, and if you want to know why it seems so to me you must listen to a
-story.”
-
-There was no “must listen” for Nan where a story was concerned. She was
-all attention in a moment, an eager breathless little listener, and the
-captain began.
-
-“Just thirty-six years ago a Spanish boy found himself without father or
-mother, and was set adrift on the world. Not a penny did he own, but he
-was a hearty, fearless little fellow, and he managed somehow to live,
-though he seldom knew where the next meal was to come from, or where
-he would sleep at night. By the time the boy was ten years old he grew
-tired of his vagabond life, and longed to learn how to read and write.
-So he resolved to go to the village school, and he earned a little money
-out of school hours here and there, and was a happier fellow than in the
-old idle days.
-
-“No sooner had he learned to read and write in pretty decent fashion
-than he decided to run away to sea, for he had always a notion that he
-would be a sailor some day. I do not know that you could exactly call it
-running away, when no one cared very much whether he came or went; but
-for the next few years he had a pretty hard time of it, for to go to sea
-before the mast under a harsh and cruel captain is likely to make life
-rather difficult. Sometimes when he was sent out to reef the top-gallant
-sail he would balance himself on the yard, wondering if it would not be
-better to let himself drop into the ocean--the men would only think he
-had tumbled off; but somehow the fear of God always kept him from it.”
-
-[Illustration: 0151]
-
-“Notwithstanding the hardship he went to sea again until he was
-twenty-five years old, and by that time he had worked up to be first
-mate of the----”
-
-“Of the _Christina?_” Nan questioned, eagerly.
-
-“Yes, of the _Christina_,” the captain admitted; “and he had managed to
-save enough to become part owner of her besides.” Nan had finished her
-work, but was quite unmindful of the fact, and sat gazing up to the
-captain's face, with her hands clasped round her knees.
-
-“Had he grown up to be a good man?” she asked, innocently. “I am afraid
-not, senorita, as you would count goodness.”
-
-“Was he kind to his men?” altogether unconscious of how embarrassing her
-questions might prove.
-
-“Yes, he was kind. That was the best thing that could be said for him.
-He did not deserve any credit for that, though, for he had suffered so
-much himself from unkindness.”
-
-“Then he deserved all the more credit,” Nan said, decidedly, and the
-colour in the captain's face showed how grateful her praise was to him.
-
-“Well, it happened one November morning,” he continued, “ten years
-afterward, that when he had been battling all night with the wind and
-the waves of a terrible storm, his ship ran ashore, and in such a way
-that he knew he could never save her. All the earnings of his lifetime
-gone in a minute! What was there to live for? He had not a relative in
-the world, and that ship was his darling. Then the thought to take his
-own life came to him, as it used to sometimes when he was a poor little
-sailor on the top-gallant yard, only now that he was a man no thought
-of God came with it, and so the desperate deed was attempted.” Nan had
-never listened to anything so fascinating in all her life before.
-
-“That is not all?” she asked, eagerly, for the captain had paused for a
-moment.
-
-“Thank God, no! scarcely did the captain--for he was no longer first
-mate--think that the ugly weapon had done its work, than he seemed to be
-all by himself in a beautiful silver boat on a wide blue sea. It was a
-little boat, without sails or oars, and it bounded over the waves of
-its own free will, so that the captain had simply to let it carry
-him whither it would. Soon he knew they were nearing a shore, for he
-recognised the sound of breakers on the beach; but he shuddered as he
-heard it, for he half-remembered that something terrible had happened
-when he had heard that sound once before But his fright was over in
-a moment, for he saw a great banner waving in the air, and on it was
-printed, in gold letters, 'The Shore of Loving kindness.'”
-
-[Illustration: 0153]
-
-“As he neared the land, one curling white breaker seemed gently to lift
-the boat on to the next, until at last it was landed on a great white
-stretch of beach. It seemed to the captain such a beautiful shore, that
-he wondered if it might be heaven; and if it was, he knew he had no
-right there. He tried to lift himself up and step out of the little
-boat, but somehow he was not able to do that; so he lay quite still and
-contented, looking up at the stars overhead,--wonderful stars they
-were, for the only light there was came from them, and yet he could see
-everything plainly. At last the stars seemed to grow dim and still more
-dim, and the captain turned himself over on the silk cushions of the
-boat and fell asleep. When he awoke he stared about him with a wondering
-gaze, for everything looked so strange. He was no longer in the
-silk-cushioned boat, but lying on a cot in a little room, a queer little
-room, with a carved oaken partition, and soft red curtains running along
-two sides of it. He could not see very plainly, for the light was low
-in the room, and he could not tell where it came from. He felt something
-heavy on his head, and put his hand up, for he remembered that he had
-thought that the little red boat had landed him in heaven. But alas!
-there was no crown, only a tightly-bound bandage, and the moment his
-hand touched it he guessed why it was there, and that he was only a
-shipwrecked captain whom someone had cared for. But where was he? A door
-led out of his little room--into what? Why, it looked like a church;
-yes, it was surely a church,' for the moonlight was streaming through
-the chancel window, and he could see the communion table and some one
-sitting beyond the chancel rail. How strange! What could it mean? He put
-his hand to his head again to make sure of the bandage, and that he
-was not dreaming. And now the figure has left the table, and is moving
-toward him. It comes gently to the side of his cot, and he can see that
-it is a woman, a woman with the face of an angel. The captain looks up
-at her with a wondering gaze; but she puts her finger to her lips as a
-sign that he must not speak. Then she makes the light brighter in the
-room, and draws a chair to his side, and tells him in a low, sweet voice
-all about himself--how he happens to be in the vestry of the little
-church; and finally she tells him that she means to take care of him
-until he is entirely well again. But the captain almost wishes he may
-never be well again, if he may only have that angel face to watch over
-him.”
-
-“That angel was Sister Julia,” said Nan, with a sigh, as though to
-relieve her overcharged little heart.
-
-“Yes, that was Sister Julia,” assented the captain.
-
-“But you said there were little angels, too,” Nan said, innocently.
-
-“Certainly. I have a picture of the little _arch_angel (that is, the
-principal one) here beside me,” and the captain placed a little frame in
-Nan's eager hands.
-
-Of course it proved to be only a little mirror, in which she saw the
-reflection of her own fair little face.
-
-“Do you call a round chubby face like that the face of an angel?” she
-laughed, holding the little mirror at arm's length and looking in, in a
-funny, half-critical fashion.
-
-“Yes, I do. It has been a real angel face to me, coming in and out of
-this vestry room with its bright smiles.”
-
-“Why, where is Nan?” someone called just then.
-
-“Coming, Sister Julia,” Nan answered, jumping to her feet, and with an
-effort lifting one of the heavy fruit dishes.
-
-“I must go,” she said, reluctantly; but when she reached the door she
-paused for a moment to look back and ask, “It was true, wasn't it,
-all that about when you were a boy; all except about the boat and the
-angels?”
-
-“Every word of it,” answered the captain; “and it was true about the
-angels, too, senorita.”
-
-[Illustration: 5155]
-
-[Illustration: 0156]
-
-
-
-
-XVII--THANKSGIVING IN EARNEST
-
-
-[Illustration: 9156]
-
-HE hour-hand of the watch that hung at Sister Julia's belt had just
-reached three as she put the last touch to the table; that last touch
-consisted in placing, at each seat, a card bearing the name of the
-person who was to occupy it. Sister Julia had herself prepared the cards
-in the little leisure she could spare from hospital duties. On each
-she had painted some little emblem of the sea--a shell, or a spray of
-seaweed--introducing the name in odd-shaped letters.
-
-Then on the reverse side she had enrolled the entire party in the order
-of their seats at the table, knowing that some of their number would
-cherish those little cards as precious souvenirs for many a long year to
-come.
-
-The soup was on the table, and Mrs. Murray having instructed the woman
-who had been helping her just how to bring the dishes to the table, laid
-aside her great gingham apron, and gave the signal to sit down.
-
-“Why, there's one seat too many!” remarked Harry, when all had found
-their places.
-
-“Dear me, why so there is!” exclaimed Sister Julia. “How did that ever
-happen?”
-
-“Why, it happened just this way,” answered a familiar voice; no one
-could tell just where the voice came from, but all knew whose it was.
-“It happened just this way. I telegraphed Sister Julia yesterday that if
-she would put off the dinner till three o'clock I could get through
-my sermon in time to come, and so here I am, you see,” and Mr. Vale
-appeared in the door-way, having waited a moment in the vestibule to
-hang up his coat.
-
-The presence of Mr. Vale was just the one thing needed to complete that
-Thanksgiving dinner in everyone's estimation.
-
-Even the men, whose knowledge of English was limited to the
-parrot-learned “Thank you,” brightened when they saw him. There are
-faces which bear so plainly the imprint of love and sympathy, one does
-not need to speak a common language to comprehend them.
-
-“You have come at the right moment,” said Sister Julia, and Mr. Vale,
-knowing what she meant, bowed his head and asked a blessing. It was a
-prayer as well as a blessing--a prayer for the future of these sailors,
-who were so soon again to give their lives to the keeping of the sea;
-and a prayer for the future of the children, that the whole volume of
-their life might remain as pure and unsullied as the pages of their
-childhood--nor did he forget the captain lying on his cot in the little
-vestry room. His voice seemed to gather additional earnestness as he
-prayed that he might be restored to perfect health, and take up his life
-again with a divine trust and courage which should be able to grapple
-victoriously with misfortune and despair, should he again be called to
-meet them.
-
-At the close of the blessing Sister Julia thought she heard a low
-fervent “Amen” from the recesses of the little vestry room.
-
-No doubt it was but natural that everyone at that long table should
-realise that it was no ordinary occasion. Never did a stranger company
-sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner under stranger circumstances, but they
-enjoyed it heartily, notwithstanding the strangeness.
-
-Somehow or other, Mr. Vale knew just the way to draw everybody out, and
-thanks to him the party, that otherwise might easily have found itself a
-little stiff and embarrassed, became a very merry one.
-
-[Illustration: 9158]
-
-Captain Murray enlivened the table with two or three old sea yarns,
-and while they were waiting for the dessert to be brought in Mr. Vale
-induced the sailors to give them two or to be going on, on every side.
-
-When at last Mrs. Murray lifted an all-on-fire plum pudding to the
-table, one of the younger sailors, who was little more than a boy,
-clapped his hands from sheer delight, and, fired by his enthusiasm, all
-at the table followed his example. The colour came into Mrs. Murray's
-round face; she considered the demonstration as a compliment to herself,
-as was quite right she should, three Spanish songs which they were
-accustomed to sing together at sea. Meanwhile, Nan had travelled into
-the vestry with the captain's dinner, of clam broth and dainty little
-crackers; delicious broth, which Sister Julia had herself prepared, and
-crackers which Nan's own little hands had toasted to a most inviting
-brownness. It did Nan's heart good to see how the captain enjoyed eating
-them, and it did the captain's heart good to see how much she enjoyed
-seeing him eat them; and so it was that all through that Thanksgiving
-Day a constant process of _doing hearts good_ seemed for no little
-raisin-stoning and washing of currants had gone toward the concoction of
-that great brown pudding, about which the blue flames were now curling
-so beautifully.
-
-At last the supreme moment for “all hands” arrived, when, at a signal
-from Sister Julia, Regie, as chairman of the finance committee, produced
-the budget of envelopes, and handed them to one and another as fast as
-he could make out the names written on the backs of them.
-
-Meanwhile, Mr. Vale stood up, and explained that each envelope contained
-a gift of money, and though by no means a large amount, the giver hoped
-it might stand them in good stead, and that each would kindly accept it
-with her best wishes.
-
-At the words “her best wishes,” the eyes of the crew, as by common
-consent, turned toward Sister Julia, so that she had right away to deny
-having had any part in the transaction.
-
-“No, indeed,” she said, “you must not thank me for this; Mr. Vale's
-sister is the good friend to whom you are indebted.”
-
-In the absence of their captain the men looked to their first mate to
-express their gratitude. Mr. Vale would have given a great deal if his
-sister could have heard the few earnest words which the first mate spoke
-from a full heart, and could have seen the sturdy fellow as he spoke
-them.
-
-And so the dinner was ended. It had grown quite dark in the chapel, for
-the early November twilight had deepened landward and seaward.
-
-“Before we separate,” said Mr. Vale, “I wish Regie would sing the German
-evening hymn from the Children's Hymnal.”
-
-Regie needed no urging, and took his stand beside Sister Julia at the
-organ, while the others still kept their places. He loved to sing,
-throwing his whole soul into it, and in that lay half his power to
-please.
-
-Clear and sweet rang out the words of the simple hymn, and at its close
-more than one sleeve was brushed across misty eyes, and tears stole from
-under the captain's eyelids as he lay in the little vestry--lying there
-alone, why need he strive to hide them?--besides, what was there to be
-ashamed of in such tears as those?
-
-These had been days of new and strange experiences to those Spanish
-sailors, and they had learned some of life's best lessons for the first
-time.
-
-“Your faces are kinder than when you came,” Nan had frankly said to the
-crew one day.
-
-“Senorita, that is because our hearts are kinder,” one of the men had
-answered.
-
-[Illustration: 5160]
-
-[Illustration: 0161]
-
-
-
-
-XVIII.--THE KING'S CAMERA
-
-
-[Illustration: 9161]
-
-NOTHER week rolled by, and found the crew of the _Christina_ ready to
-say good-bye to Moorlow, and yet not ready, for most of them were very
-loth to go; but the captain was quite recovered, and there was no excuse
-for their remaining longer. Indeed, Sister Julia thought that those of
-their number who had sustained no very severe injuries ought to have
-gone before, but the men seemed anxious to stand by their captain, and
-she did not quite have the courage to send them off. That such a sad
-state of things was possible never seemed to enter the mind of any
-member of the crew. Without being in any sense ungrateful, they simply
-took everything for granted. With the exception of the captain, not
-one of them ever questioned where the money came from that provided
-so generously for their wants during those two weeks. They looked upon
-Sister Julia as a veritable saint, with illimitable, if not divine,
-resources, sent to minister to them especially; and the reverential way
-in which they bade her farewell showed that they so regarded her to the
-last.
-
-All Moorlow was gathered at the station to see them off. Everyone who
-had contributed in any way to their comfort,--and there were few in
-Moorlow who had not--felt a sort of responsibility in giving them a
-cheery “send off.” Even the shabby little Croxsons were there, for had
-they not run on innumerable errands that morning when the crew were
-rescued? As the train moved away the captain stood upon the rear
-platform. A neat little bundle was tucked under one arm, for Nan, not
-forgetting her resolution, had presented him at the last moment with
-the warm comforter which she herself had made. The captain waved a red
-handkerchief until the station was entirely out of sight, and his last
-glance, before he turned and went into the car, was toward the hull of
-the _Christina_, which he could plainly see just where she had stranded
-that stormy November morning. It seemed to him as though he were saying
-good-bye to all his past, and with a courage that surprised him he was
-ready to make a new start. He was very grateful for the fact that his
-men were thoroughly loyal to him, and felt pretty sure that with such a
-crew at his service he could easily gain command of some vessel plying
-between Spain and the United States. So it was that with a contented
-smile he took a seat in the midst of his crew, and, encouraged by their
-captain's good cheer, the dark-eyed men soon fell to conversing in the
-liveliest manner in their native Spanish, much to the amusement of their
-fellow-passengers.
-
-It had been a very exciting fortnight for quiet Moorlow, but in a
-marvellously short space of time everything settled back into the old
-grooves. The little church soon looked as sober and decorous as though
-it had never served as a temporary hospital, or known the savoury odours
-of a Thanksgiving dinner.
-
-A December storm had beaten the _Christina's_ hull literally to pieces,
-and nothing was left to tell the story of the wreck save the shell
-which had been shot out with the whip-line, and which Captain Murray,
-according to custom, had lettered and dated, and hung in the Life-saving
-Station; a trophy of which the crew had good reason to be proud.
-
-The children had resumed their lessons, and Regie was counting the days
-till Papa and Mamma Fairfax would board the homeward-bound steamer
-at Liverpool. The three months, which had seemed a long time to look
-forward to, had slipped away very quickly, and Harry and Nan and himself
-were full of joyous anticipation, for a glorious plan was on foot.
-
-Mr. Fairfax had written very urgently asking that the Murray children
-might be allowed to spend the Christmas holidays with Regie in town.
-Captain Murray had only given his consent very reluctantly, for he knew
-the Moorlow Christmas would be a sorry affair without the children; but
-nevertheless he _had_ given it, and Nan and Harry's respective heads
-were almost turned with delight at the prospect.
-
-It is doubtful if the liveliest imagination could picture all that a
-whole week in New York meant to these little Murrays. They had never
-been there for more than a day at a time, and then only at rare
-intervals, and it was not strange that stolen whispers in lesson hours,
-and long chats out of them, all bore upon the delightful subject of
-this visit, until, in Sister Julia's estimation, the children were
-devoting too much time to sitting indoors, and plotting and planning,
-and not enough to out-of-door exercise; so she put her wits to work to
-devise some scheme to bring about a change of affairs.
-
-“There is one thing, Regie,” she said, “over which your Papa Fairfax
-will be very much disappointed when he comes home.”
-
-She spoke so seriously, that Regie looked up at her with a very troubled
-face, which said, as plainly as words, “Whatever do you mean?”
-
-“Why, you haven't a single picture to show him. In all this while not a
-photograph have you taken.”
-
-“That's so,” with a sigh; “but then I don't believe he'll expect it. You
-can't do much photographing in cold weather; besides, there's nothing to
-take in winter.”
-
-“You said once that you'd like to take a good picture of me,” Nan
-remarked, showing that she did not consider that the low state of the
-thermometer in any way diminished her charms, as indeed it did not.
-There was not a prettier or more breezy little specimen of humanity in
-existence than Nan on one of these wintry afternoons, when she had just,
-come in from an hour's buffeting with wind and weather on the beach.
-
-“Yes, I _would_ like a good picture of you, Nan,” said Regie,
-patronisingly, looking at her with his head on one side, after the
-meditative fashion of an artist regarding his model. “The trouble is,
-I don't know of any place in this house where you can get a good enough
-light.”
-
-“And why in the house, pray?” asked Sister Julia; “it is not a bit too
-cold to try your hand out of doors. This is just a perfect winter's day,
-and there is no wind to blow, your camera over.”
-
-“That's so,” assented Regie again, “I'm going to get ready,” and suiting
-the action to the word he bounded out of the room, and the body-guard
-followed his example.
-
-At the time that Mr. Fairfax had seen fit to endow Regie with a
-photographing outfit, he had, with no little painstaking, carefully
-instructed him as just to how the whole process, from beginning to
-end, must be managed. As a result Regie had succeeded in producing some
-first-rate pictures, “all his own work, too,” as he would have told you
-proudly. But that was more than a year ago, and before he knew Nan
-and Harry. He had some fine plans for the summer just ended, but that
-unlucky fall from the cherry tree bough had prevented his carrying them
-out. To be sure, within the last few weeks, since the little leg had so
-thoroughly mended, he might have gotten to work again as easily as could
-be, but the excitement following the wreck of the _Christina_ had driven
-all thought of it out of his mind.
-
-The fact that Nan knew that Regie could take pictures accounted in a
-measure, perhaps, for the reverence with which she regarded him; but
-Harry was as doubtful of his real ability as in the matter of the
-earning of the money for the hospital fund, and he hailed with delight
-the chance he was about to have to put him to the test.
-
-Harry and Nan were ready in no time, but with the amateur photographer,
-“getting ready” is a mysterious and laborious proceeding, and Rex failed
-to put in an appearance.
-
-The body-guard waited and waited till, their patience exhausted, they
-scaled the stairway leading to His Royal Highness's private apartment,
-but His Majesty was nowhere to be seen.
-
-“Why, where is Rex?” cried Nan.
-
-“I'm in here,” answered a muffled voice.
-
-“What, in the closet?” and Harry rushed for it.
-
-“Yes, but don't open the door for the world. I'm filling my
-plate-holders.”
-
-Harry and Nan looked at each other as much as to say, “What in creation
-is he talking about?” then by tacit consent they noiselessly crouched
-down by the closet door, and Harry peeped through the keyhole.
-
-His face grew pale, and with a terrified expression he drew Nan over so
-that she could take a look; then with precipitate haste they fled from
-the room.
-
-“Oh, Sister Julia!” cried Nan.
-
-“Regie's shut up in his closet,” cried Harry.
-
-“And we looked through the keyhole and saw an awful red light,”
- interrupted Nan.
-
-“And we think he has set the closet on fire, and you had better go
-and see to it right away,” interrupted Harry, very much surprised that
-Sister Julia did not seem in the least alarmed.
-
-“Why, he's only filling his plate-holders,” she exclaimed, laughing,
-
-“Yes,” nodded Nan, her eyes as large as saucers, “he said something like
-that.”
-
-“Of course he did, and the fire you thought you saw is the light from
-his ruby lantern.”
-
-“His what!” exclaimed Harry; then, after a little pause, he added, “Say!
-won't you explain to us something about it?” Ashamed that he had shared
-Nan's fright, and foreseeing that he would be obliged to ask Regie more
-questions than would be at all agreeable.
-
-“Why, certainly,” answered Sister Julia, with a smile still playing
-about the corners of her mouth. “You see they take these pictures on a
-plate, that is a square glass which comes for the purpose, coated with
-a dry, white preparation. Mr. Fairfax buys them in boxes holding a dozen
-each, and when Regie wants to take pictures he has to take them from the
-box and put them in his plate-holders. The plate-holders are a sort of
-little boxes that fit in the back of his camera.”
-
-“His cam-e-ra?” drawled Nan.
-
-“Yes, that is the name of the instrument he takes the pictures with, but
-it will ruin the plate to let a ray of daylight touch it before he is
-ready to take the picture, so Rex must needs go into a dark closet,
-and light his ruby lantern, when the time comes for filling his
-plate-holders.”
-
-[Illustration: 0166]
-
-Regie appeared on the scene just then, with his apparatus in his arms,
-and the trio marched off, the King all unconscious of the fright he had
-given the body-guard, and the body-guard intending never to enlighten
-him on the subject.
-
-“What shall we take?” said Regie, when they had gone a little way down
-the beach. “I wish we had enough for a group. I like to take groups
-best.”
-
-“What is a group?” Nan asked, shyly.
-
-“Why, a group's a lot of people, goosie,” Harry answered, for he enjoyed
-answering questions in direct proportion to his dislike to asking them.
-
-“Would the Croxsons do, then?” Nan queried timidly, often feeling more
-or less subdued by Harry's “goosie.”
-
-“The very thing,” replied Rex; “they're so queer-looking, they'll make a
-jolly funny group.”
-
-“Shall I go for them while you're getting your _camera_ ready?” remarked
-Harry, airing his knowledge of the photographic terms. Regie nodded yes,
-and Harry was off.
-
-“Wouldn't it be nice to take them in that?” said Nan, pointing to one of
-the fishermen's boats drawn up upon the beach.
-
-“Of course it would. You're splendid for thinking of things, Nan,” Regie
-replied, proceeding to get his instrument in order. Nan helped him
-as best she could, very happy over the fact that such an important
-personage as he was considered her _splendid_ for anything.
-
-Meanwhile the Croxsons were hurrying into a miscellaneous assortment of
-threadbare out-of-door wraps, which were supposed to keep the cold out,
-but in point of fact did nothing of the sort. They were highly elated
-over the prospect of having their photographs taken. Not one of them had
-ever experienced that sensation before.
-
-“W-w-won't it be a lark to be t-t-took?” stuttered little Madge,
-beside herself with excitement; and the flushed faces of the other four
-children showed that they undoubtedly thought it would, the neglected
-little quintette never dreaming that they had been invited because they
-were so “queer looking” and would make “a jolly funny group.” But if
-Regie and Harry and Nan did sometimes have a little fun at the Croxsons'
-expense, they were too well-behaved ever to let them have an inkling of
-it. As for Regie, he was as gallant in his manner to these shabby little
-specimens as to the would-be little aristocrats in velvet knickerbockers
-and patent leather pumps whom he was accustomed to meet at dancing
-school. When the Croxsons arrived on the scene, Regie, having succeeded
-in fastening his camera to the tripod, had just plunged his head under
-the black rubber cloth which hung over it.
-
-“What are you doing?” Joe Croxson made so bold as to ask.
-
-“Focussing on the boat,” was Regie's mysterious reply, from the folds of
-the rubber cloth.
-
-At this answer Madge seemed to be somewhat intimidated. The word
-focussing had an ominous sound in her ears.
-
-“What do you mean by that?” Joe asked gruffly, for not one of the little
-party was a whit wiser than before.
-
-“Oh, I'm fixing things so as to be able to take a clear picture of that
-boat,” Regie answered, good-naturedly; “and now I would like you all to
-run and get into it, ready to be taken.”
-
-At this the party would have scampered off to do his bidding but for
-little Millie Croxson, the baby, who had succumbed to a nameless fear,
-and had to be coaxed and carried to the scene of action.
-
-[Illustration: 0168]
-
-Regie stood at a little distance, wondering how he should pose his
-party, when suddenly Nan exclaimed, “Oh, I say! let's do this; let's
-pretend we have been shipwrecked, and had to take to the boats, and are
-out on the open sea. And you might take two pictures, Rex, one where
-we think we must all die in the boat, and one where we have hailed a
-steamer, and are going to be picked up and saved.”
-
-[Illustration: 0169]
-
-Certainly Nan _was_ splendid for thinking of things, and the children
-took to the idea at once; but it took somewhat longer to arrange matters
-to the satisfaction of everybody. Finally it was arranged that the four
-girls should be huddled together in the stern of the boat, and Joe and
-Jim Croxson should each have an oar, and lean way forward, as though
-they were rowing against a very heavy sea, and that Harry should be
-stationed on the bow as a look-out. Harry and Nan endeavoured, by
-turning their coats inside out, and one or two other alterations in
-costume, to make themselves as forlorn as possible. There was something
-pathetic in the fact that even the Croxsons themselves realised they
-need attempt nothing in this direction; they were sufficiently forlorn
-as they were.
-
-Little Millie was supposed to be a half-starved little baby, and had
-an old handkerchief tied three-cornerwise about her head. As she sat on
-Nan's lap her thin little face looked the character to perfection.
-
-“Now,” said Rex, when all was in readiness; “you mustn't move, not one
-of you.”
-
-“C-c-can we w-w-wink?” stuttered Madge.
-
-“Are we forlorn enough and sorrowful enough?” asked Nan.
-
-“How do I look?” urged Harry, who stood balanced on the look-out in the
-stiffest of positions.
-
-“Oh, you are all right,” Regie answered, collectively; “now, still,
-every one of you.”
-
-Trembling with excitement he uncapped the lens, while he counted one,
-two, three, four, which were supposed to cover two seconds in time'; and
-then pop! on went the cap again, but alas! the picture was not taken.
-Rex had forgotten to draw out the slide which would let the picture
-in on the plate; but before he had time to announce his discovery the
-children had abandoned their positions in the boat, and were crowding
-once again around the camera.
-
-Regie hated to acknowledge his carelessness. He was loth to take a
-single step down from the pinnacle on which the children had placed him
-because of his acquaintance with the photographing art, but it had to be
-done.
-
-“You'll all have to go back and be taken over again,” he said,
-disconsolately. “I didn't get any picture that time, because I forgot to
-do something I ought to.”
-
-The children marched back to the boat, but with faith evidently weakened
-in the real ability of this would-be photographer. It took some time to
-gain the properly forlorn expression and look of general despondency,
-but at last all was in readiness, and the picture was taken.
-
-“Now change your positions and smile like everything,” called Rex, “as
-though you saw the steamer that is going to rescue you coming toward
-you, and I'll take the other picture in a jiffy.”
-
-The children brisked up and obeyed Regie's orders by grinning from ear
-to ear, with the exception of baby Millie, whom neither petting nor
-teasing could coax into so much as the suggestion of a smile. This
-having your picture taken still seemed to her an uncanny and perilous
-proceeding.
-
-“Say, Rex!” called Nan, in an anxious tone, “the baby won't look
-cheerful. I can't make her smile, no matter what I do.” H ere was a real
-difficulty! Rex walked over to the boat to give the matter his personal
-attention.
-
-“Perhaps it's too young a baby to understand that she isn't going to
-be drowned,” suggested Madge, who was really quite experienced in the
-matter of babies, having had almost entire charge of Millie from her
-birth.
-
-“Why, of course she is,” Nan replied, blaming herself for not having
-thought of this way of solving the problem; “she's hungry and cold
-still, and she shouldn't smile.”
-
-So little Miss Millie's downheartedness proved no obstacle after all,
-and Regie soon announced that picture number two was taken. Pell mell
-the children scrambled out of the boat and hurried back to the camera.
-
-“Let's see it, Rex.”
-
-“Is it good?” were their exclamations all at once.
-
-“Which is the best?”
-
-“Why, I can't tell you yet,” answered Regie, out of patience with such
-ignorance; “don't you know I have to take the plates home before you can
-tell a thing about them, and develop them?”
-
-“Develop?” said Jim Croxson, not having the remotest idea what the word
-might mean; “develop your grandmother! It's my opinion if a fellow had
-taken a picture he'd be glad enough to show it. I don't believe you
-can take 'em at all, and there's no use in wasting any more time in this
-tomfoolery. Come, Croxsies, let's travel home and scare up something to
-eat.”
-
-Jim was a ringleader in that family circle, and the younger Croxsons
-took their departure with sullen faces, which looked as though they had
-spent more time in the weary activity of _scaring up_ something to eat,
-than in the more passive and beneficial process of eating. Regie stood
-looking after them.
-
-[Illustration: 0172]
-
-“I call that pretty mean,” he said, angrily, “and it shows just how much
-they know about it.”
-
-“Mean!” muttered Nan, with her little lips pressed tightly together; “I
-would just like to see that Jim Croxson come up with.”
-
-Nan did not know exactly what was involved in this proceeding of being
-“come up with,” but she had an idea that it was just about the most
-dreadful thing that could happen to anybody. Harry stood non-committal.
-Of course he thought it was very foolish for the Croxsons to go off like
-that; but he would himself see the thing through before expressing
-an opinion. If Regie said something more was needing to be done, he
-supposed he must believe him; but it certainly seemed, if a picture was
-taken, it was taken, and he ought to be able to show something for it.
-
-“Say, Harry,” asked Regie, as they walked home, “isn't there a big dark
-closet up in the attic?”
-
-“Yes, as dark as Egypt.”
-
-“Well, then, we'll go up there to develop the pictures. I'd like to have
-you and Nan see me do it. Is the closet large enough for three?”
-
-“Plenty.”
-
-“All right then; and will you carry up a bucket of fresh clear water,
-while Nan helps me to get my bottles and trays together?”
-
-Harry's faith began to revive. “Rex does seem to know what he's about,
-after all,” he thought.
-
-Coats and hats were punched on to their respective pegs, rather than
-hung up according to rule, and in a few moments Harry, with the bucket
-of water, and Rex and Nan, with their mysterious vials and bottles, met
-in the dark closet. Rex lit his ruby lantern, and then solemnly closed
-the door. Poor little Millie would undoubtedly have been frightened
-to death had she been compelled to be present at this gloomy stage of
-proceedings.
-
-Harry and Nan sat on the floor, with their legs crossed under them,
-tailor-fashion, and with their heads pushed very forward so as not to
-miss anything. Regie sat opposite them, pouring liquids out of bottles,
-measuring them in little glasses, adding water to them, and emptying
-them again into certain square trays, or dishes, in front of him,
-“Now we're ready to begin,” he said at last, with the air of a little
-lecturer; “and the first thing to be done is to take the plate out of
-the holder. This is the one on which I took the first picture; but you
-see it looks perfectly white, as though there were no picture at all.”
-
-“And is there?” asked Nan, incredulously.
-
-“Of course there is, and you'll see it with your own eyes in a minute.
-First, I have to dust it with this camel's hair brush, for the smallest
-speck would make a little pin hole in the plate; and now watch! I put
-it in this tray; the stuff in here is called the developer, because in a
-few moments it will begin to bring the picture out.”
-
-This was always a moment of supreme excitement for Regie. You could
-have heard him panting away through the crack of the closed door.
-The excitement was contagious, and Nan began to pant too. Only Harry
-continued to breathe quite regularly.
-
-“There it comes, there it comes!” Regie cried exultingly. “There's the
-boat, see! and there you are, Nan, and there! the Croxsons are coming
-out;” this in a regretful sort of tone, as though he half repented
-having included such a disagreeable crowd in the picture at all.
-
-Mute with wonder, Harry and Nan looked on. To accomplish such a result
-in such a mysterious way raised Regie in their eyes to the level of
-an actual magician. Yes, there was the whole picture before them. They
-could distinguish it quite distinctly, even by the dim lantern light,
-only everything was reversed; faces were black and coats were white.
-
-“That is the reason they call this a negative,” Rex explained; “I think
-it means, not what it ought to be, because when this plate is dry, and
-we lay a piece of sensitised paper against it and put it in the sun, the
-print that comes off on the paper is called a positive; that is, we have
-a proof, a picture, as it ought to be.”
-
-“What do you do now?” asked Nan, in an awed whisper.
-
-“Why, now I take it out of the developer and plunge it up and down
-several times in this bucket ol water, to wash the developer off, and
-now I put it in this other tray; there's a solution of soda in here.”
-
-“Solution of soda?” thought Harry. “Dear me! Regie does know a lot for a
-boy of his age.”
-
-“What does the soda do?” he asked.
-
-“It eats something off the plate, I think,” Regie answered, somewhat
-vaguely; “something I believe that ought to come off. And now I wash
-it thoroughly again, and now I put it in this third tray, which has
-a solution of alum in it. The alum gives the plate a good colour. Now
-another good washing and it is finished.” All this required much more
-time than it takes to write about it. “As soon as the plate dries we
-can print a proof from it,” Rex farther explained, “that is, if the sun
-stays out. Would you like to see me do the other one?”
-
-[Illustration: 0175]
-
-“_Like_ to see you!” said Nan, in a tone as though she wondered if Regie
-could possibly think for one moment that anything could at all compare
-with just this very thing that they were doing.
-
-[Illustration: 0176]
-
-
-
-
-XIX.--HOLIDAYS IN TOWN
-
-
-[Illustration: 9176]
-
-N the summer weather all Moorlow, and indeed all the dwellers along the
-whole length of the shore, would gather in little groups on the beach to
-see the moon rise; but to-night the moon and the waves have the beach
-to themselves, for the ice is several inches thick on the fresh water
-ponds, and the wind is keen and biting.
-
-Straight out of the ocean, with no summer fog to veil her coming, rises
-the great golden moon, and soon she is high enough to send a broad path
-of light shimmering across the water. And now she lights the way for
-Captain Murray's man Joe, trudging home from the village with the mail;
-and now she peers in through the dimity curtains of Nan's pretty room,
-making it bright as the day.
-
-And what does she find there but something that never was there before;
-a bran new little trunk, with N.M. in black letters on the end toward
-the window, and no doubt she wonders if it can be possible that Nan is
-going away; little Nan, who never remembers having slept a night of her
-life out of sound of the sea. Travel on, old Moon, over the roof, until
-you can shine in at Sister Julia's window, and there you will discover
-two other trunks, which are ready for a start on the morrow, for _you_
-should know what every one else already knows--that Rex is going home,
-and Harry and Nan go with him to make a visit. Did you not discover
-as you sailed over the ocean the good ship _Alaska_ drawing nearer and
-nearer, with Regie's papa and mamma on board? And do you not think, with
-your clear light to aid her, she will surely reach port by day after
-to-morrow?
-
-But while we are so foolish as to stand out here in the cold, talking at
-the moon, Joe has reached the house and gone in with the mail, and among
-the other letters is a neat little package for Regie.
-
-[Illustration: 0177]
-
-“Oh, here are the photographs!” he exclaimed; and right away there is
-such a solid little group, bending closely about him, that if it were
-not for the difference in the colour of hair you could hardly have told
-where one head commenced and the other ended. The children had been
-looking anxiously for these photographs for a week.
-
-When Regie found from the proofs that the pictures that he had taken
-were satisfactory, he sent the plates up to New York, by express, to a
-photographer, who was accustomed to print his pictures for him, but he
-had heard nothing from them, and began to think they had gone astray.
-
-It would have done your heart good to have heard Captain Murray's laugh
-as he looked at them. The one where the steamer was supposed to be
-coming to the relief of the shipwrecked mariners was, if possible, the
-funnier of the two. Nan was the only one who had fully entered into the
-spirit of the thing, and really looked as though something joyful
-was about to appear.. The others had smiled, as they were bid, but a
-heartless conventional smile is at the best a sorry affair, and doubly
-so on such pinched little faces as the Croxsons'.
-
-But the pictures, as pictures, were good, and Rex had no need to be
-ashamed of his work. He imagined he could see Papa Fairfax now, and how
-much amused he would be by them.
-
-As this was to be the last of the many happy evenings they had spent
-together in the little cottage, it occurred to Sister Julia that it
-ought to be celebrated in some special way, so she crossed the room and
-whispered to Mrs. Murray. As the result of the whispering Mrs. Murray
-asked the children “what they would say to a candy-pull.” Much scurrying
-about on the part of the children, and the delicious odour of boiling
-New Orleans molasses, which presently pervaded the house, showed they
-had said “yes” to the suggestion, and in the heartiest fashion possible.
-
-At eleven o'clock, after enjoying to the full all the fun and
-satisfaction attending a thoroughly successful candy-pull, his little
-Royal Highness and the body-guard retired to rest, or, in less kingly
-English, Rex, Harry, and Nan tumbled into bed; and indeed it was high
-time, if they were to be ready for an early start in the morning.
-
-To Nan and Harry Mr. Fairfax's house in town was a revelation. They
-were fortunate enough to be blessed with a comfortable and pretty
-little home of their own; but here was a home that was vastly more than
-comfortable and pretty. Nan gave vent to her admiration in a succession
-of audible “ohs!” the moment they entered the house, much to the
-amusement of Mrs. Mallory, the old housekeeper, who was glad enough to
-welcome them into the house that had been “such a lonely place without
-Rex and Mr. and Mrs.”
-
-[Illustration: 8179]
-
-“You like it, don't you, Nan?” said Regie, beaming proudly.
-
-“It is perfectly beautiful,” Nan answered, sinking down into a great
-easy chair, and trying to look everywhere at once. She was not in the
-least overpowered by the new surroundings, only supremely delighted.
-
-“And to think we are to stay a week!” she exclaimed, with a happy sigh.
-
-Harry, of a more enquiring turn of mind, was walking about the parlour,
-gazing up at the pictures, and making so bold as to touch certain little
-ornaments and articles of bric-a-brac to see how they felt.
-
-When Mrs. Mallory had helped the children to lay off their wraps, she
-showed Harry and Nan all through the house, taking as much pleasure in
-their exclamations of wonder and delight as though she herself owned
-everything in it.
-
-Two members of the party from Moorlow did not seem in the least
-overjoyed at their arrival at the house in town. Secured by one leash,
-Hereward and Ned followed Regie obediently enough, for they were too
-well trained to offer any resistance; but if you could have had a word
-with either of the poor fellows they would have told you that life
-at Moorlow was glorious freedom, and life in New York a sadly limited
-affair, with whole days together when they did not have so much as a run
-in the park. So it was not strange that they suffered themselves to be
-led down the kitchen stairs, and out to their kennels in the little city
-yard, without one sign of jubilance over their return. If Mr. Fairfax
-had been on hand to welcome them, no doubt there would have been no end
-of boisterous demonstration, for the joy of seeing their master would
-have eclipsed the thought of how changed their life was to be. Early the
-next morning a telegram from their friend at the Highland Light came,
-addressed to Regie, and announced that the _Alaska_ had been sighted
-from Sandy Hook, and would reach her pier about half-past eight.
-Then there was such a hurry and flurry, for the telegram had not been
-delivered very promptly, and there was no time to spare. Mrs. Mallory
-went flying bare-headed round the corner to order a carriage from
-the livery stable, while Sister Julia and the children ate a hasty
-breakfast.
-
-“Drive as fast as possible, please,” said Sister Julia, bundling the
-children into the carriage, and she reached up and dropped something
-into the driver's hand; the only thing, in fact, that ever seems to
-impart any real life to a livery team of horses.
-
-They reached the pier just in time, for the Alaska was so near you could
-almost recognise anyone on board. Realising that they must not lose
-a moment, Sister Julia, with the children following close after her,
-pushed her way as politely as she could through the crowd. Indeed,
-people rather made way for them, for there was that in their eager,
-childish faces which seemed to make everyone feel that they must not be
-disappointed in the matter they had in hand.
-
-As soon as they succeeded in reaching the edge of the wharf, Regie
-discovered Papa and Mamma Fairfax, close to the rail, in the very bow of
-the steamer, and his enthusiasm found vent in a lusty hurrah at the top
-of his lungs, to the general amusement of everyone.
-
-Somehow or other they all managed going home to crowd into the same
-carriage, notwithstanding the wraps and portmanteaus, and then such a
-laughing, chattering party as they were! People on the side walk, and
-people in the street cars, could not keep from smiling as they glanced
-in at the noisy, merry load.
-
-There is no gladness surpassing that of a happy home-coming, after a
-long and distant journey, and it is sad that we so soon settle back into
-the old routine of life and forget how supremely happy we were.
-
-Fortunately for the Fairfax household, just this sort of gladness lasted
-for a whole week. Papa Fairfax went but once to the office, and Mamma
-Fairfax unpacked little beside the Christmas presents. In whole-souled
-fashion they simply gave themselves up to the amusement of the children.
-
-Christmas came midway in the week, and such a Christmas! Nan may live
-to be ninety, but she'll never forget it, and Harry may grow to be a man
-with all sorts of cares and responsibilities, but he'll never forget it.
-Indeed, these two little people had so many treasures thrust upon them,
-that Mr. Fairfax thought best to make them a present of an extra trunk,
-in which to carry home their booty.
-
-“All hands” were constantly on the go--morning, noon, and night I was
-going to say, for each day Mr. Fairfax planned some fine sight-seeing
-scheme, and every afternoon they “topped off” with an invigorating
-sleigh ride.
-
-It was an ideal Christmas week, with a heavy fall of snow preceding it'
-and clear, cold weather that kept the sleighing in perfect condition
-until its close, and for many days after.
-
-There was not a prettier turn out in the park than Mr. Fairfax's Russian
-sleigh with its red plumes and black horses, and many a one turned and
-gazed at the merry load as it passed.
-
-“That's the foinest paarty what sleigh-roides in this park,” said a
-burly Irishman to one of his brother policemen, as they jingled merrily
-by on the day after Christmas; and, for one, I think he was quite right
-in the matter.
-
-Mrs. Fairfax and Harry and Regie were on the back seat enveloped in a
-great white bearskin robe. It was Nan's turn to ride in front with
-Mr. Fairfax, and there she sat, a charming embodiment of serene
-satisfaction.
-
-[Illustration: 9182]
-
-I think even Mrs. Murray would hardly have recognised her own little Nan
-in an otter-trimmed dark-red coat, with an otter cap and muff to match.
-Mrs. Fairfax had bought the pretty outfit for her in Paris, and it was
-wonderfully becoming. Indeed, I believe there was a touch of pride in
-her bright little smile this morning, but I guess we can forgive it, if
-the head of this little Moorlow maiden was a trifle turned by the joyous
-experience of a happy week in New York at the gayest time of the year.
-Remember, too, that she had been the owner of this beautiful coat
-scarcely twenty-four hours, and I think you will admit her to be made of
-different stuff from other little maidens did she not feel considerably
-elated by it. But Nan is not vain by nature, and never you fear but that
-she will go back to Moorlow the same dear child that she left it.
-
-At the upper end of the park Mr. Fairfax met two old bachelor friends
-driving in a low cutter, whereupon the whole sleigh-full favoured them
-with the most smiling and cordial of bows. Harry and Regie were too fond
-of the accomplishment of gallantly touching their hats to lose a single
-opportunity, and Nan “was not going to sit stiff and straight as though
-she did not know anybody.”
-
-“Fairfax seems to get more out of life than any fellow I know,” remarked
-one of the old bachelors; “and he's a good sight better-looking than he
-used to be. I wonder how it is?”
-
-“Well, I'll tell you how it is,” answered the other; “he's a deal
-happier than he used to be. They say his wife's a real treasure. I
-suppose that sort of thing goes a long way toward making a fellow get
-a good deal out of life. Then Fairfax has told me himself how much they
-enjoy that boy of theirs, and they ought to. It was a mighty kind thing
-to do. You know they did not have any children of their own, so they
-adopted that youngster of Will Reginald's.”
-
-“Yes, I know,” replied Bachelor No. 1.; “but who are the other two
-children?”
-
-“Why, I heard at the club last night that they are a pair of French
-orphans that they picked up in Paris. They have just returned from
-abroad, you know. I wonder where they'll stop; they seem to have a
-passion for adopting.”
-
-Surely the merry party in the Russian sleigh would have laughed harder
-than ever could they have heard all this.
-
-A pair of French orphans indeed! Nan and Harry Murray; whose every look
-and accent betrayed them such thoroughgoing little Americans, and for
-whose home-coming a father and mother were waiting so impatiently. But
-that's about as straight as the world often gets things.
-
-[Illustration: 5183]
-
-[Illustration: 0184]
-
-
-
-
-XX.--IN MR. VALES CHURCH
-
-
-[Illustration: 9184]
-
-S soon as Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax returned Sister Julia went back to her
-work at the great hospital. Mrs. Fairfax begged her to stay through the
-holidays, and the children coaxed and coaxed, but to no avail, for she
-knew that “little lame Madeline,” as every one called her, was longing
-for her to come. Madeline had been in the hospital once before, and for
-almost a year, but now she had come back to stay. The doctors said she
-would never be able to leave it again, nor would she be there very
-long. The best of care and kindest of nursing must soon fail to cage the
-little spirit in any house that human hands had made.
-
-“I can understand how you feel that you must go,” Mrs. Fairfax had said
-to Sister Julia at the close of a long talk they had been having about
-it; “but it does seem too bad that you should take up your hospital work
-again without having had a vacation.”
-
-“Vacation!” laughed Sister Julia. “Why, I have just come home from the
-happiest vacation of my life!”
-
-“But you were at work all the time caring for Reginald, teaching the
-children, and, hardest of all, tending those poor wrecked sailors.''
-
-“Yes, but it was all a pleasure. Every day I was breathing that strong
-salt air, and taking long strolls on the beach. To have chosen your life
-work, and to feel yourself hour by hour gaining strength and health
-that enables you to keep cheerily and steadily at it, why, there is
-no happiness for me, Mrs. Fairfax, that at all compares with that; and
-while that state of things continues, no idle vacation, if you please. I
-should be half miserable all the time.”
-
-Mrs. Fairfax knew that Sister Julia was right in the matter, and bade
-her good-bye and God-speed with tears in her eyes, but they were tears
-of loving appreciation, and not because she did not expect to see Sister
-Julia soon again. Indeed, it had been arranged that she should come down
-from the hospital the very next Sunday, and go with the children to the
-afternoon service at Mr. Vale's church.
-
-[Illustration: 0185]
-
-Sunday came--a clear, cold Sunday, and little Nan woke and gave a sigh
-as she looked about the little room that had been hers for a week. It
-was a beautiful room. She was lying in the shiniest of little brass
-bedsteads, and there were lovely pictures on the walls, and pretty
-things of one sort or another on every side.
-
-“Dear me!” she thought, a little regretfully; “only one more night, and
-we must go home,” but at the same time that one word _home_ sent a glad
-little thrill through her heart. She felt sure that, after all, she
-would not exchange her own little room, with its wide-reaching view
-skyward, and landward, and seaward, for the finest room in the city,
-overlooking only a narrow street, and dreary stone walls and pavements;
-besides, though everyone had been so kind, and she loved them all
-dearly, it would be nice to curl up in her own mother's arms again, for
-even an eight-year-old little woman sometimes clings tenderly to certain
-comforts and luxuries of babyhood.
-
-Sister Julia came at a quarter of four, and found the children eagerly
-waiting for her. As they walked down Fifth Avenue people looked with
-considerable interest at the sweet-faced woman, whose dress betrayed
-her a member of a sisterhood, and at the three children, who kept up a
-constant exchange of the place of honour, which consisted in being close
-to Sister Julia, on one side or the other, where they could have the
-privilege of clasping whichever hand was in best condition to forego the
-comfort of her muff.
-
-There was nothing connected with this visit to which Nan and Harry had
-looked forward with more pleasure than to seeing Mr. Vale's church, and
-hearing him preach; and with beaming faces they followed Rex to the pew
-which they were to have quite to themselves, for Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax
-had gone to spend the afternoon with Grandma Fairfax, in Brooklyn.
-
-“I think the church is beautiful,” whispered Nan to Sister Julia.
-
-“I knew you would like it,” Sister Julia whispered back.
-
-“The stained-glass windows are lovely, with the light coming through
-them.”
-
-“Yes,” answered Sister Julia, for she did not fancy prolonged
-conversations in church.
-
-“Must have cost a lot,” Harry remarked to Regie, after staring all about
-him, and turning his body from side to side, in a take-everything-in
-sort of fashion.
-
-“Yes, it did,” Regie replied; “Mr. Vale thought the rich men ought to
-make it as beautiful as their homes.”
-
-“Who do you have to blow your organ, a man or a boy?”
-
-“It's run by water-power, you goosie.”
-
-“What do you mean by that?” Harry asked, with knitted eyebrows.
-
-“I would rather you would not talk any more now,” Sister Julia
-interrupted, for she could see that the children's stage whispers were
-audible several pews away.
-
-They were quite willing to be silent, however, for Mr. Vale had come
-into the chancel, and they felt themselves on their good behaviour;
-beside, they were too much interested in his every gesture to have eyes
-or ears for aught else. Indeed, Nan was by nature a most devout little
-worshipper. She loved everything connected with the service. Long before
-she knew one letter from another she had her own little prayerbook
-in the chapel at Moorlow, and would turn from page to page, as though
-perfectly familiar with the order, and during the responses she would
-emit certain audible little sounds, which greatly amused other children
-near her, and yet, to her little ladyship, were perfectly satisfactory.
-But she entered even more heartily into this afternoon's service than
-ever before.
-
-Mr. Vale's earnest spirit seemed always to pervade the whole
-congregation worshipping in the old Tower Church. They knew he never
-preached a word which he did not faithfully strive to practise, and even
-little folk feel the power of a consistent life, before ever they can
-tell what the power is or why they feel it. There was much in this
-afternoon's sermon that the children could understand, and only once
-was Nan's attention distracted; that was when a restless little
-five-year-old, who sat before them, having disappeared for several
-seconds in the bottom of the pew, suddenly popped up again, dangling her
-button-boots and stockings over the back of the seat.
-
-[Illustration: 0188]
-
-Harry and Rex clapped their hands over their mouths to keep from
-laughing outright. Nan smiled, and touched Sister Julia, who leaned
-forward and succeeded in inducing her to quietly put them on again. That
-was the first the little witch's father knew of the transaction, for he
-had been listening intently to the sermon; but he looked gratefully at
-Sister Julia when he saw what she had done, and shook his head, as much
-as to say, “She is a most unruly little maiden.”
-
-After this performance the child leaned her head against the back of the
-pew, and became absorbed in a study of the stained-glass window over the
-chancel. No wonder it attracted her childish gaze. At the beginning
-of the service the light had fallen upon it from without, but now the
-wintry twilight was gathering fast, and the rims of brass in which the
-discs of glass were set were brilliantly flashing from the glow of
-the gas-jets. Ere long the service is over, and people are leaving the
-church. Reluctant to go, the children linger a moment in the pew, and
-fortunately too, for Ole, the old Norwegian sexton, is elbowing his
-way toward them, with a message from Mr. Vale. Quite out of breath he
-reaches them, explaining that “Mr. Vale would like to have the children
-come up to the study, and that he said he would see them safely home if
-Sister Julia must hurry back to the hospital.”
-
-Harry and Nan give Sister Julia a good-bye hug, “real hard,” for they
-will not see her again before going home to Moorlow to-morrow; and then
-with happy hearts they follow Ole up the winding stairs that lead to the
-study.
-
-[Illustration: 5189]
-
-[Illustration: 0190]
-
-
-
-
-XXI.--IN MR. VALE'S STUDY
-
-
-[Illustration: 9190]
-
-R. VALE was waiting for the children, holding the study door wide open
-to light them up the stairway.
-
-“Come right in,” he said; “I am proud to have my first visit from my
-little Moorlow friends;” then turning to the sexton, he added, “We may
-be here for some time, Ole, and if you wait for us, it will make you
-late for your supper, so bring me the keys of the church when you are
-ready to go, and I'll take them home with me to-night.”
-
-Ole, looking grateful for this thoughtful suggestion, trudged downstairs
-again, and the children walked into the room. Regie had been there
-several times before, but even to him it never looked so cosy as
-to-night. There was a bright fire on the hearth; Ole had been watching
-and stirring it up, for Mr. Vale had told him he expected to entertain
-some little folks after service. A cheery lamp was lit on the study
-table, as by this time it was quite dark out of doors, and near it some
-loving member of the congregation had placed a vase, full of beautiful
-roses. On one side of the room were tall book-cases, reaching to
-the ceiling, and on the Other three sides hung quaint old-fashioned
-portraits of some of the former rectors of the parish.
-
-As soon as Nan heard Mr. Vale tell Ole that they would probably be there
-for some time, she quietly walked over to one corner, took off her hat
-and cloak, and carefully and smoothly laid them across a chair.
-
-“Why, Nan child, who asked you to take off your things?” exclaimed
-Harry.
-
-“Mr. Vale said we were to stay some time,” Nan replied, not at all
-disturbed; “and I think it seems cosier to take off your things.”
-
-“I quite agree with you,” said Mr. Vale, heartily; “and these young
-gentlemen cannot do better than to follow your example, for we are going
-to draw up to the fire and have a good talk.”
-
-So Harry and Regie, nothing loath, slipped out of their overcoats, and
-the little party gathered about the fire, the boys seated on either side
-of Mr. Vale's easy chair and Nan on his knee.
-
-“Well, what did you think of the service?” he asked, taking Nan's little
-hand in his. “I know you could not have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed
-looking into the upturned faces of my little Moorlow friends. It seemed
-as though you sort of belonged to my congregation, and ought to be there
-always.
-
-“I wish we could,” sighed Nan, shaking her head thoughtfully. “I knew
-all the time you must be a lovely preacher, and really I think you are
-the nicest minister there is.”
-
-“Why, so does everybody with any sense that ever heard him”' said Regie,
-and in a tone as though there could not be the slightest doubt on that
-question.
-
-“Oh, Rex! you are a good friend of mine,” laughed Mr. Vale,
-affectionately, laying his hand over on Regie's knee.
-
-“You love children, don't you, Mr. Vale?” remarked Harry, demurely, as
-though he had just made the discovery.
-
-“Yes, indeed, Harry, and I hardly see how the old world could get along
-for a single day without them.”
-
-“I suppose you love 'em all alike, all the little children you know?” Nan
-said, rather regretfully.
-
-“Do you think I ought to, Nan?”
-
-“No, I guess not. I would like it better if you didn't; if you loved
-some of your little friends more than others.”
-
-“Why, what difference would it make to you?”
-
-Nan hung her head and looked a little embarrassed.
-
-“I think I know what she means,” Harry said, slowly, who, by a glance
-toward Mr. Vale, had asked permission to turn the back log, and was at
-work with the tongs; “I think she means that she'd like to feel sure
-_she_ was one of those you loved the most. Nan's kind of jealous
-sometimes.”
-
-“Well, I'm only jealous about nice things, any way, Harry Murray,” and
-Nan sat bolt upright again; “I do not wish I had other boys' tops and
-marbles the way you do.”
-
-Harry was on the point of framing a quick retort, but he checked
-himself. He really was trying to be less of a tease, as far as Nan was
-concerned. Mr. Vale was the only one who noticed this little act of
-self-control.
-
-“Good for you, Harry!” he exclaimed, “keep that sort of thing up, and I
-have no fears for the sort of man you'll make.”
-
-“Keep what sort of thing up?”
-
-Regie and Nan looked at each other rather mystified, and Nan was very
-uncomfortable; besides, she did not enjoy the novel sensation of having
-had the last word, and she did wish Mr. Vale had not heard her speak
-that way to Harry. She wondered if he thought she was a regular little
-heathen.
-
-“Keep what sort of thing up, Mr. Vale?” asked Regie, after a pause.
-
-“Why, self-control, Rex. You see that remark of Nan's about tops and
-marbles made Harry feel like speaking back pretty sharply: so much like
-it that I fairly saw the words shaping themselves on his lips, but you
-did not hear them spoken, did you, Nan?”
-
-“No,” Nan confessed.
-
-But if you had looked Harry's way just then you would have seen a queer
-little smile instead, which seemed to say, “Why, Nan's such a dear
-little thing I ought not to mind what she says.”
-
-“Well, that's just exactly what I was thinking,” said Harry, astonished
-at Mr. Vale's power to read his thoughts.
-
-“It was not very nice for me to tell that about the tops and marbles,”
- Nan remarked, slowly. .
-
-“And it was not nice at all,” said Harry, “for me to say that you were
-jealous sometimes.”
-
-[Illustration: 0193]
-
-“But I am,” Nan truthfully admitted; “I know that well enough, only I do
-not like to be told about it.”
-
-“Of course you don't, Nan,” and Mr. Vale drew the honest little, maiden
-nearer to him. “Of course you don't, few of us like to be told of our
-faults; but we ought to like it, for often it would be the very best
-thing that could happen to us. Perhaps we should not go on making the
-same errors over and over again if somebody would tell us about them,
-and we could take the telling kindly.”
-
-“Mr. Vale,” said Rex, who had been sitting thoughtful and silent for
-some time, “were you just a regular little boy?”
-
-“Very irregular sometimes, I fear, only I don't quite know what you
-mean, Rex.”
-
-“Why, you see, I would like to be like you when I grow up; but I'm
-afraid I'm too different at the start. I mean did you use to be like
-other boys and me? Did you often get angry and speak back?”
-
-“Yes, often; and in the sense that you mean I was indeed a regular boy;
-and do you think I never get angry now, Rex?”
-
-“Perhaps you do now and then, but not often, I warrant, and when you do
-you keep it under.”
-
-“Keeping under is very hard work,” sighed Nan, as though she had a world
-of experience in that direction.
-
-“Keeping under is only another name for self-control, you know. And now,
-Nan,” added Mr. Vale, “I am ready to answer your question, and to tell
-you that I do not love all the children I know alike by any manner of
-means. I love them in a dozen different ways. You see no thoughtful man
-grows to be as old as I am without wondering, whenever he looks into a
-little face, what sort of man or woman its owner will make. And so if I
-can I watch the little life closely, and after a while I see good traits
-and bad traits cropping out here and there, all in the veriest tangle;
-and by-and-bye, when I see the good traits growing faster and faster,
-I love that little life very hopefully and joyfully. Then suppose in
-another little life I see the evil things choking the good things, I
-love that little life very sadly and fearfully; or if I cannot make out
-which is getting the upper hand, I love it very anxiously; and so you
-see I do not love my little friends alike by any means. Now there you
-have had two sermons, one in the church, and one here in the study, and
-that is enough for one afternoon. Suppose you go to my table drawer,
-Nan, and see what you find.”
-
-Nan quickly slipped from his knee and pulled out the drawer.
-
-“Three little boxes,” she exclaimed, with delight.
-
-“And what is written on them?”
-
-How could she tell, this lazy little learner, who only lately had
-mastered plain printed' letters? With a shy, half-apologetic look she
-placed them in Mr. Vale's hand.
-
-“Regie, Harry, Nan,” he read, handing each a box. Of course it was
-a present. With beaming faces they unwrapped them, and in each lay a
-square-edged, plain gold ring, with four old English C's engraved on the
-outside.
-
-“One for each of us?” cried Nan, not knowing what else to say.
-
-“Of course,” said Mr. Vale; “I didn't see how I could make one ring do
-for three people, or I would, you know, for the sake of economy.”
-
-“And what are the C's for?”
-
-“To help your growing up,” Mr. Vale replied, and Nan looked a little
-mystified.
-
-“Of course they stand for something,” remarked Harry.
-
-“Certainly, and for what do you think?”
-
-“I shouldn't wonder if they stood for _control_ every time,” said Regie,
-with their recent conversation fresh in his mind.
-
-“Not a bad idea,” answered Mr. Vale, “and we'll let them stand for that
-altogether; but separately they are intended to stand for these four
-words, _Charitable, Cheerful, Courteous, Consistent_. Those are pretty
-big words for Nan, but I should not wonder if she understands them after
-a fashion.”
-
-“Yes,” said Nan, with much dignity, for with the exception of the last
-word, _Consistent_, they all did convey to her a more or less definite
-meaning.
-
-“I would like you to look up the exact definition of the words in the
-dictionary,” added Mr. Vale, “and then I believe when you happen to look
-down on the four C's you will remember what they stand for, and that
-they will help you to build up the finest sort of a character. Now
-I propose that we do not tell anybody what those four C's stand for,
-keeping it for a little secret among ourselves.”
-
-“I would like just to tell Sister Julia,” said Nan, “but, oh, dear me! I
-forgot I shall never see her again, perhaps.”
-
-“Why, of course you'll see her again,” answered Regie; “don't you know
-that you and Harry are going to make me a visit every winter, and that I
-am coming to Moorlow for a while every summer? Why, I love every foot of
-the beach and the bluff from your house to the Life-saving Station.”
-
-“But, Mr. Vale, Regie can tell Sister Julia, can't he?” asked Nan; “she
-would love to know about them.”
-
-“Yes; and I think he might tell Papa and Mamma Fairfax, and Harry and
-Nan, Papa and Mamma Murray; but besides those five people I think it
-would be better not to tell anybody.”
-
-“So do I,” said Regie, warmly; “if you told about them, other fellows
-might think you were setting yourself up to be sort of extra good, and
-they wouldn't understand.”
-
-“Exactly,” Mr. Vale answered, “and so you see it will be wiser to keep
-the matter to ourselves, only I shall expect you to candidly report to
-me, once in a while, if you really are remembering to give those four
-adjectives a large place in your life.”
-
-“It was very, very kind of you to think of these pretty rings for a New
-Year present,” said Nan, after a pause.
-
-“And we're very much obliged, Mr. Vale,” chimed in Harry and Regie; but
-the children's glowing faces showed deeper and more earnest thanks than
-could find their way into spoken words. Mr. Vale glanced toward the
-clock.
-
-“I am afraid we must think about going,” he said, “or they may think I
-have smothered you here in my study, like the poor little princes in the
-Tower.”
-
-“I wish we could stop in the church a moment and have a look at that
-organ,” suggested Harry; “I never saw one that was run by water-power.”
-
-“We will then,” answered Mr. Vale, “only hurry into your overcoats so
-that we shall not lose any time.”
-
-In a minute the little folk were ready, and each of the three gold rings
-was under cover of a warm silk mitten.
-
-It was quite dark in the church, so that they took hold of hands as they
-did that morning on the beach, and Mr. Vale led the way down the aisle
-to the choir-loft at the rear. When they reached the vestibule he went
-ahead and lit three or four burners, and the children followed him into
-a little room underneath the organ. Part of the machinery was here, and
-in a quick, clear manner, Mr. Vale explained its workings; then they
-went up into the choir itself to see the wonderful keyboard and pedals.
-
-“Couldn't you play just one tune?” Nan asked, so beseechingly that Mr.
-Vale could not refuse the last request that he should probably hear for
-many a day from her little lips, so he whipped off his gloves and sat
-down on the high bench.
-
-[Illustration: 0197]
-
-Mr. Vale loved nothing better than to play on that grand sweet organ,
-and to-night with those rapt little faces looking up to his he seemed
-fairly inspired. Without break or pause he glided from one sweet, solemn
-air to another, till suddenly realizing how late it was he began to play
-the German Evening Hymn, the one that Regie had sung at the Thanksgiving
-dinner at Moorlow. Regie took the hint, and straightway the sweet words
-rang out in his earnest, boyish voice, and so clearly, you could have
-heard each syllable in the farthest, darkest corner of the church. When
-he came to the verse--
-
-               “Let my near and dear ones be
-
-               Ever near and dear to Thee;
-
-               Oh, bring me and all I love
-
-               To Thy happy home above,”
-
-he sang it with even a more intense earnestness, so that one could
-easily guess his thoughts.
-
-Surely Harry and Nan were among Regie's “dear ones,” and since they
-might not always be near to him, he threw his soul into the prayer, that
-they might always be near and dear to the Heavenly Father.
-
-Another moment and the church was utterly dark again, there was the
-sound of the closing of a heavy door and the turning of a ponderous key
-in its lock; then all was still. Out in the wintry twilight four friends
-were walking homeward side by side, home through the frosty air; walking
-briskly, and yet with hearts a little heavy, for three happy months were
-at an end, and a little King and a faithful body-guard must part company
-on the morrow.
-
-[Illustration: 5198]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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-  <head>
-    <title>
-      His Little Royal Highness, by Ruth Ogden
-    </title>
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-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little Royal Highness, by Ruth Ogden
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-Title: His Little Royal Highness
-
-Author: Ruth Ogden
-
-Illustrator: W. Rainey
-
-Release Date: May 3, 2016 [EBook #51979]
-Last Updated: March 13, 2018
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE ROYAL HIGHNESS ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by David Widger from page images generously
-provided by the Internet Archive
-
-
-
-
-
-
-</pre>
-
-    <div style="height: 8em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h1>
-      HIS LITTLE ROYAL HIGHNESS
-    </h1>
-    <h2>
-      By Ruth Ogden
-    </h2>
-    <h3>
-      Illustrated by W. Rainsey
-    </h3>
-    <h4>
-      New-York
-    </h4>
-    <h3>
-      1887
-    </h3>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0001.jpg" alt="0001 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0001.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0008.jpg" alt="0008 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0008.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0009.jpg" alt="0009 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0009.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5010.jpg" alt="5010 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5010.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0012.jpg" alt="0012 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0012.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0013.jpg" alt="0013 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0013.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <b>CONTENTS</b>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> I.&mdash;CORONATION DAY </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> II.&mdash;THE KING HOLDS AND INTERVIEW WITH
-      SISTER JULIA </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> III.&mdash;THE FAIRFAXES CALL ON THE MURRAYS
-      </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> IV. A SURPRISE FOR THE BODY GUARD </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> V. GOODNIGHT AND GOODBYE </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> VI. IN THE HIGHLAND LIGHT </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> VII.&mdash;A TRIP TO BURCHARD'S </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> VIII.&mdash;ON THE WAY HOME </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> IX.&mdash;A DAY ON THE BEACH </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> X. A LAND BREEZE. </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> XI.&mdash;A NEW FRIEND </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> XII.&mdash;THE STARLING RUNS ASHORE </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> XIII.&mdash;THE WRECK OF THE SPANISH BRIG. </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XIV.&mdash;A PUZZLING QUESTION </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> XV.&mdash;THE QUESTION ANSWERED </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> XVI.&mdash;THE CAPTAIN'S STORY </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> XVII&mdash;THANKSGIVING IN EARNEST </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> XVIII.&mdash;THE KING'S CAMERA </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> XIX.&mdash;HOLIDAYS IN TOWN </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> XX.&mdash;IN MR. VALES CHURCH </a>
-    </p>
-    <p class="toc">
-      <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> XXI.&mdash;IN MR. VALE'S STUDY </a>
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      I.&mdash;CORONATION DAY
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9013.jpg" alt="9013 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9013.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      HE king's body-guard waited in the outer court of the palace, but the
-      palace was only a dull, red cottage, and the court a low porch that
-      surrounded three sides of it. As for the body-guard, they were not dressed
-      as such great people are wont to be. One of them wore a calico dress,
-      canvas shoes, and an untrimmed hat of soft red felt. The other, for there
-      were but two of them, was resplendent in gray knickerbockers, and a blue
-      flannel shirt, with white anchors worked in the corners of the
-      sailor-shaped collar. As for the king, but a short time before' he had
-      been only a rollicking little fellow astride of a cherry tree bough, and a
-      blue-eyed little Nan had stood holding out her apron to catch the cherries
-      he threw down, and gazing up at him with a face full of wonder at his
-      daring. But the old and brittle bough had suddenly given way under his
-      weight, and Reginald Fairfax tumbled in a sad little heap to the ground.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0008" id="linkimage-0008"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0015.jpg" alt="0015 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0015.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Quick as a flash Nan sat down by his side, with her feet straight out
-      before her, and drew the brown head into her lap, while the tears fell
-      fast on the face that seemed so still and lifeless. Her brother Harry ran
-      for the young doctor up at the hotel, as fast as his stout little legs
-      could carry him.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      All this had happened only last week, and now Reginald lay on a hospital
-      cot in his own little room in the cottage, and Harry and Nan were waiting
-      on the porch till the doctor should come out and they could be admitted.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      They were both very quiet, for they had not seen Regie since the accident,
-      and were awed at the thought of being soon ushered into his presence.
-      Harry kept making round holes in the gravel path with the heel of his
-      boot; Nan sat staring in abstracted fashion at a little wreath of oak
-      leaves which she was balancing on one extended hand.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Presently the doctor came out. &ldquo;You can go up now,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;Regie
-      expects you.&rdquo; Then he caught up his tennis racquet, which he had left on
-      the porch, and hurried away, for the doctor was taking his vacation. If he
-      had not been quite a young doctor, perhaps he would rather have forgotten
-      for those two short weeks that there was such a thing as a patient in the
-      world. But as matters stood he did not seem to mind in the least, that now
-      and then he must stop whatever he was doing, and run over to see &ldquo;how the
-      little Fairfax boy was coming on,&rdquo; and, young as he was, he had set
-      Regie's leg as neatly and dexterously as any older and more experienced
-      surgeon could have set it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The children crept quietly up the stairway which landed them at Reginald's
-      door. Nan paused midway in the room and looked toward Regie with a puzzled
-      frown, for the little fellow stretched out on the cot did not seem exactly
-      like the Regie she had known, tumbling around out of doors.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry scarcely stirred a foot beyond the door-sill, and screwed his funny
-      round mouth into a funnier pucker, a queer little habit to which he always
-      resorted in moments of embarrassment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm very sorry for you, Regie,&rdquo; said Nan, drawing a trifle nearer.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It is too bad,&rdquo; replied Regie. &ldquo;It couldn't be helped though;&rdquo; a remark
-      which he had volunteered several times, as if anxious that no one should
-      think that carelessness had aught to do with the accident.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We've thought of a splendid game,&rdquo; said Harry, feeling that he ought to
-      say something.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0009" id="linkimage-0009"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0016.jpg" alt="0016 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0016.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I guess the only game I'll play for a good while will be still pond, no
-      moving,&rdquo; said Regie, with a poor little ghost of a smile.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! no, indeed,&rdquo; cried Nan, eagerly, &ldquo;you're to be the principal one in
-      this game. You're to be a little king, and we are to be your body-guard.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What's a body-guard?&rdquo; asked Regie, in a tone as though he doubted the
-      merits of everything with which he could not claim previous acquaintance.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! it's a&mdash;&mdash;, but we are not going to tell many people,&rdquo;
-       answered Harry, glancing significantly toward a room opening-out of
-      Regie's, where some one, a stranger to him, sat knitting.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;She's only my nurse,&rdquo; Regie explained; &ldquo;you mustn't mind her, for she'll
-      have to be round a great deal, and you don't catch me having a body-guard
-      unless I know just what it is.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It won't hurt you,&rdquo; laughed Nan, with her hands behind her back, and
-      still standing in the centre of the room. Harry had made so bold as to
-      take a seat on the edge of a high-backed rocker, so very much on the edge,
-      in fact, that it threatened to land him on the floor any moment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why don't you sit down, Nan?&rdquo; Reginald asked at last.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I can't sit down, Regie, because of the crown,&rdquo; and Nan looked
-      beseechingly toward Harry, as if acting under orders.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, you may show it now,&rdquo; was Harry's patronising answer; whereupon Nan
-      exultingly held up the little oak wreath before Regie's wondering gaze.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! is that the crown?&rdquo; and Regie betrayed a shade of disappointment in
-      his tone, having a conviction that such articles ought to be made of gold,
-      or at least of silver.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! Regie, don't you like it? It took me a whole day to make it,&rdquo; Nan
-      exclaimed, with a perceptible quiver in her voice.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh yes, it's very nice, very nice indeed! only&mdash;well! it'll wither,
-      you know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I can make another then,&rdquo; she said, complacently, as though that
-      objection were easily met. &ldquo;May I put it on your head?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Certainly;&rdquo; and Regie bent his head forward from the pillow.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Nan stood in great awe of the apparatus of weights attached to the cot to
-      keep Regie's limb from shortening while the broken bone was knitting.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Are you sure it won't do your leg any harm?&rdquo; she asked, nervously,
-      holding the crown, poised in both hands, above his head, for she could
-      only boast eight years, and was rather a timid little body. Regie laughed
-      outright at this, and Harry shouted, &ldquo;Of course not, goosie!&rdquo; with true
-      brotherly disgust.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Thus encouraged she dropped the crown on to Regie's head.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You look lovely in it,&rdquo; she said, bringing the hand-glass from the
-      bureau; &ldquo;you can lean your head back, it won't hurt the crown.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It hurts me though,&rdquo; said Regie, settling back against the pillow, and
-      holding the little mirror at arm's length that he might see the general
-      effect; &ldquo;it pricks.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I do not think a king ought to mind such a thing as a prick,&rdquo; Nan
-      remarked, seriously, for she possessed a lively imagination, and, for the
-      time being, Regie was a real little king.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Perhaps not,&rdquo; said Regie, recalling something about &ldquo;Uneasy lies the head
-      that wears a crown&rdquo; (which proverb had once been set for a copy in his
-      writing book at school), and thinking how very true it was. &ldquo;But you have
-      not told me anything about the body-guard,&rdquo; he added.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;As I understand it,&rdquo; said Harry, who liked to use a big word when he
-      could, &ldquo;the body-guard sort of takes care of the king, and does whatever
-      he tells 'em to do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then you and Nan are to do <i>whatever</i> I tell you,&rdquo; with an accent on
-      the &ldquo;whatever.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Nan, with hearty seriousness. Harry merely nodded his head, as
-      if not quite willing to commit himself by an audible &ldquo;yes.&rdquo; He looked as
-      though he foresaw some unpleasant possibilities in Regie's &ldquo;whatever.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;If you think of anything you'd like to have,&rdquo; Nan farther explained,
-      &ldquo;why, Harry or I will run and get it&mdash;and things like that you know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;My! but that'll be fun for me,&rdquo; said Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course it will,&rdquo; Nan replied; &ldquo;that's why we thought of it, because
-      there's a great many kinds of fun you'll have to do without while you must
-      lie so still. Will it be for very long, Regie?&rdquo; she asked, wistfully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Pretty long, I guess,&rdquo; answered Regie, with an honest little sigh.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It was Nan that made it up,&rdquo; said Harry, whose thoughts had a trick of
-      following their own bent independent of other people's; &ldquo;I don't know as
-      I'm going to like it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Like what?&rdquo; queried Regie, with a puzzled frown.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, the being ordered about.''
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, I'll be easy on the body-guard,&rdquo; laughed Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm ashamed of you, Harry Murray, to talk like that right before poor
-      Regie!&rdquo; and Nan's face showed how real was her mortification.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't believe kings wear their crowns to bed!&rdquo; exclaimed Regie, having
-      borne the pricking of the stiff little leaves as long as he could. &ldquo;This
-      king won't, at any rate. Hang it on that nail, Nan, where I can reach it,
-      and put it on whenever you seem to forget that I am the king, and you must
-      mind me,&rdquo; with a sly look toward Harry. Harry's threatened downfall became
-      a reality just at that moment, and the unbalanced-rocking-chair landed him
-      suddenly on the floor.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think we had better go now,&rdquo; he said, picking himself up, with a
-      furtive look in the direction of the nurse, knowing that such a mishap was
-      rather inexcusable in a sick room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I should think we had,&rdquo; observed Nan, with a good measure of reproach in
-      tone and accent; and after a good-bye to Regie, and a friendly word or two
-      from the nurse who had come in with Regie's luncheon, the children took
-      their departure.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0010" id="linkimage-0010"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0019.jpg" alt="0019 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0019.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Down the path, across the boulevard and over to the beach they trudged,
-      side by side, but without saying a word to each other. Nan was preserving
-      a dignified silence, which means that she wished Harry to understand by
-      her manner that she did not at all approve of his behaviour during their
-      visit. But Harry was so completely absorbed in his own thoughts as to be
-      quite unmindful of the implied rebuke. When they reached the beach he
-      lingered to watch the fishermen bring their boat in over the surf, leaving
-      Nan to walk the rest of the way home alone.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie felt tired after his talk with the children, and having eaten the
-      luncheon, soon dropped off into a sound little nap, to dream of kings and
-      queens and all sorts of royal things, suggested, no doubt, by the oak-leaf
-      crown on which his brown eyes were resting the last moment before the long
-      lashes closed over them. In these brown eyes and long lashes lay the charm
-      of Regie's face, and he had reason to be very grateful to them. Perhaps
-      you wonder how this could be? Well, the very next chapter will tell you.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0011" id="linkimage-0011"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5020.jpg" alt="5020 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5020.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0012" id="linkimage-0012"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0021.jpg" alt="0021 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0021.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      II.&mdash;THE KING HOLDS AND INTERVIEW WITH SISTER JULIA
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0013" id="linkimage-0013"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9021.jpg" alt="9021 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9021.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      HE second evening after Reginald's accident, Mr. Fairfax sat down by his
-      cot, and taking up his little brown hand, said cheerily, &ldquo;Well, Master
-      Regie, we shall need to have a nurse for you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I should think I was rather too old for that, sick or well,&rdquo; replied
-      Regie, biting his lip, lest unruly tears should betray that he was not so
-      very old after all.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Reginald,&rdquo; laughed Mr. Fairfax, &ldquo;grown-up people have nurses when
-      they break their legs, and are glad enough to get them. Your mamma Fairfax
-      will never be able to do all that must be done for you, and Dr. Delano
-      knows of a splendid nurse. He is sure you will like her, and he would be
-      glad to have her come here to the seashore for a while. He says it will do
-      her good as well as you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So it happened that Sister Julia arrived the very next day, and Regie grew
-      fond of her in almost less time than it takes to tell it. He thought she
-      had the sweetest face he had ever seen, and a good many other people
-      thought so too. She always wore a pretty cap, a little square shawl, and a
-      long full apron, all made of the same soft, white material.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; thought Regie, &ldquo;it's all right for a nurse to wear an apron,
-      and I know some children have French nurses with caps; but Sister Julia is
-      not French, and besides, what's the use of the little shawl?&rdquo; and as was
-      usual when he did not thoroughly understand anything, he soon made
-      inquiries on the subject.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0014" id="linkimage-0014"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0022.jpg" alt="0022 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0022.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Sister Julia was sitting at the east window of Regie's room, watching two
-      schooners far out at sea, whose sails, aglow with the red light of the
-      sunset, made them look like fairy boats of conkshell. &ldquo;Oh, Regie!&rdquo; she
-      said, at last, earnestly, &ldquo;I never saw the ocean as beautiful as it is
-      to-night. I wish you were able to have me lift you up, so that you could
-      have a look at it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I would rather look at you any day,&rdquo; Regie said, honestly, &ldquo;because you
-      do look lovely in those white fixings, but I do not see very much sense in
-      'em.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm afraid there isn't very much sense in them, Regie; only that we all
-      wear them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;All your family?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, all my family. And how many do you suppose there are of us?&rdquo; Regie
-      looked mystified. &ldquo;There are seventy-five.&rdquo; Regie looked incredulous, but
-      he had a foolish notion of never liking to appear astonished at anything,
-      so he said quite casually, as though he were asking the most commonplace
-      question, &ldquo;And are you the oldest of seventy-five?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you think I look old enough for that?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, not exactly, but your hair is pretty gray, and no one that's young
-      has gray hair, you know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You are not far from right, Regie, but gray hair or no, I am not the
-      oldest of my seventy-five sisters. Have you never heard of a Sisterhood,&mdash;that
-      is, of a society of women who bind themselves together for some sort of
-      work?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh yes, often,&rdquo; said Regie, not meaning to be untruthful, but because
-      always averse to pleading ignorance on any subject. At any rate, if he had
-      heard of a sisterhood his ideas were somewhat vague regarding it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I belong to such a society, and all who join it pledge themselves
-      to follow its rules, to take the title of Sister, and to wear these white
-      fixings as you call them, and the work of our society is to care for the
-      sick.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Have you got to do it all your life?&rdquo; he asked, shaking his brown head
-      from side to side by way of sympathy.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, we are not obliged to do it always. We can resign at any time, but
-      most of us love the work so much, that it would be a great trial to give
-      it up.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie did not speak for several seconds, then he said, timidly, &ldquo;Would you
-      not like to be married, Sister Julia?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, Regie, that depends,&rdquo; she answered, with an amused smile.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I should think some one would have wanted you. Did nobody ever?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;These are pretty plain questions, Regie,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, as indeed
-      they were; and then Regie suddenly remembered that Mamma Fairfax had told
-      him, and but a little while ago, too, that he must get the better of this
-      questioning trick of his.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I did not think you would mind,&rdquo; he said, and his voice trembled a
-      little.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh no, dear! Of course I don't mind; only you see it might be rather
-      embarrassing to have to own up that nobody ever had wanted me.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But I know somebody did, because&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Regie paused a second,
-      for he was not sure he ought to tell this; but his desire got the better
-      of his judgment, as often happens with older people, &ldquo;because I overheard
-      Dr. Delano tell Papa Fairfax that somebody did want you, but that you sent
-      him away 'cause you thought you'd better care for sick children.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It does not matter much, Regie, whether all that is true or not; but I
-      think we have talked quite long enough about me. Let us talk about you a
-      little while.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, there's nothing particular about me, 'cept that I'm adopted. I suppose
-      you know that, everybody does,&rdquo; with a little sigh, as though he wished
-      everybody didn't.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I know; but I do not believe Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax could love you
-      more if you were their own little boy.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I am their own little boy, too. I mean, I mean&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; and without
-      a word of warning Regie burst into tears.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      An unusually sweet look of sympathy came into Sister Julia's face just
-      then, as she moved her rocking-chair close to the cot, and began stroking
-      Regie's hair, for he was crying too hard for her to attempt to reason with
-      him. Her heart went straight out to this high-strung, sensitive boy, and
-      she was sorry enough in any way to have grieved him. By-and-by, when the
-      tears were somewhat under control, he said, with a little convulsive sob
-      between every two or three words&mdash;&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I know you did not mean to say anything, but I could not help crying.
-      Some folks, you know, thinks there isn't any good in adopted children.
-      It's an awful pity fellows can't choose their own fathers and mothers; I'd
-      have chosen Papa and Mamma Fairfax every time, and then I could have
-      called them just papa and mamma the way other children do. I do wish
-      they'd never told me about it,&rdquo; and the tears threatened to overflow
-      again.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Ah, Regie,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, quietly, &ldquo;you know that they have taught
-      you to call them Papa and Mamma Fairfax only because they feel they have
-      no right to the very same names as you would have used for your own father
-      and mother, if they had lived.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I know,&rdquo; he answered, sadly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Regie, I would like to tell you a story. Do you feel like listening?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      A sort of little after-sob helped to give Regie's head a forward shake
-      which meant, yes, he would like to listen.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, about thirty years ago, a little girl was left quite alone in the
-      world. Her father, a young physician, and her mother, were both taken away
-      in one week by a terrible fever, which had broken out in the village in
-      which they lived. At first there seemed to be no one to care for the
-      little girl, but after a while a lady, whose baby had died with the fever,
-      offered to take her; and oh, how kind she was to her for years and years,
-      and the little girl never dreamed that she was not her very own mother.
-      Well, it happened one day at school, when the little girl was twelve years
-      old, that an unkind boy called to her: 'Say, Julia, you're only adopted,
-      aren't you?' Only adopted, what could he mean? The words kept ringing in
-      Julia's heart, and at recess she slipped away and ran home as fast as she
-      could.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'It is not true that I am only adopted, is it, mamma?' she said, as she
-      rushed into the house.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Yes, yes, it is true,' said her mother, sadly; 'but who has told you
-      about it, Julia?' The little girl did not answer; she cried and cried and
-      could not be comforted. 'Why did you not tell me yourself, mamma?' she
-      sobbed over and over again.&rdquo; Sister Julia paused a moment to run the
-      window shade up to the top, so that Regie could see the evening star
-      growing bright in the deepening twilight.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I should not wonder,&rdquo; said Regie, &ldquo;if we were talking about you again,
-      Sister Julia.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I should not wonder if we were, so you see I know just how to feel for
-      you; only I think it is better always to have known the facts as you have
-      done, than to have it come suddenly upon one, and perhaps as roughly as it
-      did upon me.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie laid his hand over in Sister Julia's lap, &ldquo;I'm awfully glad you were
-      adopted,&rdquo; he said, stroking her hand affectionately.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, dear child?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, because&mdash;well&mdash;I shall never be ashamed of it now, I guess.
-      I used to think it was kind of disgraceful, and that it made a difference
-      in a fellow's looks somehow; but I'm sure it doesn't in yours.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Regie! what a foolish notion,&rdquo; and Sister Julia laughed merrily.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I did though,&rdquo; said Regie, &ldquo;really.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you know, Regie, I think you ought to be one of the happiest children
-      in the world, and you yourself know why.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I suppose,&rdquo; said Regie, thoughtfully, &ldquo;that I ought to remember how
-      different it would have been if they had not taken me, and that ought to
-      make me very happy; and, Sister Julia, I am happy, almost always. Anyhow,
-      I guess I'll never be unhappy again about being adopted. I do love Papa
-      and Mamma Fairfax dearly; nobody knows how much,&rdquo; and Regie's face glowed
-      and his eyes kindled with loyal affection. Speaking of eyes, a promise at
-      the end of the last chapter must not be forgotten. Regie owed a particular
-      debt to these brown eyes and long lashes of his, because when he was but a
-      little baby, and while his own mother was living, they had won his way
-      right into Mrs. Fairfax's heart, and so, when he was left an orphan, what
-      more natural than that they should win his way right into her arms as
-      well.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0015" id="linkimage-0015"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5026.jpg" alt="5026 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5026.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0016" id="linkimage-0016"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0027.jpg" alt="0027 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0027.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      III.&mdash;THE FAIRFAXES CALL ON THE MURRAYS
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0017" id="linkimage-0017"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9027.jpg" alt="9027 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9027.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      EGIE'S accident had happened late in June, and the weeks had worn slowly
-      away with their dull monotony varied by many a visit from loyal Nan and
-      Harry. Now, it was the middle of August, and Regie was about again, only
-      with an addition to the bodyguard in the shape of two sturdy little
-      crutches. It happened one evening about this time, when Regie had been
-      stowed away for the night, that Mr. Fairfax was walking up and down in
-      front of his cottage in a &ldquo;brown study,&rdquo; which means, you know, that he
-      was thinking too hard about something in particular, to pay any attention
-      to things in general. It seemed a pity he should not discover in what a
-      glory of gold and crimson the sun was setting, and how beautiful its
-      reflection over on Pleasure Bay. Then a party of the neighbours' boys were
-      engaged in some dexterous and pretty bicycle-riding a little way up the
-      road, and he was missing that also.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Hereward, a greyhound, only he was fawn-coloured instead of gray, and Ned,
-      a Gordon setter, would now and then come bounding up to their master,
-      expecting to be petted, and look strangely surprised when he took no
-      notice of them. They would plant their forefeet in the ground, with their
-      heads on one side, in a questioning, beseeching manner, and stand gazing
-      up for a moment into his face, but only for a moment; there were too many
-      circles to be described, and too many matters to be looked into, to waste
-      much time upon such an indifferent master. Presently the click and bang of
-      a swinging screen door roused Mr. Fairfax from his reverie, and he hurried
-      to join his wife, who had just come out from the house.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      She was a lovely little woman, this Mrs. Fairfax, with a face not unlike
-      Sister Julia's, and whether joy or pathos found most expression in her
-      clear gray eyes no one could discover.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      She had no sooner stepped on to the piazza, than Hereward and Ned were
-      fairly leaping upon her. There was a little shawl on her arm, and a lace
-      scarf on her head, which they well knew meant a walk to the beach, and,
-      from their point of view, nothing quite compared with that.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I do not need to ask what you have been thinking about, Curtis,&rdquo; Mrs.
-      Fairfax said to her husband, when they had gone but a little way; &ldquo;you are
-      wondering and wondering, and so am I, whatever we shall do with Regie.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It has been a puzzling question, Alice,&rdquo; said Mr. Fairfax; &ldquo;but I believe
-      I am prepared to answer it. I think the best thing we can do will be to
-      leave him here at the beach.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Curtis dear, that is simply impossible,&rdquo; Mrs. Fairfax replied, in a
-      decided little way of her own; &ldquo;there will not be a cottage open here two
-      months from now.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I know of one cottage, at any rate,&rdquo; said her husband, &ldquo;that is open all
-      the year round, and where Reginald and Sister Julia would be likely to
-      have a very happy time of it while we are away.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course, you mean Captain Murray's.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course I do. Don't you agree with me about its being a good place, and
-      had we not better walk right up there now and see if they will consider
-      it?&rdquo; They had come to the railroad crossing, and the shrill whistle of a
-      locomotive brought them to a standstill. Seldom an express train went
-      spinning through Moorlow that Hereward did not run a race with it, and the
-      engineers on the road were always on the lookout for him. Hereward was a
-      very knowing dog; he would lie dozing in the sun, and let the local trains
-      steam up to the little station and off again, without so much as cocking
-      up an ear, but would detect the approach of the &ldquo;express&rdquo; way down the
-      track. To-night proved no exception to the rule. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax
-      watched him proudly, as in a flash he gathered himself together and
-      started for the race. For fully a quarter of a mile he held his own, and,
-      if he had possessed as inexhaustible a supply of breath as the
-      iron-chested engine, his long limbs might sometimes have won him the
-      victory.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      As for Ned, this sort of thing was not at all to his taste, and he stood
-      looking stolidly on, as much as to say, &ldquo;Great waste of time and energy.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Between you and me, had his body been as long, and his legs as slender as
-      Hereward's, he would probably have joined in the wild scamper. There are
-      people here and there in the world not at all unlike Ned; they sit and
-      frown upon certain innocent pleasures simply because they are not fitted
-      by nature to enjoy them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Breathless and satisfied, Hereward was soon back again, trotting and
-      sniffing along as though nothing had happened.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I do not believe we had better go to Captain Murray's tonight,&rdquo; said Mrs.
-      Fairfax, taking up the conversation where the train and Hereward's
-      performances had interrupted it; &ldquo;I would like time to think it over.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, I've thought it over enough for both of us, Alice. Besides, you see,
-      we must decide upon some plan pretty quickly; it is only ten days now
-      before we sail.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0018" id="linkimage-0018"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0029.jpg" alt="0029 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0029.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      So Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax kept on down the beach, climbed the short flight
-      of wooden steps that scaled the bulk-head in front of Captain Murray's
-      cottage, and knocked at the door. Mrs. Murray opened it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, how do you do?&rdquo; she said, with evident surprise and pleasure, as she
-      ushered them into the sitting-room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0019" id="linkimage-0019"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9030.jpg" alt="9030 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9030.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      Hereward and Ned poked their noses in at the door, and acted as though
-      they intended to crowd their bodies in too. One look from Mr. Fairfax
-      seemed to change their minds, and with grave faces and limp tails they lay
-      down on the porch instead.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Here, Harry, bring a chair for Mrs. Fairfax,&rdquo; said Mrs. Murray, &ldquo;and Nan,
-      darling, go call your father.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      This little sitting-room was the very cosiest, perhaps, that one would
-      find from end to end of the whole Jersey shore. Cheery and cool-looking in
-      this summer weather, with the linen floor covering and the vines at the
-      windows, and so warm and cheery in the fall and winter, with pine logs
-      blazing on the old brass and irons.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Father's coming,&rdquo; announced Nan, returning to the room. &ldquo;And how's
-      Regie?&rdquo; asked both the children in one breath.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, he's getting along finely,&rdquo; answered Mr. Fairfax.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm <i>right glad</i> to hear <i>that</i>,&rdquo; said Mrs. Murray, who always
-      conversed with strong accents on certain words. &ldquo;And it's a good piece of
-      news to carry to bed and dream over,&rdquo; she added, turning to the children,
-      and looking toward the energetic little clock on the mantel-shelf. &ldquo;Come,
-      it's high time; a good-night to Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax, and a kiss for your
-      mother.&rdquo; The children mechanically obeyed, and with reluctant, backward
-      glances trudged up the winding stairway leading directly from the
-      sitting-room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, well,&rdquo; exclaimed Captain Murray, a wiry, weatherbeaten man, as he
-      entered the room, &ldquo;a call from the Fairfaxes; what's up, I wonder?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Seems to me, you're pretty free, father,&rdquo; said Mrs. Murray, half
-      apologetically.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, something is up,&rdquo; replied Mr. Fairfax, &ldquo;one may as well be honest.
-      We have a proposition to make, and we are very much afraid you won't
-      accept it, and then we shall be all at sea again.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, I see,&rdquo; laughed Captain Murray, &ldquo;you want an old sailor to bring you
-      into port, or something like that, eh? Well, if there's anything we can do
-      for you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There is something,&rdquo; said Mr. Fairfax, eagerly, &ldquo;and a pretty big
-      something too. We want to know if you will take Reginald and Sister Julia
-      into your own snug little harbour for three or four months. You know, when
-      we adopted Regie, Mrs. Fairfax promised that he should never stand between
-      us&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;He means,&rdquo; interrupted Mrs. Fairfax, thinking she could better explain
-      matters, &ldquo;that if ever the question came up of remaining with Curtis or
-      Reginald, the decision should always be in favour of my husband.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That is the way of it,&rdquo; said Mr. Fairfax, &ldquo;and at last the question has
-      come up. I am obliged to go to Europe for three or four months, and I have
-      no notion of putting that great ocean yonder between my wife and me. Of
-      course, Reginald is not in a condition to travel, and we have been greatly
-      at a loss to know what to do with him. This would be such a fine place for
-      him, if you only would be good enough to let us board him with you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't know much, after all, about the domestic harbour,&rdquo; said Captain
-      Murray, with elevated eyebrows. &ldquo;You must ask the first-mate. What do you
-      say, Mollie Murray?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you think we could really make him comfortable, father?&rdquo; asked Mrs.
-      Murray, smoothing out her white apron; &ldquo;we live very plain, and the boy
-      has been accustomed to&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Comfortable! Oh, Mrs. Murray,&rdquo; interrupted Mrs. Fairfax, &ldquo;why this seems
-      to me altogether the most <i>comfortable</i> little home that I know of,
-      and Reginald will be so happy here with the children. As for Sister Julia,
-      I am sure she will be a help rather than a trouble, and you will fairly
-      love her before she has been in the house twenty-four hours.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      After this the conversation fell into a quiet chat between the
-      &ldquo;women-folk,&rdquo; and a more business-like one between Mr. Fairfax and Captain
-      Murray, and when, in its thumping, ringing way, the little clock struck
-      nine, everything had been arranged to the satisfaction of everybody.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I cannot tell you what a load is off my mind,&rdquo; said Mrs. Fairfax,
-      pressing Mrs. Murray's hand in both of hers, as she stood ready to go. &ldquo;I
-      only hope it has not rolled off on to yours.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Never you fear, dearie,&rdquo; Mrs. Murray answered, in her cheerful,
-      whole-souled way.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How about Hereward and Ned?&rdquo; exclaimed Mr. Fairfax, almost stumbling
-      across both as they lay on the porch. &ldquo;And how about Reginald's pony? Can
-      you care for them too, Captain Murray?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, yes, send 'em along. We'll do our best by all hands.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Mrs. Murray,&rdquo; said Mrs. Fairfax, turning back for a moment, &ldquo;please
-      don't tell the children about the plan. Regie would so much enjoy telling
-      them himself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, to be sure,&rdquo; she answered; &ldquo;I'll not say a word. Happy secrets are
-      hard things for me to keep; but I'll keep this, I promise you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The two dogs who had come over in such rollicking fashion, trotted back
-      again quietly enough, but Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax felt half inclined to dance
-      all the way home, so delighted were they over the success of this splendid
-      plan for Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0020" id="linkimage-0020"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0033.jpg" alt="0033 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0033.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0021" id="linkimage-0021"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0034.jpg" alt="0034 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0034.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      IV. A SURPRISE FOR THE BODY GUARD
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0022" id="linkimage-0022"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9034.jpg" alt="9034 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9034.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      RULY no one ever looked into a face more beaming than Regie's when Mrs.
-      Fairfax told him of their plan to leave him in Sister Julia's care, and
-      that they were both to board at the Murrays.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I've been wondering what you would do,&rdquo; said Regie. &ldquo;I knew you could not
-      take along a boy on crutches; and, Mamma Fairfax,&rdquo; he added, ruefully, &ldquo;I
-      thought I was in the way for once at any rate.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Then Mrs. Fairfax drew the little fellow into her lap, and said, very
-      tenderly and earnestly, &ldquo;Remember this, Regie Fairfax: you have never been
-      in the way yet, and you never will be so long as you stay the dear good
-      boy you are to-day.&rdquo; A grateful, happy look came into Regie's face, and he
-      nestled his head close down on Mamma Fairfax's shoulder, quite forgetting
-      that nine-year-old boys are supposed not to care in the least for that
-      sort of thing.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Well, the day for the move to the Murrays dawned at last, though at times
-      it had seemed to Regie as if it never would come.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      In the thought that he was going to live in the same house with Nan and
-      Harry, the little reprobate almost forgot he was to say good-bye to Papa
-      and Mamma Fairfax for three whole months at least. But Mr. and Mrs.
-      Fairfax were quite willing he should forget it, and were only too
-      delighted to see the little fellow anticipating so much happiness. It
-      would have been sad enough to have sailed away over that great ocean,
-      leaving a brokenhearted as well as a broken-legged little Reginald behind
-      them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Still dependent upon his crutches, Regie of course could not help very
-      much with the packing, but as he sat on the piazza, in the warm September
-      sunshine, Sister Julia gave him a lapful of his own neckties to sort over
-      and fold into a box. They were to move that very afternoon. It was
-      half-past eleven now, and at twelve Harry and Nan were coming, as they
-      thought, to say &ldquo;Good-bye.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Puzzled little Nan and Harry! They had not heard a word of Reginald's
-      coming to stay with them. Had they known it, they would not have been
-      trudging sorrowfully along the beach as they were that very moment.
-      Naturally they wondered at the strange preparations going forward at home.
-      Fresh dimity curtains had been tacked up in the room over the kitchen, and
-      there was a new bowl and pitcher on the wash-stand, and some red-bordered
-      towels that were very beautiful in Nan's eyes. But when the children asked
-      their mother the reason for all this, she had told them that times were a
-      little hard, as indeed they were, and that they were going to take a
-      couple to board.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't like the idea of a couple to board at all,&rdquo; Harry had confided to
-      Nan when they were gathering up the chips one morning in the woodshed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Neither do I,&rdquo; sighed Nan, &ldquo;but if times are hard of course we ought to
-      make the best of it.&rdquo; That Sister Julia and Reginald were the couple never
-      entered their foolish little heads for a second.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie sat sorting the neckties, putting the worn ones, and the ones he did
-      not like, at the bottom of the box, you may be sure. Now and then he would
-      stop to watch the four Brooks' boys, who were playing tennis in front of
-      their cottage, and then it seemed as though he could not stand keeping
-      still another moment; but he knew he must, and that word <i>must</i> is a
-      very tyrannical and exacting little master. Presently the waggon from the
-      store at Atlanticville, where they sold everything, from kerosene oil to
-      shoe-strings, drove up and stopped; and a little errand boy, no larger
-      than Regie, jumped down and pulled a basket out from the back. The basket
-      was filled with groceries, and was so very heavy that the boy had to slip
-      the handle way up to his elbow, so that he could rest part of its weight
-      on his hip, as he carried it into the Brooks's kitchen.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0023" id="linkimage-0023"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0036.jpg" alt="0036 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0036.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      When he came out again he stopped to watch the little tennis players with
-      such a wistful look on his thin face, while the old horse, as overworked
-      as his child-driver, improved the opportunity for a hurried browsing on
-      the Fairfax terrace.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What a difference!&rdquo; thought Regie, noting the contrast between the boys
-      in knickerbockers and polo caps and this shabby little stranger. &ldquo;I wonder
-      why some boys have to wear themselves out trudging round with dinners for
-      other boys who do nothing but have a good time the whole summer long!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      In another moment the little fellow jumped into his waggon, and, as if to
-      make up for lost time, jerked the old horse into a bobbing sort of gait,
-      which was something better than a walk and yet could not honestly be
-      called a trot Then Reginald sat dreaming and looking out to sea. Perhaps
-      he was thinking of a time when there might be a better order of things,
-      not exactly of a better world,&mdash;that blue ocean and cloud-flecked sky
-      were about as beautiful as anything could be&mdash;but of a time when the
-      sins and misfortunes of the fathers should no longer be visited upon the
-      children, and when everyone should have an equal chance. At any rate his
-      thoughts were far away from anything about him, and Harry and Nan came
-      nearer and nearer, without his ever seeing them, and he only knew they
-      were there when Nan rushed up in front of him and said &ldquo;Boo!&rdquo; as if to
-      frighten him out of his reverie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, I did not see you at all!&rdquo; exclaimed Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course you didn't; you were looking right over our heads,&rdquo; said Harry,
-      seating himself on the edge of the piazza, and straightway beginning to
-      whittle on a block, which was fast being converted into a boat hull. &ldquo;You
-      seem to be able to see farther than anyone I know of,&rdquo; he added. &ldquo;You
-      looked then as though you were staring right round the world and up the
-      other side.&rdquo; Reginald blushed a little. Somehow or other, in the presence
-      of matter-of-fact Harry, he always felt ashamed of this dreaming habit of
-      his.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We're awful sorry you're going,&rdquo; said Nan. &ldquo;It's so dull for bodyguards
-      when there's no king to care for.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm glad you're sorry,&rdquo; said Regie, biting his lip to keep from smiling.
-      He did not want to have the pleasure of telling them over quite yet. Then
-      there was a lull in the conversation. It was going to be very lonely
-      without Regie, and the bodyguard, particularly Nan, had little heart for
-      conversation.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How's your base-ball club getting on, Harry?&rdquo; asked Reginald, feeling he
-      must either keep matters going or tell right away. &ldquo;It was great fun your
-      beating those fellows up at the Branch.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It was quite a beat,&rdquo; Harry replied, complacently, &ldquo;but I guess our
-      beating days are over.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why?&rdquo; asked Regie, astonished.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, our catcher, the best in the 'nine,' you know, is disabled.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's too bad, but I suppose he'll get over it,&rdquo; said Regie, cheerily.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I rather guess not,&rdquo; Harry drily remarked; &ldquo;he's dead,&rdquo; and he held
-      the little boat-hull at arm's length to get a better view of its shape. If
-      Nan had been paying attention she would have taken Harry to task for
-      speaking in such apparently heartless fashion of poor little Joe Moore's
-      death. But instead of listening, she was wondering when would be the best
-      time to give Regie a little rubber pencil-case her right hand was
-      affectionately clasping, as it lay in the bottom of her pocket. There was
-      another long pause, and Reginald could keep his secret no longer.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Children,&rdquo; he said, importantly, &ldquo;where do you suppose I am going to when
-      I leave here?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;To New York, of course,&rdquo; replied Nan, with a little sigh.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, sir'ree; to Captain Epher Murray's;&rdquo; and Regie, glancing from one
-      puzzled face to the other, fairly beamed with delight.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;To our house?&rdquo; said Nan, incredulously.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;By Jimmini!&rdquo; exclaimed Harry, tossing his hat so high in the air that it
-      caught on the leader of the roof.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It isn't so!&rdquo; said Nan, decidedly, and shaking her head from side to
-      side, showing that she believed that to be one of the things literally too
-      good to be true.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, it is true,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, who had just come on to the porch
-      with her arms full of boxes; &ldquo;and I am coming too, and the pony, and
-      Hereward, and Ned.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And we're going to stay till Christmas,&rdquo; chimed in Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And what is more,&rdquo; added Sister Julia, &ldquo;we are coming this very day, and
-      you have arrived just in time to escort the king in person, as a true
-      bodyguard should. His little Royal Highness will ride in his own court
-      carriage,&rdquo; and as she spoke Pet and the village cart jogged up to the
-      door.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0024" id="linkimage-0024"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9039.jpg" alt="9039 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9039.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      Then for a few moments Sister Julia and Nan busied themselves, stowing
-      away in the cart such valuable commodities as two or three tennis
-      racquets, a base-ball bat, a tool chest, a small photographing camera, and
-      other things too numerous to mention. Meanwhile Harry, to use his own
-      expressive English, had &ldquo;shinned up&rdquo; one of the piazza posts, and
-      succeeded in regaining his jubilant hat.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan's brown little face as she bustled about was wreathed in smiles, but
-      she said nothing. Awhile ago she was too sorry to talk, and now she was
-      too happy.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Finally, Sister Julia helped Reginald into the cart, and Nan, with Regie's
-      crutches in her lap, took her seat on one side and Harry on the other.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      '&ldquo;When is your mother going?&rdquo; questioned Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;To-morrow morning early,&rdquo; Reginald replied.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, don't you want to say goodbye to her?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you suppose I'd be going off like this, Harry Murray, if I were not
-      going to see her again?&rdquo; with as much imperiousness as a real king.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are coming to your house to-night to supper,&rdquo; Sister
-      Julia explained.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;They are, are they?&rdquo; said Harry, somewhat gruffly. &ldquo;Well, I think they
-      might have told Nan and me something about it all.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! I don't,&rdquo; Nan cried, eagerly. &ldquo;I think s'prises are lovely. I love to
-      be s'prised.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And I love to s'prise people,&rdquo; said Reginald; &ldquo;and so Mamma Fairfax
-      planned for me to do it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now I guess you're all ready,&rdquo; Sister Julia remarked, wisely changing the
-      subject, as she tucked the linen lap-robe close about Nan, so that her
-      stiffly-starched little gingham dress should not puff out against the
-      wheel.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Where are the dogs?&rdquo; asked Harry, looking forward to their establishment
-      in his home with possibly as much interest as to that of their little
-      master.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie gave a loud, shrill whistle. That was one of the few things he could
-      do just as well as before he broke his leg, and so he seemed to take
-      special delight in doing it. Hereward and Ned came bounding from some
-      point back of the house, and Pet, seeming to understand that all was in
-      readiness, started off of his own accord. Hereward and Ned, comprehending
-      at once that they were to be allowed to follow, flew hither and yon in the
-      wildest manner, bringing up at the cart every few minutes as if to report
-      proceedings.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Regie, why do you always say Papa Fairfax and Mamma Fairfax, instead of
-      just papa and mamma?&rdquo; Nan asked presently. Evidently she had been turning
-      the matter over in her mind for some seconds.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Because&mdash;because&mdash;&rdquo; Regie hesitated,&mdash;&ldquo;because, don't you
-      know, I'm adopted.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Dopted,&rdquo; said the children, in one breath. Reginald nodded his head in
-      the affirmative, and sat thoughtfully watching the sand as it fell from
-      the wheel with each revolution. If he had looked into Nan's face or
-      Harry's he would have seen a world of wonder in it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Finally Nan said, in a very sympathetic way, as though she felt it must be
-      something very dreadful,&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I do not know just what being adopted means, but have you always been
-      so?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Almost always. You see, Nan, my own father died when I was a little
-      fellow, and then Papa Fairfax, who was my father's best friend, took me
-      for his own little boy; and that being took is being adopted.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      In certain earnest moments Regie often forgot all about grammar.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;O&mdash;h!&rdquo; said Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It is astonishing how much that one word may mean when one gives it the
-      right inflection. As Nan used it, it stood for &ldquo;Yes, I understand now; you
-      need never say another word about it, but isn't it strange? Not your own
-      father and mother! I shall have to do a great deal of thinking about
-      that.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      By this time Pet had travelled the half mile between the cottages, but
-      without doubt Hereward and Ned had made two miles of it. Regie half
-      believed they had understood the conversations going on about them, and
-      knew that they were to be permitted to enjoy, for three months longer, the
-      freedom of their life by the sea, instead of being cooped up in the
-      cramped backyard in town. At any rate, they were a pair of very jolly dogs
-      that warm September morning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0025" id="linkimage-0025"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5041.jpg" alt="5041 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5041.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0026" id="linkimage-0026"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0042.jpg" alt="0042 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0042.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      V. GOODNIGHT AND GOODBYE
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0027" id="linkimage-0027"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9042.jpg" alt="9042 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9042.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      T was quite an event in the Murray family to have such people as the
-      Fairfaxes come to supper, and perhaps it was not strange that great
-      preparations were being made; but you might have thought that Mrs. Murray
-      expected Mrs. Fairfax to go straight through her cottage on a tour of
-      critical inspection. The whole house was put in <i>apple-pie</i> order&mdash;whatever
-      that may mean&mdash;from the cool, clean-smelling cellar, to the little
-      triangular attic, redolent of thyme and sage and other dried things
-      hanging from the rafters. Not that there was ever much disorder in that
-      neat little household; but the fact that the Fairfaxes were coming seemed
-      to lend an extra touch of thoroughness to everything that Mrs. Murray did.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Soon after the children's arrival Sister Julia knocked at the door, and
-      was warmly welcomed. She busied herself right away with unpacking the
-      trunks, which had been sent down that morning, while Regie sat at the
-      pretty curtained window of the room that was to be his, telling Sister
-      Julia where to put his own particular treasures. Already he was fond of
-      that little window, from which he could look straight out to sea.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan was busy in the kitchen, cutting out the thinnest of little round
-      cookies from dough that her mother had mixed. Some of them were already in
-      the oven, and sending such a delicious savoury smell up into Regie's room!
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry was active, making things comfortable for Ned and Hereward in the
-      barn.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0028" id="linkimage-0028"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0043.jpg" alt="0043 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0043.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      It was a very happy afternoon all round, though withal a trifle sad too;
-      for there is always something in the atmosphere more or less depressing on
-      the eve of any decided change, no matter how satisfactorily everything may
-      have been arranged for everybody. At six o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax came
-      down the beach, and at half-past six supper was on the table. Such an
-      inviting little supper-table, with its snowy cloth, polished plated
-      service, and shining glass lamp in the centre, to say nothing of
-      innumerable good things to eat, including a dish heaped high with a
-      delicious &ldquo;floating island,&rdquo; such as few besides Mrs. Murray know how to
-      make. The canary, in his cage over the plants, was singing away for dear
-      life, as if he wanted to make the occasion just as merry as possible; and
-      Hereward and Ned, who must have sniffed the buttered toast and broiled
-      mackerel from outside, scratched away at the door trying to gain
-      admission. Then they bounded to the window, and planting their paws upon
-      the sill, peered in with a most beseeching look on their intelligent
-      faces.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      I wonder what they thought of what they saw?
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The family were standing at their places at the table with their heads
-      bowed, and Captain Murray was asking a blessing, a long blessing with a
-      little prayer midway, for the dear friends going on so &ldquo;distant a
-      journey.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Ah! Ned and Hereward, there lies the difference; true and loving and
-      grateful as you are, you cannot comprehend that there is a Father in
-      heaven willing to hear and answer the prayer of, every soul He has
-      created.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let the good fellows in to-night,&rdquo; said Captain Murray, when the blessing
-      was over, and he discovered the dogs at the window. Harry unlatched the
-      door only too gladly, and they came leaping in; but acting under orders
-      from their lord and master, soon dropped quietly down in one corner to
-      wait as patiently as possible for their own supper time. Regie sat next to
-      Mamma Fairfax, holding his fork in the wrong hand now and then, that he
-      might give her left hand a squeeze under the table. Regie was happy and
-      contented, and yet there was a real little ache in his heart. She was
-      going a long way from home, that dear Mamma Fairfax of his, and how could
-      he help feeling somewhat sad about it?
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mr. Fairfax was apparently very full of fun that night, and amused the
-      children, telling of certain strange pranks of his own when he was a boy.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Murray laughed whenever the others did, but she really did not hear
-      much that was going on, she was so thoroughly preoccupied in seeing if
-      Mrs. Fairfax would not have another biscuit, or if Mr. Fairfax's cup was
-      empty, and in caring that everyone had plenty to eat. When supper was
-      finished, Sister Julia in her quiet, helpful way insisted upon aiding Mrs.
-      Murray to clear the table. Little Nan attended to her regular share of the
-      work, and as a result, soon paraded a wonderfully bright row of tumblers
-      on the lowest shelf of the dresser. When the red cloth had been laid on
-      the table, Captain Murray brought out a great map, and they all gathered
-      about while Mr. Fairfax showed them the plan of their journey.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You'll get it out often and keep track of us, won't you?&rdquo; he said to
-      Regie, taking the crutches from his hand and lifting him to his knee.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Every night,&rdquo; Regie promised, solemnly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Not every night, Rex,&rdquo; said Mr. Fairfax. &ldquo;That will not be necessary,
-      because you see we shall spend a week in London, and another whole week in
-      Berlin, and two weeks perhaps in Paris.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Shall you?&rdquo; asked Regie, ruefully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, to be sure; have you any objections, Rex?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, I thought you'd keep going and going until you got back again. I
-      shall not like to think of you as stopping so long anywhere.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We shall come home just as soon,&rdquo; laughed Mr. Fairfax, giving that little
-      adopted boy of his the most genuine sort of a fatherly hug.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      All too soon it was nine o'clock, and time for the children to go to bed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Fairfax went up herself with Regie. Sister Julia had been up before
-      her and lighted the candle, and laid Regie's night-dress out on the bed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You will try not to give Mrs. Murray any trouble, won't you, dear?&rdquo; said
-      Mrs. Fairfax, helping Regie to undress.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I will, Mamma Fairfax,&rdquo; Regie answered, with a little quiver in his
-      voice.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And you will write to me once a week?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, mamma,&rdquo; with two little quivers.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And you will do just as Sister Julia tells you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; and with a great sob Regie hid his face on her shoulder.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Rex darling, do you really care so much?&rdquo; said Mrs. Fairfax, with
-      tears in her own eyes. &ldquo;Well, I am proud that you do, and you will be all
-      the more glad to have us home again. In the meantime, you will be very
-      happy in this dear little home with Harry and Nan.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I know I will,&rdquo; said Regie, with a shadow of a smile.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And your little crutches will be hanging on the wall long before that
-      time, because you will have no further need of them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I know,&rdquo; said Regie, with a face almost wreathed in smiles at the
-      thought, as he scrambled into bed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Then Mr. Fairfax ran up the little flight, two steps at a time, to bid him
-      good-bye.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      There was considerable whispering and hugging between the little fellow
-      inside the bed and the big fellow outside, and then in another moment Papa
-      Fairfax was gone.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      And then it was Mamma Fairfax's turn. &ldquo;I will send Sister Julia right up,&rdquo;
-       she said, for Regie should not be left alone that night. &ldquo;And now two of
-      your best hugs and five of your best kisses&mdash;and now, my own dear
-      little Rex, good-night and goodbye.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0029" id="linkimage-0029"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5046.jpg" alt="5046 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5046.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0030" id="linkimage-0030"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0047.jpg" alt="0047 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0047.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      VI. IN THE HIGHLAND LIGHT
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0031" id="linkimage-0031"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9047.jpg" alt="9047 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9047.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      T nine o'clock Thursday evening Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had bade farewell to
-      their friends at Moorlow. At nine o'clock Friday morning the train whirled
-      by on its way to Sandy Hook, and then they waved good-bye from the car
-      windows, as they had promised, to Regie and Harry and Nan, who, seated on
-      a pile of railroad ties, had been watching and waiting for the train a
-      long half hour. At nine o'clock Saturday morning Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax went
-      on board the <i>Alaska</i>, which some one has called &ldquo;the greyhound of
-      the sea,&rdquo; and a half hour later the good ship steamed out into the Bay.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I suppose you've seen the last of 'em,&rdquo; said Captain Murray,
-      joining the little party just as the train had disappeared, and looking
-      closely at Regie to see how he was taking it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The last for a while, I suppose, sir,&rdquo; said Regie, in a firm little
-      voice, but nevertheless gazing very wistfully down the track in the
-      direction of the vanishing train. &ldquo;I would have given a good deal,&rdquo; he
-      added, &ldquo;to have seen the big ship they are going on.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You would? Well, why not?&rdquo; said the captain. &ldquo;Yes, why not?&rdquo; looking from
-      one puzzled face to the other in an amused sort of fashion.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Harry, &ldquo;do you mean that you'll take us to the Highland Light?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course I do. Where else, to be sure? We can drive over with Dobbin
-      early to-morrow morning. I'll take the glass along, and we'll have a good
-      look at the <i>Alaska</i>, every one of us. What time does she leave the
-      dock, Reginald?&rdquo; for the honest captain believed in calling people and
-      things by their right names.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Half-past nine, sir,&rdquo; said Regie, promptly, for he was well posted on all
-      the details of the projected journey.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then she'll round the Hook about eleven.&rdquo;.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Is the lighthouse very high?&rdquo; asked Regie, his face aglow with
-      excitement.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;High enough to see a long way out to sea,&rdquo; answered the captain.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0032" id="linkimage-0032"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0048.jpg" alt="0048 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0048.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I was not thinking of that,&rdquo; said Regie, rather ruefully. &ldquo;I was thinking
-      I could not climb up so very many stairs with these crutches.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But you can go up mighty easy without them. See! just like this,&rdquo; and
-      Captain Murray caught Regie in his arms as easily as Regie himself would
-      have lifted a kitten. &ldquo;Bring the crutches, Nan,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;there's no use
-      in staying here any longer.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0033" id="linkimage-0033"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0050.jpg" alt="0050 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0050.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I believe Papa and Mamma Fairfax would like to know we were looking at
-      them,&rdquo; said Regie, with his arms clasped firmly round the captain's neck.
-      &ldquo;They could not see us, but they could know we were there.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;To be sure,&rdquo; said the captain, making use of those three monosyllables on
-      every possible occasion; &ldquo;and we'll stop at the railroad station on our
-      way home now, and telegraph them to be on the lookout for us.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You're a magnificent captain!&rdquo; said Regie, never hesitating to express
-      honest admiration.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm glad you think so,&rdquo; replied the captain, tightening his hold of the
-      warm-hearted little fellow, &ldquo;but unfortunately your saying so does not
-      make it true.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But, papa, it is true,&rdquo; said Nan, loyally, catching hold of her father's
-      coat, and trudging along by his side. &ldquo;All the men say so at the
-      Life-saving Station, and I guess they ought to know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;None of them have ever been to sea with me, Nan.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;They know about you all the same,&rdquo; said Harry, with a significant shake
-      of his head; for he was very proud of his tall father, and of his handsome
-      weather-beaten face.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      They had reached the little Gothic railroad station, and Captain Murray
-      sat Regie down on the operator's table while he wrote this telegram on one
-      of the yellow paper blanks:&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Mr. Curtis Fairfax,
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No. &mdash;, Wall St., New York.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The children will wave you good-bye from the Highland Light at eleven
-      o'clock to-morrow, rain or shine.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Epher Murray.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      In two hours back came this answer:&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Captain Epher Murray,
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Moorlow, New Jersey.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Good for you. Keep a sharp lookout for special signals.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;C. Fairfax.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;A sharp lookout for special signals!&rdquo; the words kept ringing in the
-      children's ears.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What can he mean to do&mdash;my darling old Papa Fairfax?&rdquo; thought Regie,
-      as he dropped off into a sound sleep that night.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At eight o'clock the next morning, Sister Julia and Regie and Nan climbed
-      into the back seat of Cap-. tain Murray's waggon, while Harry took the
-      place beside his father in front.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0034" id="linkimage-0034"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figright" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/8051.jpg" alt="8051 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/8051.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      Faithful old Dobbin broke straightway into a canter, bound for the
-      &ldquo;Highland Light,&rdquo; and fortunately for the party there was no &ldquo;rain,&rdquo; but
-      plenty of &ldquo;shine&rdquo; instead.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Down the fine boulevard they went, past the fine houses, through Sea
-      Bright, with its queer medley of summer cottages, hotels, and fishermen's
-      huts; then crossing and recrossing the track again and again, because the
-      drive on that narrow strip of land between the ocean and the Shewsbury
-      river constantly accommodates itself to the curves of the railroad; over
-      the rickety Highland Bridge, stopping to pay toll on the draw; past the
-      bevy of cottages, where a number of actors and actresses have established
-      a little colony of their own; up the steep hill, with the great seams
-      washed in the road by the heavy rains, but wide enough and deep enough to
-      seem more like the work of an earthquake; finally coming to a halt at the
-      gate which opens on the rear of the grand old lighthouse.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, how do you do, captain? Want to show the youngsters through the
-      light?&rdquo; asked the keeper, appearing in the doorway at the sound of the
-      waggon wheels.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Want to do more than that,&rdquo; answered Captain Murray, lifting his little
-      party out one by one; &ldquo;want to see the <i>Alaska</i> off for Europe.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Friends on board?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;This little chap's father and mother.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, that's it, is it?&rdquo; said the keeper. &ldquo;But what's happened the little
-      fellow?&rdquo; glancing at Regie's crutches.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;He fell from a cherry tree a few week ago,&rdquo; Sister Julia explained, as
-      they walked towards the house.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Stealing cherries, eh?&rdquo; chuckled the man, giving Regie a significant
-      little nudge.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Indeed, I wasn't,&rdquo; answered Regie, with some indignation.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Reginald, he is only joking,&rdquo; Sister Julia said, reprovingly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course I was,&rdquo; said the keeper. &ldquo;Such a bright little fellow as you
-      look to be ought to know when a man's joking.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I know I ought,&rdquo; Regie answered, blushing. &ldquo;I spoke before I
-      thought; you must excuse me, Mr. Keeper.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Mr. Keeper,'&rdquo; laughed the man, &ldquo;well! that's a new name for Joe
-      Canfield; but I like it, and you're a mighty honest little fellow. When
-      you're ready to go up, you can leave your crutches below here, and I'll
-      carry you over every one of those blessed stairs myself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You'd better let papa do that,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;he's pretty heavy, and we
-      wouldn't have anything happen to him for the world.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you think I would drop him, little one? Never you fear; I could carry
-      you both as well as not;&rdquo; whereupon Nan started to travel briskly up the
-      stairs, as if to show him she was quite equal to doing her own climbing.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Bide a bit, miss,&rdquo; called the keeper. &ldquo;You won't be able to sight the <i>Alaska</i>
-      for a half hour yet. If you want to understand about the light you'd
-      better look about down here first.&rdquo; Then he led the way into a room on the
-      ground floor, where the oil for the lights was stored, the little party
-      following him closely, with the exception of Captain Murray, whom the
-      children were glad to have go &ldquo;on watch&rdquo; in the balcony of the light, for
-      fear, by any chance, the <i>Alaska</i> should be sighted ahead of time.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I suppose you have noticed before you came in, ma'am,&rdquo; said Keeper
-      Canfield, addressing Sister Julia, &ldquo;that this lighthouse has two towers
-      and two lights? The dwellings for the keepers' families are in between
-      'em, and there we live as cosy and comfortable as can be. If you have time
-      when you come down you must take a peep at our baby. Have you ever seen a
-      lighthouse baby?&rdquo; he added, turning to Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Never,&rdquo; said Nan, seriously.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, a lighthouse baby is worth seeing, for somehow or other they look
-      brighter than ordinary babies. It seems as though they were born with a
-      notion that their two eyes must cheer us old codgers on life's great sea,
-      just as the lights in the tower there cheer the sailors.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The children looked wonderingly up at their guide, not quite sure whether
-      he were in earnest or no.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now, you see,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;this is the room where we store the oil,
-      and how much do you suppose we burn in a year? Forty-five hundred gallons!
-      We burn mineral oil, that is, oil that comes out from the ground through
-      the oil wells.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The room in which they were standing was flanked with wooden boxes, each
-      containing a full oil-can, and everything was scrupulously neat, for not a
-      speck of dust was to be seen anywhere.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now I guess we had better go up,&rdquo; said the keeper, when a good many
-      questions had been asked and answered, &ldquo;and we'll go easy, so as not to
-      lose our breath;&rdquo; then, taking Regie's crutches in one hand, he lifted him
-      into his arms.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And, Nan,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, &ldquo;you had better take hold of my hand, for
-      fear your little head should grow dizzy on this winding flight.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Of course Harry was half-way up before the rest of the party had even
-      started.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The keeper landed Regie safely right inside the light itself, and indeed
-      it was large enough to hold them all. What a marvellous place it was! It
-      seemed as though they were in a beautiful crystal house, for they were
-      surrounded by tier after tier of glass prisms, so arranged as to project
-      the light from the lantern against a series of brass reflectors at the
-      back, and they, in turn, throw the light twenty-five miles out to sea.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The children were too much awed by the wonderful contrivance to even
-      speak, until Harry slipped out of the light and peered in at them through
-      the glass. It made him look very funny&mdash;eyes, nose, mouth, every
-      feature appeared to be drawn out lengthwise by the prisms.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Harry Murray!&rdquo; cried Nan, &ldquo;you're a disgrace to the family. I never
-      saw anything so ugly in all my life!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wish you could come out here and have a look at yourself, then,&rdquo; Harry
-      called back. &ldquo;Your head is about two inches high, and two feet wide. You
-      could stand in a bandbox, you are so short, but it would take a dozen of
-      'em to hold you the other way!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan and Harry were so much amused with these ridiculous distortions that
-      Reginald was the only one who really paid attention to the keeper's
-      description of the lantern, but he listened sagely, and plied questions
-      fast enough to atone for the indifference of the others. Harry might be
-      partially excused for his inattention, on the ground that he had been
-      through the light two or three times before. As for Nan, it must be
-      confessed that she was not of an inquiring turn of mind.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There's one sad thing about this light,&rdquo; said the keeper to Reginald, who
-      sat on a little stool with his crutches laid across his knees. &ldquo;There's
-      one very sad thing, and that is, that some sailors do not understand what
-      it is for at all. They seem to be fascinated by it, and they steer
-      straight for it, and of course there's no help in the end, but that they
-      all get wrecked on the bar.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, that's very queer,&rdquo; said Reginald. &ldquo;I should think a man wasn't fit
-      to be a sailor at all unless he understood about lighthouses and things.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;So it would seem,&rdquo; said the keeper, with a shrug; &ldquo;but I've thought
-      sometimes that the trouble is with their steering apparatus, and that the
-      poor things are more to be pitied than blamed. The moment they come in
-      sight of the light, their helms seem to get bewitched, and first thing
-      they know their queer-rigged little crafts are headed straight for the
-      light, and on they come, sort of in spite of themselves, and with death
-      staring them right in the face.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Have there been many wrecks lately?&rdquo; asked Reginald, his eyes as large as
-      saucers.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Five last night.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie stared at the man with a look that meant plainly, &ldquo;I don't believe a
-      word of it,&rdquo; and the keeper laughed outright. Sister Julia, sitting at the
-      top of the little flight of stairs just outside the lantern, watched him
-      with an amused smile on her face; and Nan, who was listening now, was
-      interested enough to wish that she had heard it all.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You think that I am telling you a yarn, don't you, youngster?&rdquo; said the
-      keeper to Regie, &ldquo;but 'pon honour it is every word true. If you don't
-      believe it, I'll show you the five little wrecks lying in a row on a bench
-      in the yard, just as I picked 'em up this morning.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Picked 'em up!&rdquo; said Regie, scornfully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, sir, picked 'em up. The reason you don't understand me is because
-      you spell sailor with an &ldquo;o,&rdquo; but in this case you must spell it with an
-      &ldquo;e&rdquo;&mdash;sailers, you see&mdash;which is only another name for birds, you
-      know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      It was Regie's turn to laugh now. &ldquo;You fooled me pretty well,&rdquo; he said;
-      but Nan looked more ready to cry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you mean,&rdquo; said she, &ldquo;that five little birds flew against this lantern
-      last night, and killed themselves?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Five last night, and six the night before,&rdquo; said the man, as though the
-      truth must be told, no matter how unpleasant.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Ship ahoy!&rdquo; shouted Captain Murray from the tower balcony, where he had
-      been on watch for the last half hour. All knew what that meant, and Sister
-      Julia and Nan and Harry hurried down the little flight that led from the
-      lantern to the balcony, and the keeper quickly caught Regie in his arms
-      again.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Where is she?&rdquo; cried Regie, impatiently, as though he could hardly wait
-      for an answer.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You can see her with the naked eye,&rdquo; replied the captain, &ldquo;away off there
-      in a direct line from the Hook. I knew her build and rig the moment she
-      came in sight; but she's flying a queer sort of flag,&rdquo; putting his glass
-      to his eye.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Perhaps it's the special signal Mr. Fairfax telegraphed us to look out
-      for,&rdquo; said sister Julia.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Please let me have a look,&rdquo; cried Reginald, almost pulling the glass from
-      Captain Murray's hands in his eagerness. It took a moment to adjust it to
-      his eyesight, and then he exclaimed, almost breathless with excitement.
-      &ldquo;Yes, there's a big red flag with some large yellow thing on it. Oh, I
-      know, it's a flag from one of Papa Fairfax's warehouses, and the yellow
-      thing is a coffee canister; see, Captain Murray, see if it isn't.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Captain Murray took the glass back again. &ldquo;Yes, you're right, Reginald,&rdquo;
-       he said; &ldquo;but there's something on the flag beside the canister, something
-      that looks like letters.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Perhaps it is a message,&rdquo; cried Rex, fairly wild with excitement. &ldquo;Oh!
-      please let me see if I can make them out.&rdquo; Once again the glass was
-      quickly re-adjusted to Regie's sight, while Nan and Harry pressed their
-      faces close to his, as though being as close as possible to the glass was
-      the next best thing to looking through it. &ldquo;Yes, they are letters,&rdquo; said
-      Regie more calmly, &ldquo;big white letters, and the first is a G, I think, and
-      the next an O, but the flag waves so I cannot read the rest.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Perhaps it's 'Good-bye,'&rdquo; said Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course it is,&rdquo; cried Regie, &ldquo;I see the B now, and the E; but there's
-      another word besides. Try, Nan, if you can make it out,&rdquo; and Regie with
-      much self-denial gave up his place at the glass.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Wind and tide seemed always to favour little Nan, for at that very moment
-      a stiff breeze caught the flag and held it out bravely, so that she read
-      &ldquo;Good-bye, Regie,&rdquo; as easily as from her spelling book at school.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Oh! how the message thrilled through and through Regie's excited little
-      frame.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0035" id="linkimage-0035"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9057.jpg" alt="9057 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9057.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      To think that Papa Fairfax cared so much for him as to take all that
-      trouble; and right then and there a prayer went silently up from Regie's
-      full heart that he might never do anything to grieve him&mdash;never.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Quickly the glass was passed from one to another that all might have a
-      look.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, if we only could signal back somehow!&rdquo; said Sister Julia, earnestly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And what is to hinder, dear?&rdquo; answered the keeper's wife, who had toiled
-      up to the tower with the baby in her arms.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Daniel,&rdquo; she added, turning to her husband, &ldquo;run to the parlour and pull
-      down the curtain from the double window. That's big enough for them to
-      distinguish.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Big enough for them to distinguish! you would have thought so could you
-      have seen the great expanse of turkey red that floated from the tower a
-      few minutes later.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;They see it! they see it!&rdquo; shouted Harry, whose turn it was now at the
-      glass. &ldquo;They're dipping their colours.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;So they are!&rdquo; every one cried, for no glass was needed to discern that.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      With happy, wistful eyes Regie watched the great <i>Alaska</i> till she
-      was a mere speck on the horizon; then the little party turned their faces
-      homeward, and from that moment Regie looked eagerly forward to the day
-      when they should come sailing back again.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0036" id="linkimage-0036"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0058.jpg" alt="0058 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0058.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      VII.&mdash;A TRIP TO BURCHARD'S
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0037" id="linkimage-0037"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9058.jpg" alt="9058 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9058.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      EEMS to me, peaches must be at their best about now, father,&rdquo; Mrs. Murray
-      said to the captain, as they sat at breakfast one morning, about a week
-      after Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had sailed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Shouldn't wonder, Mollie,&rdquo; replied the Captain, and then he said nothing
-      more, for he was busy with his own thoughts.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Shouldn't wondering doesn't help matters any,&rdquo; said his wife at last,
-      impatiently. &ldquo;What's to be done about 'em, Epher?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;About what, Mollie?&rdquo; asked the captain, for he had really forgotten what
-      she was talking about.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why! the peaches, to be sure. You must be having one of your
-      absent-minded turns.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I was thinking, Mollie,&rdquo; he answered, &ldquo;about getting some new blankets
-      and tarpaulins for the crew. That is more like minding my own business
-      than being absent-minded, it strikes me.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Captain Murray had had charge of the Moorlow Life-saving Station for eight
-      years, and had just accepted a new appointment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I guess you'd say I hadn't been minding mine, if I let the fall go by
-      without doing up any peaches. Nobody sets more store by my preserves than
-      you do, Epher Murray, but you'll have few enough to set store by this
-      year, unless you do something pretty quick about 'em.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0038" id="linkimage-0038"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0059.jpg" alt="0059 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0059.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well! well! I'll send word over to Burchard's orchard; that's all that's
-      needed, isn't it?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And who will you send, I'd like to know?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      It seemed to Mrs. Murray as though the captain might offer his own
-      services for such an all-important matter as this preserving.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Couldn't the children drive over for them?&rdquo; asked Sister
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Julia, who always endeavoured to make things as comfortable as possible
-      for everybody.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The very thing!&rdquo; Regie exclaimed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! do let us go, father,&rdquo; cried. Harry and Nan together.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course you can go,&rdquo; answered Captain Murray, only too willing to give
-      a permission that freed him from any responsibility in the matter.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      To be allowed to go by themselves all the way to Burchard's orchard seemed
-      quite an adventure in the eyes of the children, and they were anxious to
-      be off but certain things must needs be first attended to. Nan had various
-      little indoor duties, which kept her busy for a while every morning, and
-      Harry had regular morning work in the neighbourhood of the wood pile. As
-      for Regie, Sister Julia said, kindly but firmly, that &ldquo;he could not stir a
-      step till he had written a letter to Papa Fairfax.&rdquo; Harry soon succeeded
-      in finishing his task, and hurried out to the barn, as he thought, to help
-      the man, Joe, to put Pet into the harness. What was his disappointment to
-      find the barn empty. He knew in a moment that Joe must have taken him to
-      be shod, for ponies, as well as little people, seem to need shoeing very
-      often, and he rushed back to the house in a great state of excitement.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie was struggling with his letter, with Sister Julia sitting by as an
-      authority in the matter of spelling.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Say,&rdquo; cried Harry, appearing on the scene, &ldquo;there isn't a sign of Pet in
-      the barn. I s'pose they've taken him off to be shod, and there's no
-      telling when they'll bring him back.&rdquo; His manner showed so very plainly
-      what he thought, that he hardly needed to have added that &ldquo;he thought it
-      was very mean indeed.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think it is very mean, too!&rdquo; said Regie; &ldquo;seems to me I ought to be
-      told when my own pony needs shoeing, and not have him walked off just when
-      I want to use him.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;If that is the case you had better off with my head, then, King Regie,&rdquo;
-       laughed Sister Julia; &ldquo;for I am the guilty one. The moment it was decided
-      that you should go to the orchard I sent Joe off with Pet, for it would
-      never do to have him cast a shoe on such a long drive.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, that's all right then,&rdquo; said Regie, apologetically. He had a foolish
-      trick of growing indignant over many things, because he would not wait to
-      find out the true facts of a case. This may be said in his favour,
-      however, that when he found himself in the wrong, which was very often, he
-      was always ready to admit it,&mdash;an honest, winning trait which is
-      somewhat rare in this self-confident world of ours.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now run along, Harry,&rdquo; said Sister Julia. &ldquo;This letter of Reginald's must
-      go out by to-morrow's steamer, and if he does not hurry, Pet will be at
-      the door long before he is through with it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry departed as requested, and Reginald spread his arms out on the
-      table, and resumed writing, accompanying every up and down stroke of his
-      pen with an earnest little motion of the lips, as if that were a necessary
-      part of the proceeding. With long pauses over certain words, and constant
-      appeals to Sister Julia, frequently as to the spelling of words of which
-      he was perfectly sure, the letter was at last finished, and this was the
-      result&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Moorlow, Sept, 7th '85.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Dear Papa Fairfax,&mdash;We are all well, and having a first-rate time,
-      and hope you are having a good time too. The pony is just as well and fat
-      as ever, but Captain Murray's cow has a very lame foot. We caught a
-      woodchuck last Saturday, and Captain Murray's man, Joe, skinned him, and
-      we gave the skin to Mrs. Murray for a little rug. We have been making
-      darts with horseshoe nails and corks and feathers. Did you know how to do
-      that when you were a little boy? We have had to put the old drake in
-      another place. He kept picking up the little ducks and shaking them. We
-      are going to a peach orchard this morning (if Pet ever comes home from
-      being shod). So good-bye, from
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Your loving
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;P. S. It is very nice here. Captain Murray asked me to send his love to
-      you. Sister Julia is very kind. I love her next to you and Mamma Fairfax.&mdash;R.
-      F.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The careful directing of the envelope was the work of an additional five
-      minutes, and Sister Julia stood ready to hand Reginald his hat and
-      crutches the moment it should be completed; for Harry and Nan and Pet were
-      waiting at the door, and all equally impatient.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0039" id="linkimage-0039"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0062.jpg" alt="0062 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0062.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now, children,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, as they were getting stowed away in
-      the cart, &ldquo;it is eleven o'clock, and it will take you about an hour and a
-      half to drive over, and you must allow the same time for driving home. I
-      shall be worried if you are not here by five. I shall depend upon you,
-      Regie, to keep watch of the time. Let us see if our watches agree.&rdquo; They
-      were found to agree to the minute, and the little party set off. Pet was
-      the most energetic pony; going or coming was all the same to him. He
-      always trotted over the ground as fast as his little legs could carry him,
-      seldom falling into a walk of his own accord. So it was not strange that,
-      with Pet's steady pattering and the children's steady chattering, they
-      found themselves at the peach orchard in what seemed to them a very short
-      space of time, though, in point of fact, they had been on the road almost
-      as long as Sister Julia had predicted.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie was able to drive right into the orchard, for the bars of the rail
-      fence had been let down, and they soon came to a rough platform covered
-      with peach baskets, some full and some empty, over which a coloured boy,
-      with hands plunged into his trousers pockets, was loyally keeping guard.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Any peaches for sale?&rdquo; asked Harry, scrambling out.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Lots of 'em,&rdquo; grinned the boy.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Where's Mr. Burchard?&rdquo; asked Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;South corner,&rdquo; indicating the direction with a bob of his woolly head;
-      &ldquo;he's got a gang of men down there with him picking.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let's go and help 'em,&rdquo; said Harry, &ldquo;we can eat all we want to and have
-      lots of fun,&rdquo; but the words were no sooner uttered than he realised that
-      hobbling over that rough orchard was out of the question for Regie, and
-      indeed it was too rough to drive farther in with the cart.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;One of us must stay with Pet,&rdquo; said Regie, casually, as though there was
-      no other reason in the world why he should not go. Harry and Nan scampered
-      off, with some misgivings on Nan's part as to the kindness of deserting
-      her king; but the vision of a seat on a comfortable bough, with luscious
-      peaches within easy reach, was a stronger test than even her loyalty could
-      bear.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Want to get out?&rdquo; said the coloured boy to Rex, when the children had
-      gone. &ldquo;I'll help you,&rdquo; glancing significantly toward the crutches.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, thank you,&rdquo; answered Rex, &ldquo;it is too much bother;&rdquo; and, foolish,
-      sensitive little fellow that he was, he blushed up to the roots of his
-      hair, as though a broken leg was something to be heartily ashamed of.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Lame long?&rdquo; asked the boy, who seemed averse to wasting breath on any
-      unnecessary words.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Three months,&rdquo; said Rex, &ldquo;but I'll soon be over it. I wish you'd let down
-      Pet's check,&rdquo; he added, willing to change the subject.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Boss pony,&rdquo; said the boy, carrying out Regie's request, whereupon Pet
-      sniffed about him, expecting something to eat.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Seems hungry,&rdquo; said the boy.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That can't be,&rdquo; said Rex, proudly; &ldquo;he has all the hay and oats he wants
-      every day.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Give him a peach?&rdquo; asked the boy, with elevated eyebrows.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, if you want to.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Jim, for that was the boy's name, picked out &ldquo;a booty,&rdquo; as he called it,
-      gave it rather an unnecessary rub on the side of his old trousers, and
-      popped it into Pet's expectant jaws. Pet made a great fuss over it. It
-      could hardly be an easy matter to manage a large peach, and the good-sized
-      pit inside of it, with a curb bit in the mouth.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do they give peaches to horses?&rdquo; asked Reginald, beginning to have some
-      misgivings on the subject.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Some's feared to do it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Are they afraid of the pit's sticking in their throats?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The boy gave a little grunt that meant &ldquo;Yes, they were.&rdquo; Regie was
-      alarmed. &ldquo;But you need not fear 'bout this un,&rdquo; added the boy; &ldquo;he looks
-      knowin' enough to spit the pit out.&rdquo; Jim was right, and in a few minutes
-      the pit fell softly to the ground. Then the boys fell to talking about one
-      thing and another to while away the time, until it suddenly occurred to
-      Jim to put another peach into Pet's mouth.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wish you had not done that,&rdquo; said Regie, a little provoked. &ldquo;I think he
-      came very near choking on the other one.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      There was a sound of wheels just then, and a waggon loaded with peach
-      baskets came in sight, with Nan and Harry seated in front of them.
-      &ldquo;There's old black Ned,&rdquo; said Jim, pointing towards the horse that was
-      drawing the waggon; &ldquo;he eats ten peaches of a mornin', and spits the pit
-      out every time; but, my eyes! I reckon this pony ain't got sense enough,
-      arter all,&rdquo; for just at this point Pet began to cough and strangle most
-      prodigiously.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Pull it out, can't you?&rdquo; said Rex, impatiently, whereupon the boy simply
-      stood and stared, plunging his hands deeper down into the depths of his
-      trousers pocket. Regie knew that he could get to Pet in no other way so
-      quickly as to scramble along his back and drop over his head. It was the
-      work of a moment, and the unexpected arrival of somebody on his neck
-      caused Pet to jerk his head so violently as to send the unlucky stone
-      flying out of his throat, and to land Regie in a topsy-turvy state in
-      front of him. Regie hardly touched the ground before Harry was at his
-      side, trying to help him up. Pet did not know what to make of all this,
-      and stood looking down at his young master with his ears pricked up and
-      his head on one side; but no doubt he was grateful to the transaction that
-      had enabled him to part company with that deplorable stone.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Your leg's not hurt, is it, Rex?&rdquo; cried Nan, instantly appearing on the
-      scene.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I guess not. Get my crutches, please,&rdquo; and Nan hurried to pull them out
-      from under the seat of the cart.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, what's all this?&rdquo; asked the man, who had been leading the horse with
-      the load of peaches.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, that old coloured boy of yours gave a peach to my pony, and then,
-      when he choked on the pit, was too much of a coward to try and get it out
-      and Rex turned to wither poor Jim with one of his most kingly glances, but
-      Jim had vanished.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I should think he would take himself off,&rdquo; said Harry, indignantly. &ldquo;If
-      he'd stayed round here I would have given him a piece of my mind,&rdquo; and
-      Harry made certain significant gestures with the plumpest of fists. &ldquo;Think
-      of his letting a lame fellow like Rex come tumbling out of the cart,
-      rather than lift his hand to help a choking pony,&rdquo; and an angry red flush
-      shot over Harry's sun-burned face.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Just at this moment Nan discovered a black curly-headed little pate
-      directly under a hole in the platform, but with Harry at this angry pitch
-      she did not dare to make known her discovery. Presently, when Harry and
-      Rex were busy getting into the cart, and the man's back was turned, what
-      did the little witch do but catch up an old tin pail near at hand, dip it
-      half full of powdered dust from the road, and pour it down through that
-      one small hole in the platform. There was a spluttering sound as of
-      suppressed choking. Nan was the only one that noticed it, but her little
-      face was sufficiently wreathed in smiles to prove that &ldquo;revenge is sweet&rdquo;
-       to the &ldquo;gentler sex,&rdquo; though the revenger be still in pinafores.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0040" id="linkimage-0040"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5066.jpg" alt="5066 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5066.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0041" id="linkimage-0041"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0067.jpg" alt="0067 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0067.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      VIII.&mdash;ON THE WAY HOME
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0042" id="linkimage-0042"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9067.jpg" alt="9067 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9067.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      HEN you will surely send those peaches this afternoon?&rdquo; said Harry to the
-      man, when all was in readiness to turn their faces homeward.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Surely; and if you don't hurry up they'll get there before you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Hurrying was just in Pet's line, and he pricked up his ears as though he
-      fully understood this last remark. Rex gave him the word and away he flew,
-      almost running against the gatepost in his eagerness to be off from that
-      region of coloured boys and peach stones.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Which way shall we go?&rdquo; asked Rex, consulting his little silver watch;
-      &ldquo;we have plenty of time.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course we have,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;and why shouldn't we stop somewhere when
-      there is an elegant luncheon in the bottom of this cart and we have not
-      taken a minute to eat it?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Sure enough,&rdquo; Harry exclaimed, and the children stared at each other with
-      a look of amazement, wondering how it ever could have happened that they
-      should for a moment have forgotten anything so important.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I tell you what let's do,&rdquo; said Rex; &ldquo;let's go home by the Rumson Road. I
-      know a lovely great tree, where we can rest Pet while we eat the
-      luncheon.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry and Nan fell in with the plan, and Pet, who, with true pony
-      instinct, had started the shortest way home, was obliged to
-      right-about-face. There are not many more charming drives than that of the
-      Rumson Road, bordered as it is on one side by beautiful country houses,
-      whose windows command a near view of the river and a distant one of the
-      sea. Luxuriant hedges and evenly trimmed grass-plots line the drive, and
-      here and there a fine old tree throws a grateful shadow athwart the red
-      soil road. Though each of the little trio had been over it many times
-      before, it seemed to-day to wear a new beauty in their eyes, and when they
-      reached a point where it curves gracefully and two grand old places
-      confront each other, Nan's enthusiasm found vent.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Isn't it just too beautiful for anything?&rdquo; she exclaimed. &ldquo;Yes, it is
-      lovely,&rdquo; Rex answered,&mdash;&ldquo;just like the country far away from the sea,
-      and yet you can see the ocean as plain as day.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It is a great pity,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;that plants and flowers won't grow as
-      they ought to, close down to the shore.&rdquo; She was looking at a great bed of
-      flowers in the midst of one of the lawns, and recalling a little company
-      of spindly geraniums, which she had vainly tried to make flourish in her
-      little garden at home, so depressing is the effect of salt sea-fogs and
-      sandy soil upon all growing things. &ldquo;And there are no trees to speak of
-      near the sea,&rdquo; she added, with a little sigh, for she dearly loved the
-      green and the shade of the inland country; &ldquo;nothing but meadows of great
-      coarse grass.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You forgot the lawns round the places on the boulevard, Nan,&rdquo; said Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, to be sure, but the grass only grows there because they have men to
-      sprinkle and 'tend to it all the time. Papa says he could s'port
-      half-a-dozen little girls like me for what it costs for one of those lawns
-      a single summer.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That seems very extravagant,&rdquo; said Regie, who had quite a business way of
-      looking at matters.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think I would like to live back here, where things grow as though they
-      loved it, and not because they are made to,&rdquo; Nan remarked, thoughtfully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Indeed, I know better, Nannie Murray; you love the sea too much to be
-      contented away from it a week,&rdquo; Harry remarked, with brotherly
-      superiority. &ldquo;Why, mother took you to Grandma Murray's when you were only
-      a scrap of a baby, and you cried and fretted so she 'was ashamed of you,
-      and had to bring you home. The moment you caught sight of the sea you
-      crowed and clapped your little hands, and behaved like another baby
-      altogether. No, sir-ree, you'd be sick of living back here in a week.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0043" id="linkimage-0043"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0069.jpg" alt="0069 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0069.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, perhaps I would,&rdquo; Nan admitted, for she knew, after all, that no
-      sound was so sweet in her ears as the roar of the breakers on the beach,
-      nor anything that looked quite so beautiful to her as the dear old ocean,
-      whether under a blue sky or a grey one.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      By this time they had reached Regie's tree. It stood just at the top of a
-      little descent in the road, and not many yards away from one of the
-      numerous railroad crossings which traverse that part of the country.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Rex was helped out to a comfortable seat under it. Harry took Pet out of
-      the shafts and tied him to a rail fence near by, while Nan, a perfect
-      counterpart of her energetic mother, began transferring the luncheon from
-      the basket to the grass, and spreading it out so that it should look as
-      inviting as possible.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Then there was silence as far as any continued conversation was concerned
-      for the space of fifteen minutes. There was an occasional &ldquo;These biscuits
-      are delicious,&rdquo; or a &ldquo;Please pass me the sponge cake,&rdquo; but that was all. A
-      good appetite and plenty to gratify it generally quiets, for the time
-      being, even the most incessant of little chatterboxes.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      When the luncheon was all disposed of, save a few crumbs,&mdash;which, by
-      the way, made a beautiful meal for a family of ants the next day,&mdash;Regie
-      threw himself on his back, and with hands folded under his head, looked up
-      into the boughs, and in dreamy fashion watched the birds flying in and
-      out. Harry whipped the inevitable boat hull out of his pocket and began
-      whittling; and Nan, as any one who knew her could have foretold, soon
-      discovered some sort of wild flowers at a little distance, and wandered
-      off to gather them. They proved to be Black-eyed Susans, as the children
-      call the yellow field daisies; and when she had picked them she discovered
-      a larger growth of the same flower farther on in the midst of one of those
-      luxurious wild &ldquo;hedges, which often flourish along the line of railroads
-      in the country. Of course she must needs have these too, and she hurried
-      to reach them, as though half afraid that someone would seek to rob her of
-      the prize. Eagerly she broke the stems; with a quiet knack placed each
-      flower just where it would most contribute to the effectiveness of her
-      bouquet, and she was just turning to go back to the boys when she spied
-      something large and dark lying right across the track a hundred yards
-      away.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Harry! Reginald!&rdquo; she cried, at the top of her voice, &ldquo;come here, quick!&rdquo;
-       at the same time shading her eyes with her hand, to discover, if possible,
-      what the something might be. Harry was on his feet in an instant, for Nan
-      was hidden from sight, and he feared some accident. Regie reached for his
-      crutches and followed after as fast as he could. It seemed to Nan as
-      though Harry never would come. &ldquo;Look there,&rdquo; she cried, as soon as he was
-      within hearing distance, &ldquo;What can it be?&rdquo; pointing down the track as she
-      spoke.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;My jimini, I believe it's a cow!&rdquo; and, more courageous than Nan, hurried
-      on to investigate. Nan, with a pretty native thoughtfulness, waited till
-      Rex had hobbled up to her, and then they trudged along to join Harry, who
-      had reached the dark object, and stood poking at it with a sharp-pointed
-      stick. Yes, it was certainly a great, dark-red cow, and the little party,
-      gathering around her, stared at her for a few seconds in awe-struck
-      silence.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Is she dead?&rdquo; asked Nan, betraying a world of emotion in her voice.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Looks like it, doesn't it?&rdquo; said Harry, appealing to Regie. Rex shook his
-      head solemnly in the affirmative.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, dear, dear!&rdquo; cried Nan, &ldquo;she'll be run over when the train comes.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It won't hurt her if she is,&rdquo; answered Harry, trying to assume a light
-      tone; but his face plainly showed that he thought it a pretty serious
-      matter.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wonder what we ought to do?&rdquo; said Rex.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think we had better get right off this track this minute,&rdquo; Nan wisely
-      advised, &ldquo;for there's no knowing when a train may come round the curve
-      yonder.&rdquo; So they clambered up the bank and sat down to deliberate.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you suppose she will throw the train off the track?&rdquo; questioned Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't believe so,&rdquo; said Rex, &ldquo;that's what the cow-catcher is for, you
-      know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But the trouble is they don't always catch,&rdquo; remarked Harry, with an
-      emphatic shake of his head.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, do you suppose a train may be coming?&rdquo; asked Nan, with a perceptible
-      little shiver.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How should we know, goosie?&rdquo; answered Harry, with a nervous sort of
-      shrug.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But,&rdquo; questioned Rex, in business-like fashion, &ldquo;what are we going to do
-      about it?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Harry, &ldquo;I don't see that we can do anything. I haven't an
-      idea where this road can run to. Perhaps it is not used now.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, yes, it is,&rdquo; cried Nan. &ldquo;Hark!&rdquo; and she pushed back her sun-bonnet so
-      that she could hear more distinctly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Yes, surely it was a whistle, all three of the children heard it,&mdash;a
-      long way off no doubt; but now they hear it again, and it sounded nearer.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think we ought to run down the track and stop the train,&rdquo; urged Rex.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But how shall we do it?&rdquo; Harry exclaimed. &ldquo;I don't believe they would
-      stop just for our calling; and besides, they might not hear us; we ought
-      to signal somehow.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The words &ldquo;signal somehow&rdquo; suggested a red flag to Nan, for she knew that
-      was what they used at times of danger, and the thought suggested&mdash;well,
-      no matter what, but she disappeared behind a bush, and in a moment
-      re-appeared, waving a veritable little red flag.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Where did you get it?&rdquo; cried the boys both at once, and staring at her in
-      blank astonishment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It is my flannel skirt,&rdquo; Nan replied, with cheeks well nigh as scarlet as
-      the skirt itself.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Good for you, Nan; you're a 'cute one!&rdquo; and Harry quickly fastened the
-      skirt to the same stick with which he had poked the cow. Then he rushed
-      off, calling, &ldquo;Come on, Nan; but Rex had better wait here.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Poor Rex! never had he felt so thoroughly out of patience with that lame
-      leg of his. It seemed so hard not to be able to run with the best of them
-      when there was so much excitement in the wind.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;May I go?&rdquo; said Nan, appealingly, and as though she dared not stir
-      without permission from his little Royal Highness.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course, child,&rdquo; said the king, somewhat ungraciously.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry hurried along the track, and rounding the curve immediately gained a
-      position, from which he knew the little flag could be seen from quite a
-      distance? He reached the spot none too soon, for by this time the train
-      was in sight. Right away he began waving vigorously. Nan's sun-bonnet was
-      hanging from her neck, and she quickly untied the strings and shook it
-      wildly up and down.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0044" id="linkimage-0044"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0073.jpg" alt="0073 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0073.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Harry! do you think they see us?&rdquo; she cried.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;See us! why, they can't help seeing us, goosie.&rdquo; Harry called Nan by this
-      name more often than by any other. He did not mean it unkindly, and Nan
-      did not mind.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;They are slowing up,&rdquo; cried Harry, jubilantly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;They are slowing up,&rdquo; Nan repeated, in the vain hope that Rex might hear
-      her. The next moment the train came to a standstill, and Nan dropped in a
-      limp heap to the ground, for, trembling with excitement, her little limbs,
-      stout though they were, refused longer to support her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, children, what's up?&rdquo; shouted the engineer, from the cab of the
-      locomotive. &ldquo;I hope you ain't stopped the train for the fun of the thing.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I guess not,&rdquo; cried Harry, indignantly. &ldquo;There's a dead cow on the
-      track just round the curve; we were afraid she might throw your train
-      off.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Good for you,&rdquo; answered the man, &ldquo;you may have saved us an ugly accident.
-      Come, Joe,&rdquo; he called to the fireman, as he jumped from his engine. &ldquo;Now
-      show us where she is, Johnnie.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;My name's Harry,&rdquo; suggested that small gentleman, not caring to be
-      addressed by the general title of Johnnie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, then, Master Harry, lead the way.&rdquo; Nan stayed where she was. The
-      excitement of the last few moments had robbed her of all strength;
-      besides, she did not exactly want to see them drag that poor cow from the
-      track. And now the people in the train began to crane their necks from the
-      car windows to ascertain what might be the' cause of the delay. A few men
-      had gotten out and had gone ahead to investigate.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What's wrong, honey?&rdquo; asked an old woman of Nan, whose seat on the
-      embankment brought her just on a level with the window.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There's&mdash;there's a cow on the track,&rdquo; answered Nan, with a big sigh
-      between the two &ldquo;there's,&rdquo; as if her little heart had been quite
-      overburdened.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And de engineer saw it in time to stop de train? Tank de Lord!&rdquo;
-       ejaculated the old woman.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, no, he didn't; <i>we</i> stopped the train,&rdquo; Nan answered, proudly;
-      &ldquo;the engineer couldn't see the cow at all from here.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Bress my heart! how did yer do it, chile?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, with my flannel skirt,&rdquo; Nan explained. She had not noticed that
-      others in the car were listening to their conversation, but at this remark
-      a coarse derisive laugh made her realise that a dozen pair of eyes were
-      upon her. It proved too much for her overstrung nerves. She burst into
-      tears and threw herself flat upon the grass, burying her face in her
-      hands.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Ye'd all oughter be ashamed o' ye'selves,&rdquo; said the old mammy, turning
-      indignantly upon the fellow-passengers, though as much mystified as any of
-      them by Nan's reply to her question.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Meanwhile the cow had been pulled from the track, and Regie and Harry were
-      naturally much elated by the earnest commendation of the passengers who
-      stood about them. &ldquo;Look here,&rdquo; said one of them, evidently a farmer,
-      &ldquo;seems to me we ought to do something for these little people; who knows
-      but some of us might have been in Kingdom Come but for them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's so,&rdquo; answered another passenger, &ldquo;but what can yer do more'n thank
-      'em? they look like gentlefolks' children. I reckon they wouldn't take
-      money for doing a kind turn.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I guess not,&rdquo; said Regie, who had overheard the last remark.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I thought so,&rdquo; answered the passenger, with a knowing wink. &ldquo;He's got the
-      right spirit, but I'd like to know one thing: where did you get that 'ere
-      red flag?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It's my sister's flannel skirt,&rdquo; said Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And who was so awful 'cute as to think of it?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Nan, of course,&rdquo; Harry replied, and as though Nan's &ldquo;'cuteness&rdquo; was
-      a widely-accepted fact.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      They had all been walking back toward the train as they talked, and now a
-      warning whistle from the engineer hurried every one on board. As the
-      wheels of the car began to turn slowly, the old mammy was the first to
-      descry the little flannel skirt, whose mention had caused so much
-      merriment, flying from the stick, which Harry had thrust into the ground
-      when he had no farther use for it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, see!&rdquo; she cried, pointing towards it, &ldquo;that's how she did it&mdash;she
-      did make a flag of it. Now that's what I call 'cute.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Cute, I should say so,&rdquo; exclaimed the passenger who had been talking
-      with Regie. &ldquo;Let's give 'em three cheers as we go, one apiece, and the
-      last and the loudest for the girl&mdash;the smart little owner of the
-      little red skirt.&rdquo; At the sound of the hearty cheering Nan raised her
-      head, with a smile shining through her tears. She had heard the old
-      mammy's exclamation, and then she understood why the people had laughed
-      when she told them she had stopped the train with her flannel skirt. How
-      stupid of her not to have explained that she made a flag of it! Four slow
-      puffs from the locomotive were heard above the cheering, then a dozen
-      short quick ones, and in another second the train had rounded the curve
-      and was out of sight, though for several minutes they could hear the noise
-      of it growing fainter and fainter in the distance.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, now we had better hurry home,&rdquo; said Rex, drawing a long breath. &ldquo;It
-      wall be seven o'clock before we get there, and Sister Julia will be
-      awfully worried.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan readjusted the little skirt that had done such good and novel service,
-      and then they hurried back to Pet and the cart as fast as Regie could
-      manage to get over the ground.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It was indeed nearly seven o'clock before they reached home, and Sister
-      Julia <i>was</i> worried&mdash;worried enough to have been waiting at the
-      gate an hour, peering up and down the road in the deepening twilight,
-      wondering what could have happened, and which way they would come home,
-      and sometimes wondering if they ever would come at all. Oh! how happy she
-      felt when she recognised the patter of Pet's nimble feet on the hard
-      boulevard, long before she could discover the little turnout itself.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Bless your little hearts!&rdquo; she cried, running to meet them, &ldquo;I have been
-      so worried! what has kept you such a long while?&rdquo; The children tried to
-      tell all in one breath. &ldquo;Oh, lots of things,&rdquo; they answered. &ldquo;We had to
-      wait to stop a train because a dead cow was on the track,&rdquo; said Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And Pet almost choked to death on a peach stone,&rdquo; added Rex, &ldquo;and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, wait a moment,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, putting her fingers to her ears;
-      &ldquo;I cannot understand a word if you all talk at once.&rdquo; Mrs. Murray was
-      standing in the doorway; she had felt sure the children would come home
-      all right. &ldquo;How about the peaches?&rdquo; she asked as they came up the path,
-      for all this excitement did not make her forget that everything was in
-      readiness for preserving the next day.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, they'll surely come to-night, the man promised faithfully,&rdquo; Harry
-      answered. &ldquo;Hark! I heard a waggon; I guess they're coming now.&rdquo; Yes, the
-      waggon turned in at the gate, and Mrs. Murray's mind was as much relieved
-      about the peaches as Sister Julia's about the children. The little trio
-      did justice to an ample supper that night, and after an hour's narration
-      of the exciting experiences of the day, they were perfectly willing to
-      desert the open wood fire in the sitting-room for downy pillows and
-      blankets, those comfortable contrivances which waft tired little people
-      into the realm of slumberland.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0045" id="linkimage-0045"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0078.jpg" alt="0078 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0078.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      IX.&mdash;A DAY ON THE BEACH
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0053" id="linkimage-0053"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9078.jpg" alt="9078 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9078.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      T had been arranged that for the first week Regie and Harry and Nan should
-      be allowed to do pretty much as they liked, but after that lessons should
-      be regularly begun with Sister Julia. Rex and Harry had reached about the'
-      same point in their studies, but poor little Nan was a good way behind,
-      farther than her years would warrant. All the winter before she had
-      attended school at the Branch, but she had pleaded very hard not to be
-      sent back again.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It is such a large school,&rdquo; she had told her mother, &ldquo;that when you get
-      ahead they have to hold you back for the other girls, and so you don't
-      learn very much.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Murray could not help smiling at her excuse for having made so little
-      progress, knowing well enough the fault lay in the fact that she could not
-      or would not apply her mind to the task which had been set her, but Nan
-      hailed with delight this plan for studying with Sister Julia. Of course it
-      had to be quite independently of the boys, because they were so far ahead
-      of her, but somehow or other she was really in earnest about the matter,
-      and did get along finely. The greatest incentive to hard study came to her
-      in the mortification she felt one evening at not being able to enter into
-      a game of Regie's, because she could not read the printing on the cards
-      belonging to the game.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0046" id="linkimage-0046"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figright" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/8079.jpg" alt="8079 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/8079.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      Now that the children had settled down to their schooling the time flew
-      faster than ever, and before they knew it, enough days had come and gone
-      to allow &ldquo;Uncle Sam,&rdquo; one morning, to shake a letter out of his mail-bag,
-      directed to Regie and postmarked &ldquo;London.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;See here, Reginald, I've brought something for you,&rdquo; called Captain
-      Murray, coming with the mail, just as the children were setting off from
-      the house, for it was Saturday and they had planned to spend the morning
-      on the beach.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Hurrah! here's another!&rdquo; shouted Regie, for he had already received a
-      steamer letter, which had been mailed when the <i>Alaska</i> touched at
-      Queenstown.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, another letter,&rdquo; answered the captain, handing it to him, &ldquo;and it's
-      a rouser.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie stood irresolute a moment. &ldquo;I tell you, boys,&rdquo; he said, always
-      forgetting that Nan could not be included under this general title, &ldquo;I
-      tell you, I'll save it till we get fixed all comfortable on the beach, and
-      then I'll read it to you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;All right; let's start,&rdquo; said Harry, and the little party started, though
-      Rex had some misgivings as to his ability to master Mamma Fairfax's
-      handwriting, for he knew from the direction that the letter was from her.
-      &ldquo;We haven't played that king game much,&rdquo; he said, as they trudged along.
-      He was able to manage with a little cane now in place of the crutches.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Seems to me we're kind of playing it,&rdquo; answered Harry, glancing down at a
-      heavy rug that he himself was carrying, and then over towards a luncheon
-      basket with which Nan was laden: &ldquo;at any rate the body-guard are sort of
-      waiting on Your Highness.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Harry Murray?&rdquo; cried Nan, resenting the
-      indignity. &ldquo;You oughtn't to expect Regie to help carry things until he can
-      walk as well as you and I do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I hope he'll walk a good sight better than you do before very long,&rdquo;
-       retorted Harry, in a teasing mood. &ldquo;See, Nan, this is the way you always
-      get over the ground,&rdquo; and Harry threw aside the rug the better to imitate
-      Nan's funny gait, characterised by a straightness on Nan's part amounting
-      to an actual bending backward, and a jerky, independent little step. Harry
-      hit it exactly, and Regie laughed immoderately, which was not very polite,
-      considering Nan's gallant defence of him a few moments before. But Nan
-      smiled, too, in spite of herself.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I can't help it if I am too straight,&rdquo; she said; &ldquo;there's one good thing,&mdash;straight
-      people are not so dangerous of having consumption.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Look out, Nan, you'll choke if you use such big words,&rdquo; advised Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, really, I think it would be real fun to play the king game this
-      morning,&rdquo; urged Regie, as they came to a spot on the beach where, by
-      mutual consent, they spread out the rug and sat down.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;All right, then,&rdquo; replied Harry, &ldquo;and I'll be the king.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then I shall not play,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;I am not going to keep changing kings
-      every day.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course not,&rdquo; Regie laughed, &ldquo;you believe in the divine right, don't
-      you, Nan?&rdquo; Regie had just learned what &ldquo;divine right&rdquo; meant, and proudly
-      aired his knowledge.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't know,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;but whenever we play I believe in your being
-      the king; I never could think of Harry as a king for a moment. Besides,
-      you're our company, and we ought to wait on you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Bosh!&rdquo; said Harry, &ldquo;I don't call people what boards in your house,
-      company.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'What boards!'&rdquo; repeated Nan. &ldquo;Well, I should think you'd better brush up
-      your grammar, Mr. Murray. Oh, the letter,&rdquo; she added, nodding in the
-      direction of Regie's pocket.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0047" id="linkimage-0047"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0081.jpg" alt="0081 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0081.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, to be sure; why, I'd almost forgotten it,&rdquo; and Rex drew out his knife
-      and carefully cut the envelope open at one end, after a neat little
-      fashion of his own.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'London, September 19th. My dear Reginald,'&rdquo; he read, then paused, for in
-      the very first sentence he discovered a word that he could not quite make
-      out.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Guess I'd better read it to myself first,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;there may be
-      something private in it.&rdquo; Harry gave a significant cough, which meant that
-      it was easy enough to see through such a flimsy excuse as that. Regie
-      wisely paid no attention to it. Both the children knew it must necessarily
-      be many minutes before they would be favoured with the contents of the
-      letter, so Nan threw herself back on the rug, laid one arm under her head,
-      and gazing out over the ocean gave herself up to the most delightful
-      daydreams. Harry resorted to whittling, that occupation of all leisure
-      moments.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Suddenly, after ten minutes of unbroken quiet, Regie began again, making
-      brief halts now and then before words that still proved a little puzzling.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;London, September 19th.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'My dear Reginald,&mdash;I doubt if there is a half hour in which we do
-      not speak of you, or five minutes in that half hour in which we do not
-      think of you, and so you can understand that we are pretty fond of a
-      little fellow we have left behind us. Indeed, Papa Fairfax said, only a
-      few minutes ago, that he wanted so much to see Regie that if he was not
-      sure that he was very happy he thinks he would have to send some one away
-      to America to bring him over.'&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! do you think he will?&rdquo; questioned Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course not, goosie,&rdquo; Harry retorted, &ldquo;don't interrupt again. Go on,
-      Rex.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &mdash;&mdash;&ldquo;'But if he did,'&rdquo; Regie resumed, &ldquo;'you would have to hurry
-      to catch us, for we shall be obliged to travel pretty fast as soon as we
-      leave London. You do not need to get out the atlas to look up the place
-      where this letter comes from, do you? Even little Nan knows how London
-      looks on the map.'&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Don't believe it,&rdquo; muttered Harry, half under his breath, but loudly
-      enough for Nan to hear him.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do, too,&rdquo; whispered Nan, with a defiant shake of her curls; &ldquo;but please
-      don't interrupt. Go on, Rex.&rdquo; Rex did not mind these interruptions in the
-      least, as they gave him a chance to look ahead a little.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'It is ten years,'&rdquo; he went on, reading slowly, &ldquo;'since Papa Fairfax and
-      I were here before, and we hardly know this London in the sunshine, for
-      the old London of fog and rain, since we are having wonderfully clear
-      weather. I shall have to wait till we reach home to tell you all about the
-      sights of London. When you are older I shall hope to visit with you all
-      the places where Papa Fairfax and I have been this morning,&mdash;Westminster
-      Abbey, and St. Paul's, and the Tower. How you will enjoy the Tower, but in
-      a sad sort of way, because so many sorrowful things have happened there.
-      Last evening we strolled in for a while to see Madame Tussaud's wax
-      figures, naturally looking rather more grimy and dusty than they did ten
-      years ago.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'And now, Rex, I have several other letters to send off by this same
-      steamer, so this must do for the present. Do not forget to write once a
-      week surely, either to Papa Fairfax or to me.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Yours lovingly,
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Mamma Fairfax.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's a nice letter,&rdquo; said Regie, gazing rather wistfully out to sea.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Very nice,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;but you don't want to go, do you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Poor little Nan was blessed with a lively imagination.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      I say &ldquo;poor Nan,&rdquo; for these lively imaginations play such sorry tricks
-      upon the little folk and big folk who happen to possess them. Nan had but
-      to catch a glimpse of the wistful look in Regie's eyes straightway to make
-      up her mind that he was unhappy and lonely, and would gladly leave them
-      all if he could.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, I don't want to go exactly,&rdquo; answered Rex; &ldquo;but I guess you'd feel a
-      little queer sometimes if that great ocean were between you and your
-      father and mother.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I do not believe I'd mind if I was on the same side of it with you,
-      Regie,&rdquo; said Nan, betraying her unbounded admiration for his little Royal
-      Highness.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Nan, you're a regular spoony,&rdquo; remarked Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't know what a spoony is,&rdquo; Nan answered; &ldquo;but of course it's
-      something horrid, or you would not call me one,&rdquo; and she gave a little
-      sigh which seemed to come almost from the soles of her boots. She did have
-      to put up with a great deal of teasing from this brother of hers. Regie
-      came to her rescue.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You're not a spoony, Nan, at all,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;and, Harry, you don't
-      deserve to have a sister. You do tease her awfully.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What's the harm?&rdquo; said Harry, sullenly. &ldquo;But, Nan,&rdquo; he added, &ldquo;I wish you
-      would remember this, that I would not care to tease you if I did not
-      really love you, and that when I stop it will be a bad sign.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What's going on up there?&rdquo; asked Nan, willing to change the subject.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;They're getting ready for a drill at the Life-saving Station,&rdquo; Harry
-      answered, glancing in the direction toward which Nan was pointing. Regie
-      was on the alert in a moment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, are they? do let's go up there. I never saw a drill in all my life,
-      and I never was in a Station but once.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0048" id="linkimage-0048"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0084.jpg" alt="0084 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0084.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      It was an old story to Nan and Harry, but Regie was up and off, and the
-      body-guard must needs follow.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The station was one of those low, oblong buildings, which, dotting the
-      coast at regular intervals, are to be found in the neighbourhood of all
-      sea-shore resorts in the United States, and whose well-trained crew have
-      been the means of saving many, many lives. This one little station at
-      Moorlow had the grand record of having rescued five hundred persons in the
-      nine years since it was established.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What are you going to do?&rdquo; asked Rex, the moment he came within speaking
-      distance of two men who were dropping a coil of rope into a box.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Going to have a drill,&rdquo; one of them answered; &ldquo;there's no telling how
-      soon we may have a wreck, and we must be ready for it. We had two last
-      November.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie was about to say that he hoped they would have at least two this
-      November, but realised what a dreadful wish that would be in time to check
-      himself.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What will be the best place to see it from?&rdquo; he asked. &ldquo;I would not miss
-      any of it for the world.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The men were amused at his earnest manner.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That boat hull will be a good place,&rdquo; said one of them; &ldquo;but you'd better
-      understand about things first. You see we are going to fire a shell out of
-      this here howitzer, and the shell is fastened-to this long coil of rope,
-      so that when it goes whizzing away to the wreck it carries this rope&mdash;the
-      whip-line we call it&mdash;with it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, but where's your wreck?&rdquo; Regie queried.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, yonder,&rdquo; and the man pointed down the beach to where a piece of
-      timber, with cross-pieces resembling a mast, was firmly planted in the
-      sand. &ldquo;There's our wreck, and we are going to send this rope flying over
-      it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And what are you going to do then?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, then, one of the men, who is supposed to be on the wreck, will haul
-      away on the line till the big rope which is fastened to the little rope is
-      drawn over, so that we can send the breeches-buoy buzzing along the line.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The breeches-buoy?&rdquo; questioned Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, to be sure. Have you never seen one?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think not; I was never in a Life-saving Station but once, and that was
-      in the summer, when there was nothing particular going on, and nobody to
-      tell me anything.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then you come right along into the Station with me,&rdquo; said the man,
-      kindly, &ldquo;and I'll show you the breeches-buoy, and some other things
-      besides. Why, there's Captain Murray's children,&rdquo; spying Harry and Nan
-      seated on the sand at a little distance; &ldquo;they know the old Station by
-      heart. Hallo, Nan!&rdquo; he called, &ldquo;come, show this little stranger through
-      the Station.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, that's Reginald Fairfax, Mr. Burton,&rdquo; cried Nan, coming toward them,
-      and in a tone of surprise at such ignorance. &ldquo;He lives at our house, and
-      he's no little stranger at all.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, that's it, is it?&rdquo; said Joe Burton, with elevated eyebrows; &ldquo;well,
-      then, Miss Murray, please have the kindness to show Mr. Fairfax through
-      the Station.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0049" id="linkimage-0049"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0086.jpg" alt="0086 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0086.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Regie would have preferred to adhere to the original plan of having Mr.
-      Burton for a guide, but was sufficiently polite not to betray his
-      preference.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You won't begin the drill before I come out, will you?&rdquo; he called out to
-      Mr. Burton.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Never you fear,&rdquo; was the reassuring answer.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan showed Regie through, and was able to answer all questions to the
-      perfect satisfaction of his little Royal Highness. First they went into
-      the large room where the surf-boat was kept, and the life-saving car,
-      which was oval in shape, with a cover fitting tightly over it. It was
-      large enough to hold five people, and was sent out on the line to a wreck
-      when the weather was too rough for the breeches-buoy. The breeches-buoy
-      was a funny contrivance, made to accommodate one person at a time, and
-      closely resembling a life-preserver in tarpaulin knee-breeches. Attached
-      to it was an arrangement of pulleys and wheels, by means of which it could
-      be run to and fro on a line from the wreck. At the farther end of the room
-      hung the shells which had been fired from the mortar at different times.
-      They were painted red, and each bore in white letters the name of the
-      particular wreck to which it had proved such a welcome messenger.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      From this larger room opened the &ldquo;mess room,&rdquo; a kitchen, where the crew
-      spent most of their time during the long winter months. A steep little
-      stairway ran up from one corner to the loft overhead where the men slept.
-      At one end of it a large window looked out to sea, and from the centre of
-      the room a short flight of ladder-like stairs led into the cupola which
-      surmounted the Station, and from which you see a great distance in every
-      direction. The view from the cupola this clear October morning was
-      glorious.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The water was wonderfully blue, with here and there a white sail skimming
-      over it, as lightly and airily as the fleecy clouds across the blue of the
-      sky. Regie and Nan stood side by side, taking in the beauty of the scene.
-      Presently Nan said, &ldquo;Yes, I do love the ocean so, it seems to me I
-      couldn't live away from it; as though I should die if I had to, the same
-      as little plants and things die without water.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I guess you would,&rdquo; answered Regie; &ldquo;and do you know, Nan, I believe
-      you must have been born on just such a day as this, for your eyes have the
-      same shade of blue in them as the sea. Besides, you are like a little wave
-      anyway, a daring little wave that comes scampering way up the beach and
-      then&mdash;and then&mdash;&mdash;,&rdquo; Rex paused. He was sure he had hold of
-      a very fine idea, but somehow he could not get on. A half-suppressed
-      giggle from the stairway did not help matters much, nor a whispered,
-      &ldquo;Guess you're stuck, old fellow.&rdquo; Harry always had a faculty for turning
-      up when he was not wanted, and never when he was. Nan was thoroughly
-      provoked at him. She liked what Rex was saying about her being just a
-      little wave of the sea, and now she should never know how he was going to
-      finish. But for Rex Harry's coming was quite fortunate, for he was himself
-      quite at a loss to know how he should wind up the flowery little speech
-      begun so bravely.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You two spoonies had better come down,&rdquo; Harry added, descending the
-      little flight of stairs as noiselessly as he had come. Just then one of
-      the men waved his hand as a sign that the drill was about to commence, and
-      the children hurried down to join Harry, where he sat comfortably
-      established on the hull of the old boat. The drill amounted to little more
-      than a series of experiments with the breeches-buoy. The whip-line was
-      shot over the improvised mast, and one after another all the crew got into
-      the buoy and came spinning down the line.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! I should think that would be such fun,&rdquo; said Regie; &ldquo;but unless we're
-      wrecked some day I suppose we'll never have a chance to try it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why not?&rdquo; said Harry; &ldquo;I warrant you they'll let us play with it awhile
-      when the drill's over. I'll ask one of the crew.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Seeing as you're Captain Murray's children we can't refuse you,&rdquo; answered
-      Joe Burton, &ldquo;but look out for yourselves, that you don't get a tumble. The
-      little 'un had better not try it.&rdquo; With Harry's help Rex managed to climb
-      the ladder attached to the mast, and after they had each had two or three
-      rides apiece, Nan could resist the temptation no longer. Watching her
-      chance when the boys were standing for a moment with their backs turned,
-      she clambered up the ladder, and dropped into the buoy. It was a very
-      funny sight, the red-stockinged legs dangling in mid-air, and the blue
-      eyes just peering over the edge of it, for she was such a little tot as to
-      be quite swallowed up by this contrivance intended for grown-up people.
-      But oh! the fun of it. It seemed more like flying than anything else in
-      the world, and in regular turn Harry and Rex and Nan took ride after ride.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0050" id="linkimage-0050"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0088.jpg" alt="0088 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0088.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Never, I venture, did three children enjoy a morning of rarer sport, or do
-      better justice to such a delicious dinner as they found waiting for them
-      when they went home at noon.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0051" id="linkimage-0051"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5089.jpg" alt="5089 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5089.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0052" id="linkimage-0052"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0090.jpg" alt="0090 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0090.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      X. A LAND BREEZE.
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0053" id="linkimage-0053_"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9090.jpg" alt="9090 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9090.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      RIP! drip! drip! that was the sound that woke Sister Julia the next
-      Saturday morning. It was the splash of water dropping from the eaves of
-      the cottage on to the tin roof below. As soon as she heard it she gave a
-      little half sigh, for what did it foretell but a rainy Saturday? and a
-      rainy Saturday in that little cottage was likely to prove rather a sorry
-      affair. In the first place it was a small cottage at any time, and doubly
-      so on a rainy holiday, when three restless children must find their
-      amusement within doors. In the second place, these three little people had
-      a fashion of regarding a rainy Saturday as a sort of personal grievance,
-      and accordingly indulged in considerable fretfulness.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      On this particular morning Master Harry Murray hearing the ominous
-      splashing, tumbled out of bed and flattened his gloomy little face against
-      the pane.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Is it raining?&rdquo; called Nan, in a most woe-begone voice, from her bed in
-      her own room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Raining? I should think so!&rdquo; Harry called back. &ldquo;It's raining cats and
-      dogs, and it is not going to stop for a minute all day. Besides, there's
-      an awful fog. It's pretty hard lines, it strikes me, to study all the week
-      with the sun shining bright, and then have it rain on your only holiday. I
-      just wish I could have the managing of things in this old world for a
-      while.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't, then,&rdquo; called Nan; &ldquo;it would be an awful hard world for girls.
-      You wouldn't think of a thing but just what would please the boys.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry did not hear all of this, for he had flounced back into bed, drawing
-      the blanket tight over his head, as though he meant to stay there for the
-      rest of the day at any rate. Soon certain familiar odours, suggestive of a
-      favourite breakfast, began to steal through his room, and his head
-      gradually appeared above the covers, as though he were debating in his
-      mind whether on the whole it would not be better to get up. A moment later
-      the debate came to an end, for he heard his father's voice, and pricking
-      up his ears it was easy enough to hear what he was saying.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Look here, mother!&rdquo; were the words that reached him, &ldquo;the next time Harry
-      is so late to breakfast he must go without it; I mean it, mother. The boy
-      seems to be losing all regard for discipline. You can't manage a boy
-      without discipline, no more'n a crew.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So it was not strange that Harry no longer questioned the advisability of
-      getting up, but springing out of bed and dressing in a jiffy managed to
-      put in an appearance at the table just as everyone else had finished. Mrs.
-      Murray dropped some cakes on the griddle especially for him, and the lazy
-      little fellow fared much better than he deserved. Mrs. Murray had a very
-      soft spot in her heart for this only boy of hers, and Captain Murray's
-      threat that another time Harry should go fasting set that soft spot to
-      aching, and made her anxious to fortify him against such an emergency by
-      heaping his plate high on this particular morning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now I propose,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, after breakfast, when the children
-      were moping and growling in the sitting-room, &ldquo;that we have regular
-      lessons to-day, and then you can take the first clear day as a holiday
-      instead.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, sir-ree,&rdquo; answered Harry, decidedly. &ldquo;You don't catch me studying on
-      Saturday for nobody.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      He felt rather ashamed of this speech as soon as it was uttered, but this
-      was not a day when he was going to ask any one's pardon, not he&mdash;not
-      even Sister Julia's, though he was very fond of her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You ought to be made to study every moment till you learn enough grammar
-      to know that you ought never to use two negatives in one sentence,&rdquo; said
-      Regie, indignant at the way in which Harry had spoken.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What do you say to that proposition yourself, Regie?&rdquo; asked Sister Julia.
-      .
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, to tell the truth, I don't feel much like it,&rdquo; said Regie; &ldquo;my head
-      aches a little.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And mine aches like everything,&rdquo; and Nan threw herself on to the lounge
-      and plunged her face into the sofa pillow, as though smothering itself
-      were preferable to life on a rainy Saturday.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, dear me! what a disconsolate little trio,&rdquo; cried Sister Julia; &ldquo;the
-      wisest thing doubtless for me to do will be to take refuge in my own room
-      and write some letters. When your troubles grow insupportable, come up,
-      and we'll all try to be as miserable as possible together.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      In their hearts that little trio must have felt very much ashamed of
-      themselves, but they continued to mope and fret for another hour. By this
-      time Mrs. Murray had gotten through with her morning work, and
-      notwithstanding the rain, had gone in the buggy with Captain Murray to
-      take some milk and fresh eggs to a sick woman down at the Branch.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, look here!&rdquo; called Harry, wandering into the kitchen, and discovering
-      that he was monarch of all he surveyed, &ldquo;we've got everything to
-      ourselves, we ought to have a regular good time, and do something
-      unusual.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let's play tag through the doors,&rdquo; cried Nan, proposing a game they were
-      seldom allowed to indulge in because of the general disturbance and
-      racket.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said his little Royal Highness, in an authoritative way, &ldquo;we'll have
-      private theatricals. We'll act out a play,&rdquo; he added, when he saw by Nan's
-      puzzled frown that she did not quite take in his idea.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Good for you!&rdquo; cried Harry, &ldquo;that'll be the greatest fun. But oh! what do
-      you suppose?&rdquo; he exclaimed, suddenly lowering his voice to an excited
-      whisper,&mdash;&ldquo;crouch! crouch down, both of you; this way, close to the
-      window.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What&mdash;what is it, Harry?&rdquo; Nan asked, frightened at this strange
-      performance, and regarding Harry in much the same dazed, sympathetic
-      fashion as she had watched her little kitten endure the horrors of a fit
-      the day before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Drop, drop, both of you!&rdquo; was Harry's hoarse answer. &ldquo;Don't you see? the
-      Croxsons are coming.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0054" id="linkimage-0054"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0093.jpg" alt="0093 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0093.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Oh! that was it, the Croxsons were coming! Regie and Nan quickly obeyed
-      Harry's order.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How many of 'em?&rdquo; asked Nan, from her prostrate position.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The whole five,&rdquo; Harry answered, hopelessly; &ldquo;but I don't believe they
-      can see any of us, and if Sister Julia only does not hear them knock, and
-      come down, they'll go away again and think no one's at home. Now, don't
-      let's say a word.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      There was the patter of two pairs of little feet without, and the scuffle
-      of three pairs of others, and then there came a vigorous knocking at the
-      kitchen door, again repeated after an interval of a few moments. The
-      children held their breath.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Guess they're all out,&rdquo; they heard Joe Croxson say, disconsolately.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think it's kind of mean to keep them out in the pouring rain,&rdquo; Nan
-      whispered.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And I know it is,&rdquo; answered Regie. &ldquo;I say, let 'em in,&rdquo; and it was no
-      sooner said than done.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Immediately the Croxsons crowded in after the manner of a rubber ball
-      which may be forced through a very small aperture. They all contrived
-      somehow or other to get through the door at once, but straightway spread
-      out into so large a company that one could but wonder how they had managed
-      it. None of them spoke a word till they were safely within doors,
-      evidently deeming conversation of no importance in comparison with simply
-      &ldquo;getting in.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We made up our minds you were all out,&rdquo; said Joe Croxson, at last, while
-      the family were in the process of removing damp-smelling outer garments.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We thought we'd fool you a while,&rdquo; Harry answered, with a nonchalant air.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The Croxsons were too glad to have gained entrance to take such treatment
-      much to heart. &ldquo;We've c-c-come to spend the morning, and stay to
-      d-d-dinner, if you want us,&rdquo; said little Madge, who stuttered dreadfully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm pretty sure it won't be convenient to have you stay to dinner,&rdquo; said
-      Nan, who no sooner beheld the shabby little Croxsons disposing themselves
-      about the room with a permanent air, than with charming inconsistency she
-      straightway regretted her noble impulse to let them all in. That they were
-      a shabby little company no one could for a moment deny. The three girls,
-      the youngest little more than a baby, each wore a ragged dress, and for an
-      out-of-door wrap a faded and colourless strip, which collectively had once
-      formed a shawl of their mother's.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The mother herself had died five years ago, and since then the children
-      had managed for themselves as best they could. Their father was fireman on
-      one of the engines belonging to the local road that ran through Moorlow,
-      and the children were alone from morning till night. A poor woman came in
-      every morning to cook their oatmeal and &ldquo;tidy up,&rdquo; but being poorly paid,
-      the tidying up was always hasty, and never thorough. They were rather a
-      stupid-looking set of children, and no wonder! You would hardly expect to
-      find much that was bright in their faces, with so little brightness in
-      their lives; besides, none of them had ever been to school, and Joe, who
-      was the oldest of them all, knew little more than his letters, although he
-      had passed his eleventh birthday. Everyone felt sorry for the Croxsons;
-      and no doubt they would have fared better in one of the large cities,
-      where they would have been reached by some of the organised charities,
-      than in a little place like Moorlow. The rich people, who came in the
-      summer in search of rest and refreshment, did not interest themselves in
-      the villagers, and the villagers themselves were mostly hard-working
-      fishermen with little time or money to devote to others. Had it not been
-      for the Murrays the Croxsons would surely have fared much worse. Mrs.
-      Murray did them many a kind turn, and when Madge had a fever the winter
-      before, Harry or Nan had trudged backward and forward every day with beef
-      tea or some other nourishing food. So there was one bright spot in their
-      lives after all. Indeed, there was more than one, for born by the sea they
-      loved it dearly, and in warm sunshiny weather they romped on the beach the
-      whole day long, keenly enjoying their perfect freedom, and pitying the
-      children obliged to go to school. Nan always spoke of them as the &ldquo;poor
-      little Croxsons,&rdquo; and it was this pathetic side of their history which
-      made her second Regie's motion to open the door.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course we can't play that game now, and all our fun is spoiled,&rdquo; said
-      Harry, seeming to utterly disregard the feelings of the Croxsons.
-      Fortunately they were not sensitive, and their stolid little faces showed
-      no signs either of pain or resentment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, yes, we can,&rdquo; answered Regie; &ldquo;they'll be the audience.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The very thing!&rdquo; cried Nan, enthusiastically. &ldquo;Now, children,&rdquo; turning to
-      the Croxsons, &ldquo;we are going to have a play, and you'll be the audience,
-      won't you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Each little Croxson nodded in the affirmative, though they had not the
-      remotest idea what it was they were to be. They were literally clay in the
-      hands of the potter when they were at the Murrays'. They did not care what
-      was done with them, or to them, so long as they were simply allowed to
-      stay. Harry fancied the idea of an audience, and preparations were at once
-      begun.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0055" id="linkimage-0055"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0096.jpg" alt="0096 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0096.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      The clothes-horse was converted into scenery by covering it with a green
-      plaid blanket-shawl,' the ironing table was pressed into service as a
-      settee for the audience, and the five Croxsons were packed into it in one
-      tightly wedged row. From the commencement of the performance to its tragic
-      end they sat staring in open-eyed astonishment; for they had never seen
-      anything like it before&mdash;nor had any one else, for that matter. The
-      plot of the play beggars description. Suffice it to say that Nan figured
-      as the heroine, with a blue gingham apron for a train and a dish towel for
-      a turban. Harry, muffled in a red table cover, was terrible as a sort of
-      border ruffian, and Regie played the part of Nan's gallant brother. In a
-      greater part of the performance there was so much action, so much rushing
-      on and off the stage, that it was difficult to gain a clear idea of what
-      was really intended; but matters culminated in a hand-to-hand scuffle
-      between Harry and Reginald&mdash;a wooden spoon and a toasting fork doing
-      service as weapons. Finally Harry succumbed, and fell to the ground with
-      the rather inelegant exclamation, &ldquo;Stabbed! stabbed to the liver!&rdquo; and Nan
-      falling in a swoon to the floor was enveloped in the green plaid shawl,
-      which she accidentally pulled down with her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0056" id="linkimage-0056"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0097.jpg" alt="0097 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0097.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Harry! why did you give out?&rdquo; cried Joe Croxson, never more excited
-      in his life.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It was planned for me to die,&rdquo; Harry answered, still lying motionless on
-      the floor. &ldquo;I was Regie's sister's lover, and I'm a fraud and a wretch.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The play had lasted almost an hour, and to the great delight of all
-      concerned.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;P-p-please d-d-do it again!&rdquo; begged little Madge. Rex and Nan were in
-      favour of a repetition, but for Harry the novelty was gone, and novelty
-      was everything with him.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, I've had enough,&rdquo; he said, decidedly, and so the project had to be
-      abandoned. Meanwhile Harry's assertion that it was going to rain all day
-      was fast being contradicted, for it had stopped raining, and now and then
-      the sun shone out bravely through a rift in the clouds. With the sunshine
-      came a distaste for indoor fun, and there was a rush for hats and coats
-      preparatory to a rush out into the November air. Nan, with tender
-      thoughtfulness, had hung the Croxsons' wraps on chairs near the fire, and
-      now they were dry, and as fit for use again as it was possible for such
-      sorry clothes to be. At last all were ready, and Regie hurrying to open
-      the door that led to the porch from the kitchen, found it locked and the
-      key gone. The little party stared at each other. Harry was missing, and
-      nowhere to be seen. Of course he was the guilty one. Then there was a
-      stampede for the sitting-room door. Locked, too, and minus the key. A
-      suppressed titter from the head of the stairs made them all look up.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why don't you go out?&rdquo; Harry giggled; &ldquo;I'd be ashamed if I couldn't open
-      a door.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Come down and give us those keys this minute,&rdquo; demanded Nan, in a tone
-      most unlikely to accomplish her object. Harry only smiled provokingly. All
-      in vain the children begged and coaxed. Finally they scrambled up the
-      stairs to gain possession of them by main force if possible. Meanwhile
-      Nan, evolving a little scheme out of her own head, slipped into Harry's
-      room, appearing again in a trice with his Sunday suit in her hand. Harry
-      had great regard for that Sunday suit, and Nan knew it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Look here, Harry!&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;I will throw this downstairs if you don't
-      give up those keys right away.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You dare!&rdquo; called Harry, still engaged in a scuffle with the boys, &ldquo;and I
-      know what I'll do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Alas! Nan dared, and the precious suit fell in a crumpled mass to the
-      floor below. By a sudden jerk Harry freed himself from his captors, and
-      rushing into Nan's room, dragged pillow and bed-clothes from the bed, and
-      then pitched them over the banisters. In a second they were followed by
-      bolster and mattress. The little Crox-sons and Regie looked on in
-      speechless astonishment The general encounter had reduced itself to single
-      combat between Harry and Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well!&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;mother will soon be home, and then we'll see what will
-      happen. Harry Preston Murray&rdquo; (Nan always called Harry by his full name
-      when out of patience with him), &ldquo;you have an awful temper!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0057" id="linkimage-0057"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figright" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/8099.jpg" alt="8099 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/8099.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'll teach you not to touch my clothes again, any way,&rdquo; Harry answered,
-      carefully shaking and folding the precious trousers.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But you don't know when to stop, Harry,&rdquo; sighed Nan, coming down the
-      stairs and surveying the havoc wrought with real dismay. What would her
-      mother say and do about it? Harry began to have some misgivings of his own
-      on the subject.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You will have to carry all those things up again,&rdquo; she said, in a
-      half-pleading tone.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And I'll help you, though you ought to be made to do it all yourself,&rdquo;
-       added Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry came to the conclusion that he <i>would</i> have to carry them up
-      again sooner or later, and deemed it wise to commence before any one
-      arrived on the scene. Besides, there was an ominous sound of wheels down
-      the road. It might be Captain and Mrs. Murray. Joe Croxson had his own
-      fears regarding this possibility, and beckoning his brothers and sisters
-      into a corner, confided to them that he thought they had better take their
-      departure. &ldquo;There's going to be a row,&rdquo; he whispered, &ldquo;when the old 'uns
-      come home. Harry 'll catch it, and if we don't look out we'll catch it
-      too.&rdquo; To the little Croxsons a hint was sufficient. Owing to certain
-      personal experiences of a painful character, they seemed to live in a
-      constant dread of what they termed &ldquo;catching it.&rdquo; The keys had fallen from
-      Harry's pocket in the confusion, and hurriedly unlocking the door, the
-      whole five slipped out and stole noiselessly away, without so much as
-      saying &ldquo;by your leave,&rdquo; or &ldquo;good-bye,&rdquo; either to host or hostess. Harry
-      and Rex and Nan, toiling, tugging, and shoving the unwieldy mattress
-      upstairs, did not miss them till many minutes afterward. Indeed, they were
-      each too much absorbed with their own thoughts to notice anything. Regie
-      was the only one who saw any funny side to the proceeding, and the corners
-      of his mouth twitched a little. Nan was on the verge of actual tears. The
-      sight of her dainty little pillow shams and coverlid so sadly rumpled was
-      almost too much for her. Harry was indignant over having to undo his own
-      mischief, and did everything in a jerky, disagreeable way. Finally the
-      little bed was in some sort of order, but as Nan was adjusting the pillow,
-      Harry, giving her a shove which sent her into the middle of the bed,
-      exclaimed, &ldquo;You are enough to try the patience of a saint, Nan!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      It needed nothing more to bring Nan's threatening tears to the surface,
-      and lying just where Harry had pushed her, she burst into sobs and tears.
-      If there was one thing Harry hated more than another it was to have Nan
-      cry, and to add to his discomfort Sister Julia came hurrying into the
-      room. She had heard the romping in the hall, but never dreamed that it
-      needed investigation till Nan's crying reached her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, what is the matter?&rdquo; she questioned.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There's a great deal the matter,&rdquo; Regie replied, calmly; &ldquo;and I should
-      think Harry would be ashamed of himself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Nan began it,&rdquo; said Harry, with Adam-like self-excusing. &ldquo;Harry got so
-      mad,&rdquo; explained Regie, excitedly, &ldquo;that he threw&mdash;&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Wait a minute, Regie, let Harry tell me himself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I got so mad,&rdquo; said Harry, using Regie's own words, &ldquo;that I took
-      everything from Nan's bed and pitched it downstairs. Nan threw my Sunday
-      suit down first, or I would never have thought of it. But I helped bring
-      all the clothes up again, so I don't see what she wants to cry about it
-      now for.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I am not crying about that at all, Sister Julia,&rdquo; sobbed Nan, without
-      raising her head; &ldquo;I'm crying because he said 'I was enough to try the
-      patience of a saint.' I don't know what it means, but I think it's an
-      awful unkind thing for a brother to say.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Sister Julia could hardly keep from smiling at this unexpected turn of
-      affairs. Harry and Regie laughed outright, which did not help matters
-      much.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Sister Julia motioned the boys from the room, and sitting down by Nan, on
-      the side of the bed, stroked the brown curls till the sobs grew few and
-      far between. Then she explained that &ldquo;she was enough to try the patience
-      of a saint&rdquo; was not such a very dreadful thing for Harry to have said, and
-      finally induced Nan to admit, smiling through her tears, that both she and
-      Harry were to blame, and that on the whole they had had rather a funny
-      time of it Presently Captain and Mrs. Murray came home, finding everything
-      in order about the house. Only you and Sister Julia, little reader, ever
-      heard the full history of that rainy Saturday morning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0058" id="linkimage-0058"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0102.jpg" alt="0102 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0102.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XI.&mdash;A NEW FRIEND
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0059" id="linkimage-0059"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9102.jpg" alt="9102 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9102.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      T was early in November, but if you had lain by Nan's side on the beach
-      basking in the sunshine you would scarcely have guessed it. The air was
-      mild and warm, and there were no trees near to betray what sad havoc
-      blustering fall winds had made with the foliage. Old ocean was as blue and
-      still as in midsummer, with just a single line of breakers falling at
-      regular intervals on the hard white beach. Nan was fairly glorying in the
-      June-like day, feeling there could hardly be such another till June
-      herself should have come round again. The boys had gone off for the
-      afternoon on some sort of an expedition, never so much as asking her to
-      accompany them, but she was not sorry to be left at home. She was one of
-      those little people who, like some big people, loved to have a chance for
-      a quiet think now and then, and lying there by herself she was supremely
-      happy and tranquil. She had been there fully an hour, and for a while had
-      been busy building a little castle in the sand, making a foundation of
-      clam shells, and using an old bottle for a tower.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Most of the time she had been &ldquo;just thinking,&rdquo; and thinking so hard that
-      she did not notice some one coming nearer and nearer until, suddenly
-      looking up, her eyes met those of a stranger. She was a pretty little
-      picture lying there flat on the sand, with her dimpled face propped
-      comfortably between her hands.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0060" id="linkimage-0060"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0103.jpg" alt="0103 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0103.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wonder what you are thinking about, my little friend,&rdquo; said the new
-      comer, kindly. &ldquo;I know from your face that your thoughts are happy
-      thoughts?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Pretty foolish ones, I guess you'd call them!&rdquo; laughed Nan, for there was
-      something about the stranger that at once won her confidence.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm not so sure of that,&rdquo; he answered; &ldquo;but a stranger has no right to
-      ask you what they were, so good-bye, my little dreamer.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wish you would not go,&rdquo; said Nan, sitting up and smoothing out her
-      dress; &ldquo;I would like to talk to you, because I think you look like a
-      minister, and I never spoke to a real minister before.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, you shall now,&rdquo; he answered, sitting down beside her, &ldquo;for you have
-      guessed rightly, and for that matter there is nothing the minister would
-      rather do than talk to you for a while.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      There was a little pause, and then Nan asked hesitatingly, as though she
-      feared to seem rude, &ldquo;You don't belong about here, do you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, but I almost wish I did. I love the sea with all my heart, so that I
-      have hard work to keep from saying something about it in every sermon I
-      preach. But if I do not belong about here, it is very certain that you do.
-      You must have lived by the ocean week in and week out, to get that shade
-      of blue into your eyes.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's what Reginald says!&rdquo; laughed Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And who is Reginald?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Reginald Fairfax; he's staying with us while his father and mother
-      are in Europe. The poor little fellow broke his leg last summer, and
-      Sister Julia is here too, to take care of him, but he's almost well now. I
-      wish you knew Sister Julia. She comes from one of the great hospitals in
-      New York, and she is the loveliest person you ever saw.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I should say I did know her,&rdquo; answered the minister. &ldquo;She goes to
-      my church in town, and so do Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax; and Regie and I are the
-      best of friends.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, are you Mr. Vale?&rdquo; queried Nan, astonished, for the name of the
-      young minister had often been on Regie's lips.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I am,&rdquo; he answered, laughing, as though he must own up to the truth.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But what are you doing here?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I'll tell you. Do you see that red-tiled cottage yonder?&rdquo; pointing
-      down the beach.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you mean Mr. Avery's?&rdquo; for Nan knew the name of every resident in the
-      neighbourhood of Moorlow.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes; Mr. Avery is a friend of mine, and stays down here, you know, quite
-      late into the fall, so he asked me to bring my sister, who is quite an
-      invalid, to his cottage, thinking the change would do her good. So here we
-      are; we came this morning, but I am obliged to go back to the city again
-      this afternoon.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, dear! I'm sorry for that,&rdquo; said Nan, regretfully, &ldquo;I would so much
-      have liked to hear you preach.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, that is very kind of you. Perhaps you can some time, when you come
-      to New York to visit Regie. By the way, where is he?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, he's off with my brother Harry this afternoon, and I don't believe
-      they'll be home before supper time.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's too bad, but I shall probably see him the next time I come.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, you are coming again then!&rdquo; exclaimed Nan, her face brightening.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, surely. Once a week, at least, so long as my sister stays. And now,
-      suppose you tell me something about yourself. Your name is&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Nannie&mdash;Nannie Murray,&rdquo; answered Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And you live&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;In that brown cottage behind us there on the bluff,&rdquo; nodding her head in
-      the direction of the house.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And you have lived there always?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, sir,&rdquo; she replied, proudly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then you are a fortunate little maiden. To have grown up by the sea is
-      something to be very thankful for. It seems a pity to live in town when
-      one loves the sea and open country as much as I do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why don't you come down here?&rdquo; urged Nan. &ldquo;There are plenty of houses.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But the bother of it is there are plenty of people in town, and the
-      preacher must stay near the people. It is more beautiful and wonderful,
-      you know, to be able to help a soul struggle up toward high-water mark,
-      than even to watch the tide come in as we are doing. But I think I must be
-      talking quite over your head. Now that we are friends, perhaps you will
-      not mind telling me what you were thinking about when I so rudely
-      interrupted you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you see that schooner, away off there?&rdquo; Nan answered. &ldquo;Well, when you
-      came it was right in front of me, and I was pretending it was sailing away
-      to a beautiful island with a crowd of poor city children on board, who had
-      never been very well, or had a very happy time, and I pretended they were
-      already beginning to look fresh and rosy with the salt breeze blowing in
-      their faces; and I made believe that some of the children had a glass, and
-      were looking here at me on the beach, and that some of them thought I was
-      a mermaid, and others a queer sort of a fish. Now I suppose you think
-      those were pretty foolish thoughts, don't you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Not a bit of it. It is like a fairy story, only better. But before you
-      began to build a castle in the air, I see you built a little one here in
-      the sand. I suppose you have peopled this with a lot of queer little
-      people of your own too.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Nan, honestly, &ldquo;I don't make up things much, except when I am
-      just looking out to sea.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Have you ever thought, Nan,&rdquo; said Mr. Vale, earnestly, as he banked up a
-      falling wall of her castle with his hand, &ldquo;that your own life is a sort of
-      little castle, wonderfully made, richly furnished, beautiful and hopeful
-      to look upon? It is fitting that only One should live in that fair house&mdash;He
-      who is purity and goodness and truth Himself. Ask Him to come and dwell
-      within you, to look out of your eyes, to hear with your ears, to speak
-      through your lips, to guide your hands and your feet.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You mean Jesus, don't you?&rdquo; asked Nan, looking frankly into his face with
-      sweet simplicity.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, my little friend, I do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, it is just like a sermon.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But you said, you know, that you would like to hear me preach.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I did,&rdquo; answered Nan, thoughtfully, gathering up a handful of sand
-      and letting it sift through her fingers, &ldquo;and I like your preaching; I
-      like it very much indeed.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; and Mr. Vale looked as though he deeply appreciated Nan's
-      honest praise; &ldquo;but it is high time the preacher was off. There is the
-      train whistle now! give my love to Regie, and I shall surely run over to
-      see him next week when I come down.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan watched her new friend hurrying away to the station, and stood
-      transfixed till a low sand-hill hid him from sight. Then she scampered to
-      the house to tell of her good fortune.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      As soon as Regie came home, and while he was making a hurried toilet for
-      supper, Nan ran into his room, and curling herself up on the window-box,
-      commenced, for the third time (for Sister Julia and Mrs. Murray had
-      already been favoured), to give an excited narration of the afternoon's
-      experiences.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Regie!&rdquo; she began, &ldquo;I've had the most splendid time&mdash;a good long
-      chat with a real live minister. He came from the city, and he told me the
-      nicest things, sort of preached, you know; and he loves the sea just as
-      much as I do, and his sister is staying up at the Averys', so he's coming
-      again. He's a young minister, Regie, and he has the loveliest face.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't like men with lovely faces,&rdquo; said Regie, scornfully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, you'd like his face, Regie. It was like a great strong angel's
-      face, and he told me he knew you, and for me to give you his love, and to
-      tell you that when he came again he would surely come and see&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You don't mean Mr. Vale, do you?&rdquo; cried Regie
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's just who I do mean,&rdquo; Nan answered, complacently.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, dear me! why wasn't I round? Are you sure he's coming again?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; said Nan, wondering if it was selfish to be glad that just this
-      once Regie had not been &ldquo;round&rdquo; at all, and that she had the young;
-      clergyman quite to herself.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0061" id="linkimage-0061"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5107.jpg" alt="5107 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5107.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0062" id="linkimage-0062"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0108.jpg" alt="0108 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0108.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XII.&mdash;THE STARLING RUNS ASHORE
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0063" id="linkimage-0063"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9108.jpg" alt="9108 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9108.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      ERTAIN unmistakable signs were in the wind by which anyone could have told
-      that, Thanksgiving Day was comparatively close at hand. There was a
-      vigorous stoning of raisins on the part of Mrs. Murray, an odour of cider
-      in the air which pointed plainly to the concoction of mincemeat, and Nan
-      was confident she detected the largest turkey scratching round the yard in
-      a nervous, timorous sort of way, as though he knew his days were numbered.
-      By the calendar the eventful occasion was still ten days off, when one
-      cold and blustering afternoon Captain Murray came home from the
-      Life-saving Station, and into the cosy kitchen.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0064" id="linkimage-0064"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0109.jpg" alt="0109 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0109.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;If I'm not very much mistaken,&rdquo; he said (and in the matter of weather
-      Captain Murray seldom was mistaken), &ldquo;we are in for a pretty heavy storm.
-      We shall need to be on the look out, every man of us at the Station, the
-      whole night through. Give us a hearty supper, Mollie, that'll keep a
-      fellow well braced till morning.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do I ever put you off with a poor supper, Epher?&rdquo; asked Mrs. Murray,
-      reproachfully, pausing a moment in her mixing of some gingerbread in a
-      large yellow bowl.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Never with a poor supper, mother, only you know what I mean. Give us sort
-      of an extra touch to-night.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Murray knew as well as could be what her good husband meant by &ldquo;an
-      extra touch,&rdquo; and soon the waffle-iron was taken from its hook and Harry
-      was on his way to the cellar to fill the maple syrup cup. It was one of
-      those nights when a cosy, comfortable home seems doubly comfortable and
-      cosy, and very reluctantly Captain Murray put on his great coat to go back
-      to the Station as soon as supper was over. The rain was falling in
-      torrents now, and as he opened the sitting-room door, a gust of wind
-      whipped in, sending the papers on the table whirling to the floor and
-      overturning the lamp, which fortunately went out as it fell. When order
-      was again restored, Sister Julia began reading a bright little story aloud
-      to the children by way of cheering them up a bit. Even Harry was quite
-      overawed by the violence of the storm, for by this time it was violent.
-      The wind was blowing a gale now, and it had grown so cold that the fire
-      had to be constantly replenished to keep the room comfortably warm. At
-      nine o'clock the children went upstairs, and were glad enough to hurry
-      into bed, for on such a night as this it was impossible to heat the upper
-      story of the little cottage.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm glad there's a great big lighthouse at the Highlands,&rdquo; Regie called
-      out after he had gotten into bed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;So am I,&rdquo; answered both Nan and Harry, and with this comforting thought
-      in mind they all fell asleep. But Sister Julia and Mrs. Murray scarcely
-      closed their eyes the whole night long. Sometimes it seemed as though the
-      little cottage could not hold its own against such a terrific blow. At
-      daybreak Mrs. Murray came up to Sister Julia's room, to find her already
-      dressed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think there's something wrong at the Station,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Hereward and
-      Ned have been barking and bounding about in the most excited fashion for
-      the last half-hour. Then, when the wind dies down for a second, I think I
-      can hear the voices of the men calling to each other.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, and look here,&rdquo; answered Sister Julia, pressing her white face close
-      to the pane; &ldquo;I imagine I can discover the masts of a schooner near the
-      beach.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, surely; there must have been a wreck,&rdquo; and Mrs. Murray threw open
-      the window to see more clearly. &ldquo;Hark!&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;now don't you hear the
-      men?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course I do,&rdquo; cried Sister Julia; &ldquo;and I can stand it no longer. I
-      must bundle up and go down and see for myself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! my child, you ought never to go,&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs. Murray, but at the
-      same time she helped her to hurry into her heavy ulster. &ldquo;Oh, dear! I've a
-      good mind to go with you; but no, it will not do to leave the children.
-      Send one of the men up though, as soon as possible, to let me know what
-      has happened, and that you have reached the Station without being blown
-      away.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So out into the storm went Sister Julia, and Hereward and Ned were at her
-      side in an instant. The rain had ceased falling, but the wind still blew a
-      hurricane, and in walking from the cottage to the station all her strength
-      was needed to bear up against it. She had gone but a little way before she
-      discovered that a schooner <i>had</i> run ashore, and she tried to quicken
-      her steps, fearing and yet anxious to know the truth. Just here I would
-      tell my young reader that this story, so far as it relates to the work
-      done that morning by the Life-saving crew, is every word true. Somebody,
-      whom I choose to call Captain Murray, could show you a letter, sent, in
-      company with a gold medal, from the Government at Washington, and written
-      in appreciation of his gallant services and those of his brave crew, and
-      in which you could read a graphic narration of all that happened that
-      eventful November morning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      As Sister Julia neared the Station she heard the men shouting to each
-      other in such cheery tones that she felt sure no lives could have been
-      lost, and her heart grew lighter. The crew were at some sort of work down
-      on the beach, and unnoticed by anyone she entered the Station from the
-      landward side. The large room was empty, but the door stood open into the
-      kitchen, and there what a strange sight met her eyes! Four men were
-      huddled round the stove trying to get a little warmth into their
-      half-frozen bodies. On one blanket on the floor, covered by another, lay a
-      poor woman, who looked half-dead; and seated on a stool near her was
-      Captain Murray, endeavouring to remove the dripping clothing from a
-      screaming baby lying across his knees.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0065" id="linkimage-0065"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0111.jpg" alt="0111 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0111.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;God bless you!&rdquo; he exclaimed, looking up and discovering Sister Julia,
-      &ldquo;you've come in the nick of time. We've just brought these poor wretches
-      in from the wreck yonder, and I've sent Burton up to the house to get some
-      dry duds for the woman and this baby,&rdquo; and he laid the soaking little
-      specimen of humanity in Sister Julia's arms.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now, my hearties,&rdquo; he said cheerily, turning to the men, &ldquo;hurry up to the
-      loft, strip off your wet clothing, wrap yourselves in the blankets you'll
-      find there, and turn into the bunks. You'll have to stay there till your
-      clothes are dry, but I reckon you're tired enough to be willing to. We'll
-      get you up some breakfast as soon as possible. Now I'm off,&rdquo; he added,
-      turning to Sister Julia. &ldquo;I am needed on the beach more than here.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The shivering little company about the stove promptly and gladly obeyed
-      Captain Murray's orders, and Sister Julia, having succeeded in quieting
-      the baby, began to remove its draggled clothing. Just then someone came in
-      from the large room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There were no lives lost, were there?&rdquo; she asked, eagerly, without
-      looking up, presuming it to be one of Captain Murray's crew, and in the
-      same instant the newcomer asked the same question of her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, no lives lost,&rdquo; answered the woman on the floor, in a weak, exhausted
-      voice. The new comer was Mr. Vale, who had come down to Moorlow the night
-      before, and Sister Julia was glad enough to welcome him, for she needed
-      someone to aid her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;My poor woman, you ought to get that wet clothing off at once,&rdquo; said Mr.
-      Vale, bending over her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I know it, sir, but I'm that weak.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I can attend to her now, if you'll take the baby,&rdquo; said Sister Julia.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;With the greatest of pleasure,&rdquo; and Mr. Vale took the blanketed baby into
-      his arms, with a knack that showed his love for children. Straightway he
-      went up aloft, with the little stranger gazing comfortably over his
-      shoulder, to enquire for the welfare of the men. No sooner had he gone
-      than Burton came hurrying in with the bundle of clothing which Mrs. Murray
-      had gotten together. Quickly and skilfully Sister Julia helped the woman
-      to make the change, and had but just finished buttoning a warm flannel
-      wrapper about her when, overcome by fatigue, she fell asleep in the chair
-      in which she was sitting.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;These good people had better have something to eat as soon as possible,&rdquo;
-       said Mr. Vale, returning down the narrow stairway, &ldquo;and if you can show me
-      a place to put this baby, for it is fast asleep, we'll see about getting
-      some food ready for them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Here's a good place for it,&rdquo; and Sister Julia let down a wide shelf that
-      was fastened against the wall, and with her ulster rolled up for a pillow,
-      made the little waif very comfortable, for it was too young a baby to be
-      in danger of rolling off. Captain Murray put his head in at the door just
-      then with a most anxious face.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It is raining,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;and the storm is increasing every moment. I
-      can't spare one of the men, for we must lose no time in getting the
-      life-saving tackle in order, though it is not probable we shall need to
-      make use of it twice in one morning. Do you think you can manage to get a
-      breakfast together, Sister Julia?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Aye, aye, sir,&rdquo; answered Mr. Vale, cheerily, &ldquo;we'll attend to that.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That must be Nan's new friend,&rdquo; thought Captain Murray, but he could not
-      take the time to find out, and hurried away, feeling that he had left his
-      shipwrecked party in good hands. Then Mr. Vale and Sister Julia set right
-      away to work to investigate the supply of provisions in the Station. Mr.
-      Vale peered into boxes, and Sister Julia lifted covers of crocks and
-      dishes, and then they looked at each other rather blankly, for they were
-      disappointed at the result.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I have it,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, after a moment's thought. &ldquo;The best thing,
-      I think, would be for you to put on your coat and make your way as best
-      you can to Mrs. Murray's. She will have the oatmeal on the fire by this
-      time,&rdquo; glancing at the clock on the high shelf overhead, &ldquo;and it would be
-      just like her, remembering the hard work going on down here, to have made
-      a larger quantity than usual.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Mr. Vale was off in a moment, and then Sister Julia made preparations for
-      boiling the coffee, carrying the coffee-mill into the larger room, so as
-      not to wake the baby and its mother with the clatter of the grinding.
-      Afterward she set the little table as best she could, and slicing some
-      stale bread she had found in the closet, placed it at one side ready for
-      toasting. So she busied herself about one thing and another till there was
-      nothing more to be done. It seemed to her as though Mr. Vale would never
-      come back, but in a really marvellously short space of time there was a
-      tramping outside the door, and in came a little party, well laden with tin
-      pails and baskets. They were all there&mdash;Mrs. Murray and Nan, Reginald
-      and Harry; and indeed all were needed, to carry safely through such a
-      storm as that the generous breakfast which Mrs. Murray had prepared; and
-      the whole family at once set about serving it. The children trudged up and
-      down the steep stairway, carrying the steaming coffee and oatmeal to the
-      men in the loft.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Bless your little heart!&rdquo; said one of the men, as he took a brimming cup
-      from Nan's hand; but the others seemed too hungry to take time to say so
-      much as &ldquo;thank you.&rdquo; Sister Julia woke the tired mother, who fell asleep
-      again as soon as she had eaten a little, and then she quieted the baby,
-      who had begun to cry lustily, with a breakfast of warmed milk served in a
-      ginger-ale bottle. As soon as she could be spared, Mrs. Murray put on her
-      cloak and hurried down to the beach to see how that good captain of hers
-      was enduring all this excitement and fatigue. For the captain, as he
-      himself said, &ldquo;was not so young as he once was,&rdquo; and could not stand up as
-      well as in other days against wind and weather.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Mollie!&rdquo; he called, as soon as she came near enough for his voice to
-      reach her, &ldquo;go back to the Station; you'll catch your death o' cold in
-      this driving wind.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No fears for me, Epher,&rdquo; she called back, &ldquo;but you must go right up to
-      the Station yourself, you and the men, and get some breakfast, or you'll
-      be down sick, every one of you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0066" id="linkimage-0066"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0115.jpg" alt="0115 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0115.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      All hands were only too glad to obey this order, for the lifesaving
-      apparatus was again intact, and they were very hungry. Filing into the big
-      room, they laid aside their tarpaulins, and then sat down to a better
-      breakfast than ever before graced their mess table. It did Mrs. Murray's
-      heart good to see how thoroughly they enjoyed it, and when the captain
-      said, &ldquo;I'd like to see the wife that can compare with Mollie Murray,&rdquo; the
-      colour flushed proudly into her face.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It was eight o'clock when the hungry party finished breakfast, and they
-      were just pushing their chairs back from the table when one of their crew,
-      who had been left on the beach on patrol duty, threw open the door and
-      called for aid.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Can it be possible that we are to have another wreck this morning?&rdquo;
-       thought the captain, as he and his men hurried into their tarpaulins, and
-      rushed out of the Station. But alas! it was possible, for a short distance
-      up the beach another vessel was stranded. In a moment the little house was
-      quite deserted. Calling for their clothes, the men who had been rescued
-      from the <i>Starling</i> got into them, wet as they were, and, accompanied
-      by Mr. Vale, hastened to render what service they could. Notwithstanding
-      the commotion the mother and baby still slept quietly on in the kitchen,
-      while Sister Julia, Mrs. Murray, and the children crowded into the seaward
-      window of the loft, to watch as best they could the terribly exciting
-      scene taking place below them on the beach.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0067" id="linkimage-0067"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5116.jpg" alt="5116 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5116.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0068" id="linkimage-0068"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0117.jpg" alt="0117 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0117.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XIII.&mdash;THE WRECK OF THE SPANISH BRIG.
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0069" id="linkimage-0069"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9117.jpg" alt="9117 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9117.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      HE storm that culminated on that November morning was the worst that had
-      been known on the Moorlow coast for years. The wind, which was north-east,
-      blew a hurricane averaging eighty-four miles an hour. The beach was
-      flooded by a furious surf, and, strangely enough for that time of the
-      year, the weather was freezing cold. In less than ten minutes after the
-      second vessel stranded Captain Murray's crew was abreast of her, but in
-      the meantime she had worked to within a hundred yards of the beach, and
-      Joe Burton, running down behind a receding wave, cast a line on board with
-      a vigorous throw of the heaving-stick.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Hurrah for Burton!&rdquo; cried Harry. &ldquo;He's a fine fellow, I tell you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0070" id="linkimage-0070"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0118.jpg" alt="0118 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0118.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      As soon as the line reached the ship, the sailors on board of her tugged
-      away at it until they had pulled up the larger line, on which Captain
-      Murray purposed to send out the breeches-buoy. But before the buoy could
-      be rigged up, the sailors, ignorant of his purpose, showed that they were
-      going to endeavour to reach the land by coming hand-over-hand along the
-      rope. Captain Murray and his men shouted from the shore, and wildly
-      gesticulated, for it seemed impossible that any of them could reach the
-      shore alive in that way. The surf was very violent, but the greatest
-      danger lay in the fact that the position of the brig in the set of the
-      strong current caused an enormous swirl of water between her and the
-      beach, which retained eddying masses of wreckage, mainly cord-wood from
-      the wreck of the <i>Starlings</i> and which masses were continually swept
-      out by the undertow, and hurled in by the breakers.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, those foolish men! those foolish men! why don't they understand and
-      see their danger?&rdquo; cried Sister Julia, attempting to draw the children
-      away from a sight so distressing; but the boys were immovable. Mrs.
-      Murray, Sister Julia, and Nan went down to the little kitchen to wait,
-      since they no longer had the heart to watch.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There, one of the fellows has started!&rdquo; cried Harry, with long pauses
-      between his sentences, &ldquo;and he's all right so far. No; my goodness, there
-      he goes! a wave has flung him over the rope, and his head is caught
-      between the cords of the whip-line. He will choke to death. No! there goes
-      Burton again right into the surf holding on to the line. There! he's got
-      him, he's got the sailor; but how can he ever bring him to land? See, Rex,
-      he's clinging to a piece of driftwood with one hand, and holding on to the
-      sailor with the other.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! but another man is trying it now!&rdquo; exclaimed Rex. &ldquo;Oh! why don't they
-      wait? Look there&mdash;and another one of the crew has plunged in after
-      him; but, goodness! the driftwood has knocked him completely under. Ah!
-      there go two more of the men in to his rescue, and Burton is in the
-      breakers again, too. Who's that with him, Harry?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I can't make out, but&mdash;hurrah! they've reached the sailor; they'll
-      save him, I know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      And Harry was right; they did save him, and five others besides, all of
-      whom attempted the same foolhardy method of reaching the land, and all of
-      whom were rescued by the same hand-to-hand struggle in the surf on the
-      part of Captain Murray's gallant crew.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0071" id="linkimage-0071"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0120.jpg" alt="0120 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0120.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I never saw such bravery, never!&rdquo; called Mr. Vale, and it could plainly
-      be seen that his enthusiasm cheered the men wonderfully in their perilous
-      work. He longed to plunge in with them, but he knew that he would be
-      powerless to render any aid. It was their long experience that was
-      standing the crew in such good stead. By this time a crowd had gathered on
-      the beach, that is, every able-bodied resident of Moorlow was there, and
-      as the last sailor was brought safely to shore a hearty cheer went up
-      that, for the moment, even rose above the pounding of the breakers on the
-      shore. Stretched on the sand, in such shelter from the wind and rain as
-      the side of the surf-boat afforded, the disabled seamen were laid. They
-      were all Spaniards, and only two of them were able to stand upon their
-      feet.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Which of you is captain of the brig?&rdquo; asked Captain Murray, looking
-      kindly down upon this second group of shipwrecked mariners.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;He no here,&rdquo; answered one of them who had been the least hurt, in broken
-      English; &ldquo;when he think his ship go to pieces, he go below and make
-      hisself dead;&rdquo; but the man's gestures told more plainly than his words
-      that the captain had shot himself in the head.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Captain Murray turned to his men with a look that meant, &ldquo;Our work is not
-      over yet.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What shall be done with these poor fellows?&rdquo; ventured Mr. Vale, when he
-      saw that the thought of how he should reach the man still on the brig had
-      driven all other thoughts from the captain's mind.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Lord knows!&rdquo; answered Captain Murray, sorely puzzled. &ldquo;It'll be more'n a
-      week before some of them will get out of bed, when they once get into it.
-      There's some ugly bruises among 'em.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you think we could make them comfortable in the chapel on the beach
-      yonder? It would serve splendidly for a hospital.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The very thing! I'll leave the arrangements to you, sir,&rdquo; said Captain
-      Murray, confident now that this really was Nan's new friend, the minister,
-      about whom she had talked so much.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The first thing to be done was to get the exhausted Spaniards up to the
-      Station, where Rex and Harry and Nan, with excited, earnest faces, waited
-      to receive them. Over and over again the children had begged and entreated
-      to be allowed to run down to the scene of the wreck, but Mrs. Murray had
-      thought best to refuse them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Captain Murray could not have left the preparation of the hospital in
-      better hands than Mr. Vale's. Won by his handsome face and simple manner,
-      the villagers crowded about him, eager to do his bidding. The sexton of
-      the little church hurried home for the keys as fast as his rheumatic old
-      limbs could carry him, and with the aid of Joe and Jim Croxson, he soon
-      had a roaring fire blazing in the big chapel stove. Two men, harnessing up
-      Captain Murray's Dobbin with all possible haste, drove to the Branch for
-      doctor and surgeon, for both were needed. Two others, borrowing the
-      largest waggon the town afforded, went off for a load of cots. There was
-      something for every one to do, and every one was happy in doing it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0072" id="linkimage-0072"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0122.jpg" alt="0122 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0122.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Meanwhile Captain Murray was hard at work in an effort to board the brig,
-      with such of his crew as were still able to assist him. Three of his men
-      had been helped or carried to their homes, too much exhausted and bruised
-      to be of further service. When at last the little party had succeeded in
-      reaching the brig, they had the good fortune to find the captain still
-      alive, but unconscious from the ugly wound he had himself inflicted. They
-      wasted no time in lowering the poor fellow into the surf-boat, and then
-      made for the shore, for the vessel was fast going to pieces. The rescue of
-      the Spanish captain completed the heroic labours of Epher Murray's crew
-      for that morning, and the brave and wearied fellows went to their homes
-      for a well-earned rest. Half-a-dozen fishermen volunteered their services
-      to get the tackle once again in order. Indeed, none of the Moorlow people
-      thought of setting about their regular occupations that eventful November
-      morning, and all seemed proud to lend a hand in whatever way they could.
-      Fortunately in a few hours the crew of the <i>Starling</i> were so far
-      refreshed and rested as to be sent by the afternoon train to New York,
-      where most of them lived when on land. There was literally no place in
-      Moorlow where they could have been accommodated, unless in the chapel,
-      that was fast being converted into a hospital. Sister Julia was
-      superintending the work there, and by four o'clock everything was in
-      readiness. Mrs. Murray had devoted her time to caring for the crew of the
-      brig in the Life-saving Station. As soon as damp clothing had been
-      removed, those who had sustained the severest injuries were made
-      comfortable on mattresses brought from the bunks in the loft, and laid on
-      the floor of the large room. The surgeon and doctor found considerable to
-      do when they arrived, and the captain's wound claimed their first
-      attention.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Sister Julia had remained to wait upon them, until all the bruises and
-      wounds had been dressed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Murray had improved the
-      opportunity to slip home and prepare a second breakfast, and Harry and Rex
-      and Nan again trudged to and fro, laden with good things, only with much
-      less difficulty now, for the storm had greatly abated.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      All through that busy day of preparation, Ned and Hereward had kept up an
-      incessant racing in and out of the chapel. Now and then they would brush
-      against Sister Julia's black dress, and she could never resist the
-      temptation, no matter how busy she might be, of giving them a friendly
-      little pat. Then the two fellows would go bounding out of doors, as though
-      through her touch they had received some special command which they must
-      hasten to execute.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Early in the morning, to meet the first need of the surgeon, Sister Julia
-      had taught some of the women, who were helping in the chapel, how to
-      prepare a bandage. She showed them how they must tear off the muslin in
-      strips, twice the width needed, and then must fold them evenly lengthwise
-      through the centre, and cut them apart with scissors, because tearing both
-      edges was likely to stretch them. Then she instructed them in the art of
-      &ldquo;rolling firmly,&rdquo; for there is not a more useless thing in the world than
-      a poorly-rolled bandage. As she sat now by the side of one, and now by
-      another, she would ask some simple question betraying her deep interest in
-      them, and so more than one Moorlow woman, almost unconsciously, unburdened
-      her heart to this new sweet friend, or told the story of her life. As Mr.
-      Vale's work threw him into the company of many of the men, one after the
-      other, he would enter into a friendly conversation with them, and some of
-      the Moorlow men had their eyes opened to the fact that a minister might be
-      something more than a mere preacher, standing quite apart from the common
-      interests of their lives; that he might be an earnest, sympathetic man, a
-      man subject to the same temptations and same trials as themselves, but
-      able to rise above them, and even triumph in them, through the Spirit of
-      God, which not only was in him, but which shone out in well-nigh every
-      look and word and deed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Oh! how welcome was the sight of the beds and the cheery fire to the eyes
-      of those Spanish sailors, when they were tenderly carried into the chapel
-      at sunset. Only a few hours before they had thought the bottom of the
-      ocean would be the only bed they should ever know. No wonder their faces
-      looked grateful and happy, notwithstanding every one of them was suffering
-      more or less from the injuries he had received. When at last there was
-      nothing more to be done, and with the exception of Sister Julia and her
-      assistants the Moorlow folk were making ready to go home, the Spanish
-      captain, who had regained consciousness soon after being brought ashore,
-      beckoned to Mr. Vale. The poor fellow was quite too weak to speak, but
-      knowing him to be a minister, he glanced round the chapel, and then,
-      slightly raising his hand, pointed upward. Mr. Vale readily understood
-      that the captain did not want the little company to break up till they had
-      united in thanking God for the preservation of the crew of his vessel.
-      Stepping into the reading desk, he easily gained the attention of
-      everyone.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The captain of the <i>Christina</i>,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;has indicated to me that
-      he would like us to give God thanks for the rescue of his crew. Will as
-      many of you as are willing remain for a few moments?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0073" id="linkimage-0073"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0125.jpg" alt="0125 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0125.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      The women and children took their seats in the pews near which they were
-      standing, and not a man went out. Never was a sweeter or more earnest
-      service held in the little chapel, and there were tears in many eyes at
-      its close. Every face looked tranquil and happy. For one whole day those
-      Moorlow folk had not had so much as a thought of self, and nothing brings
-      a happier look into the face than pure unselfishness. It had been a
-      wonderful day for them all, and who of the number would ever forget it?
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Out into the glow of the sunset and homeward went the little congregation,
-      leaving Sister Julia and three or four women whom she had chosen as
-      assistants in charge of the hospital. Regie and Harry and Nan, reluctant
-      to leave, lingered in the doorway, till Sister Julia came and urged their
-      going.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Come, children,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;hurry home. Little Nan there looks ready to
-      drop.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I am tired,&rdquo; Nan admitted; &ldquo;it has been such a long, long day,&rdquo; and
-      without further urging the little trio trudged silently home; silently,
-      because they had so much to think over. Two shipwrecks in one day! Regie
-      remembered self-reproachfully that he had had his wish. For Nan, the
-      excitement and fatigue had proved too much, and she fell asleep at the
-      table before she had eaten a mouthful of supper, and knew nothing more
-      till she woke late the next morning, with the sunlight streaming so
-      brightly into her room as to make storms and shipwrecks seem the most
-      improbable things that could ever happen.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0074" id="linkimage-0074"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0126.jpg" alt="0126 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0126.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0075" id="linkimage-0075"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0127.jpg" alt="0127 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0127.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XIV.&mdash;A PUZZLING QUESTION
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0076" id="linkimage-0076"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0127.jpg" alt="0127 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0127.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      ITH so many willing hearts and hands at their service, it had been an easy
-      matter to convert the chapel into a hospital; but now that it was
-      converted, where was the money to come from to run it? The surgeon had
-      said he thought it would be fully two weeks before the captain, and the
-      two men who had been most badly hurt, would be about again, and in the
-      meantime there were medicines to be bought and food to be provided for the
-      entire party. Sister Julia knew well enough that there was no money to
-      spare for the purpose in Moorlow, and they could hope for no remuneration
-      from the poor sailors. With the wreck of his vessel and his cargo the
-      captain himself had lost everything, and he had told Sister Julia &ldquo;he had
-      not even a penny left to go toward paying off his crew.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So it happened one afternoon, a day or two after the wreck, that Sister
-      Julia, wrapping a shawl about her, left her patients in charge of her
-      assistants, and went out on the beach to get a breath of fresh air, and
-      try and think her way out of this money difficulty.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      She had not gone far before she heard voices behind her, and turned to see
-      Mr. Vale, with Regie and Harry and Nan, hurrying after her. They had hold
-      of hands, and, stretched in one long line, looked like quite a formidable
-      little party, as they came toward her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0077" id="linkimage-0077"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0128.jpg" alt="0128 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0128.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We have come to take you prisoner for neglect of duty,&rdquo; said Mr. Vale, as
-      the line formed into a circle and shut her in.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Not exactly neglect of duty,&rdquo; laughed Sister Julia; &ldquo;my thoughts are all
-      with the hospital. I have been racking my poor brain to know where the
-      money is to come from to support our patients up yonder.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I knew that must be troubling you,&rdquo; Mr. Vale answered; &ldquo;and I came
-      down purposely to talk matters over with you. This log looks long enough
-      to hold five people comfortably. Suppose we sit down here a few moments.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So they ranged themselves on the piece of timber, which had been stranded
-      from the wreck of the <i>Starling</i>, and which two days of sunshine had
-      thoroughly dried.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Mr. Vale, &ldquo;let us proceed to business. Suppose we have these
-      men on our hands for two weeks, how much do you think it is going to cost
-      us?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That is what I have been trying to get at,&rdquo; replied Sister Julia; &ldquo;all
-      the bedding and things must be paid for, and there is the coal, which we
-      are burning at a lively rate the whole twenty-four hours. These women who
-      help me can't afford to work without wages, though they would be willing
-      enough to, and Bromley the sexton must have something, for he's up a dozen
-      times a night tending to the fires in the two stoves. It seems to me ten
-      dollars a day might be made to cover our running expenses, but I do not
-      see how we can manage to do with less.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That will be seventy dollars a week,&rdquo; said Harry, having worked out the
-      difficult sum on the firm wet sand at his feet; &ldquo;whew! but that's a lot,
-      and for two weeks it would be twice that.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, a hundred and forty dollars,&rdquo; said Sister Julia; &ldquo;it is a pretty
-      large sum.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And your own services ought not to go unremunerated,&rdquo; Mr. Vale suggested.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Indeed they ought! I only wish my pocket were long enough to pay all the
-      bills myself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I've wished mine was, a hundred times over, since the wreck.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There's one thing I want to ask you, Mr. Vale,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, &ldquo;and
-      that is, if, after all, you think even my time is my own to give. You see
-      while Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are abroad I am employed by them to care for
-      Reginald. To be sure he is so nearly well now that he does not need me,
-      and Mrs. Murray is like a mother to him, but his lessons will have to be
-      interrupted, and I wondered if Mr. Fairfax would feel I was doing quite
-      right to neglect them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And who would care for the poor men then?&rdquo; cried Nan, with real distress.
-      &ldquo;Nobody knows just how to do for 'em but you, Sister Julia.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You need have no fears on the score of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax,&rdquo; said Mr.
-      Vale, decidedly; &ldquo;I know them well enough to assure you that they will
-      thoroughly approve of and admire your course, and Nan is quite right. You
-      know that no one here could care for them properly but just yourself.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But how about the money?&rdquo; urged Regie, who was anxious to know what they
-      were going to do about it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I have thought of two or three schemes,&rdquo; Mr. Vale replied. &ldquo;You
-      know we could write to Washington, and doubtless get an appropriation from
-      some fund or other, but I would take a sort of pride in not bothering the
-      Government at all about it; at any rate, not until we find it impossible
-      to raise the sum ourselves.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Say! Mr. Vale,&rdquo; said Rex, familiarly, &ldquo;I'll tell you the very thing&mdash;take
-      up a collection in your church next Sunday.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I hadn't thought of that, Rex,&rdquo; laughed Mr. Vale; &ldquo;but, do you
-      know, some of the good people there grumble already, thinking we have too
-      many collections as it is. No, it seems to me it would be best to raise
-      the money here if we could.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But you can't,&rdquo; said Harry, emphatically, &ldquo;there isn't any money here. I
-      guess father has more than anyone in Moorlow, and yet I know he couldn't
-      give much.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Your father, Harry, has given his share, in the work he has done,&rdquo; Mr.
-      Vale answered. &ldquo;What I have to propose is this: suppose you and Reginald
-      and Nan start out, say two days before Thanksgiving&mdash;that will be a
-      week from next Tuesday&mdash;and take the village cart and Pet, and drive
-      over to the Rumson Road. You know there are some well-to-do people living
-      over there, who do not go back to town much before Christmas. Now they
-      have every one heard by this time of the wreck of the <i>Christina</i>,
-      and of the injuries her crew sustained, and I believe that every one of
-      them would be glad to contribute, if you three little folks were to call
-      upon them and tell them you were trying to raise two hundred dollars,
-      which, you see, would cover all expenses. You know, at Thanksgiving time,
-      people who have a great deal to be thankful for themselves often feel like
-      helping other people who have not fared so well. It seems to me the plan
-      is worth trying.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The children's faces plainly showed their delight in it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But how will we know where to go?&rdquo; asked Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I will give you a list of half-a-dozen names,&rdquo; Mr. Vale replied. &ldquo;I
-      happen to have a little blank book in my pocket that is just what you
-      need;&rdquo; and, opening it, he wrote upon the first page, &ldquo;Collection in Aid
-      of the Crew of the <i>Christina</i>, wrecked off the Moorlow coast,
-      November 12th, 18&mdash;&mdash;.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Then underneath he wrote the words, &ldquo;A Friend, $20.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo; asked Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I mean that I will give you twenty dollars to start the fund. Then, after
-      you have been to all the other places, you must not forget to call upon my
-      sister up at Mr. Avery's. She will be glad to give you something, I know,
-      and Mr. Avery will, too, for that matter.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wish we could do it to-morrow,&rdquo; said Nan, whose enthusiasm always found
-      it hard to brook delays of any sort.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, no, indeed!&rdquo; Mr. Vale exclaimed, &ldquo;you will get twice the money by
-      waiting. Thanksgiving and Christmas have a magical way of letting down the
-      bars to people's hearts, and making them more generous.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Of course Sister Julia entered into this fine plan as heartily as the
-      children, and after they had talked a long while about it she bade them
-      good-bye, and went back to her duties in the hospital a much cheerier
-      woman than she had left it. The week that followed proved a long but happy
-      one to the children. Long, because they were continually counting the days
-      and the hours till the time should come when they could set out on that
-      wonderful collecting tour; happy, in the unexpected holidays, which came
-      to them through Sister Julia's inability to keep up their lessons. Surely
-      every little scholar knows the peculiar charm of unlooked-for holidays.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      By the common consent of the body-guard, the collecting-book had been
-      placed in the keeping of his little Royal Highness, who had placed it for
-      safety in the top drawer of his bureau. On the evening before they were to
-      start on this momentous expedition, Regie had taken it out, handled it for
-      several moments thoughtfully, and then put it back in its place, with an
-      abstracted air, as though he was thinking very hard about something. Late
-      that night, when the house was quiet, and every one asleep, he had crept
-      noiselessly from bed, leaned out of the window to strike a match, for fear
-      of waking Sister Julia in the next room, and lit his candle. Then, trying
-      to keep a look out on all sides at once, as guiltily as any little thief,
-      he went to the drawer, took out the little book, crossed to the table
-      where the candle was standing, put a new pen in the holder, and then, with
-      all the customary twists and twirls of his funny little mouth, wrote on a
-      line, directly underneath Mr. Vale's,
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;A Friend.....................................$20.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Then he sat, gazing proudly at it for fully five minutes before he put out
-      the light and crept back to bed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0078" id="linkimage-0078"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0132.jpg" alt="0132 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0132.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0079" id="linkimage-0079"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0133.jpg" alt="0133 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0133.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XV.&mdash;THE QUESTION ANSWERED
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0080" id="linkimage-0080"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0133.jpg" alt="0133 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0133.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-<div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9042.jpg" alt="9042 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9042.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      T was a bracing morning. Of course it was a November morning, for
-      to-morrow would be Thanksgiving, and Mr. Vale stood looking out of his
-      study window. It was a beautiful window in the spring and summer time,
-      when the afternoon sun came streaming in through the Virginia creeper
-      trained across it. Mr. Vale, who had the happiest way of looking at
-      things, thought it a beautiful window, even in November. It might have
-      opened on a blank wall, or a dull row of houses, as so many city windows
-      do. Instead of that, it overlooked an old-fashioned garden, with little
-      box-bordered flower-beds of every conceivable shape, and narrow gravel
-      paths running between them. In some of the sunniest beds a few hardy
-      chrysanthemums were still blooming, in brilliant reds and yellows. A fine
-      western breeze was whistling through the leafless branches of the vine,
-      and Mr. Vale drew in a long breath of the invigorating air. No doubt he
-      would have drawn a still longer breath of the salt air he revelled in if
-      he had been where his thoughts were, for they were down by the sea, where
-      at this very moment a little party was crowding into a village cart, about
-      to start out on a long-talked-of expedition. If he could have looked into
-      their earnest, rosy faces, and into their eyes brimming over with delight
-      and expectation, I think he would have felt assured of the success of
-      their undertaking. How could anyone resist such a winning troop of little
-      beggars?
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0081" id="linkimage-0081"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0134.jpg" alt="0134 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0134.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      At last he closed the windows went back to his study table, and wrote out
-      his Thanksgiving sermon, which he had been turning over in his mind for
-      many a day,&mdash;a glorious, invigorating sermon, as any member of the
-      large congregation who heard it next day would have told you; but they
-      could not have told you that it had won much of its inspiration from a
-      little maiden who a few days before had looked up to him and said, with
-      loving admiration, &ldquo;I like your preaching; I like it very much indeed.&rdquo;
-       Well, the children were off at last, and they bowled along the hard
-      boulevard road in the highest spirits. They crossed the Sea Bright Bridge,
-      and Pet, who had not been over it since that September morning when they
-      went for the peaches, started to take the road that led to Burchard's
-      orchard.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, sir-reel&rdquo; cried Regie, jerking him back, &ldquo;we won't go there any
-      more,&rdquo; and then the children laughed heartily over that eventful day's
-      adventures, when the little red skirt had done such good service. Before
-      long they found themselves in front of Mr. Allan's place, and his name
-      came first on the list. It had been agreed between them that Regie should
-      be spokesman for the party.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You see, Harry,&rdquo; Nan had said, when they were discussing the matter in
-      Regie's absence, &ldquo;Regie has a kind of city way with him that is more
-      taking, you know.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I don't know anything of the kind,&rdquo; Harry had answered. &ldquo;You're just gone
-      over Regie. It's a pity you could not have had him for a brother instead
-      of me.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now, Harry Murray,&rdquo; Nan replied, earnestly, &ldquo;you know I would not
-      exchange you for any brother in the world,&rdquo; which was pretty good of Nan,
-      considering how large a share of teasing she had to undergo from this same
-      Harry. The discussion had occurred several days previous to the
-      expedition, and now that they had actually set out Harry was only too
-      thankful that he did not have to play the principal part on the programme.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      They drove up to the big house and tied Pet to a tree. No one was to be
-      seen, and for a moment their hearts misgave them but it was too late to
-      retrace their steps, and, with the air of a major domo, Harry marched
-      proudly on to the piazza and pulled the bell, which was the special duty
-      allotted to him. A coloured man in unpretentious livery opened the door.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Does Mr. Allan live here?&rdquo; asked Rex.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      He hoped that the man did not notice that his voice trembled a little.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes; would you like to see him?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Before Rex could answer, &ldquo;Yes, if you please,&rdquo; someone called from the
-      back part of the house, &ldquo;Is it three little children, Jackson?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, sah, it is.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Show them right in here, then,&rdquo; called the voice, and closing the door
-      after them Jackson ushered them into a spacious diningroom, where an old
-      gentleman sat toasting his feet and reading his morning paper before a
-      crackling wood fire.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, my little friends, I'm right glad to see you,&rdquo; he said, cordially.
-      &ldquo;You'll excuse my not getting up to meet you, I am such an old fellow, you
-      know. Here, Jackson, put that little rocking-chair here near the fire for
-      the young lady.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0082" id="linkimage-0082"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0136.jpg" alt="0136 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0136.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Nan looked about the room to see who the young lady might be.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh! if you mean me,&rdquo; she said, laughing, taking her seat on a sofa, &ldquo;I'm
-      too warm to go near the fire, thank you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Pray be seated, gentlemen, and tell me what I can do for you,&rdquo; said Mr.
-      Allan, turning to the boys.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I guess you knew we were coming,&rdquo; Regie answered, sitting down in the
-      nearest chair.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What makes you think that?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Because you called to your man there as we came in to ask if it was not
-      three little children, as though you were sort of expecting us.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, to be sure! but couldn't I have seen you as you drove up!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Not if you were sitting where you are now, sir,&rdquo; said honest Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I guess I shall have to own up, then, that I did know you were
-      coming. This is how I received my information,&rdquo; and Mr. Allan drew a
-      little case from his pocket and began looking through the papers it
-      contained. Nan gazed at the case in silent admiration. It was made of
-      alligator skin, and had Mr. Allan's initials, R. T. A., in silver letters
-      on the back.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; she thought, &ldquo;if two dollars would buy one like that for Regie
-      when he goes home at Christmas time?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      And then she remembered with satisfaction that Regie had only two
-      initials, which would probably make it come a little cheaper. Mr. Allan
-      finally found a postal card, and handed it to Regie, who read aloud:&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'New York, November 21st, 18&mdash;&mdash;.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Dear Mr. Allan,&mdash;Three little friends of mine will call on you
-      to-morrow. I hope they will be none the less welcome when they have told
-      you their errand.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'Yours in haste,
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;'F. F. Vale.'&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then you do not know what we have come for,&rdquo; and Regie produced his
-      collecting book with a most business like air. Mr. Allan put on his
-      spectacles and examined it carefully. &ldquo;Oh, I see,&rdquo; he said at last, &ldquo;you
-      are collecting for the poor sailors who were saved from the wreck. I hear
-      you turned the church into a hospital. You could not have done a better
-      thing.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, we did,&rdquo; said Nan, proudly, &ldquo;and the sailors are all very nice men
-      indeed, and if it had not been for Sister Julia's care, two of them would
-      have died.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And who is Sister Julia?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Don't you know who Sister Julia is?&rdquo; she asked, incredulously; &ldquo;why, I
-      thought everyone in New York knew about her. She's&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let Regie tell,&rdquo; Harry interrupted. &ldquo;You see he has a kind of city way
-      with him that is more taking, you know,&rdquo; he added, with a sly wink and in
-      tones too low for Mr. Allan's ear.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan immediately relapsed into silence, and Regie came to the front.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Sister Julia is a nurse, but she's a lady too, and she came to Moorlow to
-      take care of me when I broke my leg last June. She lives in a great
-      hospital in New York, and takes care of sick people, mostly children.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But how does she happen to be here now?&rdquo; asked Mr. Allan. &ldquo;Those two legs
-      of yours seem to be as strong as anybody's.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, yes, it's all right now,&rdquo; and Regie regarded his right leg rather
-      affectionately; &ldquo;but Sister Julia stayed on to look after me, because Papa
-      and Mamma Fairfax have gone to Europe.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then you are Curtis Fairfax's adopted boy?'' Mr. Allan exclaimed with
-      some surprise; and readjusting his gold-rimmed spectacles he looked Regie
-      over rather critically.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, sir, I am,&rdquo; Rex replied, for almost the first time in his life
-      hearing that word &ldquo;adopted&rdquo; without wincing.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You'll do well then if you make as good a man as your father. He's one of
-      the whitest men in the trade.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie did not quite know what he meant by that, but hesitated to ask.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Just how are you going to use this money?&rdquo; asked Mr. Allan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;For the hospital, sir. It costs seventy dollars a week to run it. The
-      brig was wrecked last week, Wednesday you know, and Sister Julia says they
-      will not be able to go before the middle of next week, so we need a
-      hundred and forty dollars, and sixty dollars more for beds and other
-      things.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Mr. Allan re-opened the little book.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I see,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;that you have forty dollars promised already. I
-      recognise Mr. Vale's hand in this first twenty. Are you free to tell who
-      contributes the other?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The other twenty!&rdquo; exclaimed Harry, looking over Mr. Allan's shoulder;
-      &ldquo;why, that is Regie's writing!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Rex coloured up to the roots of his brown hair, as though he had been the
-      most guilty of little culprits.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I have ten dollars now of my own,&rdquo; he stammered, &ldquo;and I know of a way I
-      can surely earn ten more when I get back to town, so I am going to ask Mr.
-      Vale to lend me the money.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0083" id="linkimage-0083"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figright" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/8139.jpg" alt="8139 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/8139.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Good for you!&rdquo; said Mr. Allan, &ldquo;I call that downright generous, and as I
-      happen to know of a way I can earn sixty dollars when I get back to town,
-      I suppose I ought to put myself down for forty at any rate. I guess I had
-      better draw a check to your order, as you seem to be chairman of the
-      committee,&rdquo; and crossing the room he sat down at a little oak desk. Nan
-      stared at Rex in mute amazement. She had never dreamed he was such a
-      wealthy personage. Harry's respect was wonderfully increased too, by the
-      way. To think that a boy no older than he actually knew of a way by which
-      he could earn ten dollars! He stowed that piece of information away in his
-      mind as a matter to be inquired into more particularly at a later date,
-      and was so ungracious as to have some doubts as to the perfect
-      truthfulness of the statement.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Just at this moment Jackson came again into the room, bearing a tray laden
-      with cider and doughnuts; clear, amber-coloured cider, in a cut-glass
-      pitcher, and doughnuts generously sprinkled with powdered sugar, and fried
-      that morning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I thought dese yere children might enjoy a little sumfin to eat arter
-      their long ride this breezy morning,&rdquo; said Jackson, setting the tray on
-      the table.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;A happy thought, Jackson,&rdquo; answered Mr. Allan, smiling; &ldquo;and now suppose
-      we draw up to the table and be comfortable.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The children needed no urging, and Jackson, placing a plate in front of
-      each of them, passed the doughnuts, and then filled four tempting little
-      tumblers to the brim.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let us drink to the health of Sister Julia,&rdquo; said Mr. Allan, and he was
-      greatly amused at the easy grace with which the children complied.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Captain Murray had once taken Nan and Harry to a &ldquo;Rip Van Winkle&rdquo; <i>matinee</i>,
-      and so they chanced to know what was the proper thing to do when a health
-      was proposed. Afterward, Harry proposed the health of Mr. Vale, because,
-      as he put it, &ldquo;he was such a brick at the time of the wreck;&rdquo; and then
-      Regie proposed Captain Murray's. Altogether it was a very merry party, and
-      the children finally bade Mr. Allan a reluctant goodbye, when Rex decided
-      that &ldquo;they really ought to go on to the next place, for if they kept on at
-      this rate they wouldn't get home till morning.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      They had still four names on their list, and already had half the money.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Feeling sure that Mr. Vale had in each place heralded their coming by a
-      postal, they entered the other houses with an air of childish confidence
-      which seemed to say, &ldquo;We have called for that money, please.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Everywhere they were received with more than cordial kindness, and when
-      Pet turned his head homeward the whole amount had been subscribed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, dear me!&rdquo; Nan suddenly exclaimed, quite overcome by a thought that
-      had occurred to her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What is it, goosie?&rdquo; And it is not necessary to mention who asked that.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, we have all the money we need, and we have not called on Miss Vale
-      yet.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's so, by cracky!&rdquo; said Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, we'll just have to go there and explain,&rdquo; Rex volunteered.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Perhaps you had better not give so much yourself,&rdquo; suggested Harry; &ldquo;I
-      don't see how you are ever going to earn ten dollars.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I do then,&rdquo; in a kingly way, resenting such interference.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh yes, we ought to go,&rdquo; said Nan; &ldquo;I only hope she won't mind our having
-      collected it all.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      It did not occur to either of this committee (and would there were more of
-      these sort of people in the world!) that anyone might possibly prefer not
-      being called upon for a subscription. They themselves regarded the
-      opportunity for giving in the light of an actual privilege. Nan was
-      thankful the money was so easily raised, for she had not a penny in the
-      world to give save that two dollars, which she must reserve for that
-      little wallet for Regie; but she was planning to present a warm comforter,
-      which her own little hands had made, to the Spanish captain, and she
-      thought she might favour the first mate with the rubber pencil-case which
-      she had bought as a parting present for Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      When they reached Mr. Avery's they found Miss Vale ready to receive them.
-      She was very much of an invalid, seldom able to leave her room, but in
-      honour of their coming she had put on a pretty wrapper, and was seated in
-      a large rocking-chair. She was anxious to meet these little friends of
-      whom her brother had so often spoken, and looked forward to their coming
-      as quite an event in her quiet life. The nurse led the children up the
-      oaken stair, and Nan trod as noiselessly as possible herself, but was sure
-      she had never heard Harry and Regie make such a noise before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Miss Vale received them very cordially, and they felt at home with her at
-      once. They talked about the wreck for some time, and then Miss Vale said,
-      &ldquo;Well, I believe you want some money from me for the hospital?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; Nan answered, with much seriousness, and as though she was breaking
-      the saddest piece of news imaginable; &ldquo;we are very sorry, but we don't
-      need any more; we got enough money before we knew it. We couldn't help it,
-      really.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan saw that the nurse was laughing in a quiet way, but never dreamt that
-      she was the cause of the merriment. Miss Vale herself looked amused, but
-      managed to keep her face straight as she said, feigning much anxiety,
-      &ldquo;Dear me! what am I to do, then? I had made up my mind to give you a
-      hundred dollars.&rdquo; The finance committee looked puzzled enough, and as
-      though they saw no way out of this difficulty.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But look here,&rdquo; Miss Vale continued, &ldquo;I have an idea. The captain and his
-      crew did not save anything from the wreck, did they?''
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Not a thing, and some of them haven't a penny in the world,&rdquo; Harry
-      answered.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How many are there?'
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Seven,&rdquo; answered the children, in one breath.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well then, wouldn't it be a good thing to divide the money among them, so
-      that they will have something to begin life with again?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Seven won't go into a hundred evenly,&rdquo; said Harry, having a horror of
-      fractions.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I guess we can fix matters if it doesn't,&rdquo; was Regie's scornful
-      response. &ldquo;I think it is very kind of you,&rdquo; turning to Miss Vale. &ldquo;When
-      shall we give it to them?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It seems to me to-morrow would be a good day. Are the men to have a
-      Thanksgiving dinner?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Indeed they are,&rdquo; Nan answered. &ldquo;They are to have turkey, and mashed
-      potatoes, and cranberries that mother has made in beautiful moulds, and
-      mince-pie, and lots of things. They'll all be able to come to the table
-      too, except the captain.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It's just as well that he can't come,&rdquo; Regie explained, with the air of
-      an experienced doctor. &ldquo;He isn't strong enough to eat turkey dna hearty
-      things like that.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;He's to have some very nice gruel, though,&rdquo; Nan confided, and as though
-      she knew more about it all than both the toys put together; as indeed she
-      did, for she had been present at many a conference between Sister Julia
-      and her mother regarding the dinner.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The children made a long call, and no one knows how much longer they would
-      have lingered in Miss Vale's sunny room, looking at some fine photographs
-      of Mr. Avery's, which the maid had brought up from the parlour, if the old
-      clock in the hall had not struck two very clearly and distinctly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Is it as late as that?&rdquo; cried Nan; &ldquo;we shall miss our dinner altogether
-      if we don't go home this minute.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      That was sufficient to start the boys, and the children took their
-      departure, Miss Vale promising to send the money down that night in
-      separate envelopes, so that Harry should not be bothered by the difficult
-      division of one hundred by seven.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0084" id="linkimage-0084"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5143.jpg" alt="5143 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5143.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0085" id="linkimage-0085"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0144.jpg" alt="0144 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0144.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XVI.&mdash;THE CAPTAIN'S STORY
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0086" id="linkimage-0086"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9144.jpg" alt="9144 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9144.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      T is only quite natural that the little folks throughout these United
-      States should set less store by Thanksgiving day than Christmas. It may
-      seem all very fine to sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner, but, after all,
-      Thanksgiving may not hold a candle to Christmas,&mdash;to Christmas, with
-      its continued round of excitement, beginning in the small hours of the
-      morning with the inspection of Christmas presents, and ending, in all
-      probability, with the glory and glitter of a well-loaded Christmas tree at
-      night. Yet I doubt if the most favoured little darling in the world, who
-      knew every wish for a twelvemonth would find its fulfilment on Christmas
-      morning, ever looked forward to that day as eagerly as our little friends
-      to this Thanksgiving.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      I will do them the credit to say that they gave little thought to the good
-      things that were to fall to their own share. They were each conjuring
-      pictures for themselves of how those Spanish sailors would look when they
-      sat down to that good dinner. Two of the sailors knew nothing of English
-      beyond the two words &ldquo;thank you.&rdquo; Nan could see them now saying it with
-      their funny accent every time anything was passed to them. And when she
-      wondered how they would look when the money was handed to them, she could
-      hardly wait for the glad moment to come and see for herself. She did not
-      have to wait long, for those were her last thoughts before falling asleep,
-      and when she awoke it was Thanksgiving morning. Of course the weather
-      would have much to do with the pleasure of the day, so the first thing she
-      did was to fly to the window and throw open the blinds. The late November
-      sun, rising out of the ocean, flooded everything with a rosy light, and
-      the air was mild enough for early October.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0087" id="linkimage-0087"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0145.jpg" alt="0145 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0145.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Three or four seagulls were sailing over the waves In search of their
-      breakfast, making a dive now and then when their wonderful far-reaching
-      gaze detected a fish near the surface of the water. Nan watched one of
-      them circling round and round, and clapped her hands from sheer delight
-      when she saw him rise from a desperate dive with a fish quivering in his
-      talons, then flying homeward to his nest on the bough of some inland tree.
-      It seemed as though even the seagulls ought to fare better than on other
-      days. To be sure it put a sad ending to the life of the poor little fish,
-      but no doubt it was as allowable for seagulls to dine off men-haden, as
-      for people to dine off roast turkeys and ducks. This logical train of
-      thought, and some other thoughts not as logical, tripped through Nan's
-      mind as she made her neat little toilet. The brown hair was braided
-      quickly but very evenly, and tied with a scarlet ribbon; the whitest of
-      little yoke-aprons was put on over the blue flannel dress, and,
-      notwithstanding it opened down the back and boasted fifteen buttons, was
-      carefully adjusted by Nan's own little fingers. it is astonishing what
-      &ldquo;own little fingers&rdquo; can do for the children who must needs wait on
-      themselves.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0088" id="linkimage-0088"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0146.jpg" alt="0146 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0146.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      A radiant embodiment of sweetness and freshness, Nan bustled into the
-      dining-room, to find the boys there before her. They were curled up on the
-      window-seat looking over, for perhaps the tenth time, the budget of
-      envelopes which Miss Vale had sent the night before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You look good enough to eat this morning,&rdquo; said Harry, with a look of
-      honest admiration.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well. I guess I shall not be good enough to let you eat me,&rdquo; Nan
-      answered, blushing a little.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry caught her dress as she passed him, and held her firmly while he
-      gave her the heartiest sort of a kiss. The truth is that two months ago
-      Harry would have done nothing of the sort. It might have occurred to him,
-      but he simply would not have done it. Regie had been teaching him a
-      lesson. Always gallant and thoughtful himself toward Nan, Harry had
-      watched him closely, and gradually had come to the conclusion that a
-      brother might really treat his sister with much consideration without
-      being set down for a spoony; indeed, might even go so far as to actually
-      express his admiration, not only in words, but in the deed of an
-      unexpected kiss now and then, without being silly. The lesson was well
-      worth learning, and would it might be taught to a host of well-meaning
-      little Harrys, who need to learn it every whit as much as this Harry in
-      particular! As soon as Sister Julia arrived they had breakfast. She ran up
-      every morning from the hospital, for the sake of the change and fresh air.
-      As soon as the meal was finished, preparations were at once begun for the
-      great Thanksgiving dinner. In the first place Dobbin was brought to the
-      door, and the two boys helped Captain Murray carry out from the hall
-      several well-filled boxes and baskets; for the dinner was to be served in
-      the rear end of the chapel, as Captain Murray's dining-room was too small
-      to accommodate so large a party comfortably; besides, one or two of the
-      men were not so far recovered as to be able to venture out of doors. Pet
-      and the cart were also pressed into service, and made numerous trips to
-      and fro, until at last, with the help of the sailors, everything had been
-      unloaded at the chapel door.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Murray, in a long white apron, presided over the cooking, and soon a
-      strange new incense, which was none other than the smell of roasting
-      turkey, began to make its way to the rafters of the church.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The captain on his cot sniffed it gratefully, and he wished from the
-      bottom of his heart that he was up and about and able to enjoy it. Sister
-      Julia busied herself with setting the table. Rex and Harry sat in one
-      corner paring potatoes, and the sailors strolled about with their hands in
-      their pockets, and broad smiles on their dark faces, rendering some little
-      service whenever they could.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The one who could not speak English at all kept near Mrs. Murray, watching
-      her intently with his large black eyes, and trying to anticipate any
-      little thing he might do for her, such as lifting the great pot, in which
-      a Savoury soup was boiling away, or pushing more wood into the
-      cooking-stove.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, Sister Julia, what can I do now?&rdquo; asked Nan, when she had finished
-      the glasses.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let me see,&rdquo; answered Sister Julia, pausing a second to count the places
-      at the table, to be sure she had made no mistake; &ldquo;I think you might
-      arrange the fruit. The bananas and oranges will look the better for a
-      careful rubbing with one of the glass towels.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0089" id="linkimage-0089"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0148.jpg" alt="0148 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0148.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;All right,&rdquo; Nan said, cheerily, glad to have so important a task assigned
-      to her. Just as she had gotten everything together a sudden thought
-      occurred to her, and seizing a fruit dish under each arm, she travelled
-      down the aisles and into the vestry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      During the week she and the Spanish captain had grown to be fast friends,
-      and his face brightened the moment he saw her.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I was thinking you might be a little lonely,&rdquo; she said; &ldquo;if you like, I
-      can bring my work in here and do it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Indeed, senorita, nothing would please me better,&rdquo; the captain answered,
-      in musical broken English. The captain always addressed Nan as &ldquo;senorita,&rdquo;
-       the pretty word that stands for miss in his native tongue.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan asked two of the sailors to carry the great box of oranges and bananas
-      into the vestry, and seating herself on the floor, with a dish on each
-      side of her, she set to work.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How do you feel to-day, captain?&rdquo; she asked, by way of opening the
-      conversation, and rubbing vigorously away at an orange.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Better, senorita; but one does not want to get well too fast, and say
-      good-bye to Sister Julia and the rest of you who have been so kind to us
-      all.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You are sorry, then, that you tried to do it, aren't you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do what, senorita?&rdquo; and the colour came into his dark face.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, kill yourself, captain,&rdquo; polishing away at a banana without looking
-      up, and feeling pretty sure it would have been better not to have said
-      this.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I had hoped the little senorita did not know about that,&rdquo; sighed the
-      captain. &ldquo;It was a cowardly and foolish thing to do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It was a very wicked thing, captain. I hope you never will try to do it
-      again.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Never you fear,&rdquo; he answered, smiling; &ldquo;all my life I will try to make
-      amends for it; and I will tell you something you may think strange,
-      senorita, and that is, that this has been the happiest week in all my
-      life. Two or three times when I have been lying here, just at sunset,
-      where I could watch the great white breakers come rolling in, and Sister
-      Julia has been playing on the organ in the church there, I have thought I
-      must be dreaming in my berth in the poor <i>Christina</i>. Then I have
-      raised myself on my elbow, so that I could look into the chancel yonder
-      and see the cross on the altar cloth, and feel sure it was really all as
-      it seemed.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You are not exactly glad you were wrecked, though?&rdquo; Nan asked,
-      practically.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, in a way, I am glad.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You don't forget about losing all your money and things, do you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, but perhaps it's worth while to have lost one's money to be wrecked
-      on a coast of big and little angels.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Big and little angels!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, and if you want to know why it seems so to me you must listen to a
-      story.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      There was no &ldquo;must listen&rdquo; for Nan where a story was concerned. She was
-      all attention in a moment, an eager breathless little listener, and the
-      captain began.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Just thirty-six years ago a Spanish boy found himself without father or
-      mother, and was set adrift on the world. Not a penny did he own, but he
-      was a hearty, fearless little fellow, and he managed somehow to live,
-      though he seldom knew where the next meal was to come from, or where he
-      would sleep at night. By the time the boy was ten years old he grew tired
-      of his vagabond life, and longed to learn how to read and write. So he
-      resolved to go to the village school, and he earned a little money out of
-      school hours here and there, and was a happier fellow than in the old idle
-      days.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No sooner had he learned to read and write in pretty decent fashion than
-      he decided to run away to sea, for he had always a notion that he would be
-      a sailor some day. I do not know that you could exactly call it running
-      away, when no one cared very much whether he came or went; but for the
-      next few years he had a pretty hard time of it, for to go to sea before
-      the mast under a harsh and cruel captain is likely to make life rather
-      difficult. Sometimes when he was sent out to reef the top-gallant sail he
-      would balance himself on the yard, wondering if it would not be better to
-      let himself drop into the ocean&mdash;the men would only think he had
-      tumbled off; but somehow the fear of God always kept him from it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0090" id="linkimage-0090"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0151.jpg" alt="0151 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0151.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Notwithstanding the hardship he went to sea again until he was
-      twenty-five years old, and by that time he had worked up to be first mate
-      of the&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of the <i>Christina?</i>&rdquo; Nan questioned, eagerly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, of the <i>Christina</i>,&rdquo; the captain admitted; &ldquo;and he had managed
-      to save enough to become part owner of her besides.&rdquo; Nan had finished her
-      work, but was quite unmindful of the fact, and sat gazing up to the
-      captain's face, with her hands clasped round her knees.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Had he grown up to be a good man?&rdquo; she asked, innocently. &ldquo;I am afraid
-      not, senorita, as you would count goodness.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Was he kind to his men?&rdquo; altogether unconscious of how embarrassing her
-      questions might prove.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, he was kind. That was the best thing that could be said for him. He
-      did not deserve any credit for that, though, for he had suffered so much
-      himself from unkindness.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Then he deserved all the more credit,&rdquo; Nan said, decidedly, and the
-      colour in the captain's face showed how grateful her praise was to him.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, it happened one November morning,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;ten years
-      afterward, that when he had been battling all night with the wind and the
-      waves of a terrible storm, his ship ran ashore, and in such a way that he
-      knew he could never save her. All the earnings of his lifetime gone in a
-      minute! What was there to live for? He had not a relative in the world,
-      and that ship was his darling. Then the thought to take his own life came
-      to him, as it used to sometimes when he was a poor little sailor on the
-      top-gallant yard, only now that he was a man no thought of God came with
-      it, and so the desperate deed was attempted.&rdquo; Nan had never listened to
-      anything so fascinating in all her life before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That is not all?&rdquo; she asked, eagerly, for the captain had paused for a
-      moment.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Thank God, no! scarcely did the captain&mdash;for he was no longer first
-      mate&mdash;think that the ugly weapon had done its work, than he seemed to
-      be all by himself in a beautiful silver boat on a wide blue sea. It was a
-      little boat, without sails or oars, and it bounded over the waves of its
-      own free will, so that the captain had simply to let it carry him whither
-      it would. Soon he knew they were nearing a shore, for he recognised the
-      sound of breakers on the beach; but he shuddered as he heard it, for he
-      half-remembered that something terrible had happened when he had heard
-      that sound once before But his fright was over in a moment, for he saw a
-      great banner waving in the air, and on it was printed, in gold letters,
-      'The Shore of Loving kindness.'&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0091" id="linkimage-0091"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0153.jpg" alt="0153 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0153.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;As he neared the land, one curling white breaker seemed gently to lift
-      the boat on to the next, until at last it was landed on a great white
-      stretch of beach. It seemed to the captain such a beautiful shore, that he
-      wondered if it might be heaven; and if it was, he knew he had no right
-      there. He tried to lift himself up and step out of the little boat, but
-      somehow he was not able to do that; so he lay quite still and contented,
-      looking up at the stars overhead,&mdash;wonderful stars they were, for the
-      only light there was came from them, and yet he could see everything
-      plainly. At last the stars seemed to grow dim and still more dim, and the
-      captain turned himself over on the silk cushions of the boat and fell
-      asleep. When he awoke he stared about him with a wondering gaze, for
-      everything looked so strange. He was no longer in the silk-cushioned boat,
-      but lying on a cot in a little room, a queer little room, with a carved
-      oaken partition, and soft red curtains running along two sides of it. He
-      could not see very plainly, for the light was low in the room, and he
-      could not tell where it came from. He felt something heavy on his head,
-      and put his hand up, for he remembered that he had thought that the little
-      red boat had landed him in heaven. But alas! there was no crown, only a
-      tightly-bound bandage, and the moment his hand touched it he guessed why
-      it was there, and that he was only a shipwrecked captain whom someone had
-      cared for. But where was he? A door led out of his little room&mdash;into
-      what? Why, it looked like a church; yes, it was surely a church,' for the
-      moonlight was streaming through the chancel window, and he could see the
-      communion table and some one sitting beyond the chancel rail. How strange!
-      What could it mean? He put his hand to his head again to make sure of the
-      bandage, and that he was not dreaming. And now the figure has left the
-      table, and is moving toward him. It comes gently to the side of his cot,
-      and he can see that it is a woman, a woman with the face of an angel. The
-      captain looks up at her with a wondering gaze; but she puts her finger to
-      her lips as a sign that he must not speak. Then she makes the light
-      brighter in the room, and draws a chair to his side, and tells him in a
-      low, sweet voice all about himself&mdash;how he happens to be in the
-      vestry of the little church; and finally she tells him that she means to
-      take care of him until he is entirely well again. But the captain almost
-      wishes he may never be well again, if he may only have that angel face to
-      watch over him.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That angel was Sister Julia,&rdquo; said Nan, with a sigh, as though to relieve
-      her overcharged little heart.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, that was Sister Julia,&rdquo; assented the captain.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But you said there were little angels, too,&rdquo; Nan said, innocently.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Certainly. I have a picture of the little <i>arch</i>angel (that is, the
-      principal one) here beside me,&rdquo; and the captain placed a little frame in
-      Nan's eager hands.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Of course it proved to be only a little mirror, in which she saw the
-      reflection of her own fair little face.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you call a round chubby face like that the face of an angel?&rdquo; she
-      laughed, holding the little mirror at arm's length and looking in, in a
-      funny, half-critical fashion.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I do. It has been a real angel face to me, coming in and out of this
-      vestry room with its bright smiles.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, where is Nan?&rdquo; someone called just then.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Coming, Sister Julia,&rdquo; Nan answered, jumping to her feet, and with an
-      effort lifting one of the heavy fruit dishes.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I must go,&rdquo; she said, reluctantly; but when she reached the door she
-      paused for a moment to look back and ask, &ldquo;It was true, wasn't it, all
-      that about when you were a boy; all except about the boat and the angels?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Every word of it,&rdquo; answered the captain; &ldquo;and it was true about the
-      angels, too, senorita.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0092" id="linkimage-0092"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5155.jpg" alt="5155 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5155.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0093" id="linkimage-0093"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0156.jpg" alt="0156 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0156.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XVII&mdash;THANKSGIVING IN EARNEST
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0094" id="linkimage-0094"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9156.jpg" alt="9156 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9156.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      HE hour-hand of the watch that hung at Sister Julia's belt had just
-      reached three as she put the last touch to the table; that last touch
-      consisted in placing, at each seat, a card bearing the name of the person
-      who was to occupy it. Sister Julia had herself prepared the cards in the
-      little leisure she could spare from hospital duties. On each she had
-      painted some little emblem of the sea&mdash;a shell, or a spray of seaweed&mdash;introducing
-      the name in odd-shaped letters.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Then on the reverse side she had enrolled the entire party in the order of
-      their seats at the table, knowing that some of their number would cherish
-      those little cards as precious souvenirs for many a long year to come.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The soup was on the table, and Mrs. Murray having instructed the woman who
-      had been helping her just how to bring the dishes to the table, laid aside
-      her great gingham apron, and gave the signal to sit down.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, there's one seat too many!&rdquo; remarked Harry, when all had found their
-      places.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Dear me, why so there is!&rdquo; exclaimed Sister Julia. &ldquo;How did that ever
-      happen?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, it happened just this way,&rdquo; answered a familiar voice; no one could
-      tell just where the voice came from, but all knew whose it was. &ldquo;It
-      happened just this way. I telegraphed Sister Julia yesterday that if she
-      would put off the dinner till three o'clock I could get through my sermon
-      in time to come, and so here I am, you see,&rdquo; and Mr. Vale appeared in the
-      door-way, having waited a moment in the vestibule to hang up his coat.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The presence of Mr. Vale was just the one thing needed to complete that
-      Thanksgiving dinner in everyone's estimation.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Even the men, whose knowledge of English was limited to the parrot-learned
-      &ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; brightened when they saw him. There are faces which bear so
-      plainly the imprint of love and sympathy, one does not need to speak a
-      common language to comprehend them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You have come at the right moment,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, and Mr. Vale,
-      knowing what she meant, bowed his head and asked a blessing. It was a
-      prayer as well as a blessing&mdash;a prayer for the future of these
-      sailors, who were so soon again to give their lives to the keeping of the
-      sea; and a prayer for the future of the children, that the whole volume of
-      their life might remain as pure and unsullied as the pages of their
-      childhood&mdash;nor did he forget the captain lying on his cot in the
-      little vestry room. His voice seemed to gather additional earnestness as
-      he prayed that he might be restored to perfect health, and take up his
-      life again with a divine trust and courage which should be able to grapple
-      victoriously with misfortune and despair, should he again be called to
-      meet them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At the close of the blessing Sister Julia thought she heard a low fervent
-      &ldquo;Amen&rdquo; from the recesses of the little vestry room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      No doubt it was but natural that everyone at that long table should
-      realise that it was no ordinary occasion. Never did a stranger company sit
-      down to a Thanksgiving dinner under stranger circumstances, but they
-      enjoyed it heartily, notwithstanding the strangeness.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Somehow or other, Mr. Vale knew just the way to draw everybody out, and
-      thanks to him the party, that otherwise might easily have found itself a
-      little stiff and embarrassed, became a very merry one.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0095" id="linkimage-0095"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9158.jpg" alt="9158 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9158.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      Captain Murray enlivened the table with two or three old sea yarns, and
-      while they were waiting for the dessert to be brought in Mr. Vale induced
-      the sailors to give them two or to be going on, on every side.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      When at last Mrs. Murray lifted an all-on-fire plum pudding to the table,
-      one of the younger sailors, who was little more than a boy, clapped his
-      hands from sheer delight, and, fired by his enthusiasm, all at the table
-      followed his example. The colour came into Mrs. Murray's round face; she
-      considered the demonstration as a compliment to herself, as was quite
-      right she should, three Spanish songs which they were accustomed to sing
-      together at sea. Meanwhile, Nan had travelled into the vestry with the
-      captain's dinner, of clam broth and dainty little crackers; delicious
-      broth, which Sister Julia had herself prepared, and crackers which Nan's
-      own little hands had toasted to a most inviting brownness. It did Nan's
-      heart good to see how the captain enjoyed eating them, and it did the
-      captain's heart good to see how much she enjoyed seeing him eat them; and
-      so it was that all through that Thanksgiving Day a constant process of <i>doing
-      hearts good</i> seemed for no little raisin-stoning and washing of
-      currants had gone toward the concoction of that great brown pudding, about
-      which the blue flames were now curling so beautifully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At last the supreme moment for &ldquo;all hands&rdquo; arrived, when, at a signal from
-      Sister Julia, Regie, as chairman of the finance committee, produced the
-      budget of envelopes, and handed them to one and another as fast as he
-      could make out the names written on the backs of them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Meanwhile, Mr. Vale stood up, and explained that each envelope contained a
-      gift of money, and though by no means a large amount, the giver hoped it
-      might stand them in good stead, and that each would kindly accept it with
-      her best wishes.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At the words &ldquo;her best wishes,&rdquo; the eyes of the crew, as by common
-      consent, turned toward Sister Julia, so that she had right away to deny
-      having had any part in the transaction.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, indeed,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;you must not thank me for this; Mr. Vale's sister
-      is the good friend to whom you are indebted.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      In the absence of their captain the men looked to their first mate to
-      express their gratitude. Mr. Vale would have given a great deal if his
-      sister could have heard the few earnest words which the first mate spoke
-      from a full heart, and could have seen the sturdy fellow as he spoke them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      And so the dinner was ended. It had grown quite dark in the chapel, for
-      the early November twilight had deepened landward and seaward.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Before we separate,&rdquo; said Mr. Vale, &ldquo;I wish Regie would sing the German
-      evening hymn from the Children's Hymnal.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie needed no urging, and took his stand beside Sister Julia at the
-      organ, while the others still kept their places. He loved to sing,
-      throwing his whole soul into it, and in that lay half his power to please.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Clear and sweet rang out the words of the simple hymn, and at its close
-      more than one sleeve was brushed across misty eyes, and tears stole from
-      under the captain's eyelids as he lay in the little vestry&mdash;lying
-      there alone, why need he strive to hide them?&mdash;besides, what was
-      there to be ashamed of in such tears as those?
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      These had been days of new and strange experiences to those Spanish
-      sailors, and they had learned some of life's best lessons for the first
-      time.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Your faces are kinder than when you came,&rdquo; Nan had frankly said to the
-      crew one day.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Senorita, that is because our hearts are kinder,&rdquo; one of the men had
-      answered.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0096" id="linkimage-0096"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5160.jpg" alt="5160 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5160.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0097" id="linkimage-0097"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0161.jpg" alt="0161 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0161.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XVIII.&mdash;THE KING'S CAMERA
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0098" id="linkimage-0098"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9161.jpg" alt="9161 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9161.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      NOTHER week rolled by, and found the crew of the <i>Christina</i> ready to
-      say good-bye to Moorlow, and yet not ready, for most of them were very
-      loth to go; but the captain was quite recovered, and there was no excuse
-      for their remaining longer. Indeed, Sister Julia thought that those of
-      their number who had sustained no very severe injuries ought to have gone
-      before, but the men seemed anxious to stand by their captain, and she did
-      not quite have the courage to send them off. That such a sad state of
-      things was possible never seemed to enter the mind of any member of the
-      crew. Without being in any sense ungrateful, they simply took everything
-      for granted. With the exception of the captain, not one of them ever
-      questioned where the money came from that provided so generously for their
-      wants during those two weeks. They looked upon Sister Julia as a veritable
-      saint, with illimitable, if not divine, resources, sent to minister to
-      them especially; and the reverential way in which they bade her farewell
-      showed that they so regarded her to the last.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      All Moorlow was gathered at the station to see them off. Everyone who had
-      contributed in any way to their comfort,&mdash;and there were few in
-      Moorlow who had not&mdash;felt a sort of responsibility in giving them a
-      cheery &ldquo;send off.&rdquo; Even the shabby little Croxsons were there, for had
-      they not run on innumerable errands that morning when the crew were
-      rescued? As the train moved away the captain stood upon the rear platform.
-      A neat little bundle was tucked under one arm, for Nan, not forgetting her
-      resolution, had presented him at the last moment with the warm comforter
-      which she herself had made. The captain waved a red handkerchief until the
-      station was entirely out of sight, and his last glance, before he turned
-      and went into the car, was toward the hull of the <i>Christina</i>, which
-      he could plainly see just where she had stranded that stormy November
-      morning. It seemed to him as though he were saying good-bye to all his
-      past, and with a courage that surprised him he was ready to make a new
-      start. He was very grateful for the fact that his men were thoroughly
-      loyal to him, and felt pretty sure that with such a crew at his service he
-      could easily gain command of some vessel plying between Spain and the
-      United States. So it was that with a contented smile he took a seat in the
-      midst of his crew, and, encouraged by their captain's good cheer, the
-      dark-eyed men soon fell to conversing in the liveliest manner in their
-      native Spanish, much to the amusement of their fellow-passengers.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It had been a very exciting fortnight for quiet Moorlow, but in a
-      marvellously short space of time everything settled back into the old
-      grooves. The little church soon looked as sober and decorous as though it
-      had never served as a temporary hospital, or known the savoury odours of a
-      Thanksgiving dinner.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      A December storm had beaten the <i>Christina's</i> hull literally to
-      pieces, and nothing was left to tell the story of the wreck save the shell
-      which had been shot out with the whip-line, and which Captain Murray,
-      according to custom, had lettered and dated, and hung in the Life-saving
-      Station; a trophy of which the crew had good reason to be proud.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The children had resumed their lessons, and Regie was counting the days
-      till Papa and Mamma Fairfax would board the homeward-bound steamer at
-      Liverpool. The three months, which had seemed a long time to look forward
-      to, had slipped away very quickly, and Harry and Nan and himself were full
-      of joyous anticipation, for a glorious plan was on foot.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mr. Fairfax had written very urgently asking that the Murray children
-      might be allowed to spend the Christmas holidays with Regie in town.
-      Captain Murray had only given his consent very reluctantly, for he knew
-      the Moorlow Christmas would be a sorry affair without the children; but
-      nevertheless he <i>had</i> given it, and Nan and Harry's respective heads
-      were almost turned with delight at the prospect.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It is doubtful if the liveliest imagination could picture all that a whole
-      week in New York meant to these little Murrays. They had never been there
-      for more than a day at a time, and then only at rare intervals, and it was
-      not strange that stolen whispers in lesson hours, and long chats out of
-      them, all bore upon the delightful subject of this visit, until, in Sister
-      Julia's estimation, the children were devoting too much time to sitting
-      indoors, and plotting and planning, and not enough to out-of-door
-      exercise; so she put her wits to work to devise some scheme to bring about
-      a change of affairs.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There is one thing, Regie,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;over which your Papa Fairfax will
-      be very much disappointed when he comes home.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      She spoke so seriously, that Regie looked up at her with a very troubled
-      face, which said, as plainly as words, &ldquo;Whatever do you mean?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, you haven't a single picture to show him. In all this while not a
-      photograph have you taken.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's so,&rdquo; with a sigh; &ldquo;but then I don't believe he'll expect it. You
-      can't do much photographing in cold weather; besides, there's nothing to
-      take in winter.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You said once that you'd like to take a good picture of me,&rdquo; Nan
-      remarked, showing that she did not consider that the low state of the
-      thermometer in any way diminished her charms, as indeed it did not. There
-      was not a prettier or more breezy little specimen of humanity in existence
-      than Nan on one of these wintry afternoons, when she had just, come in
-      from an hour's buffeting with wind and weather on the beach.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I <i>would</i> like a good picture of you, Nan,&rdquo; said Regie,
-      patronisingly, looking at her with his head on one side, after the
-      meditative fashion of an artist regarding his model. &ldquo;The trouble is, I
-      don't know of any place in this house where you can get a good enough
-      light.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And why in the house, pray?&rdquo; asked Sister Julia; &ldquo;it is not a bit too
-      cold to try your hand out of doors. This is just a perfect winter's day,
-      and there is no wind to blow, your camera over.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's so,&rdquo; assented Regie again, &ldquo;I'm going to get ready,&rdquo; and suiting
-      the action to the word he bounded out of the room, and the body-guard
-      followed his example.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At the time that Mr. Fairfax had seen fit to endow Regie with a
-      photographing outfit, he had, with no little painstaking, carefully
-      instructed him as just to how the whole process, from beginning to end,
-      must be managed. As a result Regie had succeeded in producing some
-      first-rate pictures, &ldquo;all his own work, too,&rdquo; as he would have told you
-      proudly. But that was more than a year ago, and before he knew Nan and
-      Harry. He had some fine plans for the summer just ended, but that unlucky
-      fall from the cherry tree bough had prevented his carrying them out. To be
-      sure, within the last few weeks, since the little leg had so thoroughly
-      mended, he might have gotten to work again as easily as could be, but the
-      excitement following the wreck of the <i>Christina</i> had driven all
-      thought of it out of his mind.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The fact that Nan knew that Regie could take pictures accounted in a
-      measure, perhaps, for the reverence with which she regarded him; but Harry
-      was as doubtful of his real ability as in the matter of the earning of the
-      money for the hospital fund, and he hailed with delight the chance he was
-      about to have to put him to the test.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry and Nan were ready in no time, but with the amateur photographer,
-      &ldquo;getting ready&rdquo; is a mysterious and laborious proceeding, and Rex failed
-      to put in an appearance.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      The body-guard waited and waited till, their patience exhausted, they
-      scaled the stairway leading to His Royal Highness's private apartment, but
-      His Majesty was nowhere to be seen.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, where is Rex?&rdquo; cried Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I'm in here,&rdquo; answered a muffled voice.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What, in the closet?&rdquo; and Harry rushed for it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, but don't open the door for the world. I'm filling my
-      plate-holders.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry and Nan looked at each other as much as to say, &ldquo;What in creation is
-      he talking about?&rdquo; then by tacit consent they noiselessly crouched down by
-      the closet door, and Harry peeped through the keyhole.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      His face grew pale, and with a terrified expression he drew Nan over so
-      that she could take a look; then with precipitate haste they fled from the
-      room.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Sister Julia!&rdquo; cried Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Regie's shut up in his closet,&rdquo; cried Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And we looked through the keyhole and saw an awful red light,&rdquo;
-       interrupted Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And we think he has set the closet on fire, and you had better go and see
-      to it right away,&rdquo; interrupted Harry, very much surprised that Sister
-      Julia did not seem in the least alarmed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, he's only filling his plate-holders,&rdquo; she exclaimed, laughing,
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; nodded Nan, her eyes as large as saucers, &ldquo;he said something like
-      that.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course he did, and the fire you thought you saw is the light from his
-      ruby lantern.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;His what!&rdquo; exclaimed Harry; then, after a little pause, he added, &ldquo;Say!
-      won't you explain to us something about it?&rdquo; Ashamed that he had shared
-      Nan's fright, and foreseeing that he would be obliged to ask Regie more
-      questions than would be at all agreeable.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, certainly,&rdquo; answered Sister Julia, with a smile still playing about
-      the corners of her mouth. &ldquo;You see they take these pictures on a plate,
-      that is a square glass which comes for the purpose, coated with a dry,
-      white preparation. Mr. Fairfax buys them in boxes holding a dozen each,
-      and when Regie wants to take pictures he has to take them from the box and
-      put them in his plate-holders. The plate-holders are a sort of little
-      boxes that fit in the back of his camera.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;His cam-e-ra?&rdquo; drawled Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, that is the name of the instrument he takes the pictures with, but
-      it will ruin the plate to let a ray of daylight touch it before he is
-      ready to take the picture, so Rex must needs go into a dark closet, and
-      light his ruby lantern, when the time comes for filling his
-      plate-holders.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0099" id="linkimage-0099"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0166.jpg" alt="0166 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0166.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Regie appeared on the scene just then, with his apparatus in his arms, and
-      the trio marched off, the King all unconscious of the fright he had given
-      the body-guard, and the body-guard intending never to enlighten him on the
-      subject.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What shall we take?&rdquo; said Regie, when they had gone a little way down the
-      beach. &ldquo;I wish we had enough for a group. I like to take groups best.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What is a group?&rdquo; Nan asked, shyly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, a group's a lot of people, goosie,&rdquo; Harry answered, for he enjoyed
-      answering questions in direct proportion to his dislike to asking them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Would the Croxsons do, then?&rdquo; Nan queried timidly, often feeling more or
-      less subdued by Harry's &ldquo;goosie.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The very thing,&rdquo; replied Rex; &ldquo;they're so queer-looking, they'll make a
-      jolly funny group.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Shall I go for them while you're getting your <i>camera</i> ready?&rdquo;
-       remarked Harry, airing his knowledge of the photographic terms. Regie
-      nodded yes, and Harry was off.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Wouldn't it be nice to take them in that?&rdquo; said Nan, pointing to one of
-      the fishermen's boats drawn up upon the beach.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course it would. You're splendid for thinking of things, Nan,&rdquo; Regie
-      replied, proceeding to get his instrument in order. Nan helped him as best
-      she could, very happy over the fact that such an important personage as he
-      was considered her <i>splendid</i> for anything.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Meanwhile the Croxsons were hurrying into a miscellaneous assortment of
-      threadbare out-of-door wraps, which were supposed to keep the cold out,
-      but in point of fact did nothing of the sort. They were highly elated over
-      the prospect of having their photographs taken. Not one of them had ever
-      experienced that sensation before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;W-w-won't it be a lark to be t-t-took?&rdquo; stuttered little Madge, beside
-      herself with excitement; and the flushed faces of the other four children
-      showed that they undoubtedly thought it would, the neglected little
-      quintette never dreaming that they had been invited because they were so
-      &ldquo;queer looking&rdquo; and would make &ldquo;a jolly funny group.&rdquo; But if Regie and
-      Harry and Nan did sometimes have a little fun at the Croxsons' expense,
-      they were too well-behaved ever to let them have an inkling of it. As for
-      Regie, he was as gallant in his manner to these shabby little specimens as
-      to the would-be little aristocrats in velvet knickerbockers and patent
-      leather pumps whom he was accustomed to meet at dancing school. When the
-      Croxsons arrived on the scene, Regie, having succeeded in fastening his
-      camera to the tripod, had just plunged his head under the black rubber
-      cloth which hung over it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What are you doing?&rdquo; Joe Croxson made so bold as to ask.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Focussing on the boat,&rdquo; was Regie's mysterious reply, from the folds of
-      the rubber cloth.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At this answer Madge seemed to be somewhat intimidated. The word focussing
-      had an ominous sound in her ears.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo; Joe asked gruffly, for not one of the little
-      party was a whit wiser than before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, I'm fixing things so as to be able to take a clear picture of that
-      boat,&rdquo; Regie answered, good-naturedly; &ldquo;and now I would like you all to
-      run and get into it, ready to be taken.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      At this the party would have scampered off to do his bidding but for
-      little Millie Croxson, the baby, who had succumbed to a nameless fear, and
-      had to be coaxed and carried to the scene of action.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0100" id="linkimage-0100"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0168.jpg" alt="0168 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0168.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Regie stood at a little distance, wondering how he should pose his party,
-      when suddenly Nan exclaimed, &ldquo;Oh, I say! let's do this; let's pretend we
-      have been shipwrecked, and had to take to the boats, and are out on the
-      open sea. And you might take two pictures, Rex, one where we think we must
-      all die in the boat, and one where we have hailed a steamer, and are going
-      to be picked up and saved.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0101" id="linkimage-0101"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0169.jpg" alt="0169 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0169.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Certainly Nan <i>was</i> splendid for thinking of things, and the children
-      took to the idea at once; but it took somewhat longer to arrange matters
-      to the satisfaction of everybody. Finally it was arranged that the four
-      girls should be huddled together in the stern of the boat, and Joe and Jim
-      Croxson should each have an oar, and lean way forward, as though they were
-      rowing against a very heavy sea, and that Harry should be stationed on the
-      bow as a look-out. Harry and Nan endeavoured, by turning their coats
-      inside out, and one or two other alterations in costume, to make
-      themselves as forlorn as possible. There was something pathetic in the
-      fact that even the Croxsons themselves realised they need attempt nothing
-      in this direction; they were sufficiently forlorn as they were.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Little Millie was supposed to be a half-starved little baby, and had an
-      old handkerchief tied three-cornerwise about her head. As she sat on Nan's
-      lap her thin little face looked the character to perfection.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now,&rdquo; said Rex, when all was in readiness; &ldquo;you mustn't move, not one of
-      you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;C-c-can we w-w-wink?&rdquo; stuttered Madge.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Are we forlorn enough and sorrowful enough?&rdquo; asked Nan.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;How do I look?&rdquo; urged Harry, who stood balanced on the look-out in the
-      stiffest of positions.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, you are all right,&rdquo; Regie answered, collectively; &ldquo;now, still, every
-      one of you.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Trembling with excitement he uncapped the lens, while he counted one, two,
-      three, four, which were supposed to cover two seconds in time'; and then
-      pop! on went the cap again, but alas! the picture was not taken. Rex had
-      forgotten to draw out the slide which would let the picture in on the
-      plate; but before he had time to announce his discovery the children had
-      abandoned their positions in the boat, and were crowding once again around
-      the camera.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie hated to acknowledge his carelessness. He was loth to take a single
-      step down from the pinnacle on which the children had placed him because
-      of his acquaintance with the photographing art, but it had to be done.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You'll all have to go back and be taken over again,&rdquo; he said,
-      disconsolately. &ldquo;I didn't get any picture that time, because I forgot to
-      do something I ought to.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The children marched back to the boat, but with faith evidently weakened
-      in the real ability of this would-be photographer. It took some time to
-      gain the properly forlorn expression and look of general despondency, but
-      at last all was in readiness, and the picture was taken.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Now change your positions and smile like everything,&rdquo; called Rex, &ldquo;as
-      though you saw the steamer that is going to rescue you coming toward you,
-      and I'll take the other picture in a jiffy.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      The children brisked up and obeyed Regie's orders by grinning from ear to
-      ear, with the exception of baby Millie, whom neither petting nor teasing
-      could coax into so much as the suggestion of a smile. This having your
-      picture taken still seemed to her an uncanny and perilous proceeding.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Say, Rex!&rdquo; called Nan, in an anxious tone, &ldquo;the baby won't look cheerful.
-      I can't make her smile, no matter what I do.&rdquo; H ere was a real difficulty!
-      Rex walked over to the boat to give the matter his personal attention.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Perhaps it's too young a baby to understand that she isn't going to be
-      drowned,&rdquo; suggested Madge, who was really quite experienced in the matter
-      of babies, having had almost entire charge of Millie from her birth.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, of course she is,&rdquo; Nan replied, blaming herself for not having
-      thought of this way of solving the problem; &ldquo;she's hungry and cold still,
-      and she shouldn't smile.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So little Miss Millie's downheartedness proved no obstacle after all, and
-      Regie soon announced that picture number two was taken. Pell mell the
-      children scrambled out of the boat and hurried back to the camera.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Let's see it, Rex.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Is it good?&rdquo; were their exclamations all at once.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Which is the best?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, I can't tell you yet,&rdquo; answered Regie, out of patience with such
-      ignorance; &ldquo;don't you know I have to take the plates home before you can
-      tell a thing about them, and develop them?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Develop?&rdquo; said Jim Croxson, not having the remotest idea what the word
-      might mean; &ldquo;develop your grandmother! It's my opinion if a fellow had
-      taken a picture he'd be glad enough to show it. I don't believe you can
-      take 'em at all, and there's no use in wasting any more time in this
-      tomfoolery. Come, Croxsies, let's travel home and scare up something to
-      eat.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Jim was a ringleader in that family circle, and the younger Croxsons took
-      their departure with sullen faces, which looked as though they had spent
-      more time in the weary activity of <i>scaring up</i> something to eat,
-      than in the more passive and beneficial process of eating. Regie stood
-      looking after them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0102" id="linkimage-0102"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0172.jpg" alt="0172 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0172.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I call that pretty mean,&rdquo; he said, angrily, &ldquo;and it shows just how much
-      they know about it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Mean!&rdquo; muttered Nan, with her little lips pressed tightly together; &ldquo;I
-      would just like to see that Jim Croxson come up with.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan did not know exactly what was involved in this proceeding of being
-      &ldquo;come up with,&rdquo; but she had an idea that it was just about the most
-      dreadful thing that could happen to anybody. Harry stood non-committal. Of
-      course he thought it was very foolish for the Croxsons to go off like
-      that; but he would himself see the thing through before expressing an
-      opinion. If Regie said something more was needing to be done, he supposed
-      he must believe him; but it certainly seemed, if a picture was taken, it
-      was taken, and he ought to be able to show something for it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Say, Harry,&rdquo; asked Regie, as they walked home, &ldquo;isn't there a big dark
-      closet up in the attic?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, as dark as Egypt.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, then, we'll go up there to develop the pictures. I'd like to have
-      you and Nan see me do it. Is the closet large enough for three?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Plenty.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;All right then; and will you carry up a bucket of fresh clear water,
-      while Nan helps me to get my bottles and trays together?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry's faith began to revive. &ldquo;Rex does seem to know what he's about,
-      after all,&rdquo; he thought.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Coats and hats were punched on to their respective pegs, rather than hung
-      up according to rule, and in a few moments Harry, with the bucket of
-      water, and Rex and Nan, with their mysterious vials and bottles, met in
-      the dark closet. Rex lit his ruby lantern, and then solemnly closed the
-      door. Poor little Millie would undoubtedly have been frightened to death
-      had she been compelled to be present at this gloomy stage of proceedings.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry and Nan sat on the floor, with their legs crossed under them,
-      tailor-fashion, and with their heads pushed very forward so as not to miss
-      anything. Regie sat opposite them, pouring liquids out of bottles,
-      measuring them in little glasses, adding water to them, and emptying them
-      again into certain square trays, or dishes, in front of him, &ldquo;Now we're
-      ready to begin,&rdquo; he said at last, with the air of a little lecturer; &ldquo;and
-      the first thing to be done is to take the plate out of the holder. This is
-      the one on which I took the first picture; but you see it looks perfectly
-      white, as though there were no picture at all.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And is there?&rdquo; asked Nan, incredulously.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course there is, and you'll see it with your own eyes in a minute.
-      First, I have to dust it with this camel's hair brush, for the smallest
-      speck would make a little pin hole in the plate; and now watch! I put it
-      in this tray; the stuff in here is called the developer, because in a few
-      moments it will begin to bring the picture out.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      This was always a moment of supreme excitement for Regie. You could have
-      heard him panting away through the crack of the closed door. The
-      excitement was contagious, and Nan began to pant too. Only Harry continued
-      to breathe quite regularly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;There it comes, there it comes!&rdquo; Regie cried exultingly. &ldquo;There's the
-      boat, see! and there you are, Nan, and there! the Croxsons are coming
-      out;&rdquo; this in a regretful sort of tone, as though he half repented having
-      included such a disagreeable crowd in the picture at all.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mute with wonder, Harry and Nan looked on. To accomplish such a result in
-      such a mysterious way raised Regie in their eyes to the level of an actual
-      magician. Yes, there was the whole picture before them. They could
-      distinguish it quite distinctly, even by the dim lantern light, only
-      everything was reversed; faces were black and coats were white.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That is the reason they call this a negative,&rdquo; Rex explained; &ldquo;I think it
-      means, not what it ought to be, because when this plate is dry, and we lay
-      a piece of sensitised paper against it and put it in the sun, the print
-      that comes off on the paper is called a positive; that is, we have a
-      proof, a picture, as it ought to be.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What do you do now?&rdquo; asked Nan, in an awed whisper.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, now I take it out of the developer and plunge it up and down several
-      times in this bucket ol water, to wash the developer off, and now I put it
-      in this other tray; there's a solution of soda in here.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Solution of soda?&rdquo; thought Harry. &ldquo;Dear me! Regie does know a lot for a
-      boy of his age.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What does the soda do?&rdquo; he asked.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It eats something off the plate, I think,&rdquo; Regie answered, somewhat
-      vaguely; &ldquo;something I believe that ought to come off. And now I wash it
-      thoroughly again, and now I put it in this third tray, which has a
-      solution of alum in it. The alum gives the plate a good colour. Now
-      another good washing and it is finished.&rdquo; All this required much more time
-      than it takes to write about it. &ldquo;As soon as the plate dries we can print
-      a proof from it,&rdquo; Rex farther explained, &ldquo;that is, if the sun stays out.
-      Would you like to see me do the other one?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0103" id="linkimage-0103"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0175.jpg" alt="0175 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0175.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;<i>Like</i> to see you!&rdquo; said Nan, in a tone as though she wondered if
-      Regie could possibly think for one moment that anything could at all
-      compare with just this very thing that they were doing.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0104" id="linkimage-0104"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0176.jpg" alt="0176 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0176.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XIX.&mdash;HOLIDAYS IN TOWN
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0105" id="linkimage-0105"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9176.jpg" alt="9176 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9176.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      N the summer weather all Moorlow, and indeed all the dwellers along the
-      whole length of the shore, would gather in little groups on the beach to
-      see the moon rise; but to-night the moon and the waves have the beach to
-      themselves, for the ice is several inches thick on the fresh water ponds,
-      and the wind is keen and biting.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Straight out of the ocean, with no summer fog to veil her coming, rises
-      the great golden moon, and soon she is high enough to send a broad path of
-      light shimmering across the water. And now she lights the way for Captain
-      Murray's man Joe, trudging home from the village with the mail; and now
-      she peers in through the dimity curtains of Nan's pretty room, making it
-      bright as the day.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      And what does she find there but something that never was there before; a
-      bran new little trunk, with N.M. in black letters on the end toward the
-      window, and no doubt she wonders if it can be possible that Nan is going
-      away; little Nan, who never remembers having slept a night of her life out
-      of sound of the sea. Travel on, old Moon, over the roof, until you can
-      shine in at Sister Julia's window, and there you will discover two other
-      trunks, which are ready for a start on the morrow, for <i>you</i> should
-      know what every one else already knows&mdash;that Rex is going home, and
-      Harry and Nan go with him to make a visit. Did you not discover as you
-      sailed over the ocean the good ship <i>Alaska</i> drawing nearer and
-      nearer, with Regie's papa and mamma on board? And do you not think, with
-      your clear light to aid her, she will surely reach port by day after
-      to-morrow?
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      But while we are so foolish as to stand out here in the cold, talking at
-      the moon, Joe has reached the house and gone in with the mail, and among
-      the other letters is a neat little package for Regie.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0106" id="linkimage-0106"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0177.jpg" alt="0177 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0177.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, here are the photographs!&rdquo; he exclaimed; and right away there is such
-      a solid little group, bending closely about him, that if it were not for
-      the difference in the colour of hair you could hardly have told where one
-      head commenced and the other ended. The children had been looking
-      anxiously for these photographs for a week.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      When Regie found from the proofs that the pictures that he had taken were
-      satisfactory, he sent the plates up to New York, by express, to a
-      photographer, who was accustomed to print his pictures for him, but he had
-      heard nothing from them, and began to think they had gone astray.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It would have done your heart good to have heard Captain Murray's laugh as
-      he looked at them. The one where the steamer was supposed to be coming to
-      the relief of the shipwrecked mariners was, if possible, the funnier of
-      the two. Nan was the only one who had fully entered into the spirit of the
-      thing, and really looked as though something joyful was about to appear..
-      The others had smiled, as they were bid, but a heartless conventional
-      smile is at the best a sorry affair, and doubly so on such pinched little
-      faces as the Croxsons'.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      But the pictures, as pictures, were good, and Rex had no need to be
-      ashamed of his work. He imagined he could see Papa Fairfax now, and how
-      much amused he would be by them.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      As this was to be the last of the many happy evenings they had spent
-      together in the little cottage, it occurred to Sister Julia that it ought
-      to be celebrated in some special way, so she crossed the room and
-      whispered to Mrs. Murray. As the result of the whispering Mrs. Murray
-      asked the children &ldquo;what they would say to a candy-pull.&rdquo; Much scurrying
-      about on the part of the children, and the delicious odour of boiling New
-      Orleans molasses, which presently pervaded the house, showed they had said
-      &ldquo;yes&rdquo; to the suggestion, and in the heartiest fashion possible.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At eleven o'clock, after enjoying to the full all the fun and satisfaction
-      attending a thoroughly successful candy-pull, his little Royal Highness
-      and the body-guard retired to rest, or, in less kingly English, Rex,
-      Harry, and Nan tumbled into bed; and indeed it was high time, if they were
-      to be ready for an early start in the morning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      To Nan and Harry Mr. Fairfax's house in town was a revelation. They were
-      fortunate enough to be blessed with a comfortable and pretty little home
-      of their own; but here was a home that was vastly more than comfortable
-      and pretty. Nan gave vent to her admiration in a succession of audible
-      &ldquo;ohs!&rdquo; the moment they entered the house, much to the amusement of Mrs.
-      Mallory, the old housekeeper, who was glad enough to welcome them into the
-      house that had been &ldquo;such a lonely place without Rex and Mr. and Mrs.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0107" id="linkimage-0107"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figright" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/8179.jpg" alt="8179 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/8179.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You like it, don't you, Nan?&rdquo; said Regie, beaming proudly.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It is perfectly beautiful,&rdquo; Nan answered, sinking down into a great easy
-      chair, and trying to look everywhere at once. She was not in the least
-      overpowered by the new surroundings, only supremely delighted.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And to think we are to stay a week!&rdquo; she exclaimed, with a happy sigh.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry, of a more enquiring turn of mind, was walking about the parlour,
-      gazing up at the pictures, and making so bold as to touch certain little
-      ornaments and articles of bric-a-brac to see how they felt.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      When Mrs. Mallory had helped the children to lay off their wraps, she
-      showed Harry and Nan all through the house, taking as much pleasure in
-      their exclamations of wonder and delight as though she herself owned
-      everything in it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Two members of the party from Moorlow did not seem in the least overjoyed
-      at their arrival at the house in town. Secured by one leash, Hereward and
-      Ned followed Regie obediently enough, for they were too well trained to
-      offer any resistance; but if you could have had a word with either of the
-      poor fellows they would have told you that life at Moorlow was glorious
-      freedom, and life in New York a sadly limited affair, with whole days
-      together when they did not have so much as a run in the park. So it was
-      not strange that they suffered themselves to be led down the kitchen
-      stairs, and out to their kennels in the little city yard, without one sign
-      of jubilance over their return. If Mr. Fairfax had been on hand to welcome
-      them, no doubt there would have been no end of boisterous demonstration,
-      for the joy of seeing their master would have eclipsed the thought of how
-      changed their life was to be. Early the next morning a telegram from their
-      friend at the Highland Light came, addressed to Regie, and announced that
-      the <i>Alaska</i> had been sighted from Sandy Hook, and would reach her
-      pier about half-past eight. Then there was such a hurry and flurry, for
-      the telegram had not been delivered very promptly, and there was no time
-      to spare. Mrs. Mallory went flying bare-headed round the corner to order a
-      carriage from the livery stable, while Sister Julia and the children ate a
-      hasty breakfast.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Drive as fast as possible, please,&rdquo; said Sister Julia, bundling the
-      children into the carriage, and she reached up and dropped something into
-      the driver's hand; the only thing, in fact, that ever seems to impart any
-      real life to a livery team of horses.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      They reached the pier just in time, for the Alaska was so near you could
-      almost recognise anyone on board. Realising that they must not lose a
-      moment, Sister Julia, with the children following close after her, pushed
-      her way as politely as she could through the crowd. Indeed, people rather
-      made way for them, for there was that in their eager, childish faces which
-      seemed to make everyone feel that they must not be disappointed in the
-      matter they had in hand.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      As soon as they succeeded in reaching the edge of the wharf, Regie
-      discovered Papa and Mamma Fairfax, close to the rail, in the very bow of
-      the steamer, and his enthusiasm found vent in a lusty hurrah at the top of
-      his lungs, to the general amusement of everyone.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Somehow or other they all managed going home to crowd into the same
-      carriage, notwithstanding the wraps and portmanteaus, and then such a
-      laughing, chattering party as they were! People on the side walk, and
-      people in the street cars, could not keep from smiling as they glanced in
-      at the noisy, merry load.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      There is no gladness surpassing that of a happy home-coming, after a long
-      and distant journey, and it is sad that we so soon settle back into the
-      old routine of life and forget how supremely happy we were.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Fortunately for the Fairfax household, just this sort of gladness lasted
-      for a whole week. Papa Fairfax went but once to the office, and Mamma
-      Fairfax unpacked little beside the Christmas presents. In whole-souled
-      fashion they simply gave themselves up to the amusement of the children.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Christmas came midway in the week, and such a Christmas! Nan may live to
-      be ninety, but she'll never forget it, and Harry may grow to be a man with
-      all sorts of cares and responsibilities, but he'll never forget it.
-      Indeed, these two little people had so many treasures thrust upon them,
-      that Mr. Fairfax thought best to make them a present of an extra trunk, in
-      which to carry home their booty.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;All hands&rdquo; were constantly on the go&mdash;morning, noon, and night I was
-      going to say, for each day Mr. Fairfax planned some fine sight-seeing
-      scheme, and every afternoon they &ldquo;topped off&rdquo; with an invigorating sleigh
-      ride.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It was an ideal Christmas week, with a heavy fall of snow preceding it'
-      and clear, cold weather that kept the sleighing in perfect condition until
-      its close, and for many days after.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      There was not a prettier turn out in the park than Mr. Fairfax's Russian
-      sleigh with its red plumes and black horses, and many a one turned and
-      gazed at the merry load as it passed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;That's the foinest paarty what sleigh-roides in this park,&rdquo; said a burly
-      Irishman to one of his brother policemen, as they jingled merrily by on
-      the day after Christmas; and, for one, I think he was quite right in the
-      matter.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Fairfax and Harry and Regie were on the back seat enveloped in a
-      great white bearskin robe. It was Nan's turn to ride in front with Mr.
-      Fairfax, and there she sat, a charming embodiment of serene satisfaction.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0108" id="linkimage-0108"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9182.jpg" alt="9182 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9182.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      I think even Mrs. Murray would hardly have recognised her own little Nan
-      in an otter-trimmed dark-red coat, with an otter cap and muff to match.
-      Mrs. Fairfax had bought the pretty outfit for her in Paris, and it was
-      wonderfully becoming. Indeed, I believe there was a touch of pride in her
-      bright little smile this morning, but I guess we can forgive it, if the
-      head of this little Moorlow maiden was a trifle turned by the joyous
-      experience of a happy week in New York at the gayest time of the year.
-      Remember, too, that she had been the owner of this beautiful coat scarcely
-      twenty-four hours, and I think you will admit her to be made of different
-      stuff from other little maidens did she not feel considerably elated by
-      it. But Nan is not vain by nature, and never you fear but that she will go
-      back to Moorlow the same dear child that she left it.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      At the upper end of the park Mr. Fairfax met two old bachelor friends
-      driving in a low cutter, whereupon the whole sleigh-full favoured them
-      with the most smiling and cordial of bows. Harry and Regie were too fond
-      of the accomplishment of gallantly touching their hats to lose a single
-      opportunity, and Nan &ldquo;was not going to sit stiff and straight as though
-      she did not know anybody.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Fairfax seems to get more out of life than any fellow I know,&rdquo; remarked
-      one of the old bachelors; &ldquo;and he's a good sight better-looking than he
-      used to be. I wonder how it is?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I'll tell you how it is,&rdquo; answered the other; &ldquo;he's a deal happier
-      than he used to be. They say his wife's a real treasure. I suppose that
-      sort of thing goes a long way toward making a fellow get a good deal out
-      of life. Then Fairfax has told me himself how much they enjoy that boy of
-      theirs, and they ought to. It was a mighty kind thing to do. You know they
-      did not have any children of their own, so they adopted that youngster of
-      Will Reginald's.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, I know,&rdquo; replied Bachelor No. 1.; &ldquo;but who are the other two
-      children?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, I heard at the club last night that they are a pair of French
-      orphans that they picked up in Paris. They have just returned from abroad,
-      you know. I wonder where they'll stop; they seem to have a passion for
-      adopting.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Surely the merry party in the Russian sleigh would have laughed harder
-      than ever could they have heard all this.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      A pair of French orphans indeed! Nan and Harry Murray; whose every look
-      and accent betrayed them such thoroughgoing little Americans, and for
-      whose home-coming a father and mother were waiting so impatiently. But
-      that's about as straight as the world often gets things.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0109" id="linkimage-0109"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5183.jpg" alt="5183 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5183.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0110" id="linkimage-0110"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0184.jpg" alt="0184 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0184.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XX.&mdash;IN MR. VALES CHURCH
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0111" id="linkimage-0111"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9184.jpg" alt="9184 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9184.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      S soon as Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax returned Sister Julia went back to her work
-      at the great hospital. Mrs. Fairfax begged her to stay through the
-      holidays, and the children coaxed and coaxed, but to no avail, for she
-      knew that &ldquo;little lame Madeline,&rdquo; as every one called her, was longing for
-      her to come. Madeline had been in the hospital once before, and for almost
-      a year, but now she had come back to stay. The doctors said she would
-      never be able to leave it again, nor would she be there very long. The
-      best of care and kindest of nursing must soon fail to cage the little
-      spirit in any house that human hands had made.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I can understand how you feel that you must go,&rdquo; Mrs. Fairfax had said to
-      Sister Julia at the close of a long talk they had been having about it;
-      &ldquo;but it does seem too bad that you should take up your hospital work again
-      without having had a vacation.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Vacation!&rdquo; laughed Sister Julia. &ldquo;Why, I have just come home from the
-      happiest vacation of my life!&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But you were at work all the time caring for Reginald, teaching the
-      children, and, hardest of all, tending those poor wrecked sailors.''
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, but it was all a pleasure. Every day I was breathing that strong
-      salt air, and taking long strolls on the beach. To have chosen your life
-      work, and to feel yourself hour by hour gaining strength and health that
-      enables you to keep cheerily and steadily at it, why, there is no
-      happiness for me, Mrs. Fairfax, that at all compares with that; and while
-      that state of things continues, no idle vacation, if you please. I should
-      be half miserable all the time.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Mrs. Fairfax knew that Sister Julia was right in the matter, and bade her
-      good-bye and God-speed with tears in her eyes, but they were tears of
-      loving appreciation, and not because she did not expect to see Sister
-      Julia soon again. Indeed, it had been arranged that she should come down
-      from the hospital the very next Sunday, and go with the children to the
-      afternoon service at Mr. Vale's church.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0112" id="linkimage-0112"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0185.jpg" alt="0185 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0185.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Sunday came&mdash;a clear, cold Sunday, and little Nan woke and gave a
-      sigh as she looked about the little room that had been hers for a week. It
-      was a beautiful room. She was lying in the shiniest of little brass
-      bedsteads, and there were lovely pictures on the walls, and pretty things
-      of one sort or another on every side.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Dear me!&rdquo; she thought, a little regretfully; &ldquo;only one more night, and we
-      must go home,&rdquo; but at the same time that one word <i>home</i> sent a glad
-      little thrill through her heart. She felt sure that, after all, she would
-      not exchange her own little room, with its wide-reaching view skyward, and
-      landward, and seaward, for the finest room in the city, overlooking only a
-      narrow street, and dreary stone walls and pavements; besides, though
-      everyone had been so kind, and she loved them all dearly, it would be nice
-      to curl up in her own mother's arms again, for even an eight-year-old
-      little woman sometimes clings tenderly to certain comforts and luxuries of
-      babyhood.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Sister Julia came at a quarter of four, and found the children eagerly
-      waiting for her. As they walked down Fifth Avenue people looked with
-      considerable interest at the sweet-faced woman, whose dress betrayed her a
-      member of a sisterhood, and at the three children, who kept up a constant
-      exchange of the place of honour, which consisted in being close to Sister
-      Julia, on one side or the other, where they could have the privilege of
-      clasping whichever hand was in best condition to forego the comfort of her
-      muff.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      There was nothing connected with this visit to which Nan and Harry had
-      looked forward with more pleasure than to seeing Mr. Vale's church, and
-      hearing him preach; and with beaming faces they followed Rex to the pew
-      which they were to have quite to themselves, for Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had
-      gone to spend the afternoon with Grandma Fairfax, in Brooklyn.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think the church is beautiful,&rdquo; whispered Nan to Sister Julia.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I knew you would like it,&rdquo; Sister Julia whispered back.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;The stained-glass windows are lovely, with the light coming through
-      them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; answered Sister Julia, for she did not fancy prolonged
-      conversations in church.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Must have cost a lot,&rdquo; Harry remarked to Regie, after staring all about
-      him, and turning his body from side to side, in a take-everything-in sort
-      of fashion.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, it did,&rdquo; Regie replied; &ldquo;Mr. Vale thought the rich men ought to make
-      it as beautiful as their homes.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Who do you have to blow your organ, a man or a boy?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It's run by water-power, you goosie.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;What do you mean by that?&rdquo; Harry asked, with knitted eyebrows.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I would rather you would not talk any more now,&rdquo; Sister Julia
-      interrupted, for she could see that the children's stage whispers were
-      audible several pews away.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      They were quite willing to be silent, however, for Mr. Vale had come into
-      the chancel, and they felt themselves on their good behaviour; beside,
-      they were too much interested in his every gesture to have eyes or ears
-      for aught else. Indeed, Nan was by nature a most devout little worshipper.
-      She loved everything connected with the service. Long before she knew one
-      letter from another she had her own little prayerbook in the chapel at
-      Moorlow, and would turn from page to page, as though perfectly familiar
-      with the order, and during the responses she would emit certain audible
-      little sounds, which greatly amused other children near her, and yet, to
-      her little ladyship, were perfectly satisfactory. But she entered even
-      more heartily into this afternoon's service than ever before.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Mr. Vale's earnest spirit seemed always to pervade the whole congregation
-      worshipping in the old Tower Church. They knew he never preached a word
-      which he did not faithfully strive to practise, and even little folk feel
-      the power of a consistent life, before ever they can tell what the power
-      is or why they feel it. There was much in this afternoon's sermon that the
-      children could understand, and only once was Nan's attention distracted;
-      that was when a restless little five-year-old, who sat before them, having
-      disappeared for several seconds in the bottom of the pew, suddenly popped
-      up again, dangling her button-boots and stockings over the back of the
-      seat.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0113" id="linkimage-0113"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0188.jpg" alt="0188 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0188.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Harry and Rex clapped their hands over their mouths to keep from laughing
-      outright. Nan smiled, and touched Sister Julia, who leaned forward and
-      succeeded in inducing her to quietly put them on again. That was the first
-      the little witch's father knew of the transaction, for he had been
-      listening intently to the sermon; but he looked gratefully at Sister Julia
-      when he saw what she had done, and shook his head, as much as to say, &ldquo;She
-      is a most unruly little maiden.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      After this performance the child leaned her head against the back of the
-      pew, and became absorbed in a study of the stained-glass window over the
-      chancel. No wonder it attracted her childish gaze. At the beginning of the
-      service the light had fallen upon it from without, but now the wintry
-      twilight was gathering fast, and the rims of brass in which the discs of
-      glass were set were brilliantly flashing from the glow of the gas-jets.
-      Ere long the service is over, and people are leaving the church. Reluctant
-      to go, the children linger a moment in the pew, and fortunately too, for
-      Ole, the old Norwegian sexton, is elbowing his way toward them, with a
-      message from Mr. Vale. Quite out of breath he reaches them, explaining
-      that &ldquo;Mr. Vale would like to have the children come up to the study, and
-      that he said he would see them safely home if Sister Julia must hurry back
-      to the hospital.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry and Nan give Sister Julia a good-bye hug, &ldquo;real hard,&rdquo; for they will
-      not see her again before going home to Moorlow to-morrow; and then with
-      happy hearts they follow Ole up the winding stairs that lead to the study.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0114" id="linkimage-0114"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5189.jpg" alt="5189 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5189.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0115" id="linkimage-0115"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0190.jpg" alt="0190 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0190.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      <br /><br />
-    </p>
-    <hr />
-    <p>
-      <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div style="height: 4em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h2>
-      XXI.&mdash;IN MR. VALE'S STUDY
-    </h2>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0116" id="linkimage-0116"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="figleft" style="width:20%;">
-      <img src="images/9190.jpg" alt="9190 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/9190.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <p>
-      R. VALE was waiting for the children, holding the study door wide open to
-      light them up the stairway.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Come right in,&rdquo; he said; &ldquo;I am proud to have my first visit from my
-      little Moorlow friends;&rdquo; then turning to the sexton, he added, &ldquo;We may be
-      here for some time, Ole, and if you wait for us, it will make you late for
-      your supper, so bring me the keys of the church when you are ready to go,
-      and I'll take them home with me to-night.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Ole, looking grateful for this thoughtful suggestion, trudged downstairs
-      again, and the children walked into the room. Regie had been there several
-      times before, but even to him it never looked so cosy as to-night. There
-      was a bright fire on the hearth; Ole had been watching and stirring it up,
-      for Mr. Vale had told him he expected to entertain some little folks after
-      service. A cheery lamp was lit on the study table, as by this time it was
-      quite dark out of doors, and near it some loving member of the
-      congregation had placed a vase, full of beautiful roses. On one side of
-      the room were tall book-cases, reaching to the ceiling, and on the Other
-      three sides hung quaint old-fashioned portraits of some of the former
-      rectors of the parish.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      As soon as Nan heard Mr. Vale tell Ole that they would probably be there
-      for some time, she quietly walked over to one corner, took off her hat and
-      cloak, and carefully and smoothly laid them across a chair.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, Nan child, who asked you to take off your things?&rdquo; exclaimed Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Mr. Vale said we were to stay some time,&rdquo; Nan replied, not at all
-      disturbed; &ldquo;and I think it seems cosier to take off your things.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I quite agree with you,&rdquo; said Mr. Vale, heartily; &ldquo;and these young
-      gentlemen cannot do better than to follow your example, for we are going
-      to draw up to the fire and have a good talk.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      So Harry and Regie, nothing loath, slipped out of their overcoats, and the
-      little party gathered about the fire, the boys seated on either side of
-      Mr. Vale's easy chair and Nan on his knee.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, what did you think of the service?&rdquo; he asked, taking Nan's little
-      hand in his. &ldquo;I know you could not have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed
-      looking into the upturned faces of my little Moorlow friends. It seemed as
-      though you sort of belonged to my congregation, and ought to be there
-      always.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wish we could,&rdquo; sighed Nan, shaking her head thoughtfully. &ldquo;I knew all
-      the time you must be a lovely preacher, and really I think you are the
-      nicest minister there is.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, so does everybody with any sense that ever heard him&rdquo;' said Regie,
-      and in a tone as though there could not be the slightest doubt on that
-      question.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Oh, Rex! you are a good friend of mine,&rdquo; laughed Mr. Vale,
-      affectionately, laying his hand over on Regie's knee.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;You love children, don't you, Mr. Vale?&rdquo; remarked Harry, demurely, as
-      though he had just made the discovery.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, indeed, Harry, and I hardly see how the old world could get along
-      for a single day without them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I suppose you love 'em all alike, all the little children you know?&rdquo; Nan
-      said, rather regretfully.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Do you think I ought to, Nan?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No, I guess not. I would like it better if you didn't; if you loved some
-      of your little friends more than others.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, what difference would it make to you?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan hung her head and looked a little embarrassed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I think I know what she means,&rdquo; Harry said, slowly, who, by a glance
-      toward Mr. Vale, had asked permission to turn the back log, and was at
-      work with the tongs; &ldquo;I think she means that she'd like to feel sure <i>she</i>
-      was one of those you loved the most. Nan's kind of jealous sometimes.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, I'm only jealous about nice things, any way, Harry Murray,&rdquo; and Nan
-      sat bolt upright again; &ldquo;I do not wish I had other boys' tops and marbles
-      the way you do.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Harry was on the point of framing a quick retort, but he checked himself.
-      He really was trying to be less of a tease, as far as Nan was concerned.
-      Mr. Vale was the only one who noticed this little act of self-control.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Good for you, Harry!&rdquo; he exclaimed, &ldquo;keep that sort of thing up, and I
-      have no fears for the sort of man you'll make.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Keep what sort of thing up?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Regie and Nan looked at each other rather mystified, and Nan was very
-      uncomfortable; besides, she did not enjoy the novel sensation of having
-      had the last word, and she did wish Mr. Vale had not heard her speak that
-      way to Harry. She wondered if he thought she was a regular little heathen.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Keep what sort of thing up, Mr. Vale?&rdquo; asked Regie, after a pause.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, self-control, Rex. You see that remark of Nan's about tops and
-      marbles made Harry feel like speaking back pretty sharply: so much like it
-      that I fairly saw the words shaping themselves on his lips, but you did
-      not hear them spoken, did you, Nan?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;No,&rdquo; Nan confessed.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      But if you had looked Harry's way just then you would have seen a queer
-      little smile instead, which seemed to say, &ldquo;Why, Nan's such a dear little
-      thing I ought not to mind what she says.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Well, that's just exactly what I was thinking,&rdquo; said Harry, astonished at
-      Mr. Vale's power to read his thoughts.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It was not very nice for me to tell that about the tops and marbles,&rdquo; Nan
-      remarked, slowly. .
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And it was not nice at all,&rdquo; said Harry, &ldquo;for me to say that you were
-      jealous sometimes.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0117" id="linkimage-0117"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0193.jpg" alt="0193 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0193.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But I am,&rdquo; Nan truthfully admitted; &ldquo;I know that well enough, only I do
-      not like to be told about it.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course you don't, Nan,&rdquo; and Mr. Vale drew the honest little, maiden
-      nearer to him. &ldquo;Of course you don't, few of us like to be told of our
-      faults; but we ought to like it, for often it would be the very best thing
-      that could happen to us. Perhaps we should not go on making the same
-      errors over and over again if somebody would tell us about them, and we
-      could take the telling kindly.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Mr. Vale,&rdquo; said Rex, who had been sitting thoughtful and silent for some
-      time, &ldquo;were you just a regular little boy?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Very irregular sometimes, I fear, only I don't quite know what you mean,
-      Rex.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, you see, I would like to be like you when I grow up; but I'm afraid
-      I'm too different at the start. I mean did you use to be like other boys
-      and me? Did you often get angry and speak back?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes, often; and in the sense that you mean I was indeed a regular boy;
-      and do you think I never get angry now, Rex?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Perhaps you do now and then, but not often, I warrant, and when you do
-      you keep it under.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Keeping under is very hard work,&rdquo; sighed Nan, as though she had a world
-      of experience in that direction.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Keeping under is only another name for self-control, you know. And now,
-      Nan,&rdquo; added Mr. Vale, &ldquo;I am ready to answer your question, and to tell you
-      that I do not love all the children I know alike by any manner of means. I
-      love them in a dozen different ways. You see no thoughtful man grows to be
-      as old as I am without wondering, whenever he looks into a little face,
-      what sort of man or woman its owner will make. And so if I can I watch the
-      little life closely, and after a while I see good traits and bad traits
-      cropping out here and there, all in the veriest tangle; and by-and-bye,
-      when I see the good traits growing faster and faster, I love that little
-      life very hopefully and joyfully. Then suppose in another little life I
-      see the evil things choking the good things, I love that little life very
-      sadly and fearfully; or if I cannot make out which is getting the upper
-      hand, I love it very anxiously; and so you see I do not love my little
-      friends alike by any means. Now there you have had two sermons, one in the
-      church, and one here in the study, and that is enough for one afternoon.
-      Suppose you go to my table drawer, Nan, and see what you find.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      Nan quickly slipped from his knee and pulled out the drawer.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Three little boxes,&rdquo; she exclaimed, with delight.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And what is written on them?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      How could she tell, this lazy little learner, who only lately had mastered
-      plain printed' letters? With a shy, half-apologetic look she placed them
-      in Mr. Vale's hand.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Regie, Harry, Nan,&rdquo; he read, handing each a box. Of course it was a
-      present. With beaming faces they unwrapped them, and in each lay a
-      square-edged, plain gold ring, with four old English C's engraved on the
-      outside.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;One for each of us?&rdquo; cried Nan, not knowing what else to say.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Mr. Vale; &ldquo;I didn't see how I could make one ring do for
-      three people, or I would, you know, for the sake of economy.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And what are the C's for?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;To help your growing up,&rdquo; Mr. Vale replied, and Nan looked a little
-      mystified.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Of course they stand for something,&rdquo; remarked Harry.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Certainly, and for what do you think?&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I shouldn't wonder if they stood for <i>control</i> every time,&rdquo; said
-      Regie, with their recent conversation fresh in his mind.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Not a bad idea,&rdquo; answered Mr. Vale, &ldquo;and we'll let them stand for that
-      altogether; but separately they are intended to stand for these four
-      words, <i>Charitable, Cheerful, Courteous, Consistent</i>. Those are
-      pretty big words for Nan, but I should not wonder if she understands them
-      after a fashion.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Nan, with much dignity, for with the exception of the last
-      word, <i>Consistent</i>, they all did convey to her a more or less
-      definite meaning.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I would like you to look up the exact definition of the words in the
-      dictionary,&rdquo; added Mr. Vale, &ldquo;and then I believe when you happen to look
-      down on the four C's you will remember what they stand for, and that they
-      will help you to build up the finest sort of a character. Now I propose
-      that we do not tell anybody what those four C's stand for, keeping it for
-      a little secret among ourselves.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I would like just to tell Sister Julia,&rdquo; said Nan, &ldquo;but, oh, dear me! I
-      forgot I shall never see her again, perhaps.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Why, of course you'll see her again,&rdquo; answered Regie; &ldquo;don't you know
-      that you and Harry are going to make me a visit every winter, and that I
-      am coming to Moorlow for a while every summer? Why, I love every foot of
-      the beach and the bluff from your house to the Life-saving Station.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;But, Mr. Vale, Regie can tell Sister Julia, can't he?&rdquo; asked Nan; &ldquo;she
-      would love to know about them.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Yes; and I think he might tell Papa and Mamma Fairfax, and Harry and Nan,
-      Papa and Mamma Murray; but besides those five people I think it would be
-      better not to tell anybody.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;So do I,&rdquo; said Regie, warmly; &ldquo;if you told about them, other fellows
-      might think you were setting yourself up to be sort of extra good, and
-      they wouldn't understand.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Exactly,&rdquo; Mr. Vale answered, &ldquo;and so you see it will be wiser to keep the
-      matter to ourselves, only I shall expect you to candidly report to me,
-      once in a while, if you really are remembering to give those four
-      adjectives a large place in your life.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;It was very, very kind of you to think of these pretty rings for a New
-      Year present,&rdquo; said Nan, after a pause.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;And we're very much obliged, Mr. Vale,&rdquo; chimed in Harry and Regie; but
-      the children's glowing faces showed deeper and more earnest thanks than
-      could find their way into spoken words. Mr. Vale glanced toward the clock.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I am afraid we must think about going,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;or they may think I
-      have smothered you here in my study, like the poor little princes in the
-      Tower.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;I wish we could stop in the church a moment and have a look at that
-      organ,&rdquo; suggested Harry; &ldquo;I never saw one that was run by water-power.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;We will then,&rdquo; answered Mr. Vale, &ldquo;only hurry into your overcoats so that
-      we shall not lose any time.&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      In a minute the little folk were ready, and each of the three gold rings
-      was under cover of a warm silk mitten.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      It was quite dark in the church, so that they took hold of hands as they
-      did that morning on the beach, and Mr. Vale led the way down the aisle to
-      the choir-loft at the rear. When they reached the vestibule he went ahead
-      and lit three or four burners, and the children followed him into a little
-      room underneath the organ. Part of the machinery was here, and in a quick,
-      clear manner, Mr. Vale explained its workings; then they went up into the
-      choir itself to see the wonderful keyboard and pedals.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      &ldquo;Couldn't you play just one tune?&rdquo; Nan asked, so beseechingly that Mr.
-      Vale could not refuse the last request that he should probably hear for
-      many a day from her little lips, so he whipped off his gloves and sat down
-      on the high bench.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0118" id="linkimage-0118"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:50%;">
-      <img src="images/0197.jpg" alt="0197 " width="100%" /><br />
-    </div>
-    <h5>
-      <a href="images/0197.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </h5>
-    <p>
-      Mr. Vale loved nothing better than to play on that grand sweet organ, and
-      to-night with those rapt little faces looking up to his he seemed fairly
-      inspired. Without break or pause he glided from one sweet, solemn air to
-      another, till suddenly realizing how late it was he began to play the
-      German Evening Hymn, the one that Regie had sung at the Thanksgiving
-      dinner at Moorlow. Regie took the hint, and straightway the sweet words
-      rang out in his earnest, boyish voice, and so clearly, you could have
-      heard each syllable in the farthest, darkest corner of the church. When he
-      came to the verse&mdash;
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <br />
-    </p>
-    <p class="indent15">
-      &ldquo;Let my near and dear ones be
-    </p>
-    <p class="indent15">
-      Ever near and dear to Thee;
-    </p>
-    <p class="indent15">
-      Oh, bring me and all I love
-    </p>
-    <p class="indent15">
-      To Thy happy home above,&rdquo;
-     </p>
-    <p>
-      <br />
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      he sang it with even a more intense earnestness, so that one could easily
-      guess his thoughts.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Surely Harry and Nan were among Regie's &ldquo;dear ones,&rdquo; and since they might
-      not always be near to him, he threw his soul into the prayer, that they
-      might always be near and dear to the Heavenly Father.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      Another moment and the church was utterly dark again, there was the sound
-      of the closing of a heavy door and the turning of a ponderous key in its
-      lock; then all was still. Out in the wintry twilight four friends were
-      walking homeward side by side, home through the frosty air; walking
-      briskly, and yet with hearts a little heavy, for three happy months were
-      at an end, and a little King and a faithful body-guard must part company
-      on the morrow.
-    </p>
-    <p>
-      <a name="linkimage-0119" id="linkimage-0119"> </a>
-    </p>
-    <div class="fig" style="width:15%;">
-      <img src="images/5198.jpg" alt="5198 " width="100%" /><br /><a
-      href="images/5198.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
-    </div>
-    <div style="height: 6em;">
-      <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
-    </div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little Royal Highness, by Ruth Ogden
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@@ -1,6378 +0,0 @@
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little Royal Highness, by Ruth Ogden
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-
-
-Title: His Little Royal Highness
-
-Author: Ruth Ogden
-
-Illustrator: W. Rainey
-
-Release Date: May 3, 2016 [EBook #51979]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ASCII
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HIS LITTLE ROYAL HIGHNESS ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by David Widger from page images generously
-provided by the Internet Archive
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-HIS LITTLE ROYAL HIGHNESS
-
-By Ruth Ogden
-
-Illustrated by W. Rainsey
-
-New-York
-
-1887
-
-[Illustration: 0001]
-
-[Illustration: 0008]
-
-[Illustration: 0009]
-
-[Illustration: 0010]
-
-[Illustration: 0012]
-
-[Illustration: 0013]
-
-
-
-
-I.--CORONATION DAY
-
-
-[Illustration: 9013]
-
-HE king's body-guard waited in the outer court of the palace, but the
-palace was only a dull, red cottage, and the court a low porch that
-surrounded three sides of it. As for the body-guard, they were not
-dressed as such great people are wont to be. One of them wore a calico
-dress, canvas shoes, and an untrimmed hat of soft red felt. The other,
-for there were but two of them, was resplendent in gray knickerbockers,
-and a blue flannel shirt, with white anchors worked in the corners of
-the sailor-shaped collar. As for the king, but a short time before' he
-had been only a rollicking little fellow astride of a cherry tree bough,
-and a blue-eyed little Nan had stood holding out her apron to catch the
-cherries he threw down, and gazing up at him with a face full of wonder
-at his daring. But the old and brittle bough had suddenly given way
-under his weight, and Reginald Fairfax tumbled in a sad little heap to
-the ground.
-
-[Illustration: 0015]
-
-Quick as a flash Nan sat down by his side, with her feet straight out
-before her, and drew the brown head into her lap, while the tears fell
-fast on the face that seemed so still and lifeless. Her brother Harry
-ran for the young doctor up at the hotel, as fast as his stout little
-legs could carry him.
-
-All this had happened only last week, and now Reginald lay on a hospital
-cot in his own little room in the cottage, and Harry and Nan were
-waiting on the porch till the doctor should come out and they could be
-admitted.
-
-They were both very quiet, for they had not seen Regie since the
-accident, and were awed at the thought of being soon ushered into his
-presence. Harry kept making round holes in the gravel path with the heel
-of his boot; Nan sat staring in abstracted fashion at a little wreath of
-oak leaves which she was balancing on one extended hand.
-
-Presently the doctor came out. "You can go up now," he said, "Regie
-expects you." Then he caught up his tennis racquet, which he had left on
-the porch, and hurried away, for the doctor was taking his vacation.
-If he had not been quite a young doctor, perhaps he would rather have
-forgotten for those two short weeks that there was such a thing as a
-patient in the world. But as matters stood he did not seem to mind in
-the least, that now and then he must stop whatever he was doing, and run
-over to see "how the little Fairfax boy was coming on," and, young as he
-was, he had set Regie's leg as neatly and dexterously as any older and
-more experienced surgeon could have set it.
-
-The children crept quietly up the stairway which landed them at
-Reginald's door. Nan paused midway in the room and looked toward Regie
-with a puzzled frown, for the little fellow stretched out on the cot did
-not seem exactly like the Regie she had known, tumbling around out of
-doors.
-
-Harry scarcely stirred a foot beyond the door-sill, and screwed his
-funny round mouth into a funnier pucker, a queer little habit to which
-he always resorted in moments of embarrassment.
-
-"I'm very sorry for you, Regie," said Nan, drawing a trifle nearer.
-
-"It is too bad," replied Regie. "It couldn't be helped though;" a remark
-which he had volunteered several times, as if anxious that no one should
-think that carelessness had aught to do with the accident.
-
-"We've thought of a splendid game," said Harry, feeling that he ought to
-say something.
-
-[Illustration: 0016]
-
-"I guess the only game I'll play for a good while will be still pond, no
-moving," said Regie, with a poor little ghost of a smile.
-
-"Oh! no, indeed," cried Nan, eagerly, "you're to be the principal one
-in this game. You're to be a little king, and we are to be your
-body-guard."
-
-"What's a body-guard?" asked Regie, in a tone as though he doubted
-the merits of everything with which he could not claim previous
-acquaintance.
-
-"Oh! it's a----, but we are not going to tell many people," answered
-Harry, glancing significantly toward a room opening-out of Regie's,
-where some one, a stranger to him, sat knitting.
-
-"She's only my nurse," Regie explained; "you mustn't mind her, for
-she'll have to be round a great deal, and you don't catch me having a
-body-guard unless I know just what it is."
-
-"It won't hurt you," laughed Nan, with her hands behind her back, and
-still standing in the centre of the room. Harry had made so bold as to
-take a seat on the edge of a high-backed rocker, so very much on the
-edge, in fact, that it threatened to land him on the floor any moment.
-
-"Why don't you sit down, Nan?" Reginald asked at last.
-
-"I can't sit down, Regie, because of the crown," and Nan looked
-beseechingly toward Harry, as if acting under orders.
-
-"Yes, you may show it now," was Harry's patronising answer; whereupon
-Nan exultingly held up the little oak wreath before Regie's wondering
-gaze.
-
-"Oh! is that the crown?" and Regie betrayed a shade of disappointment
-in his tone, having a conviction that such articles ought to be made of
-gold, or at least of silver.
-
-"Oh! Regie, don't you like it? It took me a whole day to make it," Nan
-exclaimed, with a perceptible quiver in her voice.
-
-"Oh yes, it's very nice, very nice indeed! only--well! it'll wither, you
-know."
-
-"I can make another then," she said, complacently, as though that
-objection were easily met. "May I put it on your head?"
-
-"Certainly;" and Regie bent his head forward from the pillow.
-
-"Nan stood in great awe of the apparatus of weights attached to the cot
-to keep Regie's limb from shortening while the broken bone was knitting.
-
-"Are you sure it won't do your leg any harm?" she asked, nervously,
-holding the crown, poised in both hands, above his head, for she could
-only boast eight years, and was rather a timid little body. Regie
-laughed outright at this, and Harry shouted, "Of course not, goosie!"
-with true brotherly disgust.
-
-Thus encouraged she dropped the crown on to Regie's head.
-
-"You look lovely in it," she said, bringing the hand-glass from the
-bureau; "you can lean your head back, it won't hurt the crown."
-
-"It hurts me though," said Regie, settling back against the pillow, and
-holding the little mirror at arm's length that he might see the general
-effect; "it pricks."
-
-"I do not think a king ought to mind such a thing as a prick," Nan
-remarked, seriously, for she possessed a lively imagination, and, for
-the time being, Regie was a real little king.
-
-"Perhaps not," said Regie, recalling something about "Uneasy lies the
-head that wears a crown" (which proverb had once been set for a copy in
-his writing book at school), and thinking how very true it was. "But you
-have not told me anything about the body-guard," he added.
-
-"As I understand it," said Harry, who liked to use a big word when he
-could, "the body-guard sort of takes care of the king, and does whatever
-he tells 'em to do."
-
-"Then you and Nan are to do _whatever_ I tell you," with an accent on
-the "whatever."
-
-"Yes," said Nan, with hearty seriousness. Harry merely nodded his head,
-as if not quite willing to commit himself by an audible "yes." He
-looked as though he foresaw some unpleasant possibilities in Regie's
-"whatever."
-
-"If you think of anything you'd like to have," Nan farther explained,
-"why, Harry or I will run and get it--and things like that you know."
-
-"My! but that'll be fun for me," said Regie.
-
-"Of course it will," Nan replied; "that's why we thought of it, because
-there's a great many kinds of fun you'll have to do without while
-you must lie so still. Will it be for very long, Regie?" she asked,
-wistfully.
-
-"Pretty long, I guess," answered Regie, with an honest little sigh.
-
-"It was Nan that made it up," said Harry, whose thoughts had a trick of
-following their own bent independent of other people's; "I don't know as
-I'm going to like it."
-
-"Like what?" queried Regie, with a puzzled frown.
-
-"Why, the being ordered about.''
-
-"Oh, I'll be easy on the body-guard," laughed Regie.
-
-"I'm ashamed of you, Harry Murray, to talk like that right before poor
-Regie!" and Nan's face showed how real was her mortification.
-
-"I don't believe kings wear their crowns to bed!" exclaimed Regie,
-having borne the pricking of the stiff little leaves as long as he
-could. "This king won't, at any rate. Hang it on that nail, Nan, where
-I can reach it, and put it on whenever you seem to forget that I am
-the king, and you must mind me," with a sly look toward Harry. Harry's
-threatened downfall became a reality just at that moment, and the
-unbalanced-rocking-chair landed him suddenly on the floor.
-
-"I think we had better go now," he said, picking himself up, with a
-furtive look in the direction of the nurse, knowing that such a mishap
-was rather inexcusable in a sick room.
-
-"I should think we had," observed Nan, with a good measure of reproach
-in tone and accent; and after a good-bye to Regie, and a friendly
-word or two from the nurse who had come in with Regie's luncheon, the
-children took their departure.
-
-[Illustration: 0019]
-
-Down the path, across the boulevard and over to the beach they
-trudged, side by side, but without saying a word to each other. Nan was
-preserving a dignified silence, which means that she wished Harry
-to understand by her manner that she did not at all approve of his
-behaviour during their visit. But Harry was so completely absorbed in
-his own thoughts as to be quite unmindful of the implied rebuke. When
-they reached the beach he lingered to watch the fishermen bring their
-boat in over the surf, leaving Nan to walk the rest of the way home
-alone.
-
-Regie felt tired after his talk with the children, and having eaten the
-luncheon, soon dropped off into a sound little nap, to dream of kings
-and queens and all sorts of royal things, suggested, no doubt, by the
-oak-leaf crown on which his brown eyes were resting the last moment
-before the long lashes closed over them. In these brown eyes and long
-lashes lay the charm of Regie's face, and he had reason to be very
-grateful to them. Perhaps you wonder how this could be? Well, the very
-next chapter will tell you.
-
-[Illustration: 5020]
-
-[Illustration: 0021]
-
-
-
-
-II.--THE KING HOLDS AND INTERVIEW WITH SISTER JULIA
-
-
-[Illustration: 9021]
-
-HE second evening after Reginald's accident, Mr. Fairfax sat down by his
-cot, and taking up his little brown hand, said cheerily, "Well, Master
-Regie, we shall need to have a nurse for you."
-
-"I should think I was rather too old for that, sick or well," replied
-Regie, biting his lip, lest unruly tears should betray that he was not
-so very old after all.
-
-"Why, Reginald," laughed Mr. Fairfax, "grown-up people have nurses
-when they break their legs, and are glad enough to get them. Your mamma
-Fairfax will never be able to do all that must be done for you, and Dr.
-Delano knows of a splendid nurse. He is sure you will like her, and he
-would be glad to have her come here to the seashore for a while. He says
-it will do her good as well as you."
-
-So it happened that Sister Julia arrived the very next day, and Regie
-grew fond of her in almost less time than it takes to tell it. He
-thought she had the sweetest face he had ever seen, and a good many
-other people thought so too. She always wore a pretty cap, a little
-square shawl, and a long full apron, all made of the same soft, white
-material.
-
-"Of course," thought Regie, "it's all right for a nurse to wear an
-apron, and I know some children have French nurses with caps; but Sister
-Julia is not French, and besides, what's the use of the little shawl?"
-and as was usual when he did not thoroughly understand anything, he soon
-made inquiries on the subject.
-
-[Illustration: 0022]
-
-Sister Julia was sitting at the east window of Regie's room, watching
-two schooners far out at sea, whose sails, aglow with the red light of
-the sunset, made them look like fairy boats of conkshell. "Oh, Regie!"
-she said, at last, earnestly, "I never saw the ocean as beautiful as it
-is to-night. I wish you were able to have me lift you up, so that you
-could have a look at it."
-
-"I would rather look at you any day," Regie said, honestly, "because you
-do look lovely in those white fixings, but I do not see very much sense
-in 'em."
-
-"I'm afraid there isn't very much sense in them, Regie; only that we all
-wear them."
-
-"All your family?"
-
-"Yes, all my family. And how many do you suppose there are of us?" Regie
-looked mystified. "There are seventy-five." Regie looked incredulous,
-but he had a foolish notion of never liking to appear astonished at
-anything, so he said quite casually, as though he were asking the most
-commonplace question, "And are you the oldest of seventy-five?"
-
-"Do you think I look old enough for that?"
-
-"No, not exactly, but your hair is pretty gray, and no one that's young
-has gray hair, you know."
-
-"You are not far from right, Regie, but gray hair or no, I am not
-the oldest of my seventy-five sisters. Have you never heard of a
-Sisterhood,--that is, of a society of women who bind themselves together
-for some sort of work?"
-
-"Oh yes, often," said Regie, not meaning to be untruthful, but because
-always averse to pleading ignorance on any subject. At any rate, if he
-had heard of a sisterhood his ideas were somewhat vague regarding it.
-
-"Well, I belong to such a society, and all who join it pledge themselves
-to follow its rules, to take the title of Sister, and to wear these
-white fixings as you call them, and the work of our society is to care
-for the sick."
-
-"Have you got to do it all your life?" he asked, shaking his brown head
-from side to side by way of sympathy.
-
-"No, we are not obliged to do it always. We can resign at any time, but
-most of us love the work so much, that it would be a great trial to give
-it up."
-
-Regie did not speak for several seconds, then he said, timidly, "Would
-you not like to be married, Sister Julia?"
-
-"Well, Regie, that depends," she answered, with an amused smile.
-
-"I should think some one would have wanted you. Did nobody ever?"
-
-"These are pretty plain questions, Regie," said Sister Julia, as indeed
-they were; and then Regie suddenly remembered that Mamma Fairfax had
-told him, and but a little while ago, too, that he must get the better
-of this questioning trick of his.
-
-"I did not think you would mind," he said, and his voice trembled a
-little.
-
-"Oh no, dear! Of course I don't mind; only you see it might be rather
-embarrassing to have to own up that nobody ever had wanted me."
-
-"But I know somebody did, because----" Regie paused a second, for he
-was not sure he ought to tell this; but his desire got the better of his
-judgment, as often happens with older people, "because I overheard Dr.
-Delano tell Papa Fairfax that somebody did want you, but that you sent
-him away 'cause you thought you'd better care for sick children."
-
-"It does not matter much, Regie, whether all that is true or not; but I
-think we have talked quite long enough about me. Let us talk about you a
-little while."
-
-"Oh, there's nothing particular about me,'cept that I'm adopted. I
-suppose you know that, everybody does," with a little sigh, as though he
-wished everybody didn't.
-
-"Yes, I know; but I do not believe Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax could love you
-more if you were their own little boy."
-
-"I am their own little boy, too. I mean, I mean----" and without a word
-of warning Regie burst into tears.
-
-An unusually sweet look of sympathy came into Sister Julia's face
-just then, as she moved her rocking-chair close to the cot, and began
-stroking Regie's hair, for he was crying too hard for her to attempt
-to reason with him. Her heart went straight out to this high-strung,
-sensitive boy, and she was sorry enough in any way to have grieved him.
-By-and-by, when the tears were somewhat under control, he said, with a
-little convulsive sob between every two or three words----
-
-"I know you did not mean to say anything, but I could not help crying.
-Some folks, you know, thinks there isn't any good in adopted children.
-It's an awful pity fellows can't choose their own fathers and mothers;
-I'd have chosen Papa and Mamma Fairfax every time, and then I could have
-called them just papa and mamma the way other children do. I do wish
-they'd never told me about it," and the tears threatened to overflow
-again.
-
-"Ah, Regie," said Sister Julia, quietly, "you know that they have taught
-you to call them Papa and Mamma Fairfax only because they feel they
-have no right to the very same names as you would have used for your own
-father and mother, if they had lived."
-
-"Yes, I know," he answered, sadly.
-
-"Regie, I would like to tell you a story. Do you feel like listening?"
-
-A sort of little after-sob helped to give Regie's head a forward shake
-which meant, yes, he would like to listen.
-
-"Well, about thirty years ago, a little girl was left quite alone in the
-world. Her father, a young physician, and her mother, were both taken
-away in one week by a terrible fever, which had broken out in the
-village in which they lived. At first there seemed to be no one to care
-for the little girl, but after a while a lady, whose baby had died with
-the fever, offered to take her; and oh, how kind she was to her for
-years and years, and the little girl never dreamed that she was not her
-very own mother. Well, it happened one day at school, when the little
-girl was twelve years old, that an unkind boy called to her: 'Say,
-Julia, you're only adopted, aren't you?' Only adopted, what could he
-mean? The words kept ringing in Julia's heart, and at recess she slipped
-away and ran home as fast as she could."
-
-"'It is not true that I am only adopted, is it, mamma?' she said, as she
-rushed into the house."
-
-"'Yes, yes, it is true,' said her mother, sadly; 'but who has told you
-about it, Julia?' The little girl did not answer; she cried and cried
-and could not be comforted. 'Why did you not tell me yourself, mamma?'
-she sobbed over and over again." Sister Julia paused a moment to run
-the window shade up to the top, so that Regie could see the evening star
-growing bright in the deepening twilight.
-
-"I should not wonder," said Regie, "if we were talking about you again,
-Sister Julia."
-
-"I should not wonder if we were, so you see I know just how to feel for
-you; only I think it is better always to have known the facts as you
-have done, than to have it come suddenly upon one, and perhaps as
-roughly as it did upon me."
-
-Regie laid his hand over in Sister Julia's lap, "I'm awfully glad you
-were adopted," he said, stroking her hand affectionately.
-
-"Why, dear child?"
-
-"Oh, because--well--I shall never be ashamed of it now, I guess. I used
-to think it was kind of disgraceful, and that it made a difference in a
-fellow's looks somehow; but I'm sure it doesn't in yours."
-
-"Oh, Regie! what a foolish notion," and Sister Julia laughed merrily.
-
-"I did though," said Regie, "really."
-
-"Do you know, Regie, I think you ought to be one of the happiest
-children in the world, and you yourself know why."
-
-"Well, I suppose," said Regie, thoughtfully, "that I ought to remember
-how different it would have been if they had not taken me, and that
-ought to make me very happy; and, Sister Julia, I am happy, almost
-always. Anyhow, I guess I'll never be unhappy again about being adopted.
-I do love Papa and Mamma Fairfax dearly; nobody knows how much," and
-Regie's face glowed and his eyes kindled with loyal affection. Speaking
-of eyes, a promise at the end of the last chapter must not be forgotten.
-Regie owed a particular debt to these brown eyes and long lashes of
-his, because when he was but a little baby, and while his own mother was
-living, they had won his way right into Mrs. Fairfax's heart, and so,
-when he was left an orphan, what more natural than that they should win
-his way right into her arms as well.
-
-[Illustration: 5026]
-
-[Illustration: 0027]
-
-
-
-
-III.--THE FAIRFAXES CALL ON THE MURRAYS
-
-
-[Illustration: 9027]
-
-EGIE'S accident had happened late in June, and the weeks had worn slowly
-away with their dull monotony varied by many a visit from loyal Nan and
-Harry. Now, it was the middle of August, and Regie was about again,
-only with an addition to the bodyguard in the shape of two sturdy little
-crutches. It happened one evening about this time, when Regie had been
-stowed away for the night, that Mr. Fairfax was walking up and down in
-front of his cottage in a "brown study," which means, you know, that
-he was thinking too hard about something in particular, to pay any
-attention to things in general. It seemed a pity he should not discover
-in what a glory of gold and crimson the sun was setting, and how
-beautiful its reflection over on Pleasure Bay. Then a party of
-the neighbours' boys were engaged in some dexterous and pretty
-bicycle-riding a little way up the road, and he was missing that also.
-
-Hereward, a greyhound, only he was fawn-coloured instead of gray, and
-Ned, a Gordon setter, would now and then come bounding up to their
-master, expecting to be petted, and look strangely surprised when he
-took no notice of them. They would plant their forefeet in the ground,
-with their heads on one side, in a questioning, beseeching manner, and
-stand gazing up for a moment into his face, but only for a moment; there
-were too many circles to be described, and too many matters to be looked
-into, to waste much time upon such an indifferent master. Presently the
-click and bang of a swinging screen door roused Mr. Fairfax from his
-reverie, and he hurried to join his wife, who had just come out from the
-house.
-
-She was a lovely little woman, this Mrs. Fairfax, with a face not unlike
-Sister Julia's, and whether joy or pathos found most expression in her
-clear gray eyes no one could discover.
-
-She had no sooner stepped on to the piazza, than Hereward and Ned were
-fairly leaping upon her. There was a little shawl on her arm, and a lace
-scarf on her head, which they well knew meant a walk to the beach, and,
-from their point of view, nothing quite compared with that.
-
-"I do not need to ask what you have been thinking about, Curtis," Mrs.
-Fairfax said to her husband, when they had gone but a little way; "you
-are wondering and wondering, and so am I, whatever we shall do with
-Regie."
-
-"It has been a puzzling question, Alice," said Mr. Fairfax; "but I
-believe I am prepared to answer it. I think the best thing we can do
-will be to leave him here at the beach."
-
-"Why, Curtis dear, that is simply impossible," Mrs. Fairfax replied, in
-a decided little way of her own; "there will not be a cottage open here
-two months from now."
-
-"I know of one cottage, at any rate," said her husband, "that is open
-all the year round, and where Reginald and Sister Julia would be likely
-to have a very happy time of it while we are away."
-
-"Of course, you mean Captain Murray's."
-
-"Of course I do. Don't you agree with me about its being a good place,
-and had we not better walk right up there now and see if they will
-consider it?" They had come to the railroad crossing, and the shrill
-whistle of a locomotive brought them to a standstill. Seldom an express
-train went spinning through Moorlow that Hereward did not run a race
-with it, and the engineers on the road were always on the lookout for
-him. Hereward was a very knowing dog; he would lie dozing in the sun,
-and let the local trains steam up to the little station and off again,
-without so much as cocking up an ear, but would detect the approach of
-the "express" way down the track. To-night proved no exception to
-the rule. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax watched him proudly, as in a flash he
-gathered himself together and started for the race. For fully a quarter
-of a mile he held his own, and, if he had possessed as inexhaustible
-a supply of breath as the iron-chested engine, his long limbs might
-sometimes have won him the victory.
-
-As for Ned, this sort of thing was not at all to his taste, and he
-stood looking stolidly on, as much as to say, "Great waste of time and
-energy."
-
-Between you and me, had his body been as long, and his legs as slender
-as Hereward's, he would probably have joined in the wild scamper. There
-are people here and there in the world not at all unlike Ned; they sit
-and frown upon certain innocent pleasures simply because they are not
-fitted by nature to enjoy them.
-
-Breathless and satisfied, Hereward was soon back again, trotting and
-sniffing along as though nothing had happened.
-
-"I do not believe we had better go to Captain Murray's tonight," said
-Mrs. Fairfax, taking up the conversation where the train and Hereward's
-performances had interrupted it; "I would like time to think it over."
-
-"Oh, I've thought it over enough for both of us, Alice. Besides, you
-see, we must decide upon some plan pretty quickly; it is only ten days
-now before we sail."
-
-[Illustration: 0029]
-
-So Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax kept on down the beach, climbed the short flight
-of wooden steps that scaled the bulk-head in front of Captain Murray's
-cottage, and knocked at the door. Mrs. Murray opened it.
-
-"Why, how do you do?" she said, with evident surprise and pleasure, as
-she ushered them into the sitting-room.
-
-[Illustration: 9030]
-
-Hereward and Ned poked their noses in at the door, and acted as though
-they intended to crowd their bodies in too. One look from Mr. Fairfax
-seemed to change their minds, and with grave faces and limp tails they
-lay down on the porch instead.
-
-"Here, Harry, bring a chair for Mrs. Fairfax," said Mrs. Murray, "and
-Nan, darling, go call your father."
-
-This little sitting-room was the very cosiest, perhaps, that one would
-find from end to end of the whole Jersey shore. Cheery and cool-looking
-in this summer weather, with the linen floor covering and the vines at
-the windows, and so warm and cheery in the fall and winter, with pine
-logs blazing on the old brass and irons.
-
-"Father's coming," announced Nan, returning to the room. "And how's
-Regie?" asked both the children in one breath.
-
-"Oh, he's getting along finely," answered Mr. Fairfax.
-
-"I'm _right glad_ to hear _that_," said Mrs. Murray, who always
-conversed with strong accents on certain words. "And it's a good piece
-of news to carry to bed and dream over," she added, turning to
-the children, and looking toward the energetic little clock on the
-mantel-shelf. "Come, it's high time; a good-night to Mr. and Mrs.
-Fairfax, and a kiss for your mother." The children mechanically obeyed,
-and with reluctant, backward glances trudged up the winding stairway
-leading directly from the sitting-room.
-
-"Well, well," exclaimed Captain Murray, a wiry, weatherbeaten man, as he
-entered the room, "a call from the Fairfaxes; what's up, I wonder?"
-
-"Seems to me, you're pretty free, father," said Mrs. Murray, half
-apologetically.
-
-"Well, something is up," replied Mr. Fairfax, "one may as well be
-honest. We have a proposition to make, and we are very much afraid you
-won't accept it, and then we shall be all at sea again."
-
-"Oh, I see," laughed Captain Murray, "you want an old sailor to bring
-you into port, or something like that, eh? Well, if there's anything we
-can do for you----"
-
-"There is something," said Mr. Fairfax, eagerly, "and a pretty big
-something too. We want to know if you will take Reginald and Sister
-Julia into your own snug little harbour for three or four months. You
-know, when we adopted Regie, Mrs. Fairfax promised that he should never
-stand between us----"
-
-"He means," interrupted Mrs. Fairfax, thinking she could better explain
-matters, "that if ever the question came up of remaining with Curtis or
-Reginald, the decision should always be in favour of my husband."
-
-"That is the way of it," said Mr. Fairfax, "and at last the question has
-come up. I am obliged to go to Europe for three or four months, and I
-have no notion of putting that great ocean yonder between my wife and
-me. Of course, Reginald is not in a condition to travel, and we have
-been greatly at a loss to know what to do with him. This would be such a
-fine place for him, if you only would be good enough to let us board him
-with you."
-
-"I don't know much, after all, about the domestic harbour," said Captain
-Murray, with elevated eyebrows. "You must ask the first-mate. What do
-you say, Mollie Murray?"
-
-"Do you think we could really make him comfortable, father?" asked Mrs.
-Murray, smoothing out her white apron; "we live very plain, and the boy
-has been accustomed to----"
-
-"Comfortable! Oh, Mrs. Murray," interrupted Mrs. Fairfax, "why this
-seems to me altogether the most _comfortable_ little home that I know
-of, and Reginald will be so happy here with the children. As for Sister
-Julia, I am sure she will be a help rather than a trouble, and you will
-fairly love her before she has been in the house twenty-four hours."
-
-After this the conversation fell into a quiet chat between the
-"women-folk," and a more business-like one between Mr. Fairfax and
-Captain Murray, and when, in its thumping, ringing way, the little
-clock struck nine, everything had been arranged to the satisfaction of
-everybody.
-
-"I cannot tell you what a load is off my mind," said Mrs. Fairfax,
-pressing Mrs. Murray's hand in both of hers, as she stood ready to go.
-"I only hope it has not rolled off on to yours."
-
-"Never you fear, dearie," Mrs. Murray answered, in her cheerful,
-whole-souled way.
-
-"How about Hereward and Ned?" exclaimed Mr. Fairfax, almost stumbling
-across both as they lay on the porch. "And how about Reginald's pony?
-Can you care for them too, Captain Murray?"
-
-"Yes, yes, send 'em along. We'll do our best by all hands."
-
-"Oh, Mrs. Murray," said Mrs. Fairfax, turning back for a moment, "please
-don't tell the children about the plan. Regie would so much enjoy
-telling them himself."
-
-"Oh, to be sure," she answered; "I'll not say a word. Happy secrets are
-hard things for me to keep; but I'll keep this, I promise you."
-
-The two dogs who had come over in such rollicking fashion, trotted back
-again quietly enough, but Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax felt half inclined to
-dance all the way home, so delighted were they over the success of this
-splendid plan for Regie.
-
-[Illustration: 0033]
-
-[Illustration: 0034]
-
-
-
-
-IV. A SURPRISE FOR THE BODY GUARD
-
-
-[Illustration: 9034]
-
-RULY no one ever looked into a face more beaming than Regie's when Mrs.
-Fairfax told him of their plan to leave him in Sister Julia's care, and
-that they were both to board at the Murrays.
-
-"I've been wondering what you would do," said Regie. "I knew you
-could not take along a boy on crutches; and, Mamma Fairfax," he added,
-ruefully, "I thought I was in the way for once at any rate."
-
-Then Mrs. Fairfax drew the little fellow into her lap, and said, very
-tenderly and earnestly, "Remember this, Regie Fairfax: you have never
-been in the way yet, and you never will be so long as you stay the dear
-good boy you are to-day." A grateful, happy look came into Regie's face,
-and he nestled his head close down on Mamma Fairfax's shoulder, quite
-forgetting that nine-year-old boys are supposed not to care in the least
-for that sort of thing.
-
-Well, the day for the move to the Murrays dawned at last, though at
-times it had seemed to Regie as if it never would come.
-
-In the thought that he was going to live in the same house with Nan and
-Harry, the little reprobate almost forgot he was to say good-bye to
-Papa and Mamma Fairfax for three whole months at least. But Mr. and
-Mrs. Fairfax were quite willing he should forget it, and were only too
-delighted to see the little fellow anticipating so much happiness. It
-would have been sad enough to have sailed away over that great ocean,
-leaving a brokenhearted as well as a broken-legged little Reginald
-behind them.
-
-Still dependent upon his crutches, Regie of course could not help
-very much with the packing, but as he sat on the piazza, in the warm
-September sunshine, Sister Julia gave him a lapful of his own neckties
-to sort over and fold into a box. They were to move that very afternoon.
-It was half-past eleven now, and at twelve Harry and Nan were coming, as
-they thought, to say "Good-bye."
-
-Puzzled little Nan and Harry! They had not heard a word of Reginald's
-coming to stay with them. Had they known it, they would not have been
-trudging sorrowfully along the beach as they were that very moment.
-Naturally they wondered at the strange preparations going forward at
-home. Fresh dimity curtains had been tacked up in the room over the
-kitchen, and there was a new bowl and pitcher on the wash-stand, and
-some red-bordered towels that were very beautiful in Nan's eyes. But
-when the children asked their mother the reason for all this, she had
-told them that times were a little hard, as indeed they were, and that
-they were going to take a couple to board.
-
-"I don't like the idea of a couple to board at all," Harry had confided
-to Nan when they were gathering up the chips one morning in the
-woodshed.
-
-"Neither do I," sighed Nan, "but if times are hard of course we ought
-to make the best of it." That Sister Julia and Reginald were the couple
-never entered their foolish little heads for a second.
-
-Regie sat sorting the neckties, putting the worn ones, and the ones he
-did not like, at the bottom of the box, you may be sure. Now and then
-he would stop to watch the four Brooks' boys, who were playing tennis in
-front of their cottage, and then it seemed as though he could not stand
-keeping still another moment; but he knew he must, and that word _must_
-is a very tyrannical and exacting little master. Presently the waggon
-from the store at Atlanticville, where they sold everything, from
-kerosene oil to shoe-strings, drove up and stopped; and a little errand
-boy, no larger than Regie, jumped down and pulled a basket out from the
-back. The basket was filled with groceries, and was so very heavy that
-the boy had to slip the handle way up to his elbow, so that he could
-rest part of its weight on his hip, as he carried it into the Brooks's
-kitchen.
-
-[Illustration: 0036]
-
-When he came out again he stopped to watch the little tennis players
-with such a wistful look on his thin face, while the old horse, as
-overworked as his child-driver, improved the opportunity for a hurried
-browsing on the Fairfax terrace.
-
-"What a difference!" thought Regie, noting the contrast between the
-boys in knickerbockers and polo caps and this shabby little stranger.
-"I wonder why some boys have to wear themselves out trudging round with
-dinners for other boys who do nothing but have a good time the whole
-summer long!"
-
-In another moment the little fellow jumped into his waggon, and, as if
-to make up for lost time, jerked the old horse into a bobbing sort of
-gait, which was something better than a walk and yet could not honestly
-be called a trot Then Reginald sat dreaming and looking out to sea.
-Perhaps he was thinking of a time when there might be a better order
-of things, not exactly of a better world,--that blue ocean and
-cloud-flecked sky were about as beautiful as anything could be--but of
-a time when the sins and misfortunes of the fathers should no longer
-be visited upon the children, and when everyone should have an equal
-chance. At any rate his thoughts were far away from anything about him,
-and Harry and Nan came nearer and nearer, without his ever seeing them,
-and he only knew they were there when Nan rushed up in front of him and
-said "Boo!" as if to frighten him out of his reverie.
-
-"Why, I did not see you at all!" exclaimed Regie.
-
-"Of course you didn't; you were looking right over our heads," said
-Harry, seating himself on the edge of the piazza, and straightway
-beginning to whittle on a block, which was fast being converted into a
-boat hull. "You seem to be able to see farther than anyone I know of,"
-he added. "You looked then as though you were staring right round the
-world and up the other side." Reginald blushed a little. Somehow or
-other, in the presence of matter-of-fact Harry, he always felt ashamed
-of this dreaming habit of his.
-
-"We're awful sorry you're going," said Nan. "It's so dull for bodyguards
-when there's no king to care for."
-
-"I'm glad you're sorry," said Regie, biting his lip to keep from
-smiling. He did not want to have the pleasure of telling them over quite
-yet. Then there was a lull in the conversation. It was going to be very
-lonely without Regie, and the bodyguard, particularly Nan, had little
-heart for conversation.
-
-"How's your base-ball club getting on, Harry?" asked Reginald, feeling
-he must either keep matters going or tell right away. "It was great fun
-your beating those fellows up at the Branch."
-
-"It was quite a beat," Harry replied, complacently, "but I guess our
-beating days are over."
-
-"Why?" asked Regie, astonished.
-
-"Oh, our catcher, the best in the 'nine,' you know, is disabled."
-
-"That's too bad, but I suppose he'll get over it," said Regie, cheerily.
-
-"Well, I rather guess not," Harry drily remarked; "he's dead," and he
-held the little boat-hull at arm's length to get a better view of its
-shape. If Nan had been paying attention she would have taken Harry to
-task for speaking in such apparently heartless fashion of poor little
-Joe Moore's death. But instead of listening, she was wondering when
-would be the best time to give Regie a little rubber pencil-case her
-right hand was affectionately clasping, as it lay in the bottom of her
-pocket. There was another long pause, and Reginald could keep his secret
-no longer.
-
-"Children," he said, importantly, "where do you suppose I am going to
-when I leave here?"
-
-"To New York, of course," replied Nan, with a little sigh.
-
-"No, sir'ree; to Captain Epher Murray's;" and Regie, glancing from one
-puzzled face to the other, fairly beamed with delight.
-
-"To our house?" said Nan, incredulously.
-
-"By Jimmini!" exclaimed Harry, tossing his hat so high in the air that
-it caught on the leader of the roof.
-
-"It isn't so!" said Nan, decidedly, and shaking her head from side to
-side, showing that she believed that to be one of the things literally
-too good to be true.
-
-"Yes, it is true," said Sister Julia, who had just come on to the porch
-with her arms full of boxes; "and I am coming too, and the pony, and
-Hereward, and Ned."
-
-"And we're going to stay till Christmas," chimed in Regie.
-
-"And what is more," added Sister Julia, "we are coming this very day,
-and you have arrived just in time to escort the king in person, as a
-true bodyguard should. His little Royal Highness will ride in his own
-court carriage," and as she spoke Pet and the village cart jogged up to
-the door.
-
-[Illustration: 9039]
-
-
-
-Then for a few moments Sister Julia and Nan busied themselves, stowing
-away in the cart such valuable commodities as two or three tennis
-racquets, a base-ball bat, a tool chest, a small photographing camera,
-and other things too numerous to mention. Meanwhile Harry, to use his
-own expressive English, had "shinned up" one of the piazza posts, and
-succeeded in regaining his jubilant hat.
-
-Nan's brown little face as she bustled about was wreathed in smiles, but
-she said nothing. Awhile ago she was too sorry to talk, and now she was
-too happy.
-
-Finally, Sister Julia helped Reginald into the cart, and Nan, with
-Regie's crutches in her lap, took her seat on one side and Harry on the
-other.
-
-'"When is your mother going?" questioned Harry.
-
-"To-morrow morning early," Reginald replied.
-
-"Well, don't you want to say goodbye to her?"
-
-"Do you suppose I'd be going off like this, Harry Murray, if I were not
-going to see her again?" with as much imperiousness as a real king.
-
-"Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are coming to your house to-night to supper,"
-Sister Julia explained.
-
-"They are, are they?" said Harry, somewhat gruffly. "Well, I think they
-might have told Nan and me something about it all."
-
-"Oh! I don't," Nan cried, eagerly. "I think s'prises are lovely. I love
-to be s'prised."
-
-"And I love to s'prise people," said Reginald; "and so Mamma Fairfax
-planned for me to do it."
-
-"Now I guess you're all ready," Sister Julia remarked, wisely changing
-the subject, as she tucked the linen lap-robe close about Nan, so that
-her stiffly-starched little gingham dress should not puff out against
-the wheel.
-
-"Where are the dogs?" asked Harry, looking forward to their
-establishment in his home with possibly as much interest as to that of
-their little master.
-
-Regie gave a loud, shrill whistle. That was one of the few things he
-could do just as well as before he broke his leg, and so he seemed to
-take special delight in doing it. Hereward and Ned came bounding from
-some point back of the house, and Pet, seeming to understand that all
-was in readiness, started off of his own accord. Hereward and Ned,
-comprehending at once that they were to be allowed to follow, flew
-hither and yon in the wildest manner, bringing up at the cart every few
-minutes as if to report proceedings.
-
-"Regie, why do you always say Papa Fairfax and Mamma Fairfax, instead
-of just papa and mamma?" Nan asked presently. Evidently she had been
-turning the matter over in her mind for some seconds.
-
-"Because--because--" Regie hesitated,--"because, don't you know, I'm
-adopted."
-
-"'Dopted," said the children, in one breath. Reginald nodded his head in
-the affirmative, and sat thoughtfully watching the sand as it fell from
-the wheel with each revolution. If he had looked into Nan's face or
-Harry's he would have seen a world of wonder in it.
-
-Finally Nan said, in a very sympathetic way, as though she felt it must
-be something very dreadful,--
-
-"I do not know just what being adopted means, but have you always been
-so?"
-
-"Almost always. You see, Nan, my own father died when I was a little
-fellow, and then Papa Fairfax, who was my father's best friend, took me
-for his own little boy; and that being took is being adopted."
-
-In certain earnest moments Regie often forgot all about grammar.
-
-"O--h!" said Nan.
-
-It is astonishing how much that one word may mean when one gives it the
-right inflection. As Nan used it, it stood for "Yes, I understand now;
-you need never say another word about it, but isn't it strange? Not your
-own father and mother! I shall have to do a great deal of thinking about
-that."
-
-By this time Pet had travelled the half mile between the cottages, but
-without doubt Hereward and Ned had made two miles of it. Regie half
-believed they had understood the conversations going on about them, and
-knew that they were to be permitted to enjoy, for three months longer,
-the freedom of their life by the sea, instead of being cooped up in the
-cramped backyard in town. At any rate, they were a pair of very jolly
-dogs that warm September morning.
-
-[Illustration: 5041]
-
-[Illustration: 0042]
-
-
-
-
-V. GOODNIGHT AND GOODBYE
-
-
-[Illustration: 9042]
-
-T was quite an event in the Murray family to have such people as the
-Fairfaxes come to supper, and perhaps it was not strange that great
-preparations were being made; but you might have thought that Mrs.
-Murray expected Mrs. Fairfax to go straight through her cottage on a
-tour of critical inspection. The whole house was put in _apple-pie_
-order--whatever that may mean--from the cool, clean-smelling cellar, to
-the little triangular attic, redolent of thyme and sage and other dried
-things hanging from the rafters. Not that there was ever much disorder
-in that neat little household; but the fact that the Fairfaxes were
-coming seemed to lend an extra touch of thoroughness to everything that
-Mrs. Murray did.
-
-Soon after the children's arrival Sister Julia knocked at the door, and
-was warmly welcomed. She busied herself right away with unpacking the
-trunks, which had been sent down that morning, while Regie sat at the
-pretty curtained window of the room that was to be his, telling Sister
-Julia where to put his own particular treasures. Already he was fond of
-that little window, from which he could look straight out to sea.
-
-Nan was busy in the kitchen, cutting out the thinnest of little round
-cookies from dough that her mother had mixed. Some of them were already
-in the oven, and sending such a delicious savoury smell up into Regie's
-room!
-
-Harry was active, making things comfortable for Ned and Hereward in the
-barn.
-
-[Illustration: 0043]
-
-It was a very happy afternoon all round, though withal a trifle sad too;
-for there is always something in the atmosphere more or less depressing
-on the eve of any decided change, no matter how satisfactorily
-everything may have been arranged for everybody. At six o'clock Mr. and
-Mrs. Fairfax came down the beach, and at half-past six supper was on
-the table. Such an inviting little supper-table, with its snowy cloth,
-polished plated service, and shining glass lamp in the centre, to say
-nothing of innumerable good things to eat, including a dish heaped high
-with a delicious "floating island," such as few besides Mrs. Murray know
-how to make. The canary, in his cage over the plants, was singing away
-for dear life, as if he wanted to make the occasion just as merry as
-possible; and Hereward and Ned, who must have sniffed the buttered toast
-and broiled mackerel from outside, scratched away at the door trying to
-gain admission. Then they bounded to the window, and planting their
-paws upon the sill, peered in with a most beseeching look on their
-intelligent faces.
-
-I wonder what they thought of what they saw?
-
-The family were standing at their places at the table with their heads
-bowed, and Captain Murray was asking a blessing, a long blessing with
-a little prayer midway, for the dear friends going on so "distant a
-journey."
-
-Ah! Ned and Hereward, there lies the difference; true and loving and
-grateful as you are, you cannot comprehend that there is a Father in
-heaven willing to hear and answer the prayer of, every soul He has
-created.
-
-"Let the good fellows in to-night," said Captain Murray, when the
-blessing was over, and he discovered the dogs at the window. Harry
-unlatched the door only too gladly, and they came leaping in; but acting
-under orders from their lord and master, soon dropped quietly down in
-one corner to wait as patiently as possible for their own supper time.
-Regie sat next to Mamma Fairfax, holding his fork in the wrong hand now
-and then, that he might give her left hand a squeeze under the table.
-Regie was happy and contented, and yet there was a real little ache in
-his heart. She was going a long way from home, that dear Mamma Fairfax
-of his, and how could he help feeling somewhat sad about it?
-
-Mr. Fairfax was apparently very full of fun that night, and amused the
-children, telling of certain strange pranks of his own when he was a
-boy.
-
-Mrs. Murray laughed whenever the others did, but she really did not hear
-much that was going on, she was so thoroughly preoccupied in seeing if
-Mrs. Fairfax would not have another biscuit, or if Mr. Fairfax's cup was
-empty, and in caring that everyone had plenty to eat. When supper was
-finished, Sister Julia in her quiet, helpful way insisted upon aiding
-Mrs. Murray to clear the table. Little Nan attended to her regular share
-of the work, and as a result, soon paraded a wonderfully bright row of
-tumblers on the lowest shelf of the dresser. When the red cloth had been
-laid on the table, Captain Murray brought out a great map, and they all
-gathered about while Mr. Fairfax showed them the plan of their journey.
-
-"You'll get it out often and keep track of us, won't you?" he said to
-Regie, taking the crutches from his hand and lifting him to his knee.
-
-"Every night," Regie promised, solemnly.
-
-"Not every night, Rex," said Mr. Fairfax. "That will not be necessary,
-because you see we shall spend a week in London, and another whole week
-in Berlin, and two weeks perhaps in Paris."
-
-"Shall you?" asked Regie, ruefully.
-
-"Why, to be sure; have you any objections, Rex?"
-
-"Oh, I thought you'd keep going and going until you got back again. I
-shall not like to think of you as stopping so long anywhere."
-
-"We shall come home just as soon," laughed Mr. Fairfax, giving that
-little adopted boy of his the most genuine sort of a fatherly hug.
-
-All too soon it was nine o'clock, and time for the children to go to
-bed.
-
-Mrs. Fairfax went up herself with Regie. Sister Julia had been up before
-her and lighted the candle, and laid Regie's night-dress out on the bed.
-
-"You will try not to give Mrs. Murray any trouble, won't you, dear?"
-said Mrs. Fairfax, helping Regie to undress.
-
-"Yes, I will, Mamma Fairfax," Regie answered, with a little quiver in
-his voice.
-
-"And you will write to me once a week?"
-
-"Yes, mamma," with two little quivers.
-
-"And you will do just as Sister Julia tells you?"
-
-"Yes," and with a great sob Regie hid his face on her shoulder.
-
-"Why, Rex darling, do you really care so much?" said Mrs. Fairfax, with
-tears in her own eyes. "Well, I am proud that you do, and you will be
-all the more glad to have us home again. In the meantime, you will be
-very happy in this dear little home with Harry and Nan."
-
-"Yes, I know I will," said Regie, with a shadow of a smile.
-
-"And your little crutches will be hanging on the wall long before that
-time, because you will have no further need of them."
-
-"Yes, I know," said Regie, with a face almost wreathed in smiles at the
-thought, as he scrambled into bed.
-
-Then Mr. Fairfax ran up the little flight, two steps at a time, to bid
-him good-bye.
-
-There was considerable whispering and hugging between the little fellow
-inside the bed and the big fellow outside, and then in another moment
-Papa Fairfax was gone.
-
-And then it was Mamma Fairfax's turn. "I will send Sister Julia right
-up," she said, for Regie should not be left alone that night. "And now
-two of your best hugs and five of your best kisses--and now, my own dear
-little Rex, good-night and goodbye."
-
-[Illustration: 5046]
-
-[Illustration: 0047]
-
-
-
-
-VI. IN THE HIGHLAND LIGHT
-
-
-[Illustration: 9047]
-
-T nine o'clock Thursday evening Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had bade farewell
-to their friends at Moorlow. At nine o'clock Friday morning the train
-whirled by on its way to Sandy Hook, and then they waved good-bye from
-the car windows, as they had promised, to Regie and Harry and Nan, who,
-seated on a pile of railroad ties, had been watching and waiting for the
-train a long half hour. At nine o'clock Saturday morning Mr. and Mrs.
-Fairfax went on board the _Alaska_, which some one has called "the
-greyhound of the sea," and a half hour later the good ship steamed out
-into the Bay.
-
-"Well, I suppose you've seen the last of 'em," said Captain Murray,
-joining the little party just as the train had disappeared, and looking
-closely at Regie to see how he was taking it.
-
-"The last for a while, I suppose, sir," said Regie, in a firm little
-voice, but nevertheless gazing very wistfully down the track in the
-direction of the vanishing train. "I would have given a good deal," he
-added, "to have seen the big ship they are going on."
-
-"You would? Well, why not?" said the captain. "Yes, why not?" looking
-from one puzzled face to the other in an amused sort of fashion.
-
-"Oh!" said Harry, "do you mean that you'll take us to the Highland
-Light?"
-
-"Of course I do. Where else, to be sure? We can drive over with Dobbin
-early to-morrow morning. I'll take the glass along, and we'll have a
-good look at the _Alaska_, every one of us. What time does she leave the
-dock, Reginald?" for the honest captain believed in calling people and
-things by their right names.
-
-"Half-past nine, sir," said Regie, promptly, for he was well posted on
-all the details of the projected journey.
-
-"Then she'll round the Hook about eleven.".
-
-"Is the lighthouse very high?" asked Regie, his face aglow with
-excitement.
-
-"High enough to see a long way out to sea," answered the captain.
-
-[Illustration: 0048]
-
-"I was not thinking of that," said Regie, rather ruefully. "I was
-thinking I could not climb up so very many stairs with these crutches."
-
-"But you can go up mighty easy without them. See! just like this," and
-Captain Murray caught Regie in his arms as easily as Regie himself would
-have lifted a kitten. "Bring the crutches, Nan," he added, "there's no
-use in staying here any longer."
-
-[Illustration: 0050]
-
-"I believe Papa and Mamma Fairfax would like to know we were looking
-at them," said Regie, with his arms clasped firmly round the captain's
-neck. "They could not see us, but they could know we were there."
-
-"To be sure," said the captain, making use of those three monosyllables
-on every possible occasion; "and we'll stop at the railroad station on
-our way home now, and telegraph them to be on the lookout for us."
-
-"You're a magnificent captain!" said Regie, never hesitating to express
-honest admiration.
-
-"I'm glad you think so," replied the captain, tightening his hold of the
-warm-hearted little fellow, "but unfortunately your saying so does not
-make it true."
-
-"But, papa, it is true," said Nan, loyally, catching hold of her
-father's coat, and trudging along by his side. "All the men say so at
-the Life-saving Station, and I guess they ought to know."
-
-"None of them have ever been to sea with me, Nan."
-
-"They know about you all the same," said Harry, with a significant
-shake of his head; for he was very proud of his tall father, and of his
-handsome weather-beaten face.
-
-They had reached the little Gothic railroad station, and Captain Murray
-sat Regie down on the operator's table while he wrote this telegram on
-one of the yellow paper blanks:--
-
-"Mr. Curtis Fairfax,
-
-"No. --, Wall St., New York.
-
-"The children will wave you good-bye from the Highland Light at eleven
-o'clock to-morrow, rain or shine.
-
-"Epher Murray."
-
-In two hours back came this answer:--
-
-"Captain Epher Murray,
-
-"Moorlow, New Jersey.
-
-"Good for you. Keep a sharp lookout for special signals.
-
-"C. Fairfax."
-
-"A sharp lookout for special signals!" the words kept ringing in the
-children's ears.
-
-"What can he mean to do--my darling old Papa Fairfax?" thought Regie, as
-he dropped off into a sound sleep that night.
-
-At eight o'clock the next morning, Sister Julia and Regie and Nan
-climbed into the back seat of Cap-. tain Murray's waggon, while Harry
-took the place beside his father in front.
-
-[Illustration: 8051]
-
-Faithful old Dobbin broke straightway into a canter, bound for the
-"Highland Light," and fortunately for the party there was no "rain," but
-plenty of "shine" instead.
-
-Down the fine boulevard they went, past the fine houses, through
-Sea Bright, with its queer medley of summer cottages, hotels, and
-fishermen's huts; then crossing and recrossing the track again and
-again, because the drive on that narrow strip of land between the ocean
-and the Shewsbury river constantly accommodates itself to the curves of
-the railroad; over the rickety Highland Bridge, stopping to pay toll
-on the draw; past the bevy of cottages, where a number of actors and
-actresses have established a little colony of their own; up the steep
-hill, with the great seams washed in the road by the heavy rains, but
-wide enough and deep enough to seem more like the work of an earthquake;
-finally coming to a halt at the gate which opens on the rear of the
-grand old lighthouse.
-
-"Why, how do you do, captain? Want to show the youngsters through the
-light?" asked the keeper, appearing in the doorway at the sound of the
-waggon wheels.
-
-"Want to do more than that," answered Captain Murray, lifting his little
-party out one by one; "want to see the _Alaska_ off for Europe."
-
-"Friends on board?"
-
-"This little chap's father and mother."
-
-"Oh, that's it, is it?" said the keeper. "But what's happened the little
-fellow?" glancing at Regie's crutches.
-
-"He fell from a cherry tree a few week ago," Sister Julia explained, as
-they walked towards the house.
-
-"Stealing cherries, eh?" chuckled the man, giving Regie a significant
-little nudge.
-
-"Indeed, I wasn't," answered Regie, with some indignation.
-
-"Why, Reginald, he is only joking," Sister Julia said, reprovingly.
-
-"Of course I was," said the keeper. "Such a bright little fellow as you
-look to be ought to know when a man's joking."
-
-"Yes, I know I ought," Regie answered, blushing. "I spoke before I
-thought; you must excuse me, Mr. Keeper."
-
-"'Mr. Keeper,'" laughed the man, "well! that's a new name for Joe
-Canfield; but I like it, and you're a mighty honest little fellow. When
-you're ready to go up, you can leave your crutches below here, and I'll
-carry you over every one of those blessed stairs myself."
-
-"You'd better let papa do that," said Nan, "he's pretty heavy, and we
-wouldn't have anything happen to him for the world."
-
-"Do you think I would drop him, little one? Never you fear; I could
-carry you both as well as not;" whereupon Nan started to travel briskly
-up the stairs, as if to show him she was quite equal to doing her own
-climbing.
-
-"Bide a bit, miss," called the keeper. "You won't be able to sight the
-_Alaska_ for a half hour yet. If you want to understand about the light
-you'd better look about down here first." Then he led the way into a
-room on the ground floor, where the oil for the lights was stored,
-the little party following him closely, with the exception of Captain
-Murray, whom the children were glad to have go "on watch" in the balcony
-of the light, for fear, by any chance, the _Alaska_ should be sighted
-ahead of time.
-
-"I suppose you have noticed before you came in, ma'am," said Keeper
-Canfield, addressing Sister Julia, "that this lighthouse has two
-towers and two lights? The dwellings for the keepers' families are in
-between 'em, and there we live as cosy and comfortable as can be. If you
-have time when you come down you must take a peep at our baby. Have you
-ever seen a lighthouse baby?" he added, turning to Nan.
-
-"Never," said Nan, seriously.
-
-"Well, a lighthouse baby is worth seeing, for somehow or other they look
-brighter than ordinary babies. It seems as though they were born with
-a notion that their two eyes must cheer us old codgers on life's great
-sea, just as the lights in the tower there cheer the sailors."
-
-The children looked wonderingly up at their guide, not quite sure
-whether he were in earnest or no.
-
-"Now, you see," he continued, "this is the room where we store the
-oil, and how much do you suppose we burn in a year? Forty-five hundred
-gallons! We burn mineral oil, that is, oil that comes out from the
-ground through the oil wells."
-
-The room in which they were standing was flanked with wooden boxes, each
-containing a full oil-can, and everything was scrupulously neat, for not
-a speck of dust was to be seen anywhere.
-
-"Now I guess we had better go up," said the keeper, when a good many
-questions had been asked and answered, "and we'll go easy, so as not to
-lose our breath;" then, taking Regie's crutches in one hand, he lifted
-him into his arms.
-
-"And, Nan," said Sister Julia, "you had better take hold of my hand, for
-fear your little head should grow dizzy on this winding flight."
-
-Of course Harry was half-way up before the rest of the party had even
-started.
-
-The keeper landed Regie safely right inside the light itself, and indeed
-it was large enough to hold them all. What a marvellous place it was! It
-seemed as though they were in a beautiful crystal house, for they were
-surrounded by tier after tier of glass prisms, so arranged as to project
-the light from the lantern against a series of brass reflectors at the
-back, and they, in turn, throw the light twenty-five miles out to sea.
-
-The children were too much awed by the wonderful contrivance to even
-speak, until Harry slipped out of the light and peered in at them
-through the glass. It made him look very funny--eyes, nose, mouth, every
-feature appeared to be drawn out lengthwise by the prisms.
-
-"Why, Harry Murray!" cried Nan, "you're a disgrace to the family. I
-never saw anything so ugly in all my life!"
-
-"I wish you could come out here and have a look at yourself, then,"
-Harry called back. "Your head is about two inches high, and two feet
-wide. You could stand in a bandbox, you are so short, but it would take
-a dozen of 'em to hold you the other way!"
-
-Nan and Harry were so much amused with these ridiculous distortions
-that Reginald was the only one who really paid attention to the keeper's
-description of the lantern, but he listened sagely, and plied questions
-fast enough to atone for the indifference of the others. Harry might be
-partially excused for his inattention, on the ground that he had been
-through the light two or three times before. As for Nan, it must be
-confessed that she was not of an inquiring turn of mind.
-
-"There's one sad thing about this light," said the keeper to Reginald,
-who sat on a little stool with his crutches laid across his knees.
-"There's one very sad thing, and that is, that some sailors do not
-understand what it is for at all. They seem to be fascinated by it, and
-they steer straight for it, and of course there's no help in the end,
-but that they all get wrecked on the bar."
-
-"Why, that's very queer," said Reginald. "I should think a man wasn't
-fit to be a sailor at all unless he understood about lighthouses and
-things."
-
-"So it would seem," said the keeper, with a shrug; "but I've thought
-sometimes that the trouble is with their steering apparatus, and that
-the poor things are more to be pitied than blamed. The moment they come
-in sight of the light, their helms seem to get bewitched, and first
-thing they know their queer-rigged little crafts are headed straight for
-the light, and on they come, sort of in spite of themselves, and with
-death staring them right in the face."
-
-"Have there been many wrecks lately?" asked Reginald, his eyes as large
-as saucers.
-
-"Five last night."
-
-Regie stared at the man with a look that meant plainly, "I don't believe
-a word of it," and the keeper laughed outright. Sister Julia, sitting at
-the top of the little flight of stairs just outside the lantern, watched
-him with an amused smile on her face; and Nan, who was listening now,
-was interested enough to wish that she had heard it all.
-
-"You think that I am telling you a yarn, don't you, youngster?" said the
-keeper to Regie, "but 'pon honour it is every word true. If you don't
-believe it, I'll show you the five little wrecks lying in a row on a
-bench in the yard, just as I picked 'em up this morning."
-
-"Picked 'em up!" said Regie, scornfully.
-
-"Yes, sir, picked 'em up. The reason you don't understand me is because
-you spell sailor with an "o," but in this case you must spell it with an
-"e"--sailers, you see--which is only another name for birds, you know."
-
-It was Regie's turn to laugh now. "You fooled me pretty well," he said;
-but Nan looked more ready to cry.
-
-"Do you mean," said she, "that five little birds flew against this
-lantern last night, and killed themselves?"
-
-"Five last night, and six the night before," said the man, as though the
-truth must be told, no matter how unpleasant.
-
-"Ship ahoy!" shouted Captain Murray from the tower balcony, where he
-had been on watch for the last half hour. All knew what that meant, and
-Sister Julia and Nan and Harry hurried down the little flight that led
-from the lantern to the balcony, and the keeper quickly caught Regie in
-his arms again.
-
-"Where is she?" cried Regie, impatiently, as though he could hardly wait
-for an answer.
-
-"You can see her with the naked eye," replied the captain, "away off
-there in a direct line from the Hook. I knew her build and rig the
-moment she came in sight; but she's flying a queer sort of flag,"
-putting his glass to his eye.
-
-"Perhaps it's the special signal Mr. Fairfax telegraphed us to look out
-for," said sister Julia.
-
-"Please let me have a look," cried Reginald, almost pulling the glass
-from Captain Murray's hands in his eagerness. It took a moment to
-adjust it to his eyesight, and then he exclaimed, almost breathless with
-excitement. "Yes, there's a big red flag with some large yellow thing on
-it. Oh, I know, it's a flag from one of Papa Fairfax's warehouses, and
-the yellow thing is a coffee canister; see, Captain Murray, see if it
-isn't."
-
-Captain Murray took the glass back again. "Yes, you're right, Reginald,"
-he said; "but there's something on the flag beside the canister,
-something that looks like letters."
-
-"Perhaps it is a message," cried Rex, fairly wild with excitement. "Oh!
-please let me see if I can make them out." Once again the glass was
-quickly re-adjusted to Regie's sight, while Nan and Harry pressed their
-faces close to his, as though being as close as possible to the glass
-was the next best thing to looking through it. "Yes, they are letters,"
-said Regie more calmly, "big white letters, and the first is a G, I
-think, and the next an O, but the flag waves so I cannot read the rest."
-
-"'Perhaps it's 'Good-bye,'" said Nan.
-
-"Of course it is," cried Regie, "I see the B now, and the E; but there's
-another word besides. Try, Nan, if you can make it out," and Regie with
-much self-denial gave up his place at the glass.
-
-Wind and tide seemed always to favour little Nan, for at that very
-moment a stiff breeze caught the flag and held it out bravely, so that
-she read "Good-bye, Regie," as easily as from her spelling book at
-school.
-
-Oh! how the message thrilled through and through Regie's excited little
-frame.
-
-[Illustration: 9057]
-
-To think that Papa Fairfax cared so much for him as to take all that
-trouble; and right then and there a prayer went silently up from Regie's
-full heart that he might never do anything to grieve him--never.
-
-Quickly the glass was passed from one to another that all might have a
-look.
-
-"Oh, if we only could signal back somehow!" said Sister Julia,
-earnestly.
-
-"And what is to hinder, dear?" answered the keeper's wife, who had
-toiled up to the tower with the baby in her arms.
-
-"Daniel," she added, turning to her husband, "run to the parlour and
-pull down the curtain from the double window. That's big enough for them
-to distinguish."
-
-Big enough for them to distinguish! you would have thought so could you
-have seen the great expanse of turkey red that floated from the tower a
-few minutes later.
-
-"They see it! they see it!" shouted Harry, whose turn it was now at the
-glass. "They're dipping their colours."
-
-"So they are!" every one cried, for no glass was needed to discern that.
-
-With happy, wistful eyes Regie watched the great _Alaska_ till she was
-a mere speck on the horizon; then the little party turned their faces
-homeward, and from that moment Regie looked eagerly forward to the day
-when they should come sailing back again.
-
-
-[Illustration: 0058]
-
-
-
-
-VII.--A TRIP TO BURCHARD'S
-
-
-[Illustration: 9058]
-
-EEMS to me, peaches must be at their best about now, father," Mrs.
-Murray said to the captain, as they sat at breakfast one morning, about
-a week after Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax had sailed.
-
-"Shouldn't wonder, Mollie," replied the Captain, and then he said
-nothing more, for he was busy with his own thoughts.
-
-"Shouldn't wondering doesn't help matters any," said his wife at last,
-impatiently. "What's to be done about 'em, Epher?"
-
-"About what, Mollie?" asked the captain, for he had really forgotten
-what she was talking about.
-
-"Why! the peaches, to be sure. You must be having one of your
-absent-minded turns."
-
-"I was thinking, Mollie," he answered, "about getting some new blankets
-and tarpaulins for the crew. That is more like minding my own business
-than being absent-minded, it strikes me."
-
-Captain Murray had had charge of the Moorlow Life-saving Station for
-eight years, and had just accepted a new appointment.
-
-"I guess you'd say I hadn't been minding mine, if I let the fall go by
-without doing up any peaches. Nobody sets more store by my preserves
-than you do, Epher Murray, but you'll have few enough to set store by
-this year, unless you do something pretty quick about 'em."
-
-[Illustration: 0059]
-
-"Well! well! I'll send word over to Burchard's orchard; that's all
-that's needed, isn't it?"
-
-"And who will you send, I'd like to know?"
-
-It seemed to Mrs. Murray as though the captain might offer his own
-services for such an all-important matter as this preserving.
-
-"Couldn't the children drive over for them?" asked Sister
-
-Julia, who always endeavoured to make things as comfortable as possible
-for everybody.
-
-"The very thing!" Regie exclaimed.
-
-"Oh! do let us go, father," cried. Harry and Nan together.
-
-"Of course you can go," answered Captain Murray, only too willing to
-give a permission that freed him from any responsibility in the matter.
-
-To be allowed to go by themselves all the way to Burchard's orchard
-seemed quite an adventure in the eyes of the children, and they were
-anxious to be off but certain things must needs be first attended to.
-Nan had various little indoor duties, which kept her busy for a while
-every morning, and Harry had regular morning work in the neighbourhood
-of the wood pile. As for Regie, Sister Julia said, kindly but firmly,
-that "he could not stir a step till he had written a letter to Papa
-Fairfax." Harry soon succeeded in finishing his task, and hurried out
-to the barn, as he thought, to help the man, Joe, to put Pet into the
-harness. What was his disappointment to find the barn empty. He knew in
-a moment that Joe must have taken him to be shod, for ponies, as well
-as little people, seem to need shoeing very often, and he rushed back to
-the house in a great state of excitement.
-
-Regie was struggling with his letter, with Sister Julia sitting by as an
-authority in the matter of spelling.
-
-"Say," cried Harry, appearing on the scene, "there isn't a sign of Pet
-in the barn. I s'pose they've taken him off to be shod, and there's no
-telling when they'll bring him back." His manner showed so very plainly
-what he thought, that he hardly needed to have added that "he thought it
-was very mean indeed."
-
-"I think it is very mean, too!" said Regie; "seems to me I ought to be
-told when my own pony needs shoeing, and not have him walked off just
-when I want to use him."
-
-"If that is the case you had better off with my head, then, King Regie,"
-laughed Sister Julia; "for I am the guilty one. The moment it was
-decided that you should go to the orchard I sent Joe off with Pet, for
-it would never do to have him cast a shoe on such a long drive."
-
-"Oh, that's all right then," said Regie, apologetically. He had a
-foolish trick of growing indignant over many things, because he would
-not wait to find out the true facts of a case. This may be said in his
-favour, however, that when he found himself in the wrong, which was very
-often, he was always ready to admit it,--an honest, winning trait which
-is somewhat rare in this self-confident world of ours.
-
-"Now run along, Harry," said Sister Julia. "This letter of Reginald's
-must go out by to-morrow's steamer, and if he does not hurry, Pet will
-be at the door long before he is through with it."
-
-Harry departed as requested, and Reginald spread his arms out on the
-table, and resumed writing, accompanying every up and down stroke of
-his pen with an earnest little motion of the lips, as if that were a
-necessary part of the proceeding. With long pauses over certain words,
-and constant appeals to Sister Julia, frequently as to the spelling of
-words of which he was perfectly sure, the letter was at last finished,
-and this was the result--
-
-"Moorlow, Sept, 7th '85.
-
-"Dear Papa Fairfax,--We are all well, and having a first-rate time, and
-hope you are having a good time too. The pony is just as well and fat
-as ever, but Captain Murray's cow has a very lame foot. We caught a
-woodchuck last Saturday, and Captain Murray's man, Joe, skinned him, and
-we gave the skin to Mrs. Murray for a little rug. We have been making
-darts with horseshoe nails and corks and feathers. Did you know how to
-do that when you were a little boy? We have had to put the old drake in
-another place. He kept picking up the little ducks and shaking them. We
-are going to a peach orchard this morning (if Pet ever comes home from
-being shod). So good-bye, from
-
-"Your loving
-
-"Regie.
-
-"P. S. It is very nice here. Captain Murray asked me to send his love
-to you. Sister Julia is very kind. I love her next to you and Mamma
-Fairfax.--R. F."
-
-The careful directing of the envelope was the work of an additional
-five minutes, and Sister Julia stood ready to hand Reginald his hat and
-crutches the moment it should be completed; for Harry and Nan and Pet
-were waiting at the door, and all equally impatient.
-
-[Illustration: 0062]
-
-"Now, children," said Sister Julia, as they were getting stowed away in
-the cart, "it is eleven o'clock, and it will take you about an hour and
-a half to drive over, and you must allow the same time for driving home.
-I shall be worried if you are not here by five. I shall depend upon you,
-Regie, to keep watch of the time. Let us see if our watches agree." They
-were found to agree to the minute, and the little party set off. Pet
-was the most energetic pony; going or coming was all the same to him.
-He always trotted over the ground as fast as his little legs could carry
-him, seldom falling into a walk of his own accord. So it was not strange
-that, with Pet's steady pattering and the children's steady chattering,
-they found themselves at the peach orchard in what seemed to them a very
-short space of time, though, in point of fact, they had been on the road
-almost as long as Sister Julia had predicted.
-
-Regie was able to drive right into the orchard, for the bars of the rail
-fence had been let down, and they soon came to a rough platform covered
-with peach baskets, some full and some empty, over which a coloured boy,
-with hands plunged into his trousers pockets, was loyally keeping guard.
-
-"Any peaches for sale?" asked Harry, scrambling out.
-
-"Lots of 'em," grinned the boy.
-
-"Where's Mr. Burchard?" asked Nan.
-
-"South corner," indicating the direction with a bob of his woolly head;
-"he's got a gang of men down there with him picking."
-
-"Let's go and help 'em," said Harry, "we can eat all we want to and have
-lots of fun," but the words were no sooner uttered than he realised that
-hobbling over that rough orchard was out of the question for Regie, and
-indeed it was too rough to drive farther in with the cart.
-
-"One of us must stay with Pet," said Regie, casually, as though there
-was no other reason in the world why he should not go. Harry and Nan
-scampered off, with some misgivings on Nan's part as to the kindness
-of deserting her king; but the vision of a seat on a comfortable bough,
-with luscious peaches within easy reach, was a stronger test than even
-her loyalty could bear.
-
-"Want to get out?" said the coloured boy to Rex, when the children had
-gone. "I'll help you," glancing significantly toward the crutches.
-
-"No, thank you," answered Rex, "it is too much bother;" and, foolish,
-sensitive little fellow that he was, he blushed up to the roots of his
-hair, as though a broken leg was something to be heartily ashamed of.
-
-"Lame long?" asked the boy, who seemed averse to wasting breath on any
-unnecessary words.
-
-"Three months," said Rex, "but I'll soon be over it. I wish you'd let
-down Pet's check," he added, willing to change the subject.
-
-"Boss pony," said the boy, carrying out Regie's request, whereupon Pet
-sniffed about him, expecting something to eat.
-
-"Seems hungry," said the boy.
-
-"That can't be," said Rex, proudly; "he has all the hay and oats he
-wants every day."
-
-"Give him a peach?" asked the boy, with elevated eyebrows.
-
-"Yes, if you want to."
-
-Jim, for that was the boy's name, picked out "a booty," as he called it,
-gave it rather an unnecessary rub on the side of his old trousers, and
-popped it into Pet's expectant jaws. Pet made a great fuss over it.
-It could hardly be an easy matter to manage a large peach, and the
-good-sized pit inside of it, with a curb bit in the mouth.
-
-"Do they give peaches to horses?" asked Reginald, beginning to have some
-misgivings on the subject.
-
-"Some's feared to do it."
-
-"Are they afraid of the pit's sticking in their throats?"
-
-The boy gave a little grunt that meant "Yes, they were." Regie was
-alarmed. "But you need not fear 'bout this un," added the boy; "he looks
-knowin' enough to spit the pit out." Jim was right, and in a few minutes
-the pit fell softly to the ground. Then the boys fell to talking about
-one thing and another to while away the time, until it suddenly occurred
-to Jim to put another peach into Pet's mouth.
-
-"I wish you had not done that," said Regie, a little provoked. "I think
-he came very near choking on the other one."
-
-There was a sound of wheels just then, and a waggon loaded with peach
-baskets came in sight, with Nan and Harry seated in front of them.
-"There's old black Ned," said Jim, pointing towards the horse that was
-drawing the waggon; "he eats ten peaches of a mornin', and spits the pit
-out every time; but, my eyes! I reckon this pony ain't got sense enough,
-arter all," for just at this point Pet began to cough and strangle most
-prodigiously.
-
-"Pull it out, can't you?" said Rex, impatiently, whereupon the boy
-simply stood and stared, plunging his hands deeper down into the depths
-of his trousers pocket. Regie knew that he could get to Pet in no other
-way so quickly as to scramble along his back and drop over his head. It
-was the work of a moment, and the unexpected arrival of somebody on his
-neck caused Pet to jerk his head so violently as to send the unlucky
-stone flying out of his throat, and to land Regie in a topsy-turvy state
-in front of him. Regie hardly touched the ground before Harry was at his
-side, trying to help him up. Pet did not know what to make of all this,
-and stood looking down at his young master with his ears pricked up and
-his head on one side; but no doubt he was grateful to the transaction
-that had enabled him to part company with that deplorable stone.
-
-"Your leg's not hurt, is it, Rex?" cried Nan, instantly appearing on the
-scene.
-
-"I guess not. Get my crutches, please," and Nan hurried to pull them out
-from under the seat of the cart.
-
-"Why, what's all this?" asked the man, who had been leading the horse
-with the load of peaches.
-
-"Oh, that old coloured boy of yours gave a peach to my pony, and then,
-when he choked on the pit, was too much of a coward to try and get
-it out and Rex turned to wither poor Jim with one of his most kingly
-glances, but Jim had vanished.
-
-"I should think he would take himself off," said Harry, indignantly. "If
-he'd stayed round here I would have given him a piece of my mind," and
-Harry made certain significant gestures with the plumpest of fists.
-"Think of his letting a lame fellow like Rex come tumbling out of the
-cart, rather than lift his hand to help a choking pony," and an angry
-red flush shot over Harry's sun-burned face.
-
-Just at this moment Nan discovered a black curly-headed little pate
-directly under a hole in the platform, but with Harry at this angry
-pitch she did not dare to make known her discovery. Presently, when
-Harry and Rex were busy getting into the cart, and the man's back was
-turned, what did the little witch do but catch up an old tin pail near
-at hand, dip it half full of powdered dust from the road, and pour
-it down through that one small hole in the platform. There was a
-spluttering sound as of suppressed choking. Nan was the only one that
-noticed it, but her little face was sufficiently wreathed in smiles to
-prove that "revenge is sweet" to the "gentler sex," though the revenger
-be still in pinafores.
-
-[Illustration: 5066]
-
-[Illustration: 9067]
-
-
-
-
-VIII.--ON THE WAY HOME
-
-
-[Illustration: 9067]
-
-HEN you will surely send those peaches this afternoon?" said Harry to
-the man, when all was in readiness to turn their faces homeward.
-
-"Surely; and if you don't hurry up they'll get there before you."
-
-Hurrying was just in Pet's line, and he pricked up his ears as though
-he fully understood this last remark. Rex gave him the word and away
-he flew, almost running against the gatepost in his eagerness to be off
-from that region of coloured boys and peach stones.
-
-"Which way shall we go?" asked Rex, consulting his little silver watch;
-"we have plenty of time."
-
-"Of course we have," said Nan, "and why shouldn't we stop somewhere when
-there is an elegant luncheon in the bottom of this cart and we have not
-taken a minute to eat it?"
-
-"Sure enough," Harry exclaimed, and the children stared at each other
-with a look of amazement, wondering how it ever could have happened that
-they should for a moment have forgotten anything so important.
-
-"I tell you what let's do," said Rex; "let's go home by the Rumson
-Road. I know a lovely great tree, where we can rest Pet while we eat the
-luncheon."
-
-Harry and Nan fell in with the plan, and Pet, who, with true
-pony instinct, had started the shortest way home, was obliged to
-right-about-face. There are not many more charming drives than that
-of the Rumson Road, bordered as it is on one side by beautiful country
-houses, whose windows command a near view of the river and a distant
-one of the sea. Luxuriant hedges and evenly trimmed grass-plots line
-the drive, and here and there a fine old tree throws a grateful shadow
-athwart the red soil road. Though each of the little trio had been over
-it many times before, it seemed to-day to wear a new beauty in their
-eyes, and when they reached a point where it curves gracefully and two
-grand old places confront each other, Nan's enthusiasm found vent.
-
-"Isn't it just too beautiful for anything?" she exclaimed. "Yes, it is
-lovely," Rex answered,--"just like the country far away from the sea,
-and yet you can see the ocean as plain as day."
-
-"It is a great pity," said Nan, "that plants and flowers won't grow as
-they ought to, close down to the shore." She was looking at a great
-bed of flowers in the midst of one of the lawns, and recalling a
-little company of spindly geraniums, which she had vainly tried to make
-flourish in her little garden at home, so depressing is the effect of
-salt sea-fogs and sandy soil upon all growing things. "And there are no
-trees to speak of near the sea," she added, with a little sigh, for she
-dearly loved the green and the shade of the inland country; "nothing but
-meadows of great coarse grass."
-
-"You forgot the lawns round the places on the boulevard, Nan," said
-Harry.
-
-"Oh, to be sure, but the grass only grows there because they have men
-to sprinkle and 'tend to it all the time. Papa says he could s'port
-half-a-dozen little girls like me for what it costs for one of those
-lawns a single summer."
-
-"That seems very extravagant," said Regie, who had quite a business way
-of looking at matters.
-
-"I think I would like to live back here, where things grow as though
-they loved it, and not because they are made to," Nan remarked,
-thoughtfully.
-
-"Indeed, I know better, Nannie Murray; you love the sea too much to
-be contented away from it a week," Harry remarked, with brotherly
-superiority. "Why, mother took you to Grandma Murray's when you were
-only a scrap of a baby, and you cried and fretted so she 'was ashamed of
-you, and had to bring you home. The moment you caught sight of the sea
-you crowed and clapped your little hands, and behaved like another baby
-altogether. No, sir-ree, you'd be sick of living back here in a week."
-
-[Illustration: 0069]
-
-"Well, perhaps I would," Nan admitted, for she knew, after all, that no
-sound was so sweet in her ears as the roar of the breakers on the beach,
-nor anything that looked quite so beautiful to her as the dear old
-ocean, whether under a blue sky or a grey one.
-
-By this time they had reached Regie's tree. It stood just at the top of
-a little descent in the road, and not many yards away from one of the
-numerous railroad crossings which traverse that part of the country.
-
-Rex was helped out to a comfortable seat under it. Harry took Pet out
-of the shafts and tied him to a rail fence near by, while Nan, a perfect
-counterpart of her energetic mother, began transferring the luncheon
-from the basket to the grass, and spreading it out so that it should
-look as inviting as possible.
-
-Then there was silence as far as any continued conversation was
-concerned for the space of fifteen minutes. There was an occasional
-"These biscuits are delicious," or a "Please pass me the sponge cake,"
-but that was all. A good appetite and plenty to gratify it generally
-quiets, for the time being, even the most incessant of little
-chatterboxes.
-
-When the luncheon was all disposed of, save a few crumbs,--which, by
-the way, made a beautiful meal for a family of ants the next day,--Regie
-threw himself on his back, and with hands folded under his head, looked
-up into the boughs, and in dreamy fashion watched the birds flying in
-and out. Harry whipped the inevitable boat hull out of his pocket and
-began whittling; and Nan, as any one who knew her could have foretold,
-soon discovered some sort of wild flowers at a little distance, and
-wandered off to gather them. They proved to be Black-eyed Susans, as the
-children call the yellow field daisies; and when she had picked them she
-discovered a larger growth of the same flower farther on in the midst of
-one of those luxurious wild "hedges, which often flourish along the line
-of railroads in the country. Of course she must needs have these too,
-and she hurried to reach them, as though half afraid that someone would
-seek to rob her of the prize. Eagerly she broke the stems; with a quiet
-knack placed each flower just where it would most contribute to the
-effectiveness of her bouquet, and she was just turning to go back to
-the boys when she spied something large and dark lying right across the
-track a hundred yards away.
-
-"Harry! Reginald!" she cried, at the top of her voice, "come here,
-quick!" at the same time shading her eyes with her hand, to discover,
-if possible, what the something might be. Harry was on his feet in an
-instant, for Nan was hidden from sight, and he feared some accident.
-Regie reached for his crutches and followed after as fast as he could.
-It seemed to Nan as though Harry never would come. "Look there," she
-cried, as soon as he was within hearing distance, "What can it be?"
-pointing down the track as she spoke.
-
-"My jimini, I believe it's a cow!" and, more courageous than Nan,
-hurried on to investigate. Nan, with a pretty native thoughtfulness,
-waited till Rex had hobbled up to her, and then they trudged along to
-join Harry, who had reached the dark object, and stood poking at it with
-a sharp-pointed stick. Yes, it was certainly a great, dark-red cow, and
-the little party, gathering around her, stared at her for a few seconds
-in awe-struck silence.
-
-"Is she dead?" asked Nan, betraying a world of emotion in her voice.
-
-"Looks like it, doesn't it?" said Harry, appealing to Regie. Rex shook
-his head solemnly in the affirmative.
-
-"Oh, dear, dear!" cried Nan, "she'll be run over when the train comes."
-
-"It won't hurt her if she is," answered Harry, trying to assume a light
-tone; but his face plainly showed that he thought it a pretty serious
-matter.
-
-"I wonder what we ought to do?" said Rex.
-
-"I think we had better get right off this track this minute," Nan wisely
-advised, "for there's no knowing when a train may come round the curve
-yonder." So they clambered up the bank and sat down to deliberate.
-
-"Do you suppose she will throw the train off the track?" questioned Nan.
-
-"I don't believe so," said Rex, "that's what the cow-catcher is for, you
-know."
-
-"But the trouble is they don't always catch," remarked Harry, with an
-emphatic shake of his head.
-
-"Oh, do you suppose a train may be coming?" asked Nan, with a
-perceptible little shiver.
-
-"How should we know, goosie?" answered Harry, with a nervous sort of
-shrug.
-
-"But," questioned Rex, in business-like fashion, "what are we going to
-do about it?"
-
-"Well," said Harry, "I don't see that we can do anything. I haven't an
-idea where this road can run to. Perhaps it is not used now."
-
-"Oh, yes, it is," cried Nan. "Hark!" and she pushed back her sun-bonnet
-so that she could hear more distinctly.
-
-Yes, surely it was a whistle, all three of the children heard it,--a
-long way off no doubt; but now they hear it again, and it sounded
-nearer.
-
-"I think we ought to run down the track and stop the train," urged Rex.
-
-"But how shall we do it?" Harry exclaimed. "I don't believe they would
-stop just for our calling; and besides, they might not hear us; we ought
-to signal somehow."
-
-The words "signal somehow" suggested a red flag to Nan, for she
-knew that was what they used at times of danger, and the thought
-suggested--well, no matter what, but she disappeared behind a bush, and
-in a moment re-appeared, waving a veritable little red flag.
-
-"Where did you get it?" cried the boys both at once, and staring at her
-in blank astonishment.
-
-"It is my flannel skirt," Nan replied, with cheeks well nigh as scarlet
-as the skirt itself.
-
-"Good for you, Nan; you're a 'cute one!" and Harry quickly fastened the
-skirt to the same stick with which he had poked the cow. Then he rushed
-off, calling, "Come on, Nan; but Rex had better wait here."
-
-Poor Rex! never had he felt so thoroughly out of patience with that lame
-leg of his. It seemed so hard not to be able to run with the best of
-them when there was so much excitement in the wind.
-
-"May I go?" said Nan, appealingly, and as though she dared not stir
-without permission from his little Royal Highness.
-
-"Of course, child," said the king, somewhat ungraciously.
-
-Harry hurried along the track, and rounding the curve immediately gained
-a position, from which he knew the little flag could be seen from quite
-a distance? He reached the spot none too soon, for by this time the
-train was in sight. Right away he began waving vigorously. Nan's
-sun-bonnet was hanging from her neck, and she quickly untied the strings
-and shook it wildly up and down.
-
-[Illustration: 0073]
-
-"Oh, Harry! do you think they see us?" she cried.
-
-"See us! why, they can't help seeing us, goosie." Harry called Nan by
-this name more often than by any other. He did not mean it unkindly, and
-Nan did not mind.
-
-"They are slowing up," cried Harry, jubilantly.
-
-"They are slowing up," Nan repeated, in the vain hope that Rex might
-hear her. The next moment the train came to a standstill, and Nan
-dropped in a limp heap to the ground, for, trembling with excitement,
-her little limbs, stout though they were, refused longer to support her.
-
-"Well, children, what's up?" shouted the engineer, from the cab of
-the locomotive. "I hope you ain't stopped the train for the fun of the
-thing."
-
-"Well, I guess not," cried Harry, indignantly. "There's a dead cow on
-the track just round the curve; we were afraid she might throw your
-train off."
-
-"Good for you," answered the man, "you may have saved us an ugly
-accident. Come, Joe," he called to the fireman, as he jumped from his
-engine. "Now show us where she is, Johnnie."
-
-"My name's Harry," suggested that small gentleman, not caring to be
-addressed by the general title of Johnnie.
-
-"Well, then, Master Harry, lead the way." Nan stayed where she was.
-The excitement of the last few moments had robbed her of all strength;
-besides, she did not exactly want to see them drag that poor cow from
-the track. And now the people in the train began to crane their necks
-from the car windows to ascertain what might be the' cause of the delay.
-A few men had gotten out and had gone ahead to investigate.
-
-"What's wrong, honey?" asked an old woman of Nan, whose seat on the
-embankment brought her just on a level with the window.
-
-"There's--there's a cow on the track," answered Nan, with a big sigh
-between the two "there's," as if her little heart had been quite
-overburdened.
-
-"And de engineer saw it in time to stop de train? Tank de Lord!"
-ejaculated the old woman.
-
-"No, no, he didn't; _we_ stopped the train," Nan answered, proudly; "the
-engineer couldn't see the cow at all from here."
-
-"Bress my heart! how did yer do it, chile?"
-
-"Why, with my flannel skirt," Nan explained. She had not noticed that
-others in the car were listening to their conversation, but at this
-remark a coarse derisive laugh made her realise that a dozen pair of
-eyes were upon her. It proved too much for her overstrung nerves. She
-burst into tears and threw herself flat upon the grass, burying her face
-in her hands.
-
-"Ye'd all oughter be ashamed o' ye'selves," said the old mammy, turning
-indignantly upon the fellow-passengers, though as much mystified as any
-of them by Nan's reply to her question.
-
-Meanwhile the cow had been pulled from the track, and Regie and Harry
-were naturally much elated by the earnest commendation of the passengers
-who stood about them. "Look here," said one of them, evidently a farmer,
-"seems to me we ought to do something for these little people; who knows
-but some of us might have been in Kingdom Come but for them."
-
-"That's so," answered another passenger, "but what can yer do more'n
-thank 'em? they look like gentlefolks' children. I reckon they wouldn't
-take money for doing a kind turn."
-
-"Well, I guess not," said Regie, who had overheard the last remark.
-
-"I thought so," answered the passenger, with a knowing wink. "He's got
-the right spirit, but I'd like to know one thing: where did you get
-that 'ere red flag?"
-
-"It's my sister's flannel skirt," said Harry.
-
-"And who was so awful 'cute as to think of it?"
-
-"Why, Nan, of course," Harry replied, and as though Nan's "'cuteness"
-was a widely-accepted fact.
-
-They had all been walking back toward the train as they talked, and now
-a warning whistle from the engineer hurried every one on board. As the
-wheels of the car began to turn slowly, the old mammy was the first
-to descry the little flannel skirt, whose mention had caused so much
-merriment, flying from the stick, which Harry had thrust into the ground
-when he had no farther use for it.
-
-"Oh, see!" she cried, pointing towards it, "that's how she did it--she
-did make a flag of it. Now that's what I call 'cute."
-
-"'Cute, I should say so," exclaimed the passenger who had been talking
-with Regie. "Let's give 'em three cheers as we go, one apiece, and the
-last and the loudest for the girl--the smart little owner of the little
-red skirt." At the sound of the hearty cheering Nan raised her head,
-with a smile shining through her tears. She had heard the old mammy's
-exclamation, and then she understood why the people had laughed when she
-told them she had stopped the train with her flannel skirt. How stupid
-of her not to have explained that she made a flag of it! Four slow puffs
-from the locomotive were heard above the cheering, then a dozen short
-quick ones, and in another second the train had rounded the curve and
-was out of sight, though for several minutes they could hear the noise
-of it growing fainter and fainter in the distance.
-
-"Well, now we had better hurry home," said Rex, drawing a long breath.
-"It wall be seven o'clock before we get there, and Sister Julia will be
-awfully worried."
-
-Nan readjusted the little skirt that had done such good and novel
-service, and then they hurried back to Pet and the cart as fast as Regie
-could manage to get over the ground.
-
-It was indeed nearly seven o'clock before they reached home, and Sister
-Julia _was_ worried--worried enough to have been waiting at the gate an
-hour, peering up and down the road in the deepening twilight, wondering
-what could have happened, and which way they would come home, and
-sometimes wondering if they ever would come at all. Oh! how happy she
-felt when she recognised the patter of Pet's nimble feet on the hard
-boulevard, long before she could discover the little turnout itself.
-
-"Bless your little hearts!" she cried, running to meet them, "I have
-been so worried! what has kept you such a long while?" The children
-tried to tell all in one breath. "Oh, lots of things," they answered.
-"We had to wait to stop a train because a dead cow was on the track,"
-said Nan.
-
-"And Pet almost choked to death on a peach stone," added Rex, "and----"
-
-"Oh, wait a moment," said Sister Julia, putting her fingers to her ears;
-"I cannot understand a word if you all talk at once." Mrs. Murray was
-standing in the doorway; she had felt sure the children would come home
-all right. "How about the peaches?" she asked as they came up the path,
-for all this excitement did not make her forget that everything was in
-readiness for preserving the next day.
-
-"Oh, they'll surely come to-night, the man promised faithfully," Harry
-answered. "Hark! I heard a waggon; I guess they're coming now." Yes,
-the waggon turned in at the gate, and Mrs. Murray's mind was as much
-relieved about the peaches as Sister Julia's about the children. The
-little trio did justice to an ample supper that night, and after an
-hour's narration of the exciting experiences of the day, they were
-perfectly willing to desert the open wood fire in the sitting-room for
-downy pillows and blankets, those comfortable contrivances which waft
-tired little people into the realm of slumberland.
-
-
-
-
-[Illustration: 0078]
-
-
-
-
-IX.--A DAY ON THE BEACH
-
-
-[9078]
-
-T had been arranged that for the first week Regie and Harry and Nan
-should be allowed to do pretty much as they liked, but after that
-lessons should be regularly begun with Sister Julia. Rex and Harry had
-reached about the' same point in their studies, but poor little Nan was
-a good way behind, farther than her years would warrant. All the winter
-before she had attended school at the Branch, but she had pleaded very
-hard not to be sent back again.
-
-"It is such a large school," she had told her mother, "that when you get
-ahead they have to hold you back for the other girls, and so you don't
-learn very much."
-
-Mrs. Murray could not help smiling at her excuse for having made so
-little progress, knowing well enough the fault lay in the fact that she
-could not or would not apply her mind to the task which had been set
-her, but Nan hailed with delight this plan for studying with Sister
-Julia. Of course it had to be quite independently of the boys, because
-they were so far ahead of her, but somehow or other she was really
-in earnest about the matter, and did get along finely. The greatest
-incentive to hard study came to her in the mortification she felt one
-evening at not being able to enter into a game of Regie's, because she
-could not read the printing on the cards belonging to the game.
-
-[Illustration: 8079]
-
-Now that the children had settled down to their schooling the time flew
-faster than ever, and before they knew it, enough days had come and
-gone to allow "Uncle Sam," one morning, to shake a letter out of his
-mail-bag, directed to Regie and postmarked "London."
-
-"See here, Reginald, I've brought something for you," called Captain
-Murray, coming with the mail, just as the children were setting off from
-the house, for it was Saturday and they had planned to spend the morning
-on the beach.
-
-"Hurrah! here's another!" shouted Regie, for he had already received
-a steamer letter, which had been mailed when the _Alaska_ touched at
-Queenstown.
-
-"Yes, another letter," answered the captain, handing it to him, "and
-it's a rouser."
-
-Regie stood irresolute a moment. "I tell you, boys," he said, always
-forgetting that Nan could not be included under this general title, "I
-tell you, I'll save it till we get fixed all comfortable on the beach,
-and then I'll read it to you."
-
-"All right; let's start," said Harry, and the little party started,
-though Rex had some misgivings as to his ability to master Mamma
-Fairfax's handwriting, for he knew from the direction that the letter
-was from her. "We haven't played that king game much," he said, as they
-trudged along. He was able to manage with a little cane now in place of
-the crutches.
-
-"Seems to me we're kind of playing it," answered Harry, glancing down
-at a heavy rug that he himself was carrying, and then over towards a
-luncheon basket with which Nan was laden: "at any rate the body-guard
-are sort of waiting on Your Highness."
-
-"Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Harry Murray?" cried Nan, resenting the
-indignity. "You oughtn't to expect Regie to help carry things until he
-can walk as well as you and I do."
-
-"I hope he'll walk a good sight better than you do before very long,"
-retorted Harry, in a teasing mood. "See, Nan, this is the way you
-always get over the ground," and Harry threw aside the rug the better to
-imitate Nan's funny gait, characterised by a straightness on Nan's part
-amounting to an actual bending backward, and a jerky, independent little
-step. Harry hit it exactly, and Regie laughed immoderately, which was
-not very polite, considering Nan's gallant defence of him a few moments
-before. But Nan smiled, too, in spite of herself.
-
-"I can't help it if I am too straight," she said; "there's one good
-thing,--straight people are not so dangerous of having consumption."
-
-"Look out, Nan, you'll choke if you use such big words," advised Harry.
-
-"No, really, I think it would be real fun to play the king game this
-morning," urged Regie, as they came to a spot on the beach where, by
-mutual consent, they spread out the rug and sat down.
-
-"All right, then," replied Harry, "and I'll be the king."
-
-"Then I shall not play," said Nan, "I am not going to keep changing
-kings every day."
-
-"Of course not," Regie laughed, "you believe in the divine right, don't
-you, Nan?" Regie had just learned what "divine right" meant, and proudly
-aired his knowledge.
-
-"I don't know," said Nan, "but whenever we play I believe in your being
-the king; I never could think of Harry as a king for a moment. Besides,
-you're our company, and we ought to wait on you."
-
-"Bosh!" said Harry, "I don't call people what boards in your house,
-company."
-
-"'What boards!'" repeated Nan. "Well, I should think you'd better brush
-up your grammar, Mr. Murray. Oh, the letter," she added, nodding in the
-direction of Regie's pocket.
-
-[Illustration: 0081]
-
-"Oh, to be sure; why, I'd almost forgotten it," and Rex drew out his
-knife and carefully cut the envelope open at one end, after a neat
-little fashion of his own.
-
-"'London, September 19th. My dear Reginald,'" he read, then paused, for
-in the very first sentence he discovered a word that he could not quite
-make out.
-
-"Guess I'd better read it to myself first," he said, "there may be
-something private in it." Harry gave a significant cough, which meant
-that it was easy enough to see through such a flimsy excuse as that.
-Regie wisely paid no attention to it. Both the children knew it must
-necessarily be many minutes before they would be favoured with the
-contents of the letter, so Nan threw herself back on the rug, laid one
-arm under her head, and gazing out over the ocean gave herself up to the
-most delightful daydreams. Harry resorted to whittling, that occupation
-of all leisure moments.
-
-Suddenly, after ten minutes of unbroken quiet, Regie began again,
-making brief halts now and then before words that still proved a little
-puzzling.
-
-"London, September 19th.
-
-"'My dear Reginald,--I doubt if there is a half hour in which we do not
-speak of you, or five minutes in that half hour in which we do not think
-of you, and so you can understand that we are pretty fond of a little
-fellow we have left behind us. Indeed, Papa Fairfax said, only a few
-minutes ago, that he wanted so much to see Regie that if he was not sure
-that he was very happy he thinks he would have to send some one away to
-America to bring him over.'"
-
-"Oh! do you think he will?" questioned Nan.
-
-"Of course not, goosie," Harry retorted, "don't interrupt again. Go on,
-Rex."
-
-----"'But if he did,'" Regie resumed, "'you would have to hurry to
-catch us, for we shall be obliged to travel pretty fast as soon as we
-leave London. You do not need to get out the atlas to look up the place
-where this letter comes from, do you? Even little Nan knows how London
-looks on the map.'"
-
-"Don't believe it," muttered Harry, half under his breath, but loudly
-enough for Nan to hear him.
-
-"Do, too," whispered Nan, with a defiant shake of her curls; "but please
-don't interrupt. Go on, Rex." Rex did not mind these interruptions in
-the least, as they gave him a chance to look ahead a little.
-
-"'It is ten years,'" he went on, reading slowly, "'since Papa Fairfax
-and I were here before, and we hardly know this London in the sunshine,
-for the old London of fog and rain, since we are having wonderfully
-clear weather. I shall have to wait till we reach home to tell you all
-about the sights of London. When you are older I shall hope to visit
-with you all the places where Papa Fairfax and I have been this
-morning,--Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's, and the Tower. How you will
-enjoy the Tower, but in a sad sort of way, because so many sorrowful
-things have happened there. Last evening we strolled in for a while to
-see Madame Tussaud's wax figures, naturally looking rather more grimy
-and dusty than they did ten years ago.
-
-"'And now, Rex, I have several other letters to send off by this same
-steamer, so this must do for the present. Do not forget to write once a
-week surely, either to Papa Fairfax or to me.
-
-"'Yours lovingly,
-
-"'Mamma Fairfax.
-
-"That's a nice letter," said Regie, gazing rather wistfully out to sea.
-
-"Very nice," said Nan, "but you don't want to go, do you?"
-
-Poor little Nan was blessed with a lively imagination.
-
-I say "poor Nan," for these lively imaginations play such sorry tricks
-upon the little folk and big folk who happen to possess them. Nan had
-but to catch a glimpse of the wistful look in Regie's eyes straightway
-to make up her mind that he was unhappy and lonely, and would gladly
-leave them all if he could.
-
-"No, I don't want to go exactly," answered Rex; "but I guess you'd feel
-a little queer sometimes if that great ocean were between you and your
-father and mother."
-
-"I do not believe I'd mind if I was on the same side of it with you,
-Regie," said Nan, betraying her unbounded admiration for his little
-Royal Highness.
-
-"Nan, you're a regular spoony," remarked Harry.
-
-"I don't know what a spoony is," Nan answered; "but of course it's
-something horrid, or you would not call me one," and she gave a little
-sigh which seemed to come almost from the soles of her boots. She did
-have to put up with a great deal of teasing from this brother of hers.
-Regie came to her rescue.
-
-"You're not a spoony, Nan, at all," he said; "and, Harry, you don't
-deserve to have a sister. You do tease her awfully."
-
-"What's the harm?" said Harry, sullenly. "But, Nan," he added, "I wish
-you would remember this, that I would not care to tease you if I did not
-really love you, and that when I stop it will be a bad sign."
-
-"What's going on up there?" asked Nan, willing to change the subject.
-
-"They're getting ready for a drill at the Life-saving Station," Harry
-answered, glancing in the direction toward which Nan was pointing. Regie
-was on the alert in a moment.
-
-"Oh, are they? do let's go up there. I never saw a drill in all my life,
-and I never was in a Station but once."
-
-[Illustration: 0084]
-
-It was an old story to Nan and Harry, but Regie was up and off, and the
-body-guard must needs follow.
-
-The station was one of those low, oblong buildings, which, dotting the
-coast at regular intervals, are to be found in the neighbourhood of all
-sea-shore resorts in the United States, and whose well-trained crew have
-been the means of saving many, many lives. This one little station at
-Moorlow had the grand record of having rescued five hundred persons in
-the nine years since it was established.
-
-"What are you going to do?" asked Rex, the moment he came within
-speaking distance of two men who were dropping a coil of rope into a
-box.
-
-"Going to have a drill," one of them answered; "there's no telling how
-soon we may have a wreck, and we must be ready for it. We had two last
-November."
-
-Regie was about to say that he hoped they would have at least two this
-November, but realised what a dreadful wish that would be in time to
-check himself.
-
-"What will be the best place to see it from?" he asked. "I would not
-miss any of it for the world."
-
-The men were amused at his earnest manner.
-
-"That boat hull will be a good place," said one of them; "but you'd
-better understand about things first. You see we are going to fire a
-shell out of this here howitzer, and the shell is fastened-to this long
-coil of rope, so that when it goes whizzing away to the wreck it carries
-this rope--the whip-line we call it--with it."
-
-"Yes, but where's your wreck?" Regie queried.
-
-"Why, yonder," and the man pointed down the beach to where a piece of
-timber, with cross-pieces resembling a mast, was firmly planted in the
-sand. "There's our wreck, and we are going to send this rope flying over
-it."
-
-"And what are you going to do then?"
-
-"Why, then, one of the men, who is supposed to be on the wreck, will
-haul away on the line till the big rope which is fastened to the little
-rope is drawn over, so that we can send the breeches-buoy buzzing along
-the line."
-
-"The breeches-buoy?" questioned Regie.
-
-"Yes, to be sure. Have you never seen one?"
-
-"I think not; I was never in a Life-saving Station but once, and that
-was in the summer, when there was nothing particular going on, and
-nobody to tell me anything."
-
-"Then you come right along into the Station with me," said the man,
-kindly, "and I'll show you the breeches-buoy, and some other things
-besides. Why, there's Captain Murray's children," spying Harry and Nan
-seated on the sand at a little distance; "they know the old Station by
-heart. Hallo, Nan!" he called, "come, show this little stranger through
-the Station."
-
-"Why, that's Reginald Fairfax, Mr. Burton," cried Nan, coming toward
-them, and in a tone of surprise at such ignorance. "He lives at our
-house, and he's no little stranger at all."
-
-"Oh, that's it, is it?" said Joe Burton, with elevated eyebrows; "well,
-then, Miss Murray, please have the kindness to show Mr. Fairfax through
-the Station."
-
-[Illustration: 0086]
-
-Regie would have preferred to adhere to the original plan of having
-Mr. Burton for a guide, but was sufficiently polite not to betray his
-preference.
-
-"You won't begin the drill before I come out, will you?" he called out
-to Mr. Burton.
-
-"Never you fear," was the reassuring answer.
-
-Nan showed Regie through, and was able to answer all questions to the
-perfect satisfaction of his little Royal Highness. First they went into
-the large room where the surf-boat was kept, and the life-saving car,
-which was oval in shape, with a cover fitting tightly over it. It was
-large enough to hold five people, and was sent out on the line to
-a wreck when the weather was too rough for the breeches-buoy. The
-breeches-buoy was a funny contrivance, made to accommodate one person
-at a time, and closely resembling a life-preserver in tarpaulin
-knee-breeches. Attached to it was an arrangement of pulleys and wheels,
-by means of which it could be run to and fro on a line from the wreck.
-At the farther end of the room hung the shells which had been fired from
-the mortar at different times. They were painted red, and each bore in
-white letters the name of the particular wreck to which it had proved
-such a welcome messenger.
-
-From this larger room opened the "mess room," a kitchen, where the crew
-spent most of their time during the long winter months. A steep little
-stairway ran up from one corner to the loft overhead where the men
-slept. At one end of it a large window looked out to sea, and from the
-centre of the room a short flight of ladder-like stairs led into the
-cupola which surmounted the Station, and from which you see a great
-distance in every direction. The view from the cupola this clear October
-morning was glorious.
-
-The water was wonderfully blue, with here and there a white sail
-skimming over it, as lightly and airily as the fleecy clouds across the
-blue of the sky. Regie and Nan stood side by side, taking in the beauty
-of the scene. Presently Nan said, "Yes, I do love the ocean so, it seems
-to me I couldn't live away from it; as though I should die if I had to,
-the same as little plants and things die without water."
-
-"Yes, I guess you would," answered Regie; "and do you know, Nan, I
-believe you must have been born on just such a day as this, for your
-eyes have the same shade of blue in them as the sea. Besides, you are
-like a little wave anyway, a daring little wave that comes scampering
-way up the beach and then--and then----," Rex paused. He was sure he
-had hold of a very fine idea, but somehow he could not get on. A
-half-suppressed giggle from the stairway did not help matters much,
-nor a whispered, "Guess you're stuck, old fellow." Harry always had a
-faculty for turning up when he was not wanted, and never when he was.
-Nan was thoroughly provoked at him. She liked what Rex was saying about
-her being just a little wave of the sea, and now she should never
-know how he was going to finish. But for Rex Harry's coming was quite
-fortunate, for he was himself quite at a loss to know how he should
-wind up the flowery little speech begun so bravely.
-
-"You two spoonies had better come down," Harry added, descending the
-little flight of stairs as noiselessly as he had come. Just then one of
-the men waved his hand as a sign that the drill was about to commence,
-and the children hurried down to join Harry, where he sat comfortably
-established on the hull of the old boat. The drill amounted to little
-more than a series of experiments with the breeches-buoy. The whip-line
-was shot over the improvised mast, and one after another all the crew
-got into the buoy and came spinning down the line.
-
-"Oh! I should think that would be such fun," said Regie; "but unless
-we're wrecked some day I suppose we'll never have a chance to try it."
-
-"Why not?" said Harry; "I warrant you they'll let us play with it awhile
-when the drill's over. I'll ask one of the crew."
-
-"Seeing as you're Captain Murray's children we can't refuse you,"
-answered Joe Burton, "but look out for yourselves, that you don't get
-a tumble. The little 'un had better not try it." With Harry's help Rex
-managed to climb the ladder attached to the mast, and after they had
-each had two or three rides apiece, Nan could resist the temptation no
-longer. Watching her chance when the boys were standing for a moment
-with their backs turned, she clambered up the ladder, and dropped into
-the buoy. It was a very funny sight, the red-stockinged legs dangling in
-mid-air, and the blue eyes just peering over the edge of it, for she
-was such a little tot as to be quite swallowed up by this contrivance
-intended for grown-up people. But oh! the fun of it. It seemed more like
-flying than anything else in the world, and in regular turn Harry and
-Rex and Nan took ride after ride.
-
-[Illustration: 0088]
-
-Never, I venture, did three children enjoy a morning of rarer sport, or
-do better justice to such a delicious dinner as they found waiting for
-them when they went home at noon.
-
-[Illustration: 5089]
-
-[Illustration: 9090]
-
-
-
-
-X. A LAND BREEZE.
-
-
-[Illustration: 9090]
-
-RIP! drip! drip! that was the sound that woke Sister Julia the next
-Saturday morning. It was the splash of water dropping from the eaves of
-the cottage on to the tin roof below. As soon as she heard it she gave
-a little half sigh, for what did it foretell but a rainy Saturday? and a
-rainy Saturday in that little cottage was likely to prove rather a
-sorry affair. In the first place it was a small cottage at any time,
-and doubly so on a rainy holiday, when three restless children must find
-their amusement within doors. In the second place, these three little
-people had a fashion of regarding a rainy Saturday as a sort of personal
-grievance, and accordingly indulged in considerable fretfulness.
-
-On this particular morning Master Harry Murray hearing the ominous
-splashing, tumbled out of bed and flattened his gloomy little face
-against the pane.
-
-"Is it raining?" called Nan, in a most woe-begone voice, from her bed in
-her own room.
-
-"Raining? I should think so!" Harry called back. "It's raining cats and
-dogs, and it is not going to stop for a minute all day. Besides, there's
-an awful fog. It's pretty hard lines, it strikes me, to study all the
-week with the sun shining bright, and then have it rain on your only
-holiday. I just wish I could have the managing of things in this old
-world for a while."
-
-"I don't, then," called Nan; "it would be an awful hard world for girls.
-You wouldn't think of a thing but just what would please the boys."
-
-Harry did not hear all of this, for he had flounced back into bed,
-drawing the blanket tight over his head, as though he meant to stay
-there for the rest of the day at any rate. Soon certain familiar odours,
-suggestive of a favourite breakfast, began to steal through his room,
-and his head gradually appeared above the covers, as though he were
-debating in his mind whether on the whole it would not be better to get
-up. A moment later the debate came to an end, for he heard his father's
-voice, and pricking up his ears it was easy enough to hear what he was
-saying.
-
-"Look here, mother!" were the words that reached him, "the next time
-Harry is so late to breakfast he must go without it; I mean it, mother.
-The boy seems to be losing all regard for discipline. You can't manage a
-boy without discipline, no more'n a crew."
-
-So it was not strange that Harry no longer questioned the advisability
-of getting up, but springing out of bed and dressing in a jiffy managed
-to put in an appearance at the table just as everyone else had finished.
-Mrs. Murray dropped some cakes on the griddle especially for him, and
-the lazy little fellow fared much better than he deserved. Mrs. Murray
-had a very soft spot in her heart for this only boy of hers, and Captain
-Murray's threat that another time Harry should go fasting set that soft
-spot to aching, and made her anxious to fortify him against such an
-emergency by heaping his plate high on this particular morning.
-
-"Now I propose," said Sister Julia, after breakfast, when the children
-were moping and growling in the sitting-room, "that we have regular
-lessons to-day, and then you can take the first clear day as a holiday
-instead."
-
-"No, sir-ree," answered Harry, decidedly. "You don't catch me studying
-on Saturday for nobody."
-
-He felt rather ashamed of this speech as soon as it was uttered, but
-this was not a day when he was going to ask any one's pardon, not
-he--not even Sister Julia's, though he was very fond of her.
-
-"You ought to be made to study every moment till you learn enough
-grammar to know that you ought never to use two negatives in one
-sentence," said Regie, indignant at the way in which Harry had spoken.
-
-"What do you say to that proposition yourself, Regie?" asked Sister
-Julia. .
-
-"Well, to tell the truth, I don't feel much like it," said Regie; "my
-head aches a little."
-
-"And mine aches like everything," and Nan threw herself on to the lounge
-and plunged her face into the sofa pillow, as though smothering itself
-were preferable to life on a rainy Saturday.
-
-"Oh, dear me! what a disconsolate little trio," cried Sister Julia; "the
-wisest thing doubtless for me to do will be to take refuge in my own
-room and write some letters. When your troubles grow insupportable, come
-up, and we'll all try to be as miserable as possible together."
-
-In their hearts that little trio must have felt very much ashamed of
-themselves, but they continued to mope and fret for another hour. By
-this time Mrs. Murray had gotten through with her morning work, and
-notwithstanding the rain, had gone in the buggy with Captain Murray to
-take some milk and fresh eggs to a sick woman down at the Branch.
-
-"Oh, look here!" called Harry, wandering into the kitchen, and
-discovering that he was monarch of all he surveyed, "we've got
-everything to ourselves, we ought to have a regular good time, and do
-something unusual."
-
-"Let's play tag through the doors," cried Nan, proposing a game they
-were seldom allowed to indulge in because of the general disturbance and
-racket.
-
-"No," said his little Royal Highness, in an authoritative way, "we'll
-have private theatricals. We'll act out a play," he added, when he saw
-by Nan's puzzled frown that she did not quite take in his idea.
-
-"Good for you!" cried Harry, "that'll be the greatest fun. But oh! what
-do you suppose?" he exclaimed, suddenly lowering his voice to an excited
-whisper,--"crouch! crouch down, both of you; this way, close to the
-window."
-
-"What--what is it, Harry?" Nan asked, frightened at this strange
-performance, and regarding Harry in much the same dazed, sympathetic
-fashion as she had watched her little kitten endure the horrors of a fit
-the day before.
-
-"Drop, drop, both of you!" was Harry's hoarse answer. "Don't you see?
-the Croxsons are coming."
-
-[Illustration: 0093]
-
-Oh! that was it, the Croxsons were coming! Regie and Nan quickly obeyed
-Harry's order.
-
-"How many of 'em?" asked Nan, from her prostrate position.
-
-"The whole five," Harry answered, hopelessly; "but I don't believe they
-can see any of us, and if Sister Julia only does not hear them knock,
-and come down, they'll go away again and think no one's at home. Now,
-don't let's say a word."
-
-There was the patter of two pairs of little feet without, and the
-scuffle of three pairs of others, and then there came a vigorous
-knocking at the kitchen door, again repeated after an interval of a few
-moments. The children held their breath.
-
-"Guess they're all out," they heard Joe Croxson say, disconsolately.
-
-"I think it's kind of mean to keep them out in the pouring rain," Nan
-whispered.
-
-"And I know it is," answered Regie. "I say, let 'em in," and it was no
-sooner said than done.
-
-Immediately the Croxsons crowded in after the manner of a rubber ball
-which may be forced through a very small aperture. They all contrived
-somehow or other to get through the door at once, but straightway spread
-out into so large a company that one could but wonder how they had
-managed it. None of them spoke a word till they were safely within
-doors, evidently deeming conversation of no importance in comparison
-with simply "getting in."
-
-"We made up our minds you were all out," said Joe Croxson, at last,
-while the family were in the process of removing damp-smelling outer
-garments.
-
-"We thought we'd fool you a while," Harry answered, with a nonchalant
-air.
-
-The Croxsons were too glad to have gained entrance to take such
-treatment much to heart. "We've c-c-come to spend the morning, and
-stay to d-d-dinner, if you want us," said little Madge, who stuttered
-dreadfully.
-
-"I'm pretty sure it won't be convenient to have you stay to dinner,"
-said Nan, who no sooner beheld the shabby little Croxsons disposing
-themselves about the room with a permanent air, than with charming
-inconsistency she straightway regretted her noble impulse to let them
-all in. That they were a shabby little company no one could for a moment
-deny. The three girls, the youngest little more than a baby, each wore a
-ragged dress, and for an out-of-door wrap a faded and colourless strip,
-which collectively had once formed a shawl of their mother's.
-
-The mother herself had died five years ago, and since then the children
-had managed for themselves as best they could. Their father was fireman
-on one of the engines belonging to the local road that ran through
-Moorlow, and the children were alone from morning till night. A poor
-woman came in every morning to cook their oatmeal and "tidy up," but
-being poorly paid, the tidying up was always hasty, and never thorough.
-They were rather a stupid-looking set of children, and no wonder! You
-would hardly expect to find much that was bright in their faces, with so
-little brightness in their lives; besides, none of them had ever been to
-school, and Joe, who was the oldest of them all, knew little more than
-his letters, although he had passed his eleventh birthday. Everyone felt
-sorry for the Croxsons; and no doubt they would have fared better in one
-of the large cities, where they would have been reached by some of
-the organised charities, than in a little place like Moorlow. The rich
-people, who came in the summer in search of rest and refreshment, did
-not interest themselves in the villagers, and the villagers themselves
-were mostly hard-working fishermen with little time or money to devote
-to others. Had it not been for the Murrays the Croxsons would surely
-have fared much worse. Mrs. Murray did them many a kind turn, and when
-Madge had a fever the winter before, Harry or Nan had trudged backward
-and forward every day with beef tea or some other nourishing food. So
-there was one bright spot in their lives after all. Indeed, there was
-more than one, for born by the sea they loved it dearly, and in warm
-sunshiny weather they romped on the beach the whole day long, keenly
-enjoying their perfect freedom, and pitying the children obliged to go
-to school. Nan always spoke of them as the "poor little Croxsons," and
-it was this pathetic side of their history which made her second Regie's
-motion to open the door.
-
-"Of course we can't play that game now, and all our fun is spoiled,"
-said Harry, seeming to utterly disregard the feelings of the Croxsons.
-Fortunately they were not sensitive, and their stolid little faces
-showed no signs either of pain or resentment.
-
-"Oh, yes, we can," answered Regie; "they'll be the audience."
-
-"The very thing!" cried Nan, enthusiastically. "Now, children," turning
-to the Croxsons, "we are going to have a play, and you'll be the
-audience, won't you?"
-
-Each little Croxson nodded in the affirmative, though they had not the
-remotest idea what it was they were to be. They were literally clay in
-the hands of the potter when they were at the Murrays'. They did not
-care what was done with them, or to them, so long as they were simply
-allowed to stay. Harry fancied the idea of an audience, and preparations
-were at once begun.
-
-[Illustration: 0096]
-
-The clothes-horse was converted into scenery by covering it with a green
-plaid blanket-shawl,' the ironing table was pressed into service as a
-settee for the audience, and the five Croxsons were packed into it in
-one tightly wedged row. From the commencement of the performance to
-its tragic end they sat staring in open-eyed astonishment; for they
-had never seen anything like it before--nor had any one else, for that
-matter. The plot of the play beggars description. Suffice it to say that
-Nan figured as the heroine, with a blue gingham apron for a train and
-a dish towel for a turban. Harry, muffled in a red table cover, was
-terrible as a sort of border ruffian, and Regie played the part of Nan's
-gallant brother. In a greater part of the performance there was so much
-action, so much rushing on and off the stage, that it was difficult to
-gain a clear idea of what was really intended; but matters culminated in
-a hand-to-hand scuffle between Harry and Reginald--a wooden spoon and
-a toasting fork doing service as weapons. Finally Harry succumbed, and
-fell to the ground with the rather inelegant exclamation, "Stabbed!
-stabbed to the liver!" and Nan falling in a swoon to the floor was
-enveloped in the green plaid shawl, which she accidentally pulled down
-with her.
-
-[Illustration: 0097]
-
-"Oh, Harry! why did you give out?" cried Joe Croxson, never more excited
-in his life.
-
-"It was planned for me to die," Harry answered, still lying motionless
-on the floor. "I was Regie's sister's lover, and I'm a fraud and a
-wretch."
-
-The play had lasted almost an hour, and to the great delight of all
-concerned.
-
-"P-p-please d-d-do it again!" begged little Madge. Rex and Nan were in
-favour of a repetition, but for Harry the novelty was gone, and novelty
-was everything with him.
-
-"No, I've had enough," he said, decidedly, and so the project had to be
-abandoned. Meanwhile Harry's assertion that it was going to rain all
-day was fast being contradicted, for it had stopped raining, and now and
-then the sun shone out bravely through a rift in the clouds. With the
-sunshine came a distaste for indoor fun, and there was a rush for hats
-and coats preparatory to a rush out into the November air. Nan, with
-tender thoughtfulness, had hung the Croxsons' wraps on chairs near the
-fire, and now they were dry, and as fit for use again as it was possible
-for such sorry clothes to be. At last all were ready, and Regie hurrying
-to open the door that led to the porch from the kitchen, found it locked
-and the key gone. The little party stared at each other. Harry was
-missing, and nowhere to be seen. Of course he was the guilty one. Then
-there was a stampede for the sitting-room door. Locked, too, and minus
-the key. A suppressed titter from the head of the stairs made them all
-look up.
-
-"Why don't you go out?" Harry giggled; "I'd be ashamed if I couldn't
-open a door."
-
-"Come down and give us those keys this minute," demanded Nan, in a tone
-most unlikely to accomplish her object. Harry only smiled provokingly.
-All in vain the children begged and coaxed. Finally they scrambled
-up the stairs to gain possession of them by main force if possible.
-Meanwhile Nan, evolving a little scheme out of her own head, slipped
-into Harry's room, appearing again in a trice with his Sunday suit in
-her hand. Harry had great regard for that Sunday suit, and Nan knew it.
-
-"Look here, Harry!" she cried, "I will throw this downstairs if you
-don't give up those keys right away."
-
-"You dare!" called Harry, still engaged in a scuffle with the boys, "and
-I know what I'll do."
-
-Alas! Nan dared, and the precious suit fell in a crumpled mass to the
-floor below. By a sudden jerk Harry freed himself from his captors, and
-rushing into Nan's room, dragged pillow and bed-clothes from the bed,
-and then pitched them over the banisters. In a second they were followed
-by bolster and mattress. The little Crox-sons and Regie looked on in
-speechless astonishment The general encounter had reduced itself to
-single combat between Harry and Nan.
-
-"Well!" said Nan, "mother will soon be home, and then we'll see what
-will happen. Harry Preston Murray" (Nan always called Harry by his full
-name when out of patience with him), "you have an awful temper!"
-
-[Illustration: 8099]
-
-"I'll teach you not to touch my clothes again, any way," Harry answered,
-carefully shaking and folding the precious trousers.
-
-"But you don't know when to stop, Harry," sighed Nan, coming down the
-stairs and surveying the havoc wrought with real dismay. What would her
-mother say and do about it? Harry began to have some misgivings of his
-own on the subject.
-
-"You will have to carry all those things up again," she said, in a
-half-pleading tone.
-
-"And I'll help you, though you ought to be made to do it all yourself,"
-added Regie.
-
-Harry came to the conclusion that he _would_ have to carry them up again
-sooner or later, and deemed it wise to commence before any one arrived
-on the scene. Besides, there was an ominous sound of wheels down the
-road. It might be Captain and Mrs. Murray. Joe Croxson had his own fears
-regarding this possibility, and beckoning his brothers and sisters into
-a corner, confided to them that he thought they had better take their
-departure. "There's going to be a row," he whispered, "when the old 'uns
-come home. Harry 'll catch it, and if we don't look out we'll catch it
-too." To the little Croxsons a hint was sufficient. Owing to certain
-personal experiences of a painful character, they seemed to live in a
-constant dread of what they termed "catching it." The keys had fallen
-from Harry's pocket in the confusion, and hurriedly unlocking the door,
-the whole five slipped out and stole noiselessly away, without so much
-as saying "by your leave," or "good-bye," either to host or hostess.
-Harry and Rex and Nan, toiling, tugging, and shoving the unwieldy
-mattress upstairs, did not miss them till many minutes afterward.
-Indeed, they were each too much absorbed with their own thoughts to
-notice anything. Regie was the only one who saw any funny side to the
-proceeding, and the corners of his mouth twitched a little. Nan was on
-the verge of actual tears. The sight of her dainty little pillow shams
-and coverlid so sadly rumpled was almost too much for her. Harry was
-indignant over having to undo his own mischief, and did everything in
-a jerky, disagreeable way. Finally the little bed was in some sort of
-order, but as Nan was adjusting the pillow, Harry, giving her a shove
-which sent her into the middle of the bed, exclaimed, "You are enough to
-try the patience of a saint, Nan!"
-
-It needed nothing more to bring Nan's threatening tears to the surface,
-and lying just where Harry had pushed her, she burst into sobs and
-tears. If there was one thing Harry hated more than another it was to
-have Nan cry, and to add to his discomfort Sister Julia came hurrying
-into the room. She had heard the romping in the hall, but never dreamed
-that it needed investigation till Nan's crying reached her.
-
-"Why, what is the matter?" she questioned.
-
-"There's a great deal the matter," Regie replied, calmly; "and I should
-think Harry would be ashamed of himself."
-
-"Nan began it," said Harry, with Adam-like self-excusing. "Harry got so
-mad," explained Regie, excitedly, "that he threw----
-
-"Wait a minute, Regie, let Harry tell me himself."
-
-"Yes, I got so mad," said Harry, using Regie's own words, "that I took
-everything from Nan's bed and pitched it downstairs. Nan threw my Sunday
-suit down first, or I would never have thought of it. But I helped bring
-all the clothes up again, so I don't see what she wants to cry about it
-now for."
-
-"I am not crying about that at all, Sister Julia," sobbed Nan, without
-raising her head; "I'm crying because he said 'I was enough to try the
-patience of a saint.' I don't know what it means, but I think it's an
-awful unkind thing for a brother to say."
-
-Sister Julia could hardly keep from smiling at this unexpected turn of
-affairs. Harry and Regie laughed outright, which did not help matters
-much.
-
-Sister Julia motioned the boys from the room, and sitting down by Nan,
-on the side of the bed, stroked the brown curls till the sobs grew few
-and far between. Then she explained that "she was enough to try the
-patience of a saint" was not such a very dreadful thing for Harry to
-have said, and finally induced Nan to admit, smiling through her tears,
-that both she and Harry were to blame, and that on the whole they had
-had rather a funny time of it Presently Captain and Mrs. Murray came
-home, finding everything in order about the house. Only you and Sister
-Julia, little reader, ever heard the full history of that rainy Saturday
-morning.
-
-[Illustration: 0102]
-
-
-
-
-XI.--A NEW FRIEND
-
-
-[Illustration: 9102]
-
-T was early in November, but if you had lain by Nan's side on the beach
-basking in the sunshine you would scarcely have guessed it. The air was
-mild and warm, and there were no trees near to betray what sad havoc
-blustering fall winds had made with the foliage. Old ocean was as blue
-and still as in midsummer, with just a single line of breakers falling
-at regular intervals on the hard white beach. Nan was fairly glorying in
-the June-like day, feeling there could hardly be such another till June
-herself should have come round again. The boys had gone off for the
-afternoon on some sort of an expedition, never so much as asking her to
-accompany them, but she was not sorry to be left at home. She was one
-of those little people who, like some big people, loved to have a chance
-for a quiet think now and then, and lying there by herself she was
-supremely happy and tranquil. She had been there fully an hour, and for
-a while had been busy building a little castle in the sand, making a
-foundation of clam shells, and using an old bottle for a tower.
-
-Most of the time she had been "just thinking," and thinking so hard that
-she did not notice some one coming nearer and nearer until, suddenly
-looking up, her eyes met those of a stranger. She was a pretty little
-picture lying there flat on the sand, with her dimpled face propped
-comfortably between her hands.
-
-[Illustration: 0103]
-
-"I wonder what you are thinking about, my little friend," said the
-new comer, kindly. "I know from your face that your thoughts are happy
-thoughts?"
-
-"Pretty foolish ones, I guess you'd call them!" laughed Nan, for there
-was something about the stranger that at once won her confidence.
-
-"I'm not so sure of that," he answered; "but a stranger has no right to
-ask you what they were, so good-bye, my little dreamer."
-
-"I wish you would not go," said Nan, sitting up and smoothing out her
-dress; "I would like to talk to you, because I think you look like a
-minister, and I never spoke to a real minister before."
-
-"Well, you shall now," he answered, sitting down beside her, "for you
-have guessed rightly, and for that matter there is nothing the minister
-would rather do than talk to you for a while."
-
-There was a little pause, and then Nan asked hesitatingly, as though she
-feared to seem rude, "You don't belong about here, do you?"
-
-"No, but I almost wish I did. I love the sea with all my heart, so that
-I have hard work to keep from saying something about it in every sermon
-I preach. But if I do not belong about here, it is very certain that you
-do. You must have lived by the ocean week in and week out, to get that
-shade of blue into your eyes."
-
-"That's what Reginald says!" laughed Nan.
-
-"And who is Reginald?"
-
-"Why, Reginald Fairfax; he's staying with us while his father and mother
-are in Europe. The poor little fellow broke his leg last summer, and
-Sister Julia is here too, to take care of him, but he's almost well now.
-I wish you knew Sister Julia. She comes from one of the great hospitals
-in New York, and she is the loveliest person you ever saw."
-
-"Well, I should say I did know her," answered the minister. "She goes to
-my church in town, and so do Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax; and Regie and I are
-the best of friends."
-
-"Why, are you Mr. Vale?" queried Nan, astonished, for the name of the
-young minister had often been on Regie's lips.
-
-"Yes, I am," he answered, laughing, as though he must own up to the
-truth.
-
-"But what are you doing here?"
-
-"Well, I'll tell you. Do you see that red-tiled cottage yonder?"
-pointing down the beach.
-
-"Do you mean Mr. Avery's?" for Nan knew the name of every resident in
-the neighbourhood of Moorlow.
-
-"Yes; Mr. Avery is a friend of mine, and stays down here, you know,
-quite late into the fall, so he asked me to bring my sister, who is
-quite an invalid, to his cottage, thinking the change would do her good.
-So here we are; we came this morning, but I am obliged to go back to the
-city again this afternoon."
-
-"Oh, dear! I'm sorry for that," said Nan, regretfully, "I would so much
-have liked to hear you preach."
-
-"Well, that is very kind of you. Perhaps you can some time, when you
-come to New York to visit Regie. By the way, where is he?"
-
-"Oh, he's off with my brother Harry this afternoon, and I don't believe
-they'll be home before supper time."
-
-"That's too bad, but I shall probably see him the next time I come."
-
-"Oh, you are coming again then!" exclaimed Nan, her face brightening.
-
-"Yes, surely. Once a week, at least, so long as my sister stays. And
-now, suppose you tell me something about yourself. Your name is----"
-
-"Nannie--Nannie Murray," answered Nan.
-
-"And you live----"
-
-"In that brown cottage behind us there on the bluff," nodding her head
-in the direction of the house.
-
-"And you have lived there always?"
-
-"Yes, sir," she replied, proudly.
-
-"Then you are a fortunate little maiden. To have grown up by the sea is
-something to be very thankful for. It seems a pity to live in town when
-one loves the sea and open country as much as I do."
-
-"Why don't you come down here?" urged Nan. "There are plenty of houses."
-
-"But the bother of it is there are plenty of people in town, and the
-preacher must stay near the people. It is more beautiful and wonderful,
-you know, to be able to help a soul struggle up toward high-water mark,
-than even to watch the tide come in as we are doing. But I think I must
-be talking quite over your head. Now that we are friends, perhaps you
-will not mind telling me what you were thinking about when I so rudely
-interrupted you?"
-
-"Do you see that schooner, away off there?" Nan answered. "Well, when
-you came it was right in front of me, and I was pretending it was
-sailing away to a beautiful island with a crowd of poor city children
-on board, who had never been very well, or had a very happy time, and
-I pretended they were already beginning to look fresh and rosy with the
-salt breeze blowing in their faces; and I made believe that some of the
-children had a glass, and were looking here at me on the beach, and that
-some of them thought I was a mermaid, and others a queer sort of a fish.
-Now I suppose you think those were pretty foolish thoughts, don't you?"
-
-"Not a bit of it. It is like a fairy story, only better. But before you
-began to build a castle in the air, I see you built a little one here
-in the sand. I suppose you have peopled this with a lot of queer little
-people of your own too."
-
-"No," said Nan, honestly, "I don't make up things much, except when I am
-just looking out to sea."
-
-"Have you ever thought, Nan," said Mr. Vale, earnestly, as he banked
-up a falling wall of her castle with his hand, "that your own life is a
-sort of little castle, wonderfully made, richly furnished, beautiful and
-hopeful to look upon? It is fitting that only One should live in that
-fair house--He who is purity and goodness and truth Himself. Ask Him to
-come and dwell within you, to look out of your eyes, to hear with your
-ears, to speak through your lips, to guide your hands and your feet."
-
-"You mean Jesus, don't you?" asked Nan, looking frankly into his face
-with sweet simplicity.
-
-"Yes, my little friend, I do."
-
-"Well, it is just like a sermon."
-
-"But you said, you know, that you would like to hear me preach."
-
-"Yes, I did," answered Nan, thoughtfully, gathering up a handful of sand
-and letting it sift through her fingers, "and I like your preaching; I
-like it very much indeed."
-
-"Thank you," and Mr. Vale looked as though he deeply appreciated Nan's
-honest praise; "but it is high time the preacher was off. There is the
-train whistle now! give my love to Regie, and I shall surely run over to
-see him next week when I come down."
-
-Nan watched her new friend hurrying away to the station, and stood
-transfixed till a low sand-hill hid him from sight. Then she scampered
-to the house to tell of her good fortune.
-
-As soon as Regie came home, and while he was making a hurried toilet for
-supper, Nan ran into his room, and curling herself up on the window-box,
-commenced, for the third time (for Sister Julia and Mrs. Murray had
-already been favoured), to give an excited narration of the afternoon's
-experiences.
-
-"Oh, Regie!" she began, "I've had the most splendid time--a good long
-chat with a real live minister. He came from the city, and he told me
-the nicest things, sort of preached, you know; and he loves the sea just
-as much as I do, and his sister is staying up at the Averys', so he's
-coming again. He's a young minister, Regie, and he has the loveliest
-face."
-
-"I don't like men with lovely faces," said Regie, scornfully.
-
-"Well, you'd like his face, Regie. It was like a great strong angel's
-face, and he told me he knew you, and for me to give you his love, and
-to tell you that when he came again he would surely come and see----"
-
-"You don't mean Mr. Vale, do you?" cried Regie
-
-"That's just who I do mean," Nan answered, complacently.
-
-"Oh, dear me! why wasn't I round? Are you sure he's coming again?"
-
-"Sure," said Nan, wondering if it was selfish to be glad that just this
-once Regie had not been "round" at all, and that she had the young;
-clergyman quite to herself.
-
-[Illustration: 5107]
-
-[Illustration: 0108]
-
-
-
-
-XII.--THE STARLING RUNS ASHORE
-
-
-[Illustration: 9108]
-
-ERTAIN unmistakable signs were in the wind by which anyone could have
-told that, Thanksgiving Day was comparatively close at hand. There was
-a vigorous stoning of raisins on the part of Mrs. Murray, an odour of
-cider in the air which pointed plainly to the concoction of mincemeat,
-and Nan was confident she detected the largest turkey scratching round
-the yard in a nervous, timorous sort of way, as though he knew his days
-were numbered. By the calendar the eventful occasion was still ten days
-off, when one cold and blustering afternoon Captain Murray came home
-from the Life-saving Station, and into the cosy kitchen.
-
-[Illustration: 0109]
-
-"If I'm not very much mistaken," he said (and in the matter of weather
-Captain Murray seldom was mistaken), "we are in for a pretty heavy
-storm. We shall need to be on the look out, every man of us at the
-Station, the whole night through. Give us a hearty supper, Mollie,
-that'll keep a fellow well braced till morning."
-
-"Do I ever put you off with a poor supper, Epher?" asked Mrs. Murray,
-reproachfully, pausing a moment in her mixing of some gingerbread in a
-large yellow bowl.
-
-"Never with a poor supper, mother, only you know what I mean. Give us
-sort of an extra touch to-night."
-
-Mrs. Murray knew as well as could be what her good husband meant by "an
-extra touch," and soon the waffle-iron was taken from its hook and Harry
-was on his way to the cellar to fill the maple syrup cup. It was one of
-those nights when a cosy, comfortable home seems doubly comfortable and
-cosy, and very reluctantly Captain Murray put on his great coat to go
-back to the Station as soon as supper was over. The rain was falling
-in torrents now, and as he opened the sitting-room door, a gust of wind
-whipped in, sending the papers on the table whirling to the floor and
-overturning the lamp, which fortunately went out as it fell. When order
-was again restored, Sister Julia began reading a bright little story
-aloud to the children by way of cheering them up a bit. Even Harry was
-quite overawed by the violence of the storm, for by this time it was
-violent. The wind was blowing a gale now, and it had grown so cold that
-the fire had to be constantly replenished to keep the room comfortably
-warm. At nine o'clock the children went upstairs, and were glad enough
-to hurry into bed, for on such a night as this it was impossible to heat
-the upper story of the little cottage.
-
-"I'm glad there's a great big lighthouse at the Highlands," Regie called
-out after he had gotten into bed.
-
-"So am I," answered both Nan and Harry, and with this comforting thought
-in mind they all fell asleep. But Sister Julia and Mrs. Murray scarcely
-closed their eyes the whole night long. Sometimes it seemed as though
-the little cottage could not hold its own against such a terrific blow.
-At daybreak Mrs. Murray came up to Sister Julia's room, to find her
-already dressed.
-
-"I think there's something wrong at the Station," she said. "Hereward
-and Ned have been barking and bounding about in the most excited fashion
-for the last half-hour. Then, when the wind dies down for a second, I
-think I can hear the voices of the men calling to each other."
-
-"Yes, and look here," answered Sister Julia, pressing her white face
-close to the pane; "I imagine I can discover the masts of a schooner
-near the beach."
-
-"Yes, surely; there must have been a wreck," and Mrs. Murray threw open
-the window to see more clearly. "Hark!" she added, "now don't you hear
-the men?"
-
-"Of course I do," cried Sister Julia; "and I can stand it no longer. I
-must bundle up and go down and see for myself."
-
-"Oh! my child, you ought never to go," exclaimed Mrs. Murray, but at the
-same time she helped her to hurry into her heavy ulster. "Oh, dear!
-I've a good mind to go with you; but no, it will not do to leave the
-children. Send one of the men up though, as soon as possible, to let me
-know what has happened, and that you have reached the Station without
-being blown away."
-
-So out into the storm went Sister Julia, and Hereward and Ned were at
-her side in an instant. The rain had ceased falling, but the wind still
-blew a hurricane, and in walking from the cottage to the station all her
-strength was needed to bear up against it. She had gone but a little way
-before she discovered that a schooner _had_ run ashore, and she tried to
-quicken her steps, fearing and yet anxious to know the truth. Just here
-I would tell my young reader that this story, so far as it relates to
-the work done that morning by the Life-saving crew, is every word true.
-Somebody, whom I choose to call Captain Murray, could show you a letter,
-sent, in company with a gold medal, from the Government at Washington,
-and written in appreciation of his gallant services and those of his
-brave crew, and in which you could read a graphic narration of all that
-happened that eventful November morning.
-
-As Sister Julia neared the Station she heard the men shouting to each
-other in such cheery tones that she felt sure no lives could have been
-lost, and her heart grew lighter. The crew were at some sort of work
-down on the beach, and unnoticed by anyone she entered the Station from
-the landward side. The large room was empty, but the door stood open
-into the kitchen, and there what a strange sight met her eyes! Four men
-were huddled round the stove trying to get a little warmth into their
-half-frozen bodies. On one blanket on the floor, covered by another, lay
-a poor woman, who looked half-dead; and seated on a stool near her was
-Captain Murray, endeavouring to remove the dripping clothing from a
-screaming baby lying across his knees.
-
-[Illustration: 0111]
-
-"God bless you!" he exclaimed, looking up and discovering Sister Julia,
-"you've come in the nick of time. We've just brought these poor wretches
-in from the wreck yonder, and I've sent Burton up to the house to get
-some dry duds for the woman and this baby," and he laid the soaking
-little specimen of humanity in Sister Julia's arms.
-
-"Now, my hearties," he said cheerily, turning to the men, "hurry up to
-the loft, strip off your wet clothing, wrap yourselves in the blankets
-you'll find there, and turn into the bunks. You'll have to stay there
-till your clothes are dry, but I reckon you're tired enough to be
-willing to. We'll get you up some breakfast as soon as possible. Now I'm
-off," he added, turning to Sister Julia. "I am needed on the beach more
-than here."
-
-The shivering little company about the stove promptly and gladly obeyed
-Captain Murray's orders, and Sister Julia, having succeeded in quieting
-the baby, began to remove its draggled clothing. Just then someone came
-in from the large room.
-
-"There were no lives lost, were there?" she asked, eagerly, without
-looking up, presuming it to be one of Captain Murray's crew, and in the
-same instant the newcomer asked the same question of her.
-
-"No, no lives lost," answered the woman on the floor, in a weak,
-exhausted voice. The new comer was Mr. Vale, who had come down to
-Moorlow the night before, and Sister Julia was glad enough to welcome
-him, for she needed someone to aid her.
-
-"My poor woman, you ought to get that wet clothing off at once," said
-Mr. Vale, bending over her.
-
-"I know it, sir, but I'm that weak."
-
-"I can attend to her now, if you'll take the baby," said Sister Julia.
-
-"With the greatest of pleasure," and Mr. Vale took the blanketed
-baby into his arms, with a knack that showed his love for children.
-Straightway he went up aloft, with the little stranger gazing
-comfortably over his shoulder, to enquire for the welfare of the men.
-No sooner had he gone than Burton came hurrying in with the bundle of
-clothing which Mrs. Murray had gotten together. Quickly and skilfully
-Sister Julia helped the woman to make the change, and had but just
-finished buttoning a warm flannel wrapper about her when, overcome by
-fatigue, she fell asleep in the chair in which she was sitting.
-
-"These good people had better have something to eat as soon as
-possible," said Mr. Vale, returning down the narrow stairway, "and if
-you can show me a place to put this baby, for it is fast asleep, we'll
-see about getting some food ready for them."
-
-"Here's a good place for it," and Sister Julia let down a wide shelf
-that was fastened against the wall, and with her ulster rolled up for
-a pillow, made the little waif very comfortable, for it was too young a
-baby to be in danger of rolling off. Captain Murray put his head in at
-the door just then with a most anxious face.
-
-"It is raining," he said, "and the storm is increasing every moment.
-I can't spare one of the men, for we must lose no time in getting the
-life-saving tackle in order, though it is not probable we shall need to
-make use of it twice in one morning. Do you think you can manage to get
-a breakfast together, Sister Julia?"
-
-"Aye, aye, sir," answered Mr. Vale, cheerily, "we'll attend to that."
-
-"That must be Nan's new friend," thought Captain Murray, but he could
-not take the time to find out, and hurried away, feeling that he had
-left his shipwrecked party in good hands. Then Mr. Vale and Sister Julia
-set right away to work to investigate the supply of provisions in the
-Station. Mr. Vale peered into boxes, and Sister Julia lifted covers of
-crocks and dishes, and then they looked at each other rather blankly,
-for they were disappointed at the result.
-
-"I have it," said Sister Julia, after a moment's thought. "The best
-thing, I think, would be for you to put on your coat and make your way
-as best you can to Mrs. Murray's. She will have the oatmeal on the fire
-by this time," glancing at the clock on the high shelf overhead, "and it
-would be just like her, remembering the hard work going on down here, to
-have made a larger quantity than usual."
-
-Mr. Vale was off in a moment, and then Sister Julia made preparations
-for boiling the coffee, carrying the coffee-mill into the larger room,
-so as not to wake the baby and its mother with the clatter of the
-grinding. Afterward she set the little table as best she could, and
-slicing some stale bread she had found in the closet, placed it at
-one side ready for toasting. So she busied herself about one thing and
-another till there was nothing more to be done. It seemed to her as
-though Mr. Vale would never come back, but in a really marvellously
-short space of time there was a tramping outside the door, and in came
-a little party, well laden with tin pails and baskets. They were all
-there--Mrs. Murray and Nan, Reginald and Harry; and indeed all were
-needed, to carry safely through such a storm as that the generous
-breakfast which Mrs. Murray had prepared; and the whole family at
-once set about serving it. The children trudged up and down the steep
-stairway, carrying the steaming coffee and oatmeal to the men in the
-loft.
-
-"Bless your little heart!" said one of the men, as he took a brimming
-cup from Nan's hand; but the others seemed too hungry to take time to
-say so much as "thank you." Sister Julia woke the tired mother, who fell
-asleep again as soon as she had eaten a little, and then she quieted
-the baby, who had begun to cry lustily, with a breakfast of warmed milk
-served in a ginger-ale bottle. As soon as she could be spared, Mrs.
-Murray put on her cloak and hurried down to the beach to see how that
-good captain of hers was enduring all this excitement and fatigue. For
-the captain, as he himself said, "was not so young as he once was," and
-could not stand up as well as in other days against wind and weather.
-
-"Oh, Mollie!" he called, as soon as she came near enough for his voice
-to reach her, "go back to the Station; you'll catch your death o' cold
-in this driving wind."
-
-"No fears for me, Epher," she called back, "but you must go right up to
-the Station yourself, you and the men, and get some breakfast, or you'll
-be down sick, every one of you."
-
-[Illustration: 0115]
-
-All hands were only too glad to obey this order, for the lifesaving
-apparatus was again intact, and they were very hungry. Filing into
-the big room, they laid aside their tarpaulins, and then sat down to a
-better breakfast than ever before graced their mess table. It did Mrs.
-Murray's heart good to see how thoroughly they enjoyed it, and when the
-captain said, "I'd like to see the wife that can compare with Mollie
-Murray," the colour flushed proudly into her face.
-
-It was eight o'clock when the hungry party finished breakfast, and they
-were just pushing their chairs back from the table when one of their
-crew, who had been left on the beach on patrol duty, threw open the door
-and called for aid.
-
-"Can it be possible that we are to have another wreck this morning?"
-thought the captain, as he and his men hurried into their tarpaulins,
-and rushed out of the Station. But alas! it was possible, for a short
-distance up the beach another vessel was stranded. In a moment the
-little house was quite deserted. Calling for their clothes, the men who
-had been rescued from the _Starling_ got into them, wet as they were,
-and, accompanied by Mr. Vale, hastened to render what service they
-could. Notwithstanding the commotion the mother and baby still slept
-quietly on in the kitchen, while Sister Julia, Mrs. Murray, and the
-children crowded into the seaward window of the loft, to watch as best
-they could the terribly exciting scene taking place below them on the
-beach.
-
-[Illustration: 5116]
-
-[Illustration: 0117]
-
-
-
-
-XIII.--THE WRECK OF THE SPANISH BRIG.
-
-
-[Illustration: 9117]
-
-HE storm that culminated on that November morning was the worst that
-had been known on the Moorlow coast for years. The wind, which was
-north-east, blew a hurricane averaging eighty-four miles an hour. The
-beach was flooded by a furious surf, and, strangely enough for that time
-of the year, the weather was freezing cold. In less than ten minutes
-after the second vessel stranded Captain Murray's crew was abreast of
-her, but in the meantime she had worked to within a hundred yards of the
-beach, and Joe Burton, running down behind a receding wave, cast a line
-on board with a vigorous throw of the heaving-stick.
-
-"Hurrah for Burton!" cried Harry. "He's a fine fellow, I tell you."
-
-[Illustration: 0118]
-
-As soon as the line reached the ship, the sailors on board of her tugged
-away at it until they had pulled up the larger line, on which Captain
-Murray purposed to send out the breeches-buoy. But before the buoy could
-be rigged up, the sailors, ignorant of his purpose, showed that they
-were going to endeavour to reach the land by coming hand-over-hand along
-the rope. Captain Murray and his men shouted from the shore, and wildly
-gesticulated, for it seemed impossible that any of them could reach the
-shore alive in that way. The surf was very violent, but the greatest
-danger lay in the fact that the position of the brig in the set of the
-strong current caused an enormous swirl of water between her and the
-beach, which retained eddying masses of wreckage, mainly cord-wood from
-the wreck of the _Starlings_ and which masses were continually swept out
-by the undertow, and hurled in by the breakers.
-
-"Oh, those foolish men! those foolish men! why don't they understand and
-see their danger?" cried Sister Julia, attempting to draw the children
-away from a sight so distressing; but the boys were immovable. Mrs.
-Murray, Sister Julia, and Nan went down to the little kitchen to wait,
-since they no longer had the heart to watch.
-
-"There, one of the fellows has started!" cried Harry, with long pauses
-between his sentences, "and he's all right so far. No; my goodness,
-there he goes! a wave has flung him over the rope, and his head is
-caught between the cords of the whip-line. He will choke to death. No!
-there goes Burton again right into the surf holding on to the line.
-There! he's got him, he's got the sailor; but how can he ever bring him
-to land? See, Rex, he's clinging to a piece of driftwood with one hand,
-and holding on to the sailor with the other."
-
-"Oh! but another man is trying it now!" exclaimed Rex. "Oh! why don't
-they wait? Look there--and another one of the crew has plunged in after
-him; but, goodness! the driftwood has knocked him completely under.
-Ah! there go two more of the men in to his rescue, and Burton is in the
-breakers again, too. Who's that with him, Harry?"
-
-"I can't make out, but--hurrah! they've reached the sailor; they'll save
-him, I know."
-
-And Harry was right; they did save him, and five others besides, all of
-whom attempted the same foolhardy method of reaching the land, and all
-of whom were rescued by the same hand-to-hand struggle in the surf on
-the part of Captain Murray's gallant crew.
-
-[Illustration: 0120]
-
-"I never saw such bravery, never!" called Mr. Vale, and it could
-plainly be seen that his enthusiasm cheered the men wonderfully in their
-perilous work. He longed to plunge in with them, but he knew that he
-would be powerless to render any aid. It was their long experience
-that was standing the crew in such good stead. By this time a crowd had
-gathered on the beach, that is, every able-bodied resident of Moorlow
-was there, and as the last sailor was brought safely to shore a hearty
-cheer went up that, for the moment, even rose above the pounding of the
-breakers on the shore. Stretched on the sand, in such shelter from the
-wind and rain as the side of the surf-boat afforded, the disabled seamen
-were laid. They were all Spaniards, and only two of them were able to
-stand upon their feet.
-
-"Which of you is captain of the brig?" asked Captain Murray, looking
-kindly down upon this second group of shipwrecked mariners.
-
-"He no here," answered one of them who had been the least hurt, in
-broken English; "when he think his ship go to pieces, he go below and
-make hisself dead;" but the man's gestures told more plainly than his
-words that the captain had shot himself in the head.
-
-Captain Murray turned to his men with a look that meant, "Our work is
-not over yet."
-
-"What shall be done with these poor fellows?" ventured Mr. Vale, when
-he saw that the thought of how he should reach the man still on the brig
-had driven all other thoughts from the captain's mind.
-
-"Lord knows!" answered Captain Murray, sorely puzzled. "It'll be more'n
-a week before some of them will get out of bed, when they once get into
-it. There's some ugly bruises among 'em."
-
-"Do you think we could make them comfortable in the chapel on the beach
-yonder? It would serve splendidly for a hospital."
-
-"The very thing! I'll leave the arrangements to you, sir," said Captain
-Murray, confident now that this really was Nan's new friend, the
-minister, about whom she had talked so much.
-
-The first thing to be done was to get the exhausted Spaniards up to
-the Station, where Rex and Harry and Nan, with excited, earnest faces,
-waited to receive them. Over and over again the children had begged and
-entreated to be allowed to run down to the scene of the wreck, but Mrs.
-Murray had thought best to refuse them.
-
-Captain Murray could not have left the preparation of the hospital
-in better hands than Mr. Vale's. Won by his handsome face and simple
-manner, the villagers crowded about him, eager to do his bidding. The
-sexton of the little church hurried home for the keys as fast as his
-rheumatic old limbs could carry him, and with the aid of Joe and Jim
-Croxson, he soon had a roaring fire blazing in the big chapel stove.
-Two men, harnessing up Captain Murray's Dobbin with all possible haste,
-drove to the Branch for doctor and surgeon, for both were needed. Two
-others, borrowing the largest waggon the town afforded, went off for a
-load of cots. There was something for every one to do, and every one was
-happy in doing it.
-
-[Illustration: 0122]
-
-Meanwhile Captain Murray was hard at work in an effort to board the
-brig, with such of his crew as were still able to assist him. Three of
-his men had been helped or carried to their homes, too much exhausted
-and bruised to be of further service. When at last the little party had
-succeeded in reaching the brig, they had the good fortune to find the
-captain still alive, but unconscious from the ugly wound he had himself
-inflicted. They wasted no time in lowering the poor fellow into the
-surf-boat, and then made for the shore, for the vessel was fast going to
-pieces. The rescue of the Spanish captain completed the heroic labours
-of Epher Murray's crew for that morning, and the brave and wearied
-fellows went to their homes for a well-earned rest. Half-a-dozen
-fishermen volunteered their services to get the tackle once again in
-order. Indeed, none of the Moorlow people thought of setting about their
-regular occupations that eventful November morning, and all seemed proud
-to lend a hand in whatever way they could. Fortunately in a few hours
-the crew of the _Starling_ were so far refreshed and rested as to be
-sent by the afternoon train to New York, where most of them lived when
-on land. There was literally no place in Moorlow where they could have
-been accommodated, unless in the chapel, that was fast being converted
-into a hospital. Sister Julia was superintending the work there, and by
-four o'clock everything was in readiness. Mrs. Murray had devoted her
-time to caring for the crew of the brig in the Life-saving Station.
-As soon as damp clothing had been removed, those who had sustained the
-severest injuries were made comfortable on mattresses brought from the
-bunks in the loft, and laid on the floor of the large room. The surgeon
-and doctor found considerable to do when they arrived, and the captain's
-wound claimed their first attention.
-
-Sister Julia had remained to wait upon them, until all the bruises
-and wounds had been dressed. Meanwhile, Mrs. Murray had improved the
-opportunity to slip home and prepare a second breakfast, and Harry and
-Rex and Nan again trudged to and fro, laden with good things, only with
-much less difficulty now, for the storm had greatly abated.
-
-All through that busy day of preparation, Ned and Hereward had kept up
-an incessant racing in and out of the chapel. Now and then they would
-brush against Sister Julia's black dress, and she could never resist the
-temptation, no matter how busy she might be, of giving them a friendly
-little pat. Then the two fellows would go bounding out of doors, as
-though through her touch they had received some special command which
-they must hasten to execute.
-
-Early in the morning, to meet the first need of the surgeon, Sister
-Julia had taught some of the women, who were helping in the chapel, how
-to prepare a bandage. She showed them how they must tear off the muslin
-in strips, twice the width needed, and then must fold them evenly
-lengthwise through the centre, and cut them apart with scissors, because
-tearing both edges was likely to stretch them. Then she instructed them
-in the art of "rolling firmly," for there is not a more useless thing
-in the world than a poorly-rolled bandage. As she sat now by the side
-of one, and now by another, she would ask some simple question betraying
-her deep interest in them, and so more than one Moorlow woman, almost
-unconsciously, unburdened her heart to this new sweet friend, or told
-the story of her life. As Mr. Vale's work threw him into the company
-of many of the men, one after the other, he would enter into a friendly
-conversation with them, and some of the Moorlow men had their eyes
-opened to the fact that a minister might be something more than a mere
-preacher, standing quite apart from the common interests of their lives;
-that he might be an earnest, sympathetic man, a man subject to the same
-temptations and same trials as themselves, but able to rise above them,
-and even triumph in them, through the Spirit of God, which not only was
-in him, but which shone out in well-nigh every look and word and deed.
-
-Oh! how welcome was the sight of the beds and the cheery fire to the
-eyes of those Spanish sailors, when they were tenderly carried into the
-chapel at sunset. Only a few hours before they had thought the bottom of
-the ocean would be the only bed they should ever know. No wonder their
-faces looked grateful and happy, notwithstanding every one of them was
-suffering more or less from the injuries he had received. When at last
-there was nothing more to be done, and with the exception of Sister
-Julia and her assistants the Moorlow folk were making ready to go home,
-the Spanish captain, who had regained consciousness soon after being
-brought ashore, beckoned to Mr. Vale. The poor fellow was quite too weak
-to speak, but knowing him to be a minister, he glanced round the chapel,
-and then, slightly raising his hand, pointed upward. Mr. Vale readily
-understood that the captain did not want the little company to break up
-till they had united in thanking God for the preservation of the crew
-of his vessel. Stepping into the reading desk, he easily gained the
-attention of everyone.
-
-"The captain of the _Christina_," he said, "has indicated to me that
-he would like us to give God thanks for the rescue of his crew. Will as
-many of you as are willing remain for a few moments?"
-
-[Illustration: 0125]
-
-The women and children took their seats in the pews near which they were
-standing, and not a man went out. Never was a sweeter or more earnest
-service held in the little chapel, and there were tears in many eyes at
-its close. Every face looked tranquil and happy. For one whole day
-those Moorlow folk had not had so much as a thought of self, and nothing
-brings a happier look into the face than pure unselfishness. It had been
-a wonderful day for them all, and who of the number would ever forget
-it?
-
-Out into the glow of the sunset and homeward went the little
-congregation, leaving Sister Julia and three or four women whom she had
-chosen as assistants in charge of the hospital. Regie and Harry and Nan,
-reluctant to leave, lingered in the doorway, till Sister Julia came and
-urged their going.
-
-"Come, children," she said, "hurry home. Little Nan there looks ready to
-drop."
-
-"Yes, I am tired," Nan admitted; "it has been such a long, long day,"
-and without further urging the little trio trudged silently home;
-silently, because they had so much to think over. Two shipwrecks in one
-day! Regie remembered self-reproachfully that he had had his wish. For
-Nan, the excitement and fatigue had proved too much, and she fell asleep
-at the table before she had eaten a mouthful of supper, and knew nothing
-more till she woke late the next morning, with the sunlight streaming
-so brightly into her room as to make storms and shipwrecks seem the most
-improbable things that could ever happen.
-
-[Illustration: 0126]
-
-[Illustration: 0127]
-
-
-
-
-XIV.--A PUZZLING QUESTION
-
-
-[Illustration: 0127]
-
-ITH so many willing hearts and hands at their service, it had been an
-easy matter to convert the chapel into a hospital; but now that it was
-converted, where was the money to come from to run it? The surgeon had
-said he thought it would be fully two weeks before the captain, and the
-two men who had been most badly hurt, would be about again, and in the
-meantime there were medicines to be bought and food to be provided for
-the entire party. Sister Julia knew well enough that there was no
-money to spare for the purpose in Moorlow, and they could hope for no
-remuneration from the poor sailors. With the wreck of his vessel and his
-cargo the captain himself had lost everything, and he had told Sister
-Julia "he had not even a penny left to go toward paying off his crew."
-
-So it happened one afternoon, a day or two after the wreck, that Sister
-Julia, wrapping a shawl about her, left her patients in charge of her
-assistants, and went out on the beach to get a breath of fresh air, and
-try and think her way out of this money difficulty.
-
-She had not gone far before she heard voices behind her, and turned to
-see Mr. Vale, with Regie and Harry and Nan, hurrying after her. They
-had hold of hands, and, stretched in one long line, looked like quite a
-formidable little party, as they came toward her.
-
-[Illustration: 0128]
-
-"We have come to take you prisoner for neglect of duty," said Mr. Vale,
-as the line formed into a circle and shut her in.
-
-"Not exactly neglect of duty," laughed Sister Julia; "my thoughts are
-all with the hospital. I have been racking my poor brain to know where
-the money is to come from to support our patients up yonder."
-
-"Yes, I knew that must be troubling you," Mr. Vale answered; "and I came
-down purposely to talk matters over with you. This log looks long
-enough to hold five people comfortably. Suppose we sit down here a few
-moments."
-
-So they ranged themselves on the piece of timber, which had been
-stranded from the wreck of the _Starling_, and which two days of
-sunshine had thoroughly dried.
-
-"Now," said Mr. Vale, "let us proceed to business. Suppose we have these
-men on our hands for two weeks, how much do you think it is going to
-cost us?"
-
-"That is what I have been trying to get at," replied Sister Julia; "all
-the bedding and things must be paid for, and there is the coal, which
-we are burning at a lively rate the whole twenty-four hours. These women
-who help me can't afford to work without wages, though they would be
-willing enough to, and Bromley the sexton must have something, for he's
-up a dozen times a night tending to the fires in the two stoves.
-It seems to me ten dollars a day might be made to cover our running
-expenses, but I do not see how we can manage to do with less."
-
-"That will be seventy dollars a week," said Harry, having worked out the
-difficult sum on the firm wet sand at his feet; "whew! but that's a lot,
-and for two weeks it would be twice that."
-
-"Yes, a hundred and forty dollars," said Sister Julia; "it is a pretty
-large sum."
-
-"And your own services ought not to go unremunerated," Mr. Vale
-suggested.
-
-"Indeed they ought! I only wish my pocket were long enough to pay all
-the bills myself."
-
-"I've wished mine was, a hundred times over, since the wreck."
-
-"There's one thing I want to ask you, Mr. Vale," said Sister Julia, "and
-that is, if, after all, you think even my time is my own to give. You
-see while Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax are abroad I am employed by them to care
-for Reginald. To be sure he is so nearly well now that he does not need
-me, and Mrs. Murray is like a mother to him, but his lessons will have
-to be interrupted, and I wondered if Mr. Fairfax would feel I was doing
-quite right to neglect them."
-
-"And who would care for the poor men then?" cried Nan, with real
-distress. "Nobody knows just how to do for 'em but you, Sister Julia."
-
-"You need have no fears on the score of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax," said Mr.
-Vale, decidedly; "I know them well enough to assure you that they will
-thoroughly approve of and admire your course, and Nan is quite right.
-You know that no one here could care for them properly but just
-yourself."
-
-"But how about the money?" urged Regie, who was anxious to know what
-they were going to do about it.
-
-"Well, I have thought of two or three schemes," Mr. Vale replied. "You
-know we could write to Washington, and doubtless get an appropriation
-from some fund or other, but I would take a sort of pride in not
-bothering the Government at all about it; at any rate, not until we find
-it impossible to raise the sum ourselves."
-
-"Say! Mr. Vale," said Rex, familiarly, "I'll tell you the very
-thing--take up a collection in your church next Sunday."
-
-"Well, I hadn't thought of that, Rex," laughed Mr. Vale; "but, do you
-know, some of the good people there grumble already, thinking we have
-too many collections as it is. No, it seems to me it would be best to
-raise the money here if we could."
-
-"But you can't," said Harry, emphatically, "there isn't any money
-here. I guess father has more than anyone in Moorlow, and yet I know he
-couldn't give much."
-
-"Your father, Harry, has given his share, in the work he has done," Mr.
-Vale answered. "What I have to propose is this: suppose you and Reginald
-and Nan start out, say two days before Thanksgiving--that will be a week
-from next Tuesday--and take the village cart and Pet, and drive over to
-the Rumson Road. You know there are some well-to-do people living over
-there, who do not go back to town much before Christmas. Now they have
-every one heard by this time of the wreck of the _Christina_, and of the
-injuries her crew sustained, and I believe that every one of them would
-be glad to contribute, if you three little folks were to call upon them
-and tell them you were trying to raise two hundred dollars, which, you
-see, would cover all expenses. You know, at Thanksgiving time, people
-who have a great deal to be thankful for themselves often feel like
-helping other people who have not fared so well. It seems to me the plan
-is worth trying."
-
-The children's faces plainly showed their delight in it.
-
-"But how will we know where to go?" asked Nan.
-
-"I will give you a list of half-a-dozen names," Mr. Vale replied. "I
-happen to have a little blank book in my pocket that is just what you
-need;" and, opening it, he wrote upon the first page, "Collection in Aid
-of the Crew of the _Christina_, wrecked off the Moorlow coast, November
-12th, 18----."
-
-Then underneath he wrote the words, "A Friend, $20."
-
-"What do you mean by that?" asked Regie.
-
-"I mean that I will give you twenty dollars to start the fund. Then,
-after you have been to all the other places, you must not forget to
-call upon my sister up at Mr. Avery's. She will be glad to give you
-something, I know, and Mr. Avery will, too, for that matter."
-
-"I wish we could do it to-morrow," said Nan, whose enthusiasm always
-found it hard to brook delays of any sort.
-
-"Oh, no, indeed!" Mr. Vale exclaimed, "you will get twice the money by
-waiting. Thanksgiving and Christmas have a magical way of letting down
-the bars to people's hearts, and making them more generous."
-
-Of course Sister Julia entered into this fine plan as heartily as the
-children, and after they had talked a long while about it she bade them
-good-bye, and went back to her duties in the hospital a much cheerier
-woman than she had left it. The week that followed proved a long but
-happy one to the children. Long, because they were continually counting
-the days and the hours till the time should come when they could set out
-on that wonderful collecting tour; happy, in the unexpected holidays,
-which came to them through Sister Julia's inability to keep up their
-lessons. Surely every little scholar knows the peculiar charm of
-unlooked-for holidays.
-
-By the common consent of the body-guard, the collecting-book had been
-placed in the keeping of his little Royal Highness, who had placed it
-for safety in the top drawer of his bureau. On the evening before they
-were to start on this momentous expedition, Regie had taken it out,
-handled it for several moments thoughtfully, and then put it back in its
-place, with an abstracted air, as though he was thinking very hard about
-something. Late that night, when the house was quiet, and every one
-asleep, he had crept noiselessly from bed, leaned out of the window to
-strike a match, for fear of waking Sister Julia in the next room, and
-lit his candle. Then, trying to keep a look out on all sides at once, as
-guiltily as any little thief, he went to the drawer, took out the little
-book, crossed to the table where the candle was standing, put a new pen
-in the holder, and then, with all the customary twists and twirls of his
-funny little mouth, wrote on a line, directly underneath Mr. Vale's,
-
-"A Friend.....................................$20."
-
-Then he sat, gazing proudly at it for fully five minutes before he put
-out the light and crept back to bed.
-
-[Illustration: 0132]
-
-[Illustration: 0133]
-
-
-
-
-XV.--THE QUESTION ANSWERED
-
-
-[Illustration: 0133]
-
-T was a bracing morning. Of course it was a November morning, for
-to-morrow would be Thanksgiving, and Mr. Vale stood looking out of his
-study window. It was a beautiful window in the spring and summer time,
-when the afternoon sun came streaming in through the Virginia creeper
-trained across it. Mr. Vale, who had the happiest way of looking at
-things, thought it a beautiful window, even in November. It might have
-opened on a blank wall, or a dull row of houses, as so many city windows
-do. Instead of that, it overlooked an old-fashioned garden, with little
-box-bordered flower-beds of every conceivable shape, and narrow gravel
-paths running between them. In some of the sunniest beds a few hardy
-chrysanthemums were still blooming, in brilliant reds and yellows. A
-fine western breeze was whistling through the leafless branches of the
-vine, and Mr. Vale drew in a long breath of the invigorating air. No
-doubt he would have drawn a still longer breath of the salt air he
-revelled in if he had been where his thoughts were, for they were down
-by the sea, where at this very moment a little party was crowding into
-a village cart, about to start out on a long-talked-of expedition. If
-he could have looked into their earnest, rosy faces, and into their eyes
-brimming over with delight and expectation, I think he would have felt
-assured of the success of their undertaking. How could anyone resist
-such a winning troop of little beggars?
-
-[Illustration: 0134]
-
-At last he closed the windows went back to his study table, and wrote
-out his Thanksgiving sermon, which he had been turning over in his mind
-for many a day,--a glorious, invigorating sermon, as any member of the
-large congregation who heard it next day would have told you; but they
-could not have told you that it had won much of its inspiration from a
-little maiden who a few days before had looked up to him and said, with
-loving admiration, "I like your preaching; I like it very much indeed."
-Well, the children were off at last, and they bowled along the hard
-boulevard road in the highest spirits. They crossed the Sea Bright
-Bridge, and Pet, who had not been over it since that September morning
-when they went for the peaches, started to take the road that led to
-Burchard's orchard.
-
-"No, sir-reel" cried Regie, jerking him back, "we won't go there any
-more," and then the children laughed heartily over that eventful day's
-adventures, when the little red skirt had done such good service. Before
-long they found themselves in front of Mr. Allan's place, and his name
-came first on the list. It had been agreed between them that Regie
-should be spokesman for the party.
-
-"You see, Harry," Nan had said, when they were discussing the matter
-in Regie's absence, "Regie has a kind of city way with him that is more
-taking, you know."
-
-"I don't know anything of the kind," Harry had answered. "You're just
-gone over Regie. It's a pity you could not have had him for a brother
-instead of me."
-
-"Now, Harry Murray," Nan replied, earnestly, "you know I would not
-exchange you for any brother in the world," which was pretty good of
-Nan, considering how large a share of teasing she had to undergo from
-this same Harry. The discussion had occurred several days previous to
-the expedition, and now that they had actually set out Harry was only
-too thankful that he did not have to play the principal part on the
-programme.
-
-They drove up to the big house and tied Pet to a tree. No one was to be
-seen, and for a moment their hearts misgave them but it was too late to
-retrace their steps, and, with the air of a major domo, Harry marched
-proudly on to the piazza and pulled the bell, which was the special duty
-allotted to him. A coloured man in unpretentious livery opened the door.
-
-"Does Mr. Allan live here?" asked Rex.
-
-He hoped that the man did not notice that his voice trembled a little.
-
-"Yes; would you like to see him?"
-
-Before Rex could answer, "Yes, if you please," someone called from the
-back part of the house, "Is it three little children, Jackson?"
-
-"Yes, sah, it is."
-
-"Show them right in here, then," called the voice, and closing the door
-after them Jackson ushered them into a spacious diningroom, where an old
-gentleman sat toasting his feet and reading his morning paper before a
-crackling wood fire.
-
-"Well, my little friends, I'm right glad to see you," he said,
-cordially. "You'll excuse my not getting up to meet you, I am such an
-old fellow, you know. Here, Jackson, put that little rocking-chair here
-near the fire for the young lady."
-
-[Illustration: 0136]
-
-Nan looked about the room to see who the young lady might be.
-
-"Oh! if you mean me," she said, laughing, taking her seat on a sofa,
-"I'm too warm to go near the fire, thank you."
-
-"Pray be seated, gentlemen, and tell me what I can do for you," said
-Mr. Allan, turning to the boys.
-
-"I guess you knew we were coming," Regie answered, sitting down in the
-nearest chair.
-
-"What makes you think that?"
-
-"Because you called to your man there as we came in to ask if it was not
-three little children, as though you were sort of expecting us."
-
-"Oh, to be sure! but couldn't I have seen you as you drove up!"
-
-"Not if you were sitting where you are now, sir," said honest Harry.
-
-"Well, I guess I shall have to own up, then, that I did know you were
-coming. This is how I received my information," and Mr. Allan drew a
-little case from his pocket and began looking through the papers it
-contained. Nan gazed at the case in silent admiration. It was made
-of alligator skin, and had Mr. Allan's initials, R. T. A., in silver
-letters on the back.
-
-"I wonder," she thought, "if two dollars would buy one like that for
-Regie when he goes home at Christmas time?"
-
-And then she remembered with satisfaction that Regie had only two
-initials, which would probably make it come a little cheaper. Mr. Allan
-finally found a postal card, and handed it to Regie, who read aloud:--
-
-"'New York, November 21st, 18----.
-
-"'Dear Mr. Allan,--Three little friends of mine will call on you
-to-morrow. I hope they will be none the less welcome when they have told
-you their errand.
-
-"'Yours in haste,
-
-"'F. F. Vale.'"
-
-"Then you do not know what we have come for," and Regie produced his
-collecting book with a most business like air. Mr. Allan put on his
-spectacles and examined it carefully. "Oh, I see," he said at last, "you
-are collecting for the poor sailors who were saved from the wreck. I
-hear you turned the church into a hospital. You could not have done a
-better thing."
-
-"Yes, we did," said Nan, proudly, "and the sailors are all very nice
-men indeed, and if it had not been for Sister Julia's care, two of them
-would have died."
-
-"And who is Sister Julia?"
-
-"Don't you know who Sister Julia is?" she asked, incredulously; "why, I
-thought everyone in New York knew about her. She's----"
-
-"Let Regie tell," Harry interrupted. "You see he has a kind of city way
-with him that is more taking, you know," he added, with a sly wink and
-in tones too low for Mr. Allan's ear.
-
-Nan immediately relapsed into silence, and Regie came to the front.
-
-"Sister Julia is a nurse, but she's a lady too, and she came to Moorlow
-to take care of me when I broke my leg last June. She lives in a great
-hospital in New York, and takes care of sick people, mostly children."
-
-"But how does she happen to be here now?" asked Mr. Allan. "Those two
-legs of yours seem to be as strong as anybody's."
-
-"Oh, yes, it's all right now," and Regie regarded his right leg rather
-affectionately; "but Sister Julia stayed on to look after me, because
-Papa and Mamma Fairfax have gone to Europe."
-
-"Then you are Curtis Fairfax's adopted boy?'' Mr. Allan exclaimed with
-some surprise; and readjusting his gold-rimmed spectacles he looked
-Regie over rather critically.
-
-"Yes, sir, I am," Rex replied, for almost the first time in his life
-hearing that word "adopted" without wincing.
-
-"You'll do well then if you make as good a man as your father. He's one
-of the whitest men in the trade."
-
-Regie did not quite know what he meant by that, but hesitated to ask.
-
-"Just how are you going to use this money?" asked Mr. Allan.
-
-"For the hospital, sir. It costs seventy dollars a week to run it. The
-brig was wrecked last week, Wednesday you know, and Sister Julia says
-they will not be able to go before the middle of next week, so we need
-a hundred and forty dollars, and sixty dollars more for beds and other
-things."
-
-Mr. Allan re-opened the little book.
-
-"I see," he said, "that you have forty dollars promised already. I
-recognise Mr. Vale's hand in this first twenty. Are you free to tell who
-contributes the other?"
-
-"The other twenty!" exclaimed Harry, looking over Mr. Allan's shoulder;
-"why, that is Regie's writing!"
-
-Rex coloured up to the roots of his brown hair, as though he had been
-the most guilty of little culprits.
-
-"I have ten dollars now of my own," he stammered, "and I know of a way
-I can surely earn ten more when I get back to town, so I am going to ask
-Mr. Vale to lend me the money."
-
-[Illustration: 8139]
-
-"Good for you!" said Mr. Allan, "I call that downright generous, and as
-I happen to know of a way I can earn sixty dollars when I get back to
-town, I suppose I ought to put myself down for forty at any rate.
-I guess I had better draw a check to your order, as you seem to be
-chairman of the committee," and crossing the room he sat down at a
-little oak desk. Nan stared at Rex in mute amazement. She had never
-dreamed he was such a wealthy personage. Harry's respect was wonderfully
-increased too, by the way. To think that a boy no older than he actually
-knew of a way by which he could earn ten dollars! He stowed that piece
-of information away in his mind as a matter to be inquired into more
-particularly at a later date, and was so ungracious as to have some
-doubts as to the perfect truthfulness of the statement.
-
-Just at this moment Jackson came again into the room, bearing a tray
-laden with cider and doughnuts; clear, amber-coloured cider, in a
-cut-glass pitcher, and doughnuts generously sprinkled with powdered
-sugar, and fried that morning.
-
-"I thought dese yere children might enjoy a little sumfin to eat arter
-their long ride this breezy morning," said Jackson, setting the tray on
-the table.
-
-"A happy thought, Jackson," answered Mr. Allan, smiling; "and now
-suppose we draw up to the table and be comfortable."
-
-The children needed no urging, and Jackson, placing a plate in front of
-each of them, passed the doughnuts, and then filled four tempting little
-tumblers to the brim.
-
-"Let us drink to the health of Sister Julia," said Mr. Allan, and he was
-greatly amused at the easy grace with which the children complied.
-
-Captain Murray had once taken Nan and Harry to a "Rip Van Winkle"
-_matinee_, and so they chanced to know what was the proper thing to do
-when a health was proposed. Afterward, Harry proposed the health of Mr.
-Vale, because, as he put it, "he was such a brick at the time of the
-wreck;" and then Regie proposed Captain Murray's. Altogether it was a
-very merry party, and the children finally bade Mr. Allan a reluctant
-goodbye, when Rex decided that "they really ought to go on to the next
-place, for if they kept on at this rate they wouldn't get home till
-morning."
-
-They had still four names on their list, and already had half the money.
-
-Feeling sure that Mr. Vale had in each place heralded their coming by a
-postal, they entered the other houses with an air of childish confidence
-which seemed to say, "We have called for that money, please."
-
-Everywhere they were received with more than cordial kindness, and when
-Pet turned his head homeward the whole amount had been subscribed.
-
-"Oh, dear me!" Nan suddenly exclaimed, quite overcome by a thought that
-had occurred to her.
-
-"What is it, goosie?" And it is not necessary to mention who asked that.
-
-"Why, we have all the money we need, and we have not called on Miss Vale
-yet."
-
-"That's so, by cracky!" said Harry.
-
-"Well, we'll just have to go there and explain," Rex volunteered.
-
-"Perhaps you had better not give so much yourself," suggested Harry; "I
-don't see how you are ever going to earn ten dollars."
-
-"Well, I do then," in a kingly way, resenting such interference.
-
-"Oh yes, we ought to go," said Nan; "I only hope she won't mind our
-having collected it all."
-
-It did not occur to either of this committee (and would there were more
-of these sort of people in the world!) that anyone might possibly prefer
-not being called upon for a subscription. They themselves regarded the
-opportunity for giving in the light of an actual privilege. Nan was
-thankful the money was so easily raised, for she had not a penny in the
-world to give save that two dollars, which she must reserve for
-that little wallet for Regie; but she was planning to present a warm
-comforter, which her own little hands had made, to the Spanish captain,
-and she thought she might favour the first mate with the rubber
-pencil-case which she had bought as a parting present for Regie.
-
-When they reached Mr. Avery's they found Miss Vale ready to receive
-them. She was very much of an invalid, seldom able to leave her room,
-but in honour of their coming she had put on a pretty wrapper, and was
-seated in a large rocking-chair. She was anxious to meet these little
-friends of whom her brother had so often spoken, and looked forward
-to their coming as quite an event in her quiet life. The nurse led the
-children up the oaken stair, and Nan trod as noiselessly as possible
-herself, but was sure she had never heard Harry and Regie make such a
-noise before.
-
-Miss Vale received them very cordially, and they felt at home with her
-at once. They talked about the wreck for some time, and then Miss Vale
-said, "Well, I believe you want some money from me for the hospital?"
-
-"No," Nan answered, with much seriousness, and as though she was
-breaking the saddest piece of news imaginable; "we are very sorry,
-but we don't need any more; we got enough money before we knew it. We
-couldn't help it, really."
-
-Nan saw that the nurse was laughing in a quiet way, but never dreamt
-that she was the cause of the merriment. Miss Vale herself looked
-amused, but managed to keep her face straight as she said, feigning much
-anxiety, "Dear me! what am I to do, then? I had made up my mind to give
-you a hundred dollars." The finance committee looked puzzled enough, and
-as though they saw no way out of this difficulty.
-
-"But look here," Miss Vale continued, "I have an idea. The captain and
-his crew did not save anything from the wreck, did they?''
-
-"Not a thing, and some of them haven't a penny in the world," Harry
-answered.
-
-"How many are there?'
-
-"Seven," answered the children, in one breath.
-
-"Well then, wouldn't it be a good thing to divide the money among them,
-so that they will have something to begin life with again?"
-
-"Seven won't go into a hundred evenly," said Harry, having a horror of
-fractions.
-
-"Well, I guess we can fix matters if it doesn't," was Regie's scornful
-response. "I think it is very kind of you," turning to Miss Vale. "When
-shall we give it to them?"
-
-"It seems to me to-morrow would be a good day. Are the men to have a
-Thanksgiving dinner?"
-
-"Indeed they are," Nan answered. "They are to have turkey, and mashed
-potatoes, and cranberries that mother has made in beautiful moulds, and
-mince-pie, and lots of things. They'll all be able to come to the table
-too, except the captain."
-
-"It's just as well that he can't come," Regie explained, with the air of
-an experienced doctor. "He isn't strong enough to eat turkey dna hearty
-things like that."
-
-"He's to have some very nice gruel, though," Nan confided, and as though
-she knew more about it all than both the toys put together; as indeed
-she did, for she had been present at many a conference between Sister
-Julia and her mother regarding the dinner.
-
-The children made a long call, and no one knows how much longer they
-would have lingered in Miss Vale's sunny room, looking at some fine
-photographs of Mr. Avery's, which the maid had brought up from the
-parlour, if the old clock in the hall had not struck two very clearly
-and distinctly.
-
-"Is it as late as that?" cried Nan; "we shall miss our dinner altogether
-if we don't go home this minute."
-
-That was sufficient to start the boys, and the children took their
-departure, Miss Vale promising to send the money down that night
-in separate envelopes, so that Harry should not be bothered by the
-difficult division of one hundred by seven.
-
-[Illustration: 5143]
-
-[Illustration: 0144]
-
-
-
-
-XVI.--THE CAPTAIN'S STORY
-
-
-[Illustration: 9144]
-
-T is only quite natural that the little folks throughout these United
-States should set less store by Thanksgiving day than Christmas. It may
-seem all very fine to sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner, but, after all,
-Thanksgiving may not hold a candle to Christmas,--to Christmas, with
-its continued round of excitement, beginning in the small hours of the
-morning with the inspection of Christmas presents, and ending, in all
-probability, with the glory and glitter of a well-loaded Christmas tree
-at night. Yet I doubt if the most favoured little darling in the world,
-who knew every wish for a twelvemonth would find its fulfilment on
-Christmas morning, ever looked forward to that day as eagerly as our
-little friends to this Thanksgiving.
-
-I will do them the credit to say that they gave little thought to
-the good things that were to fall to their own share. They were each
-conjuring pictures for themselves of how those Spanish sailors would
-look when they sat down to that good dinner. Two of the sailors knew
-nothing of English beyond the two words "thank you." Nan could see them
-now saying it with their funny accent every time anything was passed to
-them. And when she wondered how they would look when the money was
-handed to them, she could hardly wait for the glad moment to come and
-see for herself. She did not have to wait long, for those were her last
-thoughts before falling asleep, and when she awoke it was Thanksgiving
-morning. Of course the weather would have much to do with the pleasure
-of the day, so the first thing she did was to fly to the window and
-throw open the blinds. The late November sun, rising out of the ocean,
-flooded everything with a rosy light, and the air was mild enough for
-early October.
-
-[Illustration: 0145]
-
-Three or four seagulls were sailing over the waves In search of their
-breakfast, making a dive now and then when their wonderful far-reaching
-gaze detected a fish near the surface of the water. Nan watched one of
-them circling round and round, and clapped her hands from sheer delight
-when she saw him rise from a desperate dive with a fish quivering in
-his talons, then flying homeward to his nest on the bough of some inland
-tree. It seemed as though even the seagulls ought to fare better than
-on other days. To be sure it put a sad ending to the life of the poor
-little fish, but no doubt it was as allowable for seagulls to dine
-off men-haden, as for people to dine off roast turkeys and ducks.
-This logical train of thought, and some other thoughts not as logical,
-tripped through Nan's mind as she made her neat little toilet. The
-brown hair was braided quickly but very evenly, and tied with a scarlet
-ribbon; the whitest of little yoke-aprons was put on over the blue
-flannel dress, and, notwithstanding it opened down the back and boasted
-fifteen buttons, was carefully adjusted by Nan's own little fingers.
-it is astonishing what "own little fingers" can do for the children who
-must needs wait on themselves.
-
-[Illustration: 0146]
-
-A radiant embodiment of sweetness and freshness, Nan bustled into the
-dining-room, to find the boys there before her. They were curled up on
-the window-seat looking over, for perhaps the tenth time, the budget of
-envelopes which Miss Vale had sent the night before.
-
-"You look good enough to eat this morning," said Harry, with a look of
-honest admiration.
-
-"Well. I guess I shall not be good enough to let you eat me," Nan
-answered, blushing a little.
-
-Harry caught her dress as she passed him, and held her firmly while he
-gave her the heartiest sort of a kiss. The truth is that two months ago
-Harry would have done nothing of the sort. It might have occurred to
-him, but he simply would not have done it. Regie had been teaching him
-a lesson. Always gallant and thoughtful himself toward Nan, Harry had
-watched him closely, and gradually had come to the conclusion that a
-brother might really treat his sister with much consideration without
-being set down for a spoony; indeed, might even go so far as to actually
-express his admiration, not only in words, but in the deed of an
-unexpected kiss now and then, without being silly. The lesson was well
-worth learning, and would it might be taught to a host of well-meaning
-little Harrys, who need to learn it every whit as much as this Harry in
-particular! As soon as Sister Julia arrived they had breakfast. She ran
-up every morning from the hospital, for the sake of the change and fresh
-air. As soon as the meal was finished, preparations were at once begun
-for the great Thanksgiving dinner. In the first place Dobbin was brought
-to the door, and the two boys helped Captain Murray carry out from the
-hall several well-filled boxes and baskets; for the dinner was to be
-served in the rear end of the chapel, as Captain Murray's dining-room
-was too small to accommodate so large a party comfortably; besides, one
-or two of the men were not so far recovered as to be able to venture
-out of doors. Pet and the cart were also pressed into service, and made
-numerous trips to and fro, until at last, with the help of the sailors,
-everything had been unloaded at the chapel door.
-
-Mrs. Murray, in a long white apron, presided over the cooking, and soon
-a strange new incense, which was none other than the smell of roasting
-turkey, began to make its way to the rafters of the church.
-
-The captain on his cot sniffed it gratefully, and he wished from the
-bottom of his heart that he was up and about and able to enjoy it.
-Sister Julia busied herself with setting the table. Rex and Harry sat
-in one corner paring potatoes, and the sailors strolled about with their
-hands in their pockets, and broad smiles on their dark faces, rendering
-some little service whenever they could.
-
-The one who could not speak English at all kept near Mrs. Murray,
-watching her intently with his large black eyes, and trying to
-anticipate any little thing he might do for her, such as lifting the
-great pot, in which a Savoury soup was boiling away, or pushing more
-wood into the cooking-stove.
-
-"Well, Sister Julia, what can I do now?" asked Nan, when she had
-finished the glasses.
-
-"Let me see," answered Sister Julia, pausing a second to count the
-places at the table, to be sure she had made no mistake; "I think you
-might arrange the fruit. The bananas and oranges will look the better
-for a careful rubbing with one of the glass towels."
-
-[Illustration: 0148]
-
-"All right," Nan said, cheerily, glad to have so important a task
-assigned to her. Just as she had gotten everything together a sudden
-thought occurred to her, and seizing a fruit dish under each arm, she
-travelled down the aisles and into the vestry.
-
-During the week she and the Spanish captain had grown to be fast
-friends, and his face brightened the moment he saw her.
-
-"I was thinking you might be a little lonely," she said; "if you like, I
-can bring my work in here and do it."
-
-"Indeed, senorita, nothing would please me better," the captain
-answered, in musical broken English. The captain always addressed Nan as
-"senorita," the pretty word that stands for miss in his native tongue.
-
-Nan asked two of the sailors to carry the great box of oranges and
-bananas into the vestry, and seating herself on the floor, with a dish
-on each side of her, she set to work.
-
-"How do you feel to-day, captain?" she asked, by way of opening the
-conversation, and rubbing vigorously away at an orange.
-
-"Better, senorita; but one does not want to get well too fast, and say
-good-bye to Sister Julia and the rest of you who have been so kind to us
-all."
-
-"You are sorry, then, that you tried to do it, aren't you?"
-
-"Do what, senorita?" and the colour came into his dark face.
-
-"Why, kill yourself, captain," polishing away at a banana without
-looking up, and feeling pretty sure it would have been better not to
-have said this.
-
-"I had hoped the little senorita did not know about that," sighed the
-captain. "It was a cowardly and foolish thing to do."
-
-"It was a very wicked thing, captain. I hope you never will try to do it
-again."
-
-"Never you fear," he answered, smiling; "all my life I will try to make
-amends for it; and I will tell you something you may think strange,
-senorita, and that is, that this has been the happiest week in all my
-life. Two or three times when I have been lying here, just at sunset,
-where I could watch the great white breakers come rolling in, and Sister
-Julia has been playing on the organ in the church there, I have thought
-I must be dreaming in my berth in the poor _Christina_. Then I have
-raised myself on my elbow, so that I could look into the chancel yonder
-and see the cross on the altar cloth, and feel sure it was really all as
-it seemed."
-
-"You are not exactly glad you were wrecked, though?" Nan asked,
-practically.
-
-"Yes, in a way, I am glad."
-
-"You don't forget about losing all your money and things, do you?"
-
-"No, but perhaps it's worth while to have lost one's money to be wrecked
-on a coast of big and little angels."
-
-"Big and little angels!"
-
-"Yes, and if you want to know why it seems so to me you must listen to a
-story."
-
-There was no "must listen" for Nan where a story was concerned. She was
-all attention in a moment, an eager breathless little listener, and the
-captain began.
-
-"Just thirty-six years ago a Spanish boy found himself without father or
-mother, and was set adrift on the world. Not a penny did he own, but he
-was a hearty, fearless little fellow, and he managed somehow to live,
-though he seldom knew where the next meal was to come from, or where
-he would sleep at night. By the time the boy was ten years old he grew
-tired of his vagabond life, and longed to learn how to read and write.
-So he resolved to go to the village school, and he earned a little money
-out of school hours here and there, and was a happier fellow than in the
-old idle days.
-
-"No sooner had he learned to read and write in pretty decent fashion
-than he decided to run away to sea, for he had always a notion that he
-would be a sailor some day. I do not know that you could exactly call it
-running away, when no one cared very much whether he came or went; but
-for the next few years he had a pretty hard time of it, for to go to sea
-before the mast under a harsh and cruel captain is likely to make life
-rather difficult. Sometimes when he was sent out to reef the top-gallant
-sail he would balance himself on the yard, wondering if it would not be
-better to let himself drop into the ocean--the men would only think he
-had tumbled off; but somehow the fear of God always kept him from it."
-
-[Illustration: 0151]
-
-"Notwithstanding the hardship he went to sea again until he was
-twenty-five years old, and by that time he had worked up to be first
-mate of the----"
-
-"Of the _Christina?_" Nan questioned, eagerly.
-
-"Yes, of the _Christina_," the captain admitted; "and he had managed to
-save enough to become part owner of her besides." Nan had finished her
-work, but was quite unmindful of the fact, and sat gazing up to the
-captain's face, with her hands clasped round her knees.
-
-"Had he grown up to be a good man?" she asked, innocently. "I am afraid
-not, senorita, as you would count goodness."
-
-"Was he kind to his men?" altogether unconscious of how embarrassing her
-questions might prove.
-
-"Yes, he was kind. That was the best thing that could be said for him.
-He did not deserve any credit for that, though, for he had suffered so
-much himself from unkindness."
-
-"Then he deserved all the more credit," Nan said, decidedly, and the
-colour in the captain's face showed how grateful her praise was to him.
-
-"Well, it happened one November morning," he continued, "ten years
-afterward, that when he had been battling all night with the wind and
-the waves of a terrible storm, his ship ran ashore, and in such a way
-that he knew he could never save her. All the earnings of his lifetime
-gone in a minute! What was there to live for? He had not a relative in
-the world, and that ship was his darling. Then the thought to take his
-own life came to him, as it used to sometimes when he was a poor little
-sailor on the top-gallant yard, only now that he was a man no thought
-of God came with it, and so the desperate deed was attempted." Nan had
-never listened to anything so fascinating in all her life before.
-
-"That is not all?" she asked, eagerly, for the captain had paused for a
-moment.
-
-"Thank God, no! scarcely did the captain--for he was no longer first
-mate--think that the ugly weapon had done its work, than he seemed to be
-all by himself in a beautiful silver boat on a wide blue sea. It was a
-little boat, without sails or oars, and it bounded over the waves of
-its own free will, so that the captain had simply to let it carry
-him whither it would. Soon he knew they were nearing a shore, for he
-recognised the sound of breakers on the beach; but he shuddered as he
-heard it, for he half-remembered that something terrible had happened
-when he had heard that sound once before But his fright was over in
-a moment, for he saw a great banner waving in the air, and on it was
-printed, in gold letters, 'The Shore of Loving kindness.'"
-
-[Illustration: 0153]
-
-"As he neared the land, one curling white breaker seemed gently to lift
-the boat on to the next, until at last it was landed on a great white
-stretch of beach. It seemed to the captain such a beautiful shore, that
-he wondered if it might be heaven; and if it was, he knew he had no
-right there. He tried to lift himself up and step out of the little
-boat, but somehow he was not able to do that; so he lay quite still and
-contented, looking up at the stars overhead,--wonderful stars they
-were, for the only light there was came from them, and yet he could see
-everything plainly. At last the stars seemed to grow dim and still more
-dim, and the captain turned himself over on the silk cushions of the
-boat and fell asleep. When he awoke he stared about him with a wondering
-gaze, for everything looked so strange. He was no longer in the
-silk-cushioned boat, but lying on a cot in a little room, a queer little
-room, with a carved oaken partition, and soft red curtains running along
-two sides of it. He could not see very plainly, for the light was low
-in the room, and he could not tell where it came from. He felt something
-heavy on his head, and put his hand up, for he remembered that he had
-thought that the little red boat had landed him in heaven. But alas!
-there was no crown, only a tightly-bound bandage, and the moment his
-hand touched it he guessed why it was there, and that he was only a
-shipwrecked captain whom someone had cared for. But where was he? A door
-led out of his little room--into what? Why, it looked like a church;
-yes, it was surely a church,' for the moonlight was streaming through
-the chancel window, and he could see the communion table and some one
-sitting beyond the chancel rail. How strange! What could it mean? He put
-his hand to his head again to make sure of the bandage, and that he
-was not dreaming. And now the figure has left the table, and is moving
-toward him. It comes gently to the side of his cot, and he can see that
-it is a woman, a woman with the face of an angel. The captain looks up
-at her with a wondering gaze; but she puts her finger to her lips as a
-sign that he must not speak. Then she makes the light brighter in the
-room, and draws a chair to his side, and tells him in a low, sweet voice
-all about himself--how he happens to be in the vestry of the little
-church; and finally she tells him that she means to take care of him
-until he is entirely well again. But the captain almost wishes he may
-never be well again, if he may only have that angel face to watch over
-him."
-
-"That angel was Sister Julia," said Nan, with a sigh, as though to
-relieve her overcharged little heart.
-
-"Yes, that was Sister Julia," assented the captain.
-
-"But you said there were little angels, too," Nan said, innocently.
-
-"Certainly. I have a picture of the little _arch_angel (that is, the
-principal one) here beside me," and the captain placed a little frame in
-Nan's eager hands.
-
-Of course it proved to be only a little mirror, in which she saw the
-reflection of her own fair little face.
-
-"Do you call a round chubby face like that the face of an angel?" she
-laughed, holding the little mirror at arm's length and looking in, in a
-funny, half-critical fashion.
-
-"Yes, I do. It has been a real angel face to me, coming in and out of
-this vestry room with its bright smiles."
-
-"Why, where is Nan?" someone called just then.
-
-"Coming, Sister Julia," Nan answered, jumping to her feet, and with an
-effort lifting one of the heavy fruit dishes.
-
-"I must go," she said, reluctantly; but when she reached the door she
-paused for a moment to look back and ask, "It was true, wasn't it,
-all that about when you were a boy; all except about the boat and the
-angels?"
-
-"Every word of it," answered the captain; "and it was true about the
-angels, too, senorita."
-
-[Illustration: 5155]
-
-[Illustration: 0156]
-
-
-
-
-XVII--THANKSGIVING IN EARNEST
-
-
-[Illustration: 9156]
-
-HE hour-hand of the watch that hung at Sister Julia's belt had just
-reached three as she put the last touch to the table; that last touch
-consisted in placing, at each seat, a card bearing the name of the
-person who was to occupy it. Sister Julia had herself prepared the cards
-in the little leisure she could spare from hospital duties. On each
-she had painted some little emblem of the sea--a shell, or a spray of
-seaweed--introducing the name in odd-shaped letters.
-
-Then on the reverse side she had enrolled the entire party in the order
-of their seats at the table, knowing that some of their number would
-cherish those little cards as precious souvenirs for many a long year to
-come.
-
-The soup was on the table, and Mrs. Murray having instructed the woman
-who had been helping her just how to bring the dishes to the table, laid
-aside her great gingham apron, and gave the signal to sit down.
-
-"Why, there's one seat too many!" remarked Harry, when all had found
-their places.
-
-"Dear me, why so there is!" exclaimed Sister Julia. "How did that ever
-happen?"
-
-"Why, it happened just this way," answered a familiar voice; no one
-could tell just where the voice came from, but all knew whose it was.
-"It happened just this way. I telegraphed Sister Julia yesterday that if
-she would put off the dinner till three o'clock I could get through
-my sermon in time to come, and so here I am, you see," and Mr. Vale
-appeared in the door-way, having waited a moment in the vestibule to
-hang up his coat.
-
-The presence of Mr. Vale was just the one thing needed to complete that
-Thanksgiving dinner in everyone's estimation.
-
-Even the men, whose knowledge of English was limited to the
-parrot-learned "Thank you," brightened when they saw him. There are
-faces which bear so plainly the imprint of love and sympathy, one does
-not need to speak a common language to comprehend them.
-
-"You have come at the right moment," said Sister Julia, and Mr. Vale,
-knowing what she meant, bowed his head and asked a blessing. It was a
-prayer as well as a blessing--a prayer for the future of these sailors,
-who were so soon again to give their lives to the keeping of the sea;
-and a prayer for the future of the children, that the whole volume of
-their life might remain as pure and unsullied as the pages of their
-childhood--nor did he forget the captain lying on his cot in the little
-vestry room. His voice seemed to gather additional earnestness as he
-prayed that he might be restored to perfect health, and take up his life
-again with a divine trust and courage which should be able to grapple
-victoriously with misfortune and despair, should he again be called to
-meet them.
-
-At the close of the blessing Sister Julia thought she heard a low
-fervent "Amen" from the recesses of the little vestry room.
-
-No doubt it was but natural that everyone at that long table should
-realise that it was no ordinary occasion. Never did a stranger company
-sit down to a Thanksgiving dinner under stranger circumstances, but they
-enjoyed it heartily, notwithstanding the strangeness.
-
-Somehow or other, Mr. Vale knew just the way to draw everybody out, and
-thanks to him the party, that otherwise might easily have found itself a
-little stiff and embarrassed, became a very merry one.
-
-[Illustration: 9158]
-
-Captain Murray enlivened the table with two or three old sea yarns,
-and while they were waiting for the dessert to be brought in Mr. Vale
-induced the sailors to give them two or to be going on, on every side.
-
-When at last Mrs. Murray lifted an all-on-fire plum pudding to the
-table, one of the younger sailors, who was little more than a boy,
-clapped his hands from sheer delight, and, fired by his enthusiasm, all
-at the table followed his example. The colour came into Mrs. Murray's
-round face; she considered the demonstration as a compliment to herself,
-as was quite right she should, three Spanish songs which they were
-accustomed to sing together at sea. Meanwhile, Nan had travelled into
-the vestry with the captain's dinner, of clam broth and dainty little
-crackers; delicious broth, which Sister Julia had herself prepared, and
-crackers which Nan's own little hands had toasted to a most inviting
-brownness. It did Nan's heart good to see how the captain enjoyed eating
-them, and it did the captain's heart good to see how much she enjoyed
-seeing him eat them; and so it was that all through that Thanksgiving
-Day a constant process of _doing hearts good_ seemed for no little
-raisin-stoning and washing of currants had gone toward the concoction of
-that great brown pudding, about which the blue flames were now curling
-so beautifully.
-
-At last the supreme moment for "all hands" arrived, when, at a signal
-from Sister Julia, Regie, as chairman of the finance committee, produced
-the budget of envelopes, and handed them to one and another as fast as
-he could make out the names written on the backs of them.
-
-Meanwhile, Mr. Vale stood up, and explained that each envelope contained
-a gift of money, and though by no means a large amount, the giver hoped
-it might stand them in good stead, and that each would kindly accept it
-with her best wishes.
-
-At the words "her best wishes," the eyes of the crew, as by common
-consent, turned toward Sister Julia, so that she had right away to deny
-having had any part in the transaction.
-
-"No, indeed," she said, "you must not thank me for this; Mr. Vale's
-sister is the good friend to whom you are indebted."
-
-In the absence of their captain the men looked to their first mate to
-express their gratitude. Mr. Vale would have given a great deal if his
-sister could have heard the few earnest words which the first mate spoke
-from a full heart, and could have seen the sturdy fellow as he spoke
-them.
-
-And so the dinner was ended. It had grown quite dark in the chapel, for
-the early November twilight had deepened landward and seaward.
-
-"Before we separate," said Mr. Vale, "I wish Regie would sing the German
-evening hymn from the Children's Hymnal."
-
-Regie needed no urging, and took his stand beside Sister Julia at the
-organ, while the others still kept their places. He loved to sing,
-throwing his whole soul into it, and in that lay half his power to
-please.
-
-Clear and sweet rang out the words of the simple hymn, and at its close
-more than one sleeve was brushed across misty eyes, and tears stole from
-under the captain's eyelids as he lay in the little vestry--lying there
-alone, why need he strive to hide them?--besides, what was there to be
-ashamed of in such tears as those?
-
-These had been days of new and strange experiences to those Spanish
-sailors, and they had learned some of life's best lessons for the first
-time.
-
-"Your faces are kinder than when you came," Nan had frankly said to the
-crew one day.
-
-"Senorita, that is because our hearts are kinder," one of the men had
-answered.
-
-[Illustration: 5160]
-
-[Illustration: 0161]
-
-
-
-
-XVIII.--THE KING'S CAMERA
-
-
-[Illustration: 9161]
-
-NOTHER week rolled by, and found the crew of the _Christina_ ready to
-say good-bye to Moorlow, and yet not ready, for most of them were very
-loth to go; but the captain was quite recovered, and there was no excuse
-for their remaining longer. Indeed, Sister Julia thought that those of
-their number who had sustained no very severe injuries ought to have
-gone before, but the men seemed anxious to stand by their captain, and
-she did not quite have the courage to send them off. That such a sad
-state of things was possible never seemed to enter the mind of any
-member of the crew. Without being in any sense ungrateful, they simply
-took everything for granted. With the exception of the captain, not
-one of them ever questioned where the money came from that provided
-so generously for their wants during those two weeks. They looked upon
-Sister Julia as a veritable saint, with illimitable, if not divine,
-resources, sent to minister to them especially; and the reverential way
-in which they bade her farewell showed that they so regarded her to the
-last.
-
-All Moorlow was gathered at the station to see them off. Everyone who
-had contributed in any way to their comfort,--and there were few in
-Moorlow who had not--felt a sort of responsibility in giving them a
-cheery "send off." Even the shabby little Croxsons were there, for had
-they not run on innumerable errands that morning when the crew were
-rescued? As the train moved away the captain stood upon the rear
-platform. A neat little bundle was tucked under one arm, for Nan, not
-forgetting her resolution, had presented him at the last moment with
-the warm comforter which she herself had made. The captain waved a red
-handkerchief until the station was entirely out of sight, and his last
-glance, before he turned and went into the car, was toward the hull of
-the _Christina_, which he could plainly see just where she had stranded
-that stormy November morning. It seemed to him as though he were saying
-good-bye to all his past, and with a courage that surprised him he was
-ready to make a new start. He was very grateful for the fact that his
-men were thoroughly loyal to him, and felt pretty sure that with such a
-crew at his service he could easily gain command of some vessel plying
-between Spain and the United States. So it was that with a contented
-smile he took a seat in the midst of his crew, and, encouraged by their
-captain's good cheer, the dark-eyed men soon fell to conversing in the
-liveliest manner in their native Spanish, much to the amusement of their
-fellow-passengers.
-
-It had been a very exciting fortnight for quiet Moorlow, but in a
-marvellously short space of time everything settled back into the old
-grooves. The little church soon looked as sober and decorous as though
-it had never served as a temporary hospital, or known the savoury odours
-of a Thanksgiving dinner.
-
-A December storm had beaten the _Christina's_ hull literally to pieces,
-and nothing was left to tell the story of the wreck save the shell
-which had been shot out with the whip-line, and which Captain Murray,
-according to custom, had lettered and dated, and hung in the Life-saving
-Station; a trophy of which the crew had good reason to be proud.
-
-The children had resumed their lessons, and Regie was counting the days
-till Papa and Mamma Fairfax would board the homeward-bound steamer
-at Liverpool. The three months, which had seemed a long time to look
-forward to, had slipped away very quickly, and Harry and Nan and himself
-were full of joyous anticipation, for a glorious plan was on foot.
-
-Mr. Fairfax had written very urgently asking that the Murray children
-might be allowed to spend the Christmas holidays with Regie in town.
-Captain Murray had only given his consent very reluctantly, for he knew
-the Moorlow Christmas would be a sorry affair without the children; but
-nevertheless he _had_ given it, and Nan and Harry's respective heads
-were almost turned with delight at the prospect.
-
-It is doubtful if the liveliest imagination could picture all that a
-whole week in New York meant to these little Murrays. They had never
-been there for more than a day at a time, and then only at rare
-intervals, and it was not strange that stolen whispers in lesson hours,
-and long chats out of them, all bore upon the delightful subject of
-this visit, until, in Sister Julia's estimation, the children were
-devoting too much time to sitting indoors, and plotting and planning,
-and not enough to out-of-door exercise; so she put her wits to work to
-devise some scheme to bring about a change of affairs.
-
-"There is one thing, Regie," she said, "over which your Papa Fairfax
-will be very much disappointed when he comes home."
-
-She spoke so seriously, that Regie looked up at her with a very troubled
-face, which said, as plainly as words, "Whatever do you mean?"
-
-"Why, you haven't a single picture to show him. In all this while not a
-photograph have you taken."
-
-"That's so," with a sigh; "but then I don't believe he'll expect it. You
-can't do much photographing in cold weather; besides, there's nothing to
-take in winter."
-
-"You said once that you'd like to take a good picture of me," Nan
-remarked, showing that she did not consider that the low state of the
-thermometer in any way diminished her charms, as indeed it did not.
-There was not a prettier or more breezy little specimen of humanity in
-existence than Nan on one of these wintry afternoons, when she had just,
-come in from an hour's buffeting with wind and weather on the beach.
-
-"Yes, I _would_ like a good picture of you, Nan," said Regie,
-patronisingly, looking at her with his head on one side, after the
-meditative fashion of an artist regarding his model. "The trouble is,
-I don't know of any place in this house where you can get a good enough
-light."
-
-"And why in the house, pray?" asked Sister Julia; "it is not a bit too
-cold to try your hand out of doors. This is just a perfect winter's day,
-and there is no wind to blow, your camera over."
-
-"That's so," assented Regie again, "I'm going to get ready," and suiting
-the action to the word he bounded out of the room, and the body-guard
-followed his example.
-
-At the time that Mr. Fairfax had seen fit to endow Regie with a
-photographing outfit, he had, with no little painstaking, carefully
-instructed him as just to how the whole process, from beginning to
-end, must be managed. As a result Regie had succeeded in producing some
-first-rate pictures, "all his own work, too," as he would have told you
-proudly. But that was more than a year ago, and before he knew Nan
-and Harry. He had some fine plans for the summer just ended, but that
-unlucky fall from the cherry tree bough had prevented his carrying them
-out. To be sure, within the last few weeks, since the little leg had so
-thoroughly mended, he might have gotten to work again as easily as could
-be, but the excitement following the wreck of the _Christina_ had driven
-all thought of it out of his mind.
-
-The fact that Nan knew that Regie could take pictures accounted in a
-measure, perhaps, for the reverence with which she regarded him; but
-Harry was as doubtful of his real ability as in the matter of the
-earning of the money for the hospital fund, and he hailed with delight
-the chance he was about to have to put him to the test.
-
-Harry and Nan were ready in no time, but with the amateur photographer,
-"getting ready" is a mysterious and laborious proceeding, and Rex failed
-to put in an appearance.
-
-The body-guard waited and waited till, their patience exhausted, they
-scaled the stairway leading to His Royal Highness's private apartment,
-but His Majesty was nowhere to be seen.
-
-"Why, where is Rex?" cried Nan.
-
-"I'm in here," answered a muffled voice.
-
-"What, in the closet?" and Harry rushed for it.
-
-"Yes, but don't open the door for the world. I'm filling my
-plate-holders."
-
-Harry and Nan looked at each other as much as to say, "What in creation
-is he talking about?" then by tacit consent they noiselessly crouched
-down by the closet door, and Harry peeped through the keyhole.
-
-His face grew pale, and with a terrified expression he drew Nan over so
-that she could take a look; then with precipitate haste they fled from
-the room.
-
-"Oh, Sister Julia!" cried Nan.
-
-"Regie's shut up in his closet," cried Harry.
-
-"And we looked through the keyhole and saw an awful red light,"
-interrupted Nan.
-
-"And we think he has set the closet on fire, and you had better go
-and see to it right away," interrupted Harry, very much surprised that
-Sister Julia did not seem in the least alarmed.
-
-"Why, he's only filling his plate-holders," she exclaimed, laughing,
-
-"Yes," nodded Nan, her eyes as large as saucers, "he said something like
-that."
-
-"Of course he did, and the fire you thought you saw is the light from
-his ruby lantern."
-
-"His what!" exclaimed Harry; then, after a little pause, he added, "Say!
-won't you explain to us something about it?" Ashamed that he had shared
-Nan's fright, and foreseeing that he would be obliged to ask Regie more
-questions than would be at all agreeable.
-
-"Why, certainly," answered Sister Julia, with a smile still playing
-about the corners of her mouth. "You see they take these pictures on a
-plate, that is a square glass which comes for the purpose, coated with
-a dry, white preparation. Mr. Fairfax buys them in boxes holding a dozen
-each, and when Regie wants to take pictures he has to take them from the
-box and put them in his plate-holders. The plate-holders are a sort of
-little boxes that fit in the back of his camera."
-
-"His cam-e-ra?" drawled Nan.
-
-"Yes, that is the name of the instrument he takes the pictures with, but
-it will ruin the plate to let a ray of daylight touch it before he is
-ready to take the picture, so Rex must needs go into a dark closet,
-and light his ruby lantern, when the time comes for filling his
-plate-holders."
-
-[Illustration: 0166]
-
-Regie appeared on the scene just then, with his apparatus in his arms,
-and the trio marched off, the King all unconscious of the fright he had
-given the body-guard, and the body-guard intending never to enlighten
-him on the subject.
-
-"What shall we take?" said Regie, when they had gone a little way down
-the beach. "I wish we had enough for a group. I like to take groups
-best."
-
-"What is a group?" Nan asked, shyly.
-
-"Why, a group's a lot of people, goosie," Harry answered, for he enjoyed
-answering questions in direct proportion to his dislike to asking them.
-
-"Would the Croxsons do, then?" Nan queried timidly, often feeling more
-or less subdued by Harry's "goosie."
-
-"The very thing," replied Rex; "they're so queer-looking, they'll make a
-jolly funny group."
-
-"Shall I go for them while you're getting your _camera_ ready?" remarked
-Harry, airing his knowledge of the photographic terms. Regie nodded yes,
-and Harry was off.
-
-"Wouldn't it be nice to take them in that?" said Nan, pointing to one of
-the fishermen's boats drawn up upon the beach.
-
-"Of course it would. You're splendid for thinking of things, Nan," Regie
-replied, proceeding to get his instrument in order. Nan helped him
-as best she could, very happy over the fact that such an important
-personage as he was considered her _splendid_ for anything.
-
-Meanwhile the Croxsons were hurrying into a miscellaneous assortment of
-threadbare out-of-door wraps, which were supposed to keep the cold out,
-but in point of fact did nothing of the sort. They were highly elated
-over the prospect of having their photographs taken. Not one of them had
-ever experienced that sensation before.
-
-"W-w-won't it be a lark to be t-t-took?" stuttered little Madge,
-beside herself with excitement; and the flushed faces of the other four
-children showed that they undoubtedly thought it would, the neglected
-little quintette never dreaming that they had been invited because they
-were so "queer looking" and would make "a jolly funny group." But if
-Regie and Harry and Nan did sometimes have a little fun at the Croxsons'
-expense, they were too well-behaved ever to let them have an inkling of
-it. As for Regie, he was as gallant in his manner to these shabby little
-specimens as to the would-be little aristocrats in velvet knickerbockers
-and patent leather pumps whom he was accustomed to meet at dancing
-school. When the Croxsons arrived on the scene, Regie, having succeeded
-in fastening his camera to the tripod, had just plunged his head under
-the black rubber cloth which hung over it.
-
-"What are you doing?" Joe Croxson made so bold as to ask.
-
-"Focussing on the boat," was Regie's mysterious reply, from the folds of
-the rubber cloth.
-
-At this answer Madge seemed to be somewhat intimidated. The word
-focussing had an ominous sound in her ears.
-
-"What do you mean by that?" Joe asked gruffly, for not one of the little
-party was a whit wiser than before.
-
-"Oh, I'm fixing things so as to be able to take a clear picture of that
-boat," Regie answered, good-naturedly; "and now I would like you all to
-run and get into it, ready to be taken."
-
-At this the party would have scampered off to do his bidding but for
-little Millie Croxson, the baby, who had succumbed to a nameless fear,
-and had to be coaxed and carried to the scene of action.
-
-[Illustration: 0168]
-
-Regie stood at a little distance, wondering how he should pose his
-party, when suddenly Nan exclaimed, "Oh, I say! let's do this; let's
-pretend we have been shipwrecked, and had to take to the boats, and are
-out on the open sea. And you might take two pictures, Rex, one where
-we think we must all die in the boat, and one where we have hailed a
-steamer, and are going to be picked up and saved."
-
-[Illustration: 0169]
-
-Certainly Nan _was_ splendid for thinking of things, and the children
-took to the idea at once; but it took somewhat longer to arrange matters
-to the satisfaction of everybody. Finally it was arranged that the four
-girls should be huddled together in the stern of the boat, and Joe and
-Jim Croxson should each have an oar, and lean way forward, as though
-they were rowing against a very heavy sea, and that Harry should be
-stationed on the bow as a look-out. Harry and Nan endeavoured, by
-turning their coats inside out, and one or two other alterations in
-costume, to make themselves as forlorn as possible. There was something
-pathetic in the fact that even the Croxsons themselves realised they
-need attempt nothing in this direction; they were sufficiently forlorn
-as they were.
-
-Little Millie was supposed to be a half-starved little baby, and had
-an old handkerchief tied three-cornerwise about her head. As she sat on
-Nan's lap her thin little face looked the character to perfection.
-
-"Now," said Rex, when all was in readiness; "you mustn't move, not one
-of you."
-
-"C-c-can we w-w-wink?" stuttered Madge.
-
-"Are we forlorn enough and sorrowful enough?" asked Nan.
-
-"How do I look?" urged Harry, who stood balanced on the look-out in the
-stiffest of positions.
-
-"Oh, you are all right," Regie answered, collectively; "now, still,
-every one of you."
-
-Trembling with excitement he uncapped the lens, while he counted one,
-two, three, four, which were supposed to cover two seconds in time'; and
-then pop! on went the cap again, but alas! the picture was not taken.
-Rex had forgotten to draw out the slide which would let the picture
-in on the plate; but before he had time to announce his discovery the
-children had abandoned their positions in the boat, and were crowding
-once again around the camera.
-
-Regie hated to acknowledge his carelessness. He was loth to take a
-single step down from the pinnacle on which the children had placed him
-because of his acquaintance with the photographing art, but it had to be
-done.
-
-"You'll all have to go back and be taken over again," he said,
-disconsolately. "I didn't get any picture that time, because I forgot to
-do something I ought to."
-
-The children marched back to the boat, but with faith evidently weakened
-in the real ability of this would-be photographer. It took some time to
-gain the properly forlorn expression and look of general despondency,
-but at last all was in readiness, and the picture was taken.
-
-"Now change your positions and smile like everything," called Rex, "as
-though you saw the steamer that is going to rescue you coming toward
-you, and I'll take the other picture in a jiffy."
-
-The children brisked up and obeyed Regie's orders by grinning from ear
-to ear, with the exception of baby Millie, whom neither petting nor
-teasing could coax into so much as the suggestion of a smile. This
-having your picture taken still seemed to her an uncanny and perilous
-proceeding.
-
-"Say, Rex!" called Nan, in an anxious tone, "the baby won't look
-cheerful. I can't make her smile, no matter what I do." H ere was a real
-difficulty! Rex walked over to the boat to give the matter his personal
-attention.
-
-"Perhaps it's too young a baby to understand that she isn't going to
-be drowned," suggested Madge, who was really quite experienced in the
-matter of babies, having had almost entire charge of Millie from her
-birth.
-
-"Why, of course she is," Nan replied, blaming herself for not having
-thought of this way of solving the problem; "she's hungry and cold
-still, and she shouldn't smile."
-
-So little Miss Millie's downheartedness proved no obstacle after all,
-and Regie soon announced that picture number two was taken. Pell mell
-the children scrambled out of the boat and hurried back to the camera.
-
-"Let's see it, Rex."
-
-"Is it good?" were their exclamations all at once.
-
-"Which is the best?"
-
-"Why, I can't tell you yet," answered Regie, out of patience with such
-ignorance; "don't you know I have to take the plates home before you can
-tell a thing about them, and develop them?"
-
-"Develop?" said Jim Croxson, not having the remotest idea what the word
-might mean; "develop your grandmother! It's my opinion if a fellow had
-taken a picture he'd be glad enough to show it. I don't believe you
-can take 'em at all, and there's no use in wasting any more time in this
-tomfoolery. Come, Croxsies, let's travel home and scare up something to
-eat."
-
-Jim was a ringleader in that family circle, and the younger Croxsons
-took their departure with sullen faces, which looked as though they had
-spent more time in the weary activity of _scaring up_ something to eat,
-than in the more passive and beneficial process of eating. Regie stood
-looking after them.
-
-[Illustration: 0172]
-
-"I call that pretty mean," he said, angrily, "and it shows just how much
-they know about it."
-
-"Mean!" muttered Nan, with her little lips pressed tightly together; "I
-would just like to see that Jim Croxson come up with."
-
-Nan did not know exactly what was involved in this proceeding of being
-"come up with," but she had an idea that it was just about the most
-dreadful thing that could happen to anybody. Harry stood non-committal.
-Of course he thought it was very foolish for the Croxsons to go off like
-that; but he would himself see the thing through before expressing
-an opinion. If Regie said something more was needing to be done, he
-supposed he must believe him; but it certainly seemed, if a picture was
-taken, it was taken, and he ought to be able to show something for it.
-
-"Say, Harry," asked Regie, as they walked home, "isn't there a big dark
-closet up in the attic?"
-
-"Yes, as dark as Egypt."
-
-"Well, then, we'll go up there to develop the pictures. I'd like to have
-you and Nan see me do it. Is the closet large enough for three?"
-
-"Plenty."
-
-"All right then; and will you carry up a bucket of fresh clear water,
-while Nan helps me to get my bottles and trays together?"
-
-Harry's faith began to revive. "Rex does seem to know what he's about,
-after all," he thought.
-
-Coats and hats were punched on to their respective pegs, rather than
-hung up according to rule, and in a few moments Harry, with the bucket
-of water, and Rex and Nan, with their mysterious vials and bottles, met
-in the dark closet. Rex lit his ruby lantern, and then solemnly closed
-the door. Poor little Millie would undoubtedly have been frightened
-to death had she been compelled to be present at this gloomy stage of
-proceedings.
-
-Harry and Nan sat on the floor, with their legs crossed under them,
-tailor-fashion, and with their heads pushed very forward so as not to
-miss anything. Regie sat opposite them, pouring liquids out of bottles,
-measuring them in little glasses, adding water to them, and emptying
-them again into certain square trays, or dishes, in front of him,
-"Now we're ready to begin," he said at last, with the air of a little
-lecturer; "and the first thing to be done is to take the plate out of
-the holder. This is the one on which I took the first picture; but you
-see it looks perfectly white, as though there were no picture at all."
-
-"And is there?" asked Nan, incredulously.
-
-"Of course there is, and you'll see it with your own eyes in a minute.
-First, I have to dust it with this camel's hair brush, for the smallest
-speck would make a little pin hole in the plate; and now watch! I put
-it in this tray; the stuff in here is called the developer, because in a
-few moments it will begin to bring the picture out."
-
-This was always a moment of supreme excitement for Regie. You could
-have heard him panting away through the crack of the closed door.
-The excitement was contagious, and Nan began to pant too. Only Harry
-continued to breathe quite regularly.
-
-"There it comes, there it comes!" Regie cried exultingly. "There's the
-boat, see! and there you are, Nan, and there! the Croxsons are coming
-out;" this in a regretful sort of tone, as though he half repented
-having included such a disagreeable crowd in the picture at all.
-
-Mute with wonder, Harry and Nan looked on. To accomplish such a result
-in such a mysterious way raised Regie in their eyes to the level of
-an actual magician. Yes, there was the whole picture before them. They
-could distinguish it quite distinctly, even by the dim lantern light,
-only everything was reversed; faces were black and coats were white.
-
-"That is the reason they call this a negative," Rex explained; "I think
-it means, not what it ought to be, because when this plate is dry, and
-we lay a piece of sensitised paper against it and put it in the sun, the
-print that comes off on the paper is called a positive; that is, we have
-a proof, a picture, as it ought to be."
-
-"What do you do now?" asked Nan, in an awed whisper.
-
-"Why, now I take it out of the developer and plunge it up and down
-several times in this bucket ol water, to wash the developer off, and
-now I put it in this other tray; there's a solution of soda in here."
-
-"Solution of soda?" thought Harry. "Dear me! Regie does know a lot for a
-boy of his age."
-
-"What does the soda do?" he asked.
-
-"It eats something off the plate, I think," Regie answered, somewhat
-vaguely; "something I believe that ought to come off. And now I wash
-it thoroughly again, and now I put it in this third tray, which has
-a solution of alum in it. The alum gives the plate a good colour. Now
-another good washing and it is finished." All this required much more
-time than it takes to write about it. "As soon as the plate dries we
-can print a proof from it," Rex farther explained, "that is, if the sun
-stays out. Would you like to see me do the other one?"
-
-[Illustration: 0175]
-
-"_Like_ to see you!" said Nan, in a tone as though she wondered if Regie
-could possibly think for one moment that anything could at all compare
-with just this very thing that they were doing.
-
-[Illustration: 0176]
-
-
-
-
-XIX.--HOLIDAYS IN TOWN
-
-
-[Illustration: 9176]
-
-N the summer weather all Moorlow, and indeed all the dwellers along the
-whole length of the shore, would gather in little groups on the beach to
-see the moon rise; but to-night the moon and the waves have the beach
-to themselves, for the ice is several inches thick on the fresh water
-ponds, and the wind is keen and biting.
-
-Straight out of the ocean, with no summer fog to veil her coming, rises
-the great golden moon, and soon she is high enough to send a broad path
-of light shimmering across the water. And now she lights the way for
-Captain Murray's man Joe, trudging home from the village with the mail;
-and now she peers in through the dimity curtains of Nan's pretty room,
-making it bright as the day.
-
-And what does she find there but something that never was there before;
-a bran new little trunk, with N.M. in black letters on the end toward
-the window, and no doubt she wonders if it can be possible that Nan is
-going away; little Nan, who never remembers having slept a night of her
-life out of sound of the sea. Travel on, old Moon, over the roof, until
-you can shine in at Sister Julia's window, and there you will discover
-two other trunks, which are ready for a start on the morrow, for _you_
-should know what every one else already knows--that Rex is going home,
-and Harry and Nan go with him to make a visit. Did you not discover
-as you sailed over the ocean the good ship _Alaska_ drawing nearer and
-nearer, with Regie's papa and mamma on board? And do you not think, with
-your clear light to aid her, she will surely reach port by day after
-to-morrow?
-
-But while we are so foolish as to stand out here in the cold, talking at
-the moon, Joe has reached the house and gone in with the mail, and among
-the other letters is a neat little package for Regie.
-
-[Illustration: 0177]
-
-"Oh, here are the photographs!" he exclaimed; and right away there is
-such a solid little group, bending closely about him, that if it were
-not for the difference in the colour of hair you could hardly have told
-where one head commenced and the other ended. The children had been
-looking anxiously for these photographs for a week.
-
-When Regie found from the proofs that the pictures that he had taken
-were satisfactory, he sent the plates up to New York, by express, to a
-photographer, who was accustomed to print his pictures for him, but he
-had heard nothing from them, and began to think they had gone astray.
-
-It would have done your heart good to have heard Captain Murray's laugh
-as he looked at them. The one where the steamer was supposed to be
-coming to the relief of the shipwrecked mariners was, if possible, the
-funnier of the two. Nan was the only one who had fully entered into the
-spirit of the thing, and really looked as though something joyful
-was about to appear.. The others had smiled, as they were bid, but a
-heartless conventional smile is at the best a sorry affair, and doubly
-so on such pinched little faces as the Croxsons'.
-
-But the pictures, as pictures, were good, and Rex had no need to be
-ashamed of his work. He imagined he could see Papa Fairfax now, and how
-much amused he would be by them.
-
-As this was to be the last of the many happy evenings they had spent
-together in the little cottage, it occurred to Sister Julia that it
-ought to be celebrated in some special way, so she crossed the room and
-whispered to Mrs. Murray. As the result of the whispering Mrs. Murray
-asked the children "what they would say to a candy-pull." Much scurrying
-about on the part of the children, and the delicious odour of boiling
-New Orleans molasses, which presently pervaded the house, showed they
-had said "yes" to the suggestion, and in the heartiest fashion possible.
-
-At eleven o'clock, after enjoying to the full all the fun and
-satisfaction attending a thoroughly successful candy-pull, his little
-Royal Highness and the body-guard retired to rest, or, in less kingly
-English, Rex, Harry, and Nan tumbled into bed; and indeed it was high
-time, if they were to be ready for an early start in the morning.
-
-To Nan and Harry Mr. Fairfax's house in town was a revelation. They
-were fortunate enough to be blessed with a comfortable and pretty
-little home of their own; but here was a home that was vastly more than
-comfortable and pretty. Nan gave vent to her admiration in a succession
-of audible "ohs!" the moment they entered the house, much to the
-amusement of Mrs. Mallory, the old housekeeper, who was glad enough to
-welcome them into the house that had been "such a lonely place without
-Rex and Mr. and Mrs."
-
-[Illustration: 8179]
-
-"You like it, don't you, Nan?" said Regie, beaming proudly.
-
-"It is perfectly beautiful," Nan answered, sinking down into a great
-easy chair, and trying to look everywhere at once. She was not in the
-least overpowered by the new surroundings, only supremely delighted.
-
-"And to think we are to stay a week!" she exclaimed, with a happy sigh.
-
-Harry, of a more enquiring turn of mind, was walking about the parlour,
-gazing up at the pictures, and making so bold as to touch certain little
-ornaments and articles of bric-a-brac to see how they felt.
-
-When Mrs. Mallory had helped the children to lay off their wraps, she
-showed Harry and Nan all through the house, taking as much pleasure in
-their exclamations of wonder and delight as though she herself owned
-everything in it.
-
-Two members of the party from Moorlow did not seem in the least
-overjoyed at their arrival at the house in town. Secured by one leash,
-Hereward and Ned followed Regie obediently enough, for they were too
-well trained to offer any resistance; but if you could have had a word
-with either of the poor fellows they would have told you that life
-at Moorlow was glorious freedom, and life in New York a sadly limited
-affair, with whole days together when they did not have so much as a run
-in the park. So it was not strange that they suffered themselves to be
-led down the kitchen stairs, and out to their kennels in the little city
-yard, without one sign of jubilance over their return. If Mr. Fairfax
-had been on hand to welcome them, no doubt there would have been no end
-of boisterous demonstration, for the joy of seeing their master would
-have eclipsed the thought of how changed their life was to be. Early the
-next morning a telegram from their friend at the Highland Light came,
-addressed to Regie, and announced that the _Alaska_ had been sighted
-from Sandy Hook, and would reach her pier about half-past eight.
-Then there was such a hurry and flurry, for the telegram had not been
-delivered very promptly, and there was no time to spare. Mrs. Mallory
-went flying bare-headed round the corner to order a carriage from
-the livery stable, while Sister Julia and the children ate a hasty
-breakfast.
-
-"Drive as fast as possible, please," said Sister Julia, bundling the
-children into the carriage, and she reached up and dropped something
-into the driver's hand; the only thing, in fact, that ever seems to
-impart any real life to a livery team of horses.
-
-They reached the pier just in time, for the Alaska was so near you could
-almost recognise anyone on board. Realising that they must not lose
-a moment, Sister Julia, with the children following close after her,
-pushed her way as politely as she could through the crowd. Indeed,
-people rather made way for them, for there was that in their eager,
-childish faces which seemed to make everyone feel that they must not be
-disappointed in the matter they had in hand.
-
-As soon as they succeeded in reaching the edge of the wharf, Regie
-discovered Papa and Mamma Fairfax, close to the rail, in the very bow of
-the steamer, and his enthusiasm found vent in a lusty hurrah at the top
-of his lungs, to the general amusement of everyone.
-
-Somehow or other they all managed going home to crowd into the same
-carriage, notwithstanding the wraps and portmanteaus, and then such a
-laughing, chattering party as they were! People on the side walk, and
-people in the street cars, could not keep from smiling as they glanced
-in at the noisy, merry load.
-
-There is no gladness surpassing that of a happy home-coming, after a
-long and distant journey, and it is sad that we so soon settle back into
-the old routine of life and forget how supremely happy we were.
-
-Fortunately for the Fairfax household, just this sort of gladness lasted
-for a whole week. Papa Fairfax went but once to the office, and Mamma
-Fairfax unpacked little beside the Christmas presents. In whole-souled
-fashion they simply gave themselves up to the amusement of the children.
-
-Christmas came midway in the week, and such a Christmas! Nan may live
-to be ninety, but she'll never forget it, and Harry may grow to be a man
-with all sorts of cares and responsibilities, but he'll never forget it.
-Indeed, these two little people had so many treasures thrust upon them,
-that Mr. Fairfax thought best to make them a present of an extra trunk,
-in which to carry home their booty.
-
-"All hands" were constantly on the go--morning, noon, and night I was
-going to say, for each day Mr. Fairfax planned some fine sight-seeing
-scheme, and every afternoon they "topped off" with an invigorating
-sleigh ride.
-
-It was an ideal Christmas week, with a heavy fall of snow preceding it'
-and clear, cold weather that kept the sleighing in perfect condition
-until its close, and for many days after.
-
-There was not a prettier turn out in the park than Mr. Fairfax's Russian
-sleigh with its red plumes and black horses, and many a one turned and
-gazed at the merry load as it passed.
-
-"That's the foinest paarty what sleigh-roides in this park," said a
-burly Irishman to one of his brother policemen, as they jingled merrily
-by on the day after Christmas; and, for one, I think he was quite right
-in the matter.
-
-Mrs. Fairfax and Harry and Regie were on the back seat enveloped in a
-great white bearskin robe. It was Nan's turn to ride in front with
-Mr. Fairfax, and there she sat, a charming embodiment of serene
-satisfaction.
-
-[Illustration: 9182]
-
-I think even Mrs. Murray would hardly have recognised her own little Nan
-in an otter-trimmed dark-red coat, with an otter cap and muff to match.
-Mrs. Fairfax had bought the pretty outfit for her in Paris, and it was
-wonderfully becoming. Indeed, I believe there was a touch of pride in
-her bright little smile this morning, but I guess we can forgive it, if
-the head of this little Moorlow maiden was a trifle turned by the joyous
-experience of a happy week in New York at the gayest time of the year.
-Remember, too, that she had been the owner of this beautiful coat
-scarcely twenty-four hours, and I think you will admit her to be made of
-different stuff from other little maidens did she not feel considerably
-elated by it. But Nan is not vain by nature, and never you fear but that
-she will go back to Moorlow the same dear child that she left it.
-
-At the upper end of the park Mr. Fairfax met two old bachelor friends
-driving in a low cutter, whereupon the whole sleigh-full favoured them
-with the most smiling and cordial of bows. Harry and Regie were too fond
-of the accomplishment of gallantly touching their hats to lose a single
-opportunity, and Nan "was not going to sit stiff and straight as though
-she did not know anybody."
-
-"Fairfax seems to get more out of life than any fellow I know," remarked
-one of the old bachelors; "and he's a good sight better-looking than he
-used to be. I wonder how it is?"
-
-"Well, I'll tell you how it is," answered the other; "he's a deal
-happier than he used to be. They say his wife's a real treasure. I
-suppose that sort of thing goes a long way toward making a fellow get
-a good deal out of life. Then Fairfax has told me himself how much they
-enjoy that boy of theirs, and they ought to. It was a mighty kind thing
-to do. You know they did not have any children of their own, so they
-adopted that youngster of Will Reginald's."
-
-"Yes, I know," replied Bachelor No. 1.; "but who are the other two
-children?"
-
-"Why, I heard at the club last night that they are a pair of French
-orphans that they picked up in Paris. They have just returned from
-abroad, you know. I wonder where they'll stop; they seem to have a
-passion for adopting."
-
-Surely the merry party in the Russian sleigh would have laughed harder
-than ever could they have heard all this.
-
-A pair of French orphans indeed! Nan and Harry Murray; whose every look
-and accent betrayed them such thoroughgoing little Americans, and for
-whose home-coming a father and mother were waiting so impatiently. But
-that's about as straight as the world often gets things.
-
-[Illustration: 5183]
-
-[Illustration: 0184]
-
-
-
-
-XX.--IN MR. VALES CHURCH
-
-
-[Illustration: 9184]
-
-S soon as Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax returned Sister Julia went back to her
-work at the great hospital. Mrs. Fairfax begged her to stay through the
-holidays, and the children coaxed and coaxed, but to no avail, for she
-knew that "little lame Madeline," as every one called her, was longing
-for her to come. Madeline had been in the hospital once before, and for
-almost a year, but now she had come back to stay. The doctors said she
-would never be able to leave it again, nor would she be there very
-long. The best of care and kindest of nursing must soon fail to cage the
-little spirit in any house that human hands had made.
-
-"I can understand how you feel that you must go," Mrs. Fairfax had said
-to Sister Julia at the close of a long talk they had been having about
-it; "but it does seem too bad that you should take up your hospital work
-again without having had a vacation."
-
-"Vacation!" laughed Sister Julia. "Why, I have just come home from the
-happiest vacation of my life!"
-
-"But you were at work all the time caring for Reginald, teaching the
-children, and, hardest of all, tending those poor wrecked sailors.''
-
-"Yes, but it was all a pleasure. Every day I was breathing that strong
-salt air, and taking long strolls on the beach. To have chosen your life
-work, and to feel yourself hour by hour gaining strength and health
-that enables you to keep cheerily and steadily at it, why, there is
-no happiness for me, Mrs. Fairfax, that at all compares with that; and
-while that state of things continues, no idle vacation, if you please. I
-should be half miserable all the time."
-
-Mrs. Fairfax knew that Sister Julia was right in the matter, and bade
-her good-bye and God-speed with tears in her eyes, but they were tears
-of loving appreciation, and not because she did not expect to see Sister
-Julia soon again. Indeed, it had been arranged that she should come down
-from the hospital the very next Sunday, and go with the children to the
-afternoon service at Mr. Vale's church.
-
-[Illustration: 0185]
-
-Sunday came--a clear, cold Sunday, and little Nan woke and gave a sigh
-as she looked about the little room that had been hers for a week. It
-was a beautiful room. She was lying in the shiniest of little brass
-bedsteads, and there were lovely pictures on the walls, and pretty
-things of one sort or another on every side.
-
-"Dear me!" she thought, a little regretfully; "only one more night, and
-we must go home," but at the same time that one word _home_ sent a glad
-little thrill through her heart. She felt sure that, after all, she
-would not exchange her own little room, with its wide-reaching view
-skyward, and landward, and seaward, for the finest room in the city,
-overlooking only a narrow street, and dreary stone walls and pavements;
-besides, though everyone had been so kind, and she loved them all
-dearly, it would be nice to curl up in her own mother's arms again, for
-even an eight-year-old little woman sometimes clings tenderly to certain
-comforts and luxuries of babyhood.
-
-Sister Julia came at a quarter of four, and found the children eagerly
-waiting for her. As they walked down Fifth Avenue people looked with
-considerable interest at the sweet-faced woman, whose dress betrayed
-her a member of a sisterhood, and at the three children, who kept up a
-constant exchange of the place of honour, which consisted in being close
-to Sister Julia, on one side or the other, where they could have the
-privilege of clasping whichever hand was in best condition to forego the
-comfort of her muff.
-
-There was nothing connected with this visit to which Nan and Harry had
-looked forward with more pleasure than to seeing Mr. Vale's church, and
-hearing him preach; and with beaming faces they followed Rex to the pew
-which they were to have quite to themselves, for Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax
-had gone to spend the afternoon with Grandma Fairfax, in Brooklyn.
-
-"I think the church is beautiful," whispered Nan to Sister Julia.
-
-"I knew you would like it," Sister Julia whispered back.
-
-"The stained-glass windows are lovely, with the light coming through
-them."
-
-"Yes," answered Sister Julia, for she did not fancy prolonged
-conversations in church.
-
-"Must have cost a lot," Harry remarked to Regie, after staring all about
-him, and turning his body from side to side, in a take-everything-in
-sort of fashion.
-
-"Yes, it did," Regie replied; "Mr. Vale thought the rich men ought to
-make it as beautiful as their homes."
-
-"Who do you have to blow your organ, a man or a boy?"
-
-"It's run by water-power, you goosie."
-
-"What do you mean by that?" Harry asked, with knitted eyebrows.
-
-"I would rather you would not talk any more now," Sister Julia
-interrupted, for she could see that the children's stage whispers were
-audible several pews away.
-
-They were quite willing to be silent, however, for Mr. Vale had come
-into the chancel, and they felt themselves on their good behaviour;
-beside, they were too much interested in his every gesture to have eyes
-or ears for aught else. Indeed, Nan was by nature a most devout little
-worshipper. She loved everything connected with the service. Long before
-she knew one letter from another she had her own little prayerbook
-in the chapel at Moorlow, and would turn from page to page, as though
-perfectly familiar with the order, and during the responses she would
-emit certain audible little sounds, which greatly amused other children
-near her, and yet, to her little ladyship, were perfectly satisfactory.
-But she entered even more heartily into this afternoon's service than
-ever before.
-
-Mr. Vale's earnest spirit seemed always to pervade the whole
-congregation worshipping in the old Tower Church. They knew he never
-preached a word which he did not faithfully strive to practise, and even
-little folk feel the power of a consistent life, before ever they can
-tell what the power is or why they feel it. There was much in this
-afternoon's sermon that the children could understand, and only once
-was Nan's attention distracted; that was when a restless little
-five-year-old, who sat before them, having disappeared for several
-seconds in the bottom of the pew, suddenly popped up again, dangling her
-button-boots and stockings over the back of the seat.
-
-[Illustration: 0188]
-
-Harry and Rex clapped their hands over their mouths to keep from
-laughing outright. Nan smiled, and touched Sister Julia, who leaned
-forward and succeeded in inducing her to quietly put them on again. That
-was the first the little witch's father knew of the transaction, for he
-had been listening intently to the sermon; but he looked gratefully at
-Sister Julia when he saw what she had done, and shook his head, as much
-as to say, "She is a most unruly little maiden."
-
-After this performance the child leaned her head against the back of the
-pew, and became absorbed in a study of the stained-glass window over the
-chancel. No wonder it attracted her childish gaze. At the beginning
-of the service the light had fallen upon it from without, but now the
-wintry twilight was gathering fast, and the rims of brass in which the
-discs of glass were set were brilliantly flashing from the glow of
-the gas-jets. Ere long the service is over, and people are leaving the
-church. Reluctant to go, the children linger a moment in the pew, and
-fortunately too, for Ole, the old Norwegian sexton, is elbowing his
-way toward them, with a message from Mr. Vale. Quite out of breath he
-reaches them, explaining that "Mr. Vale would like to have the children
-come up to the study, and that he said he would see them safely home if
-Sister Julia must hurry back to the hospital."
-
-Harry and Nan give Sister Julia a good-bye hug, "real hard," for they
-will not see her again before going home to Moorlow to-morrow; and then
-with happy hearts they follow Ole up the winding stairs that lead to the
-study.
-
-[Illustration: 5189]
-
-[Illustration: 0190]
-
-
-
-
-XXI.--IN MR. VALE'S STUDY
-
-
-[Illustration: 9190]
-
-R. VALE was waiting for the children, holding the study door wide open
-to light them up the stairway.
-
-"Come right in," he said; "I am proud to have my first visit from my
-little Moorlow friends;" then turning to the sexton, he added, "We may
-be here for some time, Ole, and if you wait for us, it will make you
-late for your supper, so bring me the keys of the church when you are
-ready to go, and I'll take them home with me to-night."
-
-Ole, looking grateful for this thoughtful suggestion, trudged downstairs
-again, and the children walked into the room. Regie had been there
-several times before, but even to him it never looked so cosy as
-to-night. There was a bright fire on the hearth; Ole had been watching
-and stirring it up, for Mr. Vale had told him he expected to entertain
-some little folks after service. A cheery lamp was lit on the study
-table, as by this time it was quite dark out of doors, and near it some
-loving member of the congregation had placed a vase, full of beautiful
-roses. On one side of the room were tall book-cases, reaching to
-the ceiling, and on the Other three sides hung quaint old-fashioned
-portraits of some of the former rectors of the parish.
-
-As soon as Nan heard Mr. Vale tell Ole that they would probably be there
-for some time, she quietly walked over to one corner, took off her hat
-and cloak, and carefully and smoothly laid them across a chair.
-
-"Why, Nan child, who asked you to take off your things?" exclaimed
-Harry.
-
-"Mr. Vale said we were to stay some time," Nan replied, not at all
-disturbed; "and I think it seems cosier to take off your things."
-
-"I quite agree with you," said Mr. Vale, heartily; "and these young
-gentlemen cannot do better than to follow your example, for we are going
-to draw up to the fire and have a good talk."
-
-So Harry and Regie, nothing loath, slipped out of their overcoats, and
-the little party gathered about the fire, the boys seated on either side
-of Mr. Vale's easy chair and Nan on his knee.
-
-"Well, what did you think of the service?" he asked, taking Nan's little
-hand in his. "I know you could not have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed
-looking into the upturned faces of my little Moorlow friends. It seemed
-as though you sort of belonged to my congregation, and ought to be there
-always.
-
-"I wish we could," sighed Nan, shaking her head thoughtfully. "I knew
-all the time you must be a lovely preacher, and really I think you are
-the nicest minister there is."
-
-"Why, so does everybody with any sense that ever heard him"' said Regie,
-and in a tone as though there could not be the slightest doubt on that
-question.
-
-"Oh, Rex! you are a good friend of mine," laughed Mr. Vale,
-affectionately, laying his hand over on Regie's knee.
-
-"You love children, don't you, Mr. Vale?" remarked Harry, demurely, as
-though he had just made the discovery.
-
-"Yes, indeed, Harry, and I hardly see how the old world could get along
-for a single day without them."
-
-"I suppose you love 'em all alike, all the little children you know?" Nan
-said, rather regretfully.
-
-"Do you think I ought to, Nan?"
-
-"No, I guess not. I would like it better if you didn't; if you loved
-some of your little friends more than others."
-
-"Why, what difference would it make to you?"
-
-Nan hung her head and looked a little embarrassed.
-
-"I think I know what she means," Harry said, slowly, who, by a glance
-toward Mr. Vale, had asked permission to turn the back log, and was at
-work with the tongs; "I think she means that she'd like to feel sure
-_she_ was one of those you loved the most. Nan's kind of jealous
-sometimes."
-
-"Well, I'm only jealous about nice things, any way, Harry Murray," and
-Nan sat bolt upright again; "I do not wish I had other boys' tops and
-marbles the way you do."
-
-Harry was on the point of framing a quick retort, but he checked
-himself. He really was trying to be less of a tease, as far as Nan was
-concerned. Mr. Vale was the only one who noticed this little act of
-self-control.
-
-"Good for you, Harry!" he exclaimed, "keep that sort of thing up, and I
-have no fears for the sort of man you'll make."
-
-"Keep what sort of thing up?"
-
-Regie and Nan looked at each other rather mystified, and Nan was very
-uncomfortable; besides, she did not enjoy the novel sensation of having
-had the last word, and she did wish Mr. Vale had not heard her speak
-that way to Harry. She wondered if he thought she was a regular little
-heathen.
-
-"Keep what sort of thing up, Mr. Vale?" asked Regie, after a pause.
-
-"Why, self-control, Rex. You see that remark of Nan's about tops and
-marbles made Harry feel like speaking back pretty sharply: so much like
-it that I fairly saw the words shaping themselves on his lips, but you
-did not hear them spoken, did you, Nan?"
-
-"No," Nan confessed.
-
-But if you had looked Harry's way just then you would have seen a queer
-little smile instead, which seemed to say, "Why, Nan's such a dear
-little thing I ought not to mind what she says."
-
-"Well, that's just exactly what I was thinking," said Harry, astonished
-at Mr. Vale's power to read his thoughts.
-
-"It was not very nice for me to tell that about the tops and marbles,"
-Nan remarked, slowly. .
-
-"And it was not nice at all," said Harry, "for me to say that you were
-jealous sometimes."
-
-[Illustration: 0193]
-
-"But I am," Nan truthfully admitted; "I know that well enough, only I do
-not like to be told about it."
-
-"Of course you don't, Nan," and Mr. Vale drew the honest little, maiden
-nearer to him. "Of course you don't, few of us like to be told of our
-faults; but we ought to like it, for often it would be the very best
-thing that could happen to us. Perhaps we should not go on making the
-same errors over and over again if somebody would tell us about them,
-and we could take the telling kindly."
-
-"Mr. Vale," said Rex, who had been sitting thoughtful and silent for
-some time, "were you just a regular little boy?"
-
-"Very irregular sometimes, I fear, only I don't quite know what you
-mean, Rex."
-
-"Why, you see, I would like to be like you when I grow up; but I'm
-afraid I'm too different at the start. I mean did you use to be like
-other boys and me? Did you often get angry and speak back?"
-
-"Yes, often; and in the sense that you mean I was indeed a regular boy;
-and do you think I never get angry now, Rex?"
-
-"Perhaps you do now and then, but not often, I warrant, and when you do
-you keep it under."
-
-"Keeping under is very hard work," sighed Nan, as though she had a world
-of experience in that direction.
-
-"Keeping under is only another name for self-control, you know. And now,
-Nan," added Mr. Vale, "I am ready to answer your question, and to tell
-you that I do not love all the children I know alike by any manner of
-means. I love them in a dozen different ways. You see no thoughtful man
-grows to be as old as I am without wondering, whenever he looks into a
-little face, what sort of man or woman its owner will make. And so if I
-can I watch the little life closely, and after a while I see good traits
-and bad traits cropping out here and there, all in the veriest tangle;
-and by-and-bye, when I see the good traits growing faster and faster,
-I love that little life very hopefully and joyfully. Then suppose in
-another little life I see the evil things choking the good things, I
-love that little life very sadly and fearfully; or if I cannot make out
-which is getting the upper hand, I love it very anxiously; and so you
-see I do not love my little friends alike by any means. Now there you
-have had two sermons, one in the church, and one here in the study, and
-that is enough for one afternoon. Suppose you go to my table drawer,
-Nan, and see what you find."
-
-Nan quickly slipped from his knee and pulled out the drawer.
-
-"Three little boxes," she exclaimed, with delight.
-
-"And what is written on them?"
-
-How could she tell, this lazy little learner, who only lately had
-mastered plain printed' letters? With a shy, half-apologetic look she
-placed them in Mr. Vale's hand.
-
-"Regie, Harry, Nan," he read, handing each a box. Of course it was
-a present. With beaming faces they unwrapped them, and in each lay a
-square-edged, plain gold ring, with four old English C's engraved on the
-outside.
-
-"One for each of us?" cried Nan, not knowing what else to say.
-
-"Of course," said Mr. Vale; "I didn't see how I could make one ring do
-for three people, or I would, you know, for the sake of economy."
-
-"And what are the C's for?"
-
-"To help your growing up," Mr. Vale replied, and Nan looked a little
-mystified.
-
-"Of course they stand for something," remarked Harry.
-
-"Certainly, and for what do you think?"
-
-"I shouldn't wonder if they stood for _control_ every time," said Regie,
-with their recent conversation fresh in his mind.
-
-"Not a bad idea," answered Mr. Vale, "and we'll let them stand for that
-altogether; but separately they are intended to stand for these four
-words, _Charitable, Cheerful, Courteous, Consistent_. Those are pretty
-big words for Nan, but I should not wonder if she understands them after
-a fashion."
-
-"Yes," said Nan, with much dignity, for with the exception of the last
-word, _Consistent_, they all did convey to her a more or less definite
-meaning.
-
-"I would like you to look up the exact definition of the words in the
-dictionary," added Mr. Vale, "and then I believe when you happen to look
-down on the four C's you will remember what they stand for, and that
-they will help you to build up the finest sort of a character. Now
-I propose that we do not tell anybody what those four C's stand for,
-keeping it for a little secret among ourselves."
-
-"I would like just to tell Sister Julia," said Nan, "but, oh, dear me! I
-forgot I shall never see her again, perhaps."
-
-"Why, of course you'll see her again," answered Regie; "don't you know
-that you and Harry are going to make me a visit every winter, and that I
-am coming to Moorlow for a while every summer? Why, I love every foot of
-the beach and the bluff from your house to the Life-saving Station."
-
-"But, Mr. Vale, Regie can tell Sister Julia, can't he?" asked Nan; "she
-would love to know about them."
-
-"Yes; and I think he might tell Papa and Mamma Fairfax, and Harry and
-Nan, Papa and Mamma Murray; but besides those five people I think it
-would be better not to tell anybody."
-
-"So do I," said Regie, warmly; "if you told about them, other fellows
-might think you were setting yourself up to be sort of extra good, and
-they wouldn't understand."
-
-"Exactly," Mr. Vale answered, "and so you see it will be wiser to keep
-the matter to ourselves, only I shall expect you to candidly report to
-me, once in a while, if you really are remembering to give those four
-adjectives a large place in your life."
-
-"It was very, very kind of you to think of these pretty rings for a New
-Year present," said Nan, after a pause.
-
-"And we're very much obliged, Mr. Vale," chimed in Harry and Regie; but
-the children's glowing faces showed deeper and more earnest thanks than
-could find their way into spoken words. Mr. Vale glanced toward the
-clock.
-
-"I am afraid we must think about going," he said, "or they may think I
-have smothered you here in my study, like the poor little princes in the
-Tower."
-
-"I wish we could stop in the church a moment and have a look at that
-organ," suggested Harry; "I never saw one that was run by water-power."
-
-"We will then," answered Mr. Vale, "only hurry into your overcoats so
-that we shall not lose any time."
-
-In a minute the little folk were ready, and each of the three gold rings
-was under cover of a warm silk mitten.
-
-It was quite dark in the church, so that they took hold of hands as they
-did that morning on the beach, and Mr. Vale led the way down the aisle
-to the choir-loft at the rear. When they reached the vestibule he went
-ahead and lit three or four burners, and the children followed him into
-a little room underneath the organ. Part of the machinery was here, and
-in a quick, clear manner, Mr. Vale explained its workings; then they
-went up into the choir itself to see the wonderful keyboard and pedals.
-
-"Couldn't you play just one tune?" Nan asked, so beseechingly that Mr.
-Vale could not refuse the last request that he should probably hear for
-many a day from her little lips, so he whipped off his gloves and sat
-down on the high bench.
-
-[Illustration: 0197]
-
-Mr. Vale loved nothing better than to play on that grand sweet organ,
-and to-night with those rapt little faces looking up to his he seemed
-fairly inspired. Without break or pause he glided from one sweet, solemn
-air to another, till suddenly realizing how late it was he began to play
-the German Evening Hymn, the one that Regie had sung at the Thanksgiving
-dinner at Moorlow. Regie took the hint, and straightway the sweet words
-rang out in his earnest, boyish voice, and so clearly, you could have
-heard each syllable in the farthest, darkest corner of the church. When
-he came to the verse--=
-
-```"Let my near and dear ones be
-
-```Ever near and dear to Thee;
-
-```Oh, bring me and all I love
-
-```To Thy happy home above,"=
-
-he sang it with even a more intense earnestness, so that one could
-easily guess his thoughts.
-
-Surely Harry and Nan were among Regie's "dear ones," and since they
-might not always be near to him, he threw his soul into the prayer, that
-they might always be near and dear to the Heavenly Father.
-
-Another moment and the church was utterly dark again, there was the
-sound of the closing of a heavy door and the turning of a ponderous key
-in its lock; then all was still. Out in the wintry twilight four friends
-were walking homeward side by side, home through the frosty air; walking
-briskly, and yet with hearts a little heavy, for three happy months were
-at an end, and a little King and a faithful body-guard must part company
-on the morrow.
-
-[Illustration: 5198]
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of His Little Royal Highness, by Ruth Ogden
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