IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // M< / r of Vei.i;^ W.i;t.,tri »■ ...,,.11..,, .J 1 lit: Irtpi,' ('' •h I" n,) (!rp;im. - " catch (be gioain Of heaven iii the stDt'e ' Oi.,.- foii „H,st tend to icat-i: the hotter Jiie 31 -.8 ^■'•^■i'\ Vc ^^:^C w V. )'< T O V ?"> I.OTHROP COMPANY / wp-mmm ■^^ ":Wf^^:p ^K^i****'' HERBERT GARDENELL'S CHILDREN MRS S' RjfeRAHAM CLARK Author of Yensie Walton Ven.ie Walton's Womanhood Achor The Triple E ■lid others " It is no dream, No castle-buildiiiK time, that we call life, To catch the gleam Of heaven in the strife, Our toil must tend to reach the better life." BOSTON D LOTHROP COMPANY FRANKLIN AND HAWLEY STREETS W' "^ "v^i ^ >t \ CorvmoHTi 1888 BY D. LOTHROF CoMPAHTf. ^ .^ 4. ^. t TO £. G. C. MY "ONE CHOICE GIRLIE" THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED BV MOTHER S. R. G. C. i CONTENTS. ClIAPTBR Paoi I. Onf choice girlie 7 11. A minister's daughter, too 20 III. In disgrace again 3' IV. Under the white flag . 4« V. Tommy 56 VI. Hardly good enough to die ^ fOUN a 73 VII. Miss Olive's request 83 VIII. A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT 91 IX. A LITTLE ADVOCATE . 107 X. Perhaps "3 XI. Trying to be good '3* XII. Trying to fly . •47 XIII. At Bloomingle . I6s XIV. In Thee we trust 180 XV. The danger past 198 XVI. Better and worse 207 XVII. An urgent appeal 219 XVIII. An instrument for good 234 XIX. "Time flies I" .... 244 XX. The darky sailor-boy 261 XXI. Holding to the promise . 268 XXII. Cause for rejoicing . 280 XXIII. Conscience fully roused 291 XXIV. A worthy resume . 30s k I ■^n .. \ HERBERT GARDENELL'S CHILDREN. CHAPTER I. ONE CHOICE GIRLIE. A merry little maiden fair, With sky-blue eyes and sunlit hair, A laughing, dancing, merry sprite Whose funny views of wrong and right Get tangled quite. Ethelyn G . A KNOCK at the saidy door. Papa thought -tV he recognizee' it, but he must be mis- taken ; it was after school time. He was not, however, for at his pleasant "Come!" there appeared the rosiest of young faces peeping out of the brownest of brown hoods, and his one choice girlie said gaily, — " Please, papa dear, write me an excuse .' " "An excuse!" echoed papa, consulting his watch. "Why, Birdie, it is a quarter-past nine. What have you been doing .? " 7 X 8 ONE CHOICE GIRLIE. "Coasting." And the little lady advanced to the desk, and the chair always standing beside it. "Do hurry, papa, please." "Coasting, and forgot all about school! Is that excusable .? Ought I to put a premium on your heedlessness, Olive? Did you not hear the bell .' " "Yes, sir." "And did not heed it!" Papa Gardenell looked very grave. "My darling, you know I cannot write you an excuse under such circum- stances ; it is inexcusable." " No, papa," coaxingly, " no. Little girls ought to exercise ; it is good for them. You told me yourself, papa dear, that I must take a half-hour's sliding every morning while it lasted. You said I would study better for it." " Certainly, darling ; but " — " Papa," interrupted Olive, " I had to take fif- teen minutes of school time or fall that much short of the half-hour you ordered." A faint smile quivered about the gentleman's I ONE CHOICE GIRLIE. Ivanced to ing beside :hool ! Is emium on it hear the Gardenell u know I :h circum- ttle girls em. You ist take a ; it lasted. take fif- hat much ntleman's lips. " I think I did not make a law about your sliding, Olive," he answered. "I could not teach you to please yourself, even in so laudable a way, by stealing fifteen minutes of school time." "But, papa, some one .stole fifteen minutes of my sliding time, and " — "Suffering wrong gives license for wrong- doing; theft in another excuses theft in my girlie. What logic! Daughter, who cheated you out of fifteen minutes this morning.'" "Why, you did, papa," opening wide her large eyes. "Don't you 'member we waited fifteen whole minutes for prayers .' " Then he was the culprit his small daughter was arraigning for trial. The smile on Mr. Gar- denell's lips deepened. "Then you think me responsible for your delinquency this morning, Olive > " he questioned. "Why, yes, papa, don't you.? You told me yourself little girls needed out-door exercise as much as boys, and you wished me to take a half- 10 ONE CHOICE GIRLIE. hour every morning. Then if you cheated me out of fifteen minutes I had to make it up." Papa's eyes were very uncomfortable; Olive's slowly dropped. "Do you really think you have taken the spirit of my ommand, little daughter, or only the letter.^" he asked gravely. Then proceed- ing: "Mr. Sheaves called to consult me on a very important question that would bear no delay. My time is not my own, but the Lord's, and he wished Mr. Sheaves to have it just then. Apply this rule to yourself. Was that fifteen minutes after nine my daughter's or not.? Had she a right to do with it as she pleased } " Olive was silent, and her father continued, "I think you have only cheated yourself, littli girlie. Your body would not have suffered for the loss of that fifteen minutes of exercise." "And I'm sure my brain won't," half-laughed the naughty child. "Papa, they don't do a thing but read the Bible and pray and sing the ■hi ONE CHOICE GIRLIE. II cheated me it up." 3le; Olive's taken the er, or only n proceed- t me on a 1 bear no he Lord's, ve it just Was that jhter's or it as she :ontinued, self, little ffered for cise." f-laughed n't do a sing the first fifteen minutes of school. I sha'n't miss that ; I get lots of it at home." Mr. Gardenell sighed, and dropped his head on his hand a minute. "Papa," — a little impatiently — " papa, I'm being cheated out of lots more time. Please give me my note and let me go." "You think I ought to write you this billet, Olive .? " he asked, looking into her face. "Yes, papa, I do ; I really and truly do. I meant to be honest with myself and make up the time some one took from me, and fifteen minutes of sliding seems 'zactly as good to me as fifteen minutes of school." Mr. Gardenell took his pen and a slip of paper. As he wrote he said : " With me, Olive, this does not excuse your conduct; I feel yoj were wrong. Nevertheless, as you hold me responsible, I yield in so far: you had an opportunity this morning, and lost it. Fifteen minutes for pleasure or duty, which.? I fear you have forfeited both." 12 ONE CHOICE GIRLIE. "Why, no, papa, I made up the fun." "And have it to remember," he replied gravely, passing her the note. " Now, daughter, I have pleased you ; can you do as much for me ? Promise me to think this matter over carefully and decide if you can ever again, under any circumstances, afford to sacrifice duty to pleas- ure. If you have been wrong, will you come and acknowledge it ? In any case, will you tell me what decision you reach ? " "I will," replied the little girl in a tone almost as grave as her father's. She took the billet and walked to the door, then hesitated, came back to his side, stooped, .nd kissed the "pucker" between his eyes. " You are just as good as gooder, papa," she said almost penitently, and very seriously, " but you're not a bit logical. God meant you for a minister and nothing else." Then Herbert Gardenell threw himself back in his chair and laughed heartily, and his daugh- ter r:.n away apparently satisfied since she had ONE CHOICE GIRLIE, 13 jn. he replied w, daughter, uch for me? /er carefully , under any ity to pleas- 1 you come will you tell in a tone le took the I hesitated, kissed the papa," she jusly, "but t you for a nself back his daugh- e she had banished from his face, for the time, the " Look of Fate," as she called that grave, keen, search- ing glance that always brought her to reflection and obedience. But papa's laugh was followed by a fervent prayer. This precious little daughter, his only girlie, was a source of almost unmixed joy to her father. Keen, quick, full of life and fun, alive to everything about her, strong in her likes and dislikes, affectionate yet willful and out-spoken, he saw in her the making of a grand woman, and in his soul he had no doubt she would be such. Her little spurts of temper, liability to "scrapes," to quote her brother, did not trouble him as they might some less hope- ful man. His children were the Lord's, dedi- cated to him from their birth, accepted of him in the promise he believed, and an assurance akin to knowledge kept his heart continually. Some day he would know them servants of his King ; to-day he knew them as children full of foibles and faults, to be loved, hoped for, J5 — I -,./»-.■ -*_Jtt* *a:.'y:aagiJTr— • li i " "Better be ashamed yourself, Olive Gardenell fighting in the street like a tomboy, and your father a minister, too," answered her wriggling prisoner. ^ "Of course he's a min'ster, and b'lieves in equal rights, and so do I, and we'll have them. lih il ■ 1 '^ J 22 A minister's DAIGHTER, TOO. too. Oh ! there is Ray. — Ray, Ray," cried the child in evident relief at sight of her brother. "Olive!" The little girl started and turned to meet the grave, troubled, yet curiously amused glance of a gentleman who stood on the sidewalk near. " O, papa ! you're just in time ; if you only would help Steve whip this cowardly boy who has been bullying and calling him names." But the relaxed hold of both his antagonists at once had released the culprit, who bounded away at sight of the new presence. Herbert Gardenell straightened the hood over his daughter's curls, re-arranged her cloak and scarf and took one hand firmly in his before he said one word. "Stevie," smiling kindly, "words never hurt manly boys if they are undeserved. You've got courage enough to meet harder things than have come to-day, if you ask help from the dear Helper. Ybu know what was written of him, our Jesus? 'When he was reviled, he reviled 1 r V g d rr R lo M th( de< I • cried the brother, .nd turned curiously ood on the F you only y boy who nes." antagonists 10 bounded t hood over • cloak and i before he never hurt You've got hings than )m the dear Len of him, , he reviled A minister's daughter, too. 23 not again.' He left us an example that we should follow his steps. Don't let this little daughter of mine lead you to forget " He pressed the boy's hand and smiled again into the flushed, shamed face, then turned home- ward. Ray, who had taken the situation in at a glance, sped home another road, and Olive walked alone with her papa. The clasp on her hand was very firm ; as if there was danger she might slip away; his face was grave, but not vexed, and every few moments he realized the glance his little daughter gave him. "I declare, it's a pity Mr. Gardenell's only daughter should be such a hoyden, and her mother such a lady, too," sighed the elder Miss Ralison, glancing from her window, which over- looked the affray, " What has the child been doing now } " queried Miss Jennie, the mild-faced, fair-haired sister of the speaker, who had just entered the room. "Been fighting right in the str^.t here I declare, it is disgraceful, and her father a minis- ^1 I ■ , i- ': I I Ij 24 A MINISTER S DAUGHTER, TOO. ter, too. I'm glad it was back here close to the schoolhouse, where most folks wouldn't see it and make remarks. Mr. Gardenell just came along in time, or dear knows what it would have grown to. She actually had that Howard boy in her arms, and he couldn't get away either, and there she held him for Stevie Mellen to pound." " Like as not the dear child was only taking the part of the small dog in the fight, Johanna. That's human nature, you know, and I've noticed that Warren Howard puts upon that poor little Steve all the time. I'd like to whip him myself sometimes." "You! Jennie Ralison ! " with a significant sniff. " Well, dear child or not, I pity her pa- rents. Poor Mr. Gardenell ! " Poor Mr. Gardenell meanwhile was puzzling himself as to how he should properly deal with his child. Miss Johanna would have taken her to the study, lectured, whipped her, and set her to learning the catechism, no doubt. He knew ir 0. lose to the n't see it just came rou\d have oward boy iray either, Mellen to inly taking :, Johanna, 've noticed poor little lim myself significant ity her pa- s puzzling { deal with taken her tid set her He knew A minister's daughter, too. 25 I quite well, as Miss Jennie had conjectured, that all this mischief had arisen from the warm heart of his impulsive daughter. Every time he re- called her flying hair, excited face and words as he turned the corner and beheld her, Warren Howard in her arms, stanching his blood with one hand, while with the other she held him for the descending blows, he found himself longing to yield to the ludicrousness of the scene and laugh heartily. So as he perceived the contin- ued shy glances into his face he gave the little palm in his a reassuring pressure. " You are not angry with me, are you, papa.;»" came as the result of this kindness. "No, darling; I am only puzzled and grieved. I am wondering must I get you a straight-jacket or a suit of boy's clothes -confine you alto- gether, or give up my hope of a dear little woman and settle down to five boys." " O, papa ! " such a doleful little voice. "You see mamma is so beautiful, so satisfy- ing," continued the gentleman, unheeding her Fr= V ; i 26 A minister's daughter, too. sigh, "I've been expecting such an unspeakable comfort in having her counterpart. Two such in one house is too much good ; I ought to have known better." Again that doleful little " O, papa ! " " Still I'm not easily turned from a purpose or a desire," pursued Mr. Gardenell ; " I shall fight hard and pray harder for my little woman before I give her up." "O, papa ! " but it was with a sob now, and it was well they had reached their own door and papa could take the little limp bundle into his strong arms and carry it safely to his study out of the sight of any one but himself. "I al-ways — for-get," sobbed the child, as he gently loosened her wraps and laid her on the low couch. " I'm born wrong ; I was meant for a boy, I most know. I'm nothing but — but — a dis-comfort-able — un-sat-is-faction, and you'd better be rid of me." Then papa broke out long and loud into the laugh so far restrained, and caught the bundle I t d e n fi St gj A minister's daughter, too. V nspeakable Two such ht to have purpose or shall fight »an before 3w, and it door and i into his study out lild, as he !r on the neant for — but — nd you'd into the e bundle up in his arms, declaring he wouldn't know how to get along without his "discomfortable unsat- isfaction," and hadn't the least idea who would rid him of her if he did. But after awhile, after the little heart had stopped grieving so sorely, they had a long talk together, when her motive received all the praise its due, and her manner of helping her little mate had all its unbeauty and inexpediency exposed "I will try hard to do better." she said hum- bly, "but please, papa, don't 'spect anything, for then you won't be disappointed ; and I hate to disappoint people, and feel most sure I will." But papa refused point-blank to be a non- expectant, declaring he was the most expectant man in New York, and his expectations were fixed on his daughter. Meanwhile Ray had given his version of the story in the lunch-room below, and mamma was quite prepared for the crest-fallen looking little girl who presently appeared with papa. r 28 A minister's daughter, too. " Really, Joan of Arc, you don't look quite as heroic as you did a half-hour ago," cried Ray. "Stop your noise, Ray Gardenell. You're just like a hateful boy. If it wasn't for boys I could be good," she added pathetically, looking at her father, conscious she had lost her temper and broken her pretty resolves. "If there were no boys what would you do for father to bind up your wounds, I wonder," coitinued Sir Tease. "And before you are hard on girls suppose you consider the boy who doesn't know how to get on without a mother," interrupted Mrs. Gardenell, smiling, and completely vanquishing this hoy, who fairly worshiped "little-mother- woman," as he called her, and who was never five minutes in the house without needing her special attention. "Mamma," said Olive penitently, "I don't think I ought to havp any of this nice dessert, though papa does nave a hope for me," she added with a long sigh. t s d n (( iti e> an I W pe sh( bo; she spL oo. 3ok quite as 'ied Ray. ;11. You're t for boys I lly, looking her temper uld you do I wonder," Is suppose know how ipted Mrs. inquishing tie-mother- was never :eding her "I don't e dessert, me," she A minister's daughter, too. 29 "And mamma has another, which makes two hopes." said Mrs. Gardenell, smiling on her doleful little daughter. "And Hervie has the biggest hope of all," chimed in Herbert, crossing the room to smooth the brown curls while he kissed her brow. "I should think you'd have lots of hope for your- self, and be very happy and " — "Eat all the dessert you please, while we all devoutly pray that your penitent and humble mood may never end," slyly interjected Ray. "There, mamma, I couldn't help it; it said itself." as he caught his mother's reproachful eyes. " It is so uncommon to see Miss High- and-Mighty down I must exult a little; though I should have liked the fun of dressing down Warren Howard myself, if father hadn't hap- pened along. Fact is. I don't see why a girl shouldn't whip a miserable sneak as well as a boy. if she's able. I'll say this much for 01, she's clear grit and no mistake; she'd make a splendid boy. O, mamma ! if you could have ;^'-' X. n I •firirfiiiiMTiii- 'i I ^^ 30 A minister's daughter, too. been there ; such a sight ! " And Ray burst into a laugh at the remembrance. " I beg your pardon, papa," as he caught that gentleman's grave eyes, "but you know you wanted to laugh yourself. There, I'd better go or I will be in disgrace again." And Ray kissed his mother and took a gentle pinch of Olive's rosy cheek as he left the room. t I t tl b w w h( ■'^ftiSfii TOO. d Ray burst "I beg your gentleman's ntcd to laugh I will be in :ook a gentle it the room. CHAPTER III. IN DISGRACE AGAIN. O, how full of briers is this working-day world I As You Like It. TN disgrace again." Ray might well say. for •!• either he or Olive were continually in this condition. When she was better than usual he always met disaster, and vice versa. As Mary Ann McAloon once said, with raised hands and eyes. "What Masther Raymond don't think on Miss Olive is shure to inwent. and from what they don't contrive the good Lord deliver us." They had been the delight and torment of this long-suffering maid for many a year, and between scolding and petting them her time was pretty equally divided. "Masther Harbert was never to say a thrubble though he was heady." she partially averred, "and the babbies." 31 ■"^^^^^ -jr 32 IN DISGRACE AGAIN, i I m; M fi r : meaning Harry and Eddie, "were just angels shure ; but two sich as Masther Raymond and Miss Olive were nivcr born to wan roof before, and their father a minister, too." Therein lay the chief horror to more than Mary Ann. Had they been born to common mortals their short- comings might be overlooked or forgiven, but minister's children to show such depravity terrible I To-day Mary Ann had a headache, and the nursery was left to Mrs. Gardenell, who in turn had so many callers that Olive was pressed into service. She sat sewing a seam, while "the angels shure," amused the. . Ives. Several times mammj looked in to find all serene and to praise her little daughter, who began to feel quite angelic herself. A number of unanswered letters lay waiting for mamma's pen ; what better time could she have.' A kiss apiece to the inmates of the nursery, and soon she was en- grossed, forgetful of all but her correspondents. Suddenly she was roused to peculiar sounds I b f, d IV ir th "( ex frc sis thi the I of 1 cow whi; 'bus self you. and iad IN DISGKACE AGAIN. 33 iust angels ymond and oof before, rhercin lay \nn. Had their short- rgivcn, but epravity — e, and the k^ho in turn 'cssed into ivhile "the Several ene and to an to feel nanswered vhat better :ce to the le was en- spondents. iar sounds ■ssuing from the nursery. She listened : com- bat thick and fast must be going on ; never be- fore had she heard such sounds issue from that '"••■ection ! Just then a caller was announced _ Mrs. Ivers; one of their wealthiest, most exact- ing parishioners ; a late-comer to the ch-irch The poor tired mother stopped a moment at the nursery door before descending to her .uest "Olive, my darling, what does this mean.^° she exclaimed as two angry little heated faces con fronted her. "Harry. Eddie, stop, my boys; let sister talk to you till mother returns to settle th.s matter. Olive, keep them still, my dear- there is company awaiting me below." But Olive felt quite equal to the settlement of this quarrel. " Harry, you are selfish and a coward." she said warmly, "and if Eddie don't whip you I will. Papa wouldn't allow you to 'buse Eddie as you do. Now look out for your- self while Eddie shows you how he can manage you. Thrash him. Eddie, that's a sweet angel and sister will buy you that pretty little horse ~^mB ^^^^a^^ '^v^?- 34 IN DISGRACE AGAIN. we saw down street. Wait till I count three ; one, two, three. Quick, Eddie, quick ! I know you can whip him." Unhappy mamma ! She heard the noise in spite of closed doors, wondered, prayed, grew uneasy, and poorly entertained her visitor, who criticised her afterwards as a very nervous woman, not at all what she should expect in Mr. Gardenell's wife, and she feared she did not have good government over her children either, for very suspicious sounds reached her ears from above. Meanwhile Olive had dropped her work, for- gotten mamma's caution, and given herself freely to the excitement of the battle. Eddie, pushed on and praised, was victor. Harry, discomforted and vanquished, rubbed his eyes with his little handkerchief and cried, while his sister ex- pressed her contempt of him in various ways, winding up at last at the top of her voice, through her nose, in doleful tone, an exact imi- tation of old Brother Andrews, who occasionally E I roi be an( cur kne «U«ilv "W f l ' count three ; [uick ! I know the noise in prayed, grew ir visitor, who very nervous lid expect in ared she did her children 1 reached her her work, for- herself freely Eddie, pushed discomforted ^•ith his little his sister ex- various ways, of her voice, an exact imi- occasionally IN DISGRACE AGAIN. Hark from the tomb a doleful sound •■ . Jm,T ""^ '"" "'"''' '"' "-— -^ .rouHed face and sorr„„fu, e,es took 1„ .,, "Daughter, ho. often must I remind you that you are no, to trifle with sacred things." ■■Why, mamma, how can that be sacred M. P- on h.s Look Of Kate when Mr. AndreJs "Olive!" •■Mamma, Harry has been selsh and •busing Edd,e, and needed punishing, or fd pity him I "as only helping him groan," '• Olive, pu, up your work and go to the other 0".andthinkahalf.hour;Iwi,lseeyou„o„e arbe;::"'-" -' ^'-'^ «- -- - Then two little faces were washed, tumbled -^ were smoothed, and one little boy on either knee, mamma unravelled the mystery iJ if "~"^TfB I I Vi 36 IN DISGR/iCE AGAIN, " My poor little Harry has been selfish and overbearing," she said sadly, and the little boy's lip quivered, for he loved his mother too well to grieve her. " It is better to yield our rights, Eddie, than to grieve Jesus by fighting ; let us tell him about it." That was the cure-all; both little boys felt better when, shortly after, some one knocked at the door. It was Rosy McAloon looking for her daughter Mary Ann. " Sick, is it, poor girrl ? sorry I am for her, for mesilf is narely so, what wid the rheumatiz and the b'y. There's the b'y drhunk agen, and that afther signing the pledge for the Cardi- nal. It's the Cardinal I'm afther this moment, mum." Mrs. Gardenell smiled. After all these years Rosy still persisted in using her first title for Mr. Gardenell. It was ten years now since Rosy's husband had died, and she had followed May'ran to America. "Mr. Gardenell is out just now," said the y w si St of an "] "h (R< frif thii bon she thai selfish and ; little boy's ■ too well to our rights, ting ; let us le boys felt ; knocked at looking for am for her, le rheumatiz ik agen, and r the Cardi- his moment, i these years irst title for 3 now since had followed w," said the IN DISGRACE AGAIN. lady kindly ; "but if you will take off your bon- net and stay to tea, you can see him and your daughter, too. I think she will be better after her nap." "Indadenisthay; you look ready to dhrop yourself; go take a bit ov rest, and I'll sthay wul the childer. Shall I tell yez a sthory now shure; shall it be the little rid hin .? " " Yes, yes." shouted the boys, climbing her stout knees. Yensie smiled and sighed. She was thinking of the first time she heard that story told to another pair. The woman read her thought. " Indade," she said, looking into Eddie's eyes "how like the child is to Violet, me lady " (Rosy would never get over addressing her olden fnend thus.) " Yer mind how iver the two ov thim liked the little rid bin .^* Ah, but they were bonny, bonny childer ! " Yensie's eyes filled. " They are safe. Rosy " she said. "What could we askfor them more than they have ? " .--,-U -H, i ! 5 I ; I r ifi P IN DISGRACE AGAIN. " To be sure, dear heart," responded the Irish woman tenderly, and Yensie went out of one door just as her naughty daughter crept in the other. " My time is up," she said, as if expect- ing contradiction. " It is such a long time to think, and I hate thinking. O, Rosy ! if you will tell us a story I will be good, gooder, and sew up my seam." And vith three bright faces upturned to hers Rosy began, " There was wanst a little rid hin." The talk with mamma Olive did not dread. It was customary at twilight for all the children to spend at least one half-hour in her room. Ray called it " cream time," because it came be- tween the day and the night, and was the sweet- est thing either inclosed. " Just as a fellow eats cream pie to get the insides," he added by way of illustration. There was always a little com- paring of notes, talks over school, its fun and troubles, and the repeating of any Bible verse that had been helpful during the day. Mamma and Herbert always had a verse ; Ray and Olive I r f. t( 01 re m tU wc sel anc 1 ed the Irish out of one :rei>t in the LS if expect- ing time to isy ! if you goocler, and bright faces e was wanst not dread. ;he children her room. it came be- s the sweet- a fellow eats Ided by way I little corn- its fun and Bible verse y. Mamma ly and Olive IN DISGRACE AGAIN. 3^ occasionally. Even Harry and Eddie sometimes had theirs. Mamma always played some favo- nte piece for them on the organ, and they sang a hymn or two, according to the time at dis posal. then there was a precious prayer, when every child was mentioned by name. After this the younger ones went to bed. the boys to the study-room. and to-night Olive remained with her mother. She was all ready for confession, and so full of resolves to do bet- ter that mamma's work was easy. "Try me once more, mamma dear. Just watch me the rest of the week and see how good I'll be. I mean to be an angel." And then papa opened the door with a lit- t'e laugh as he caught his daughter's closing words. ° "Comehere. darling." he said, seating him- self; and when she came he turned her around and examined her shoulders curiously. " Why. papa, what are you hunting for > " "Wings." he answered gravely, "i thought ■X., i jT" ; 1 1 \ Hi: J ^i w \ I 40 IN DISGRACE AGAIN. they might be sprouting." And then such a merry time as they had, for papa had to make up for his lost feast, for he quite as much enjoyed " cream time " as the children did, and always added to its merriment and helpfulness. en such a ;o make up :h enjoyed ind always iS. CHAPTER IV. UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. In to-day already walks to-morrow. ir„ .1 1 Coleridge. Earthly power doth then shew likest God's When mercy seasons justice. Shakespeare. TS this a safe haven for an evil doer.?" asked a voice that tried to be very subdued and decorous, but was utterly scandalized by the merry eyes peeping in at Mr. Gardenell's study door. " It is," answered papa promptly, lifting his eyes from a half-written sheet. "The most luckless and disconsolate of youths may approach to-day unmolested > " pur- sued the investigator, quoting Ray freely, and stumbling over the big words. Papa pushed his paper back, and held out his ruler for a wand, while he pursed up his lips for 41 i ii UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. a kiss. One tossed from rosy fingers was all he received, however, as his daughter proceeded to open wide the door held ajar, and in a highly dramatic tone cried, " Advance, Sir Knight, my person has won you favor, and you will be treated by his Lordship with all the fluency possible." A laugh on both sides of the door greeted this speech, and then the handsome face and curly head of Raymond appeared in the door as, with another kiss of her hand, Olive retired, having first informed her brother in a stage whisper that if he needed help he would find her in the nursery. The door closed. Raymond advanced with a half-comical, half-abashed face, eyes rather avoiding his father's, though he said jauntily, " In disgrace again, papa." "So I see," said the gentleman kindly. "I hope it isn't anything serious. Take a seat, and tell me all about it," drawing a chair towards the table. s was all he roceeded to in a highly Knight, my i^ou will be the fluency greeted this e and curly loor as, with ired, having age whisper 1 her in the inced with a eyes rather aid jauntily, kindly. " I :e a seat, and hair towards UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. 43 " Thank you, sir. I believe I'd rather stand where I can't sec your eyes." Papa smiled. Years ago it h..d come to him as a revelation that any of his children, from youngest to oldest, preferred any punishment for wrong doing rather than meet the continued glance of his sorrowful eye^. "It just makes my heart ache down to my toes," Olive had said once pathetically. " Won't you please whip me. papa, so I can ache some- where else ? " " It isn't much to tell ; it won't take long " continued Ray with a little sigh. And papa said kmdly, sympathizing with his boy even in his naughtiness. •' Sit down, my son ; I will not look at you if it troubles you." That was just like Herbert Gardenell. and it was just like Ray to stoop impulsively and kiss his father's mouth, then drop into a chair and cover his face with his hands. "It's the old story, papa." he said, dashing 'nto it. <■ I've got into another scrape, and need X. i 44 UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. money. I'd like a dollar on my next month's allowance." Mr. GardencU looked very, very grave. " This is the sixth time you have drawn on your next allowance. Do you think this a wise way to go on, my boy ?" " No, sir, but," hesitating, " I don't see how I can help it this month." "But it was so last month, and the month before. If it was only once, my «ion, I might overlook it, but this continued extravagance. If I grant j-^u your request, how much do you think will be left of your next month's allow- ance to be paid at the proper time .> " " I don't know, sir ; not a great deal." "Then you have kept no account ! You would make a poor business man, Ray." " I knew you'd keep account, sir. I knew you would not cheat me." " Were you ever afraid any one would cheat you ? I fear your bump of caution is not developed. Ray, if I pay you this dollar, you I h it St in be to toj pai < He ■**^-:'%i«S UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. 45 ve. drawn on ;his a wise :he month n, I might ravagance. ch do you th's allow- ant ! You r," . I knew nuld cheat )n is not dollar, you will have just ten cents left for next month's expenses. That will not pay your tithe to the church." No, sir." " What will you do > " " I fear I shall have to borrow a little ahead," answered the lad slowly, and in evident distress. "And so live continually beyond your income. I would stop, Ray _ stop short. Many a life has been ruined by just such a course. You think it will make no difference now. but habit is strong, and you will find yourself speedily bound in chains of iron." " But, sir - but it is really mine, and I must be honorable. I'm in for this dollar ; I promised to pay and I must." " Tell me how it happened, Ray > " " Oh ! " stopping and flushing, while his fingers toyed with his jacket buttons, "to tell the truth, papa, I'm awfully ashamed to let you know." " Yet not ashamed to know yourself, or have Heaven know," said Mr. Gardenell sadly. '^*«*«S^,,, ,; >«;x i M 1 A. I l\ -Hi 46 UNDKR THE WHITE FLAG. " I'apa, I'm here under the white flaii." " I know it, my son. I am not going to preach to yoii, but I wish you would preach to yourself occasionally, or listen to that little preacher within when he takes the pulpit." " 1 listen oftener than you think, papa." "Yet don't improve! Hut this 'scrape,' as you call it, was " — " Was just a little fun out of old Johnson — I beg your pardon," flushing painfully as he caught his father's eye, "old Mr. Johnson. I didn't really mean any harm, I wasn't in for it, but the other fellows were and I hated to say No, and spoil their sport, for they refused to go without me." " What an opportunity," began papa, but Ray innocently lifted the ruler on the desk and ex- tended it. His father smiled; he knew it was a gentle reminder of his promised clemency. "You know I can't bear to have you preach specially for me, papa. Then, too, ' my own little preacher,' as you call it, reminded me of all that t li n b I tl fc or so I ( be an( of lik( UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. 47 g to preach to yourself ; preacher ipa." scrape,' as »hnson — I 3 he caught . I didn't it, but the Y No, and fo without a, but Ray sk and ex- w it was a :ncy. ou preach own little of all that and Olive gave me a fearful drubbing -efore I came in here. She offered me all her money afterwards to make up, but she hadn't a cent when she came to look; a little girl crying in the streets yesterday got her last quarter, so I had to apply to you. The fact is. pai,a. ^e only meant to give the old gentleman little scare, but he nearly lost his wits. Jonas Cowles and I promised to pay for the broken glass and all that, if he'd let us off. He's a pretty good old fel- gentleman, I mean. I begged his pardon on the spot, and told him I'd never be found in so mean a scrape again, and I will not, see if I do ! " "And I understand you and Jonas Cowles to be the only persons concerned > " '• No-o, but - the others were kind of hard up, and we — we " " We are so well ofif we shouldered the whole of it," finished Mr. Gardenell, smiling; it was so like his generous, heedless boy. "Ray," he said seriously, "the time is come . , I UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. for a change. You jeopardize ali your future. A new leaf must be turned — turned now." Ray put out his hand for the ruler, but his father laid his own quietly but firmly over both. "No, my son, I did not promise not to reason with yoli, I only promised to be merciful." "There is no mercy in preaching to a fellow when he is miserable," said the boy, kicking the carpet. ' I am not preaching, my son ; I am only rea- soning with you as one business man might with another." " Papa, I'm afraid I was never cut out for a business man." "What were you cut out for.'" asked the gentleman gravely. " Oh ! I don't know," despairingly. " I guess I wasn't cut out at all, I just happened." "'What haps God directs.' Is it possible one poor little boy has come into this big world cut out for no particular place, and no place cut out for him ? " The voice and face were very il!:l ■-^ 14 — f''<\< ,^^ yfour future, ed now." ler, but his y over both, jt to reason ciful." to a fellow kicking the im only rea- 1 might with it out for a " asked the . " I guess ied." it possible is big world no place cut e were very UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. 49 grave. Ray easily encouraged was as easily depressed ; he was more wont to despair of him- self than any child his father owned ; less given to thought naturally, and less self-appreciative. "I'm not like you, papa; I wish I was — I do, indeed. I am easily led. I hate to say No." " Easily led to do wrong, n.y son, but are you easily led to do right ? If so, how is it mamma and I have failed when we love you so truly and long so to do you good > " " I'm born crooked. I don't believe I'm responsible." " Not when there is grace ready to help you for the asking ? " The boy was silenced for a moment, then, — " Father, don't you know it is harder for some people to be good than for others.' Herbert never gets into scrapes." " I know, my son, that every one has his own particular foes to fight, his own sins to over- come, but there is One who never fails to overcome when He is called in to aid. I had as i^'/j^ tmm ^ SO UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. rn many and as strong foes in myself as you have, my son, and i. had defeat until my Helper was welcomed. You know, do you not, that Her- bert had hi'' foes to conquer ; do you remember when and how he got the victory.'" Indeed he did. Ray's mind went back to other days when he had waited, weeping, outside that very study door, while the strong will of his brother held out against authority, and his father patiently, but resolutely, battled it. His Herbert, his big brother, the idol of Olive and himself! How often in those days had mamma picked up and carried to her room her second born, his heart weli-nigh broken over his brother's woes, while hers ached sadly. Herbert was naturally a seli'-willed child, and it was in his day that this tribunal before which Ray now stO(d, was instituted. He would never forget how often Herbert stood prisoner behind two chairs in that room, while mamma, with her beautiful t-oubled face was the jury, Mary Ann the witness, and Olive ir gi s< cl •c b( ht an ni hii ba CO sti fol th< the "g kei grc sta; :.*;: IS you have, Helper was , that Her- Li remember nt back to ing, outside ong will of ity, and his led it. His : Olive and lad mamma her second lis brother's 'erbert was was in his I Ray now en Herbert that room, oubled face 5, and Olive I UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. 51 special pleader for the prisoner, whose part she invariably took. He remembered now how very grave the judge always was, and that his face seldom relaxed into a smile, even over Olive's childish pleas, some of which he now recalled. "Hervie didn't do it, she knew he didn't, 'cause he was good, always good, and loved her better than any one else in the world. And if he did so it 'twas 'cause Mary Ann was horrid and he ought to pay her off, and he was just the nicest brother in the world," stopping to pat him and place a kiss on the end of his nose ; a baby habit she was just outgrowing. He never could forget one occasion when this self-con- stituted little advocate declared warmly that Irish folks ought not to be allowed in court, "'cause they disremembered everything and mixed up all the rest." Which made the prisoner laugh out- right, and brought the judge and jury's hand- kerchiefs to their mouths, though their eyes grew sad as this eloquent lawyer went on to state that she was the real culprit and ought to m" Mi 52 UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. !; be the prisoner, for she threw the pillow at Mary Ann's head, and imitated Herbert's voice and called her " Ould Ireland." At which Mary Ann rolled up her eyes, and clasped her hands in horror, while the prisoner being released. Miss Olive was given his place, for she had told an untruth in hopes of shield- ing her brother. In vain both boys plead for her. She was kept in close confinement until she repented, and confessed, and then was sent to bed in disgrace. She was not supperless ; but her meal had been very plain, and Ray, in the compassion of his heart, smuggled her a tart and a slice of frosted cake from the supper table. For a long time after that Herbert called her nothing but his little " Irish attorney," declaring she had perpetrated a bull worthy of the best Paddy that ever lived. It was over two years now since Herbert had been in disgrace. It was only occasionally he had ever been, but it ended altogether the night he rose for prayers in the small vestry, and c s e r <( c P t ti ■^'Sia*!. I le pillow at rbert's voice er eyes, and the prisoner n his place, es of shield- ys plead for ement until en was sent supperless ; and Ray, in ed her a tart supper table, t called her f," declaring of the best Herbert had ;asiona]ly he er the night vestry, and father and mother came home with such shining faces. He had been different since. Still Ray and Olive carried to him difficult problems and troubles of every kind. He was their hero, their comforter, counsellor, the dear big brother, but they never expected him to get into a " scrape " now ; they would as soon expect it of their father. Once in a while Ray had seen him enter papa's study, with a troubled face, and come out with red eyes. But there was always such a smile on the lips under the eyes, Ray envied him. All this flashed through Raymond Gardcnell's mind in answer to his father's question. " Papa," he said, putting out his hands, and clasping the neck bowed towards him. Then papa drew his great boy to his knee — it was the only natural way for any of tho»r. to sit — and the curly head fell on the broad shoulder meant to support it, while a broken little voice said, " Papa, you're right, and I am wrong. I'd give lots to be like you and Herbert. I do try. I "Vi^. 54 UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. pray sometimes, but I fail. I ask for help, and it doesn't come." And papa whispered : " Isn't it because you do not open your door wide enough to let your Helper in ? It is He that overcomes ; we can only let Him." And just then the study door flew open, and a very merry little voice said, as its owner stopped in apparent dismay, " Why, if the judge and jury and all the court hasn't the prisoner right on its knee ! That isn't dignified, but it's nice, isn't it, Ray ? It's a quarter of two." Ray jumped up. " I didn't suppose it was half that time ; my whole noon gone." " Angy Baron brought in her be-au-ti-ful bracelet for me to see, and I forgot everything, even you, you poor prisoner. But what has the court decided ? " proceeded Miss Busybody, holding the judge by the ears, while she kissed his nose. Then the judge arose with great dignity, and declared that the court had decided that the L •r help, and UNDER THE WHITE FLAG. 55 ecaiise you to let your ;s ; we can open, and a ner stopped Ige and jury er right on it it's nice, II pose it was If be-au-ti-ful everything, irhat has the Busybody, ; she kissed dignity, and ed that the "-^P?***>'' money be paid immediately, producing a sliver dollar and passing it to Ray. " It had also decided," with great emphasis on the verb, " that henceforth the sum of five cents be deducted from Ray Gardcnell's monthly allow- ance every time a penny was called for before it was due." " My ! " commented Olive, " what'll become of you now, Ray } " " My ! " echoed Ray, " I'll have to turn over a new leaf sure, whether I want to or not." rmn '2 . ■: i CHAPTER V. TOMMY. " How underneath wintry snows, The iiivij-ible iieirts of flowers Grow ripe for blossoming, And the lives that seem so cold. May be casi in gentlest mould, May be full of love and spring." WHY, if it isn't little Tommy Gardenell ! " and Miss Johanna Ralison, answering the knock at her back door, looked down in feigned surprise at a very neatly-dressed little figure, with the brightest of eyes, and the rosiest of cheeks, peeping out from under a new spring hat. The face clouded perce;;tibly, anv; the eyes flashed ominously .?t this greeting. There was a little flush of shame, too. C'li.e quite knew Miss Ralison was thinking of tliat fortnight-old affray in the street Had she not seen her 5< ^^^^•*''- ardencll ! " answering I down in :ssed little , and the under a > the eyes There was uite knev^ rtnight-old seen her TOMMY. 57 1 old friend's face at the window that day ? Miss Johanna had raised it once with a suggestive " 01i\-e Gardenoll ! " and rapped on it several times, until the excited child shook her fist at her, and cried out, " Stop your noise, you horrid old Jo ! " She had quite forgotten that day's mishaps ~ it seemed so long ago — and now this unac- knowledged and unforgiven part of it confronted her with fresh humiliation. It had taken place the last day of school, before the spring vacation, and so much had happened since ! The warm weather had come, and papa had made so many delightful little trips with his merry brood since — only yesterday taking them to the country — that all disagreeables had been driven out of Miss Olive's curly head, and she had started on her errand to her "dear J's," as she called the two Miss Ralisons, with a very light heart, Johanna and Jennie Ralison were the last of a respected and once wealthy family. Mis- fortune had reached them. On a part of what ^A-'*-- 58 TOMMY. il had once been their father's estate stood the substantial brick schoolhouse, where Mr. Gar- dcncll's children spent so many happy hours. The front lot had been sold to a stranger ; all that remained to thorn was this yellow house. It was a good-sized, substantial building, with an cU and a very small back yard, wliere the sisters raised a few posies, and which they designated as " our garden." This house stood on the right-hand side of the narrow walk that led to the schoolhouse, and both stood back from the street. The larger part of the house the sisters rented, and this was their only income. The ell with its tiny sitting-room, kitchen and pantry below, and two chambers above was their domicile, their chief excitement and entertainment being fur- nished by the school children. Both the sisters found interest in these : Miss Johanna noting all their battles, shortcomings, unnecessary noises, Miss Jennie, by some means or other, becoming their ally, counsellor, de- 'tl-.'^d- ma TOMMY. 59 ! Stood the e Mr. Gar- ppy hours, ranger ; all How house. Iding, with where the vhich they nd side of :hoolhouse, reet. The rented, and 11 with its below, and licile, their being fur- jese : Miss )rtcomings, ome means iscllor, de- fender and surgeon. How this came to pass Miss Jennie herself woulil have been puzzled to say, or if Miss Johanna was as blind to the pro- ceedings about her as appeared, was never fully ascertained. But certain it is that bloody noses, wounded fingers, and even torn pants found their way to that back door, and were severally attended to, with sundry gentle pats, and not a few kisses, administered surreptitiously without the supposed knowledge of Miss Jo. Miss Jennie often wondered at the fortune that kept her sister engaged in some other part of the house on these occasions. She was thankful, however, for hers was a gentle, timid nature, unused and unfit to battle with the strong will of her only relative, and she was sure these children were a sore trial to Johanna. Olive loved both the sisters after a fashion. " My dear Miss Jo is a splendid old hateful," she confessed to Ray, " but precious Miss Je is honey and down." Now she stood quite conscious she owed an \ 6o TOMMY. apolojjy to Miss Jo for past rudeness, and sure she would have to give it some day, to case her conscience ; but how could she do it now, with tiiose gray, gray eyes looking down on her, as with dainty basket on one arm, the other h .:)d behind her, she flashed defiance from the blue eyes under her new hat. If only Miss Jo wouldn't be so horrid ! But Miss Jo was just Miss Jo, and repeated in her peculiar tone : — " Little Tommy Gardenell, how is your ma and pa ? Hadn't you better come in ? I sup- pose you have an errand.'" " Not to you, Miss Vinegar and Gall. I wish to see the lady of the house," replied the little girl, with much dignity and great emphasis. " Oh, oh ! Jennie, Jennie," looking over her shoulder, and addressing the lady in the sitting, room beyond, "do you know : mmy Gar- denell .' " "No. I am not acquainted with Tommy," chirped back Miss Jennie in her weak soprano, "but I know Miss Oily well, and I'm sure I'm TOMMY. 6i iSi and sure ly, to case tlo it now, •wn on her, the other e from the ly Miss Jo was just tone : — < your nia 1 ? I sup- II. I wish the little hasis. over her lie sitting- imy Gar- Tommy," sojjrano, sure I'm not mistaken in her sweet voice. Let her come in, Sister." And without ceremony, Olive dashed past Miss Jo, crossed the kitchen with a bound, laid her basket at her friend's feet, and dropping beside it kissed her hand, while she cried : — "Such nice cream pie, and delicious tarts, and — and something better than both of them together ; and it's all for you, you darling. Don't you let cross old Jo have one thing 'cept — 'cept just the littlest tart that's there." Then Miss Johanna closed the door between them and the kitchen, and went about her work, a smile twitching the corners of her mouth. " She's ' game,' as the boys say ; but I'd like to know how it happens father and mother are both left out of her make-up. But then, it was so with me. Mother was handsome, and father a gentleman, and " — the rest was lost as she went up-stairs to make the beds. "There, did you ever see anything so lovely ! Oh ! don't they bring the little birds, and the ''\ ...^.-.,MMWs.i.. 'H ilfi 62 TOMMY. grnss, and everything else beautiful into your heart, just to look in their darling eyes ?" cried Olive, with what Ray would have called a poetic "streak," as she lifted a bunch of delicious violets to Miss Jennie's nose. " They came this morning from — ever so far, done up in moss, in a box to keep them fresh. Isn't it nice to be like my mamma, and ha-e everybody love you, and isn't it nice to be me, and have mamma > I kept them behind my back ever minute, for fear the thunder in Miss Jo's face would blight them in their beauty," falling into another streak. " There," fastening part of them on her friend's bosom, and walking away, head this side and that, to note the effect, "you are just lovely, like them. They are yours ; you shall have every one of them, i did int(,nd to give Miss Jo some of them, but she is so — so peculiar— I really don't want to oay anychi"g naughty, and have to repent and 'fess again. I hate repenting, don't you. Miss Jennie ? A person can't repent without 'fess- i il into your yes?" cried lied a poetic 3f delicious I — ever so keep them lamma, and nice to be behind my ler in Miss r beauty," ' fastening id walking the effect, They are -m. I did them, but 't want to ;pent and you. Miss lout 'fess- TOMMV. 63 ing; if they only could it would be such a blessing," sighing, and not noticing the smile on her friend's lips. " Please, Miss Jennie, may I comb your hair ? I won't disturb you the leastest bit ; you can go on with your sewing. I comb mamma's some- times, and yours would look so nice done up her way. You don't begin to know how funny you loo'r, your hair dragged back so straight and set ; not a bit like yourself." " I felt sick this morning, and sister combed my hair." " I knew it, and it will never do. You're not a bit like her, you know. You were made for soft laces and loose coils, and — and — violets," tripping back and forth, with comb and brush. " Miss Jo was meant — was meant — well, she's quite good, only — only — dear Je do you believe it is wicked to think some folks are mistakes, and were meant — • meant for men instead of women > Not that I think God ever made a mistake ; that would be dreadful ; but — ^■^ r MS f/s^.-,^«, ■. 64 TOMMY. but — some one did, and I shouldn't wonder," slowly, •' but it was Satan. He does mix things dreadfully sometimes, you know. Why, he made Eve believe that p'raps God didn't tell the truth, and I guess he made Miss Jo kind of mannish; not much, you know, but a little. O, Jennie ! how soft and nice your hair is. It is silky, like mamma's, only mamma's is dark and — and — numerous, and yours is light and kind of thin ; but they're both feathery ; puffy, you know. Why, all that hair of mamma's is as light as -light as— I don't know what. Oh ! how sweet you do look with those violets in your hair. You darling, you are as pretty and young with that pink in your cheeks ! Miss Jo, Miss Jo," springing to the door, and hopping up and down with delight, forgetful of her late dudgeon, " Miss Jo, come here, quick ! " In the pantry mixing bread, Jo's thoughts had been wandering as she sifted and stirred. That call roused her. Had Jennie, the only one she had left, taken another ill turn > The spoon t c i: ii h c h k g n d liMlM>ii«Hil«4iai«i« TOMMY. 65 't wonder," mix things Why, he didn't tell ! Miss Jo now, but a : your hair namma's is irs is light feathery ; f mamma's now what. i violets in pretty and Miss Jo, opping up her late It ughts had ed. That y one she he spoon dropped from her fingers ; she forgot to wipe her careful hands as she sprang in answer to the cry. " Oh ! look, look ! Isn't she lovely ? " The open door revealed, not what she feared, but such a fair, sweet face, it seemed a part of her late dream — a phantom from the past. The sunny locks caught here and there with violets, the tiny bunch beside her throat, the flickering color in the cheeks all seemed parts of her van- ished youth. Olive was satisfied as she looked in Johanna's eyes. " You old darling ! " she said generously. " I have two violets left and you shall have them. Stoop down, and let me put them in your hair." " Go away, child ! I don't want yc-ur violets ; keep them out of my sight," pushing the little girl one side. "Ennie dear," using the pet name her sister had not heard in years, " Ennie dear, you look as you did thirty years ago. It's about the same time of year, too." Stooping, T 66 TOMMY. l\ -■ she kissed her sister's cheek and went out, and Olive stood looking Pt her two violets with indignant tears in her eyes. " You mustn't mind her, dear," said Jennie gently. " She did not mean to grieve you ; the flowers were more than she could bear. You did not know we had a brother once — an adopted brother — but dearer than life to us both } Yes, it was more than thirty years ago, just such a morning as this, he decked me out with violets like these — great purple beauties, the first of the season, and fit to crown his queen, he said. He kissed me when he left me, as she did just now. He never came back to us. They brought him back dead. Johanna covered his coffin with violets and planted them on his grave, and she never has wanted to touch one since. Poor Johanna ! she loved Robert so much." So much! How much she never guessed and never could. In the kitchen, with set lips and drawn brows, a woman fought her heart. She must live for the one of whom he said to her TOMMY, 67 'ent out, and violets with said Jennie ve you ; the ar. You did -an adopted both ? Yes, just such a with violets the first of een, he said. she did just 'hey brought is coflfin with ive, and she since. Poor If guessed and set lips and heart. She said to her that fatal morning, " You and I will spread her path with violets. You will not be sorry, will you, dear old Jo, when I become your tru! • brother ? " " Oh ! how sad ; and you loved him too. Miss Jennie?" asked Olive, a great lump in her throat and ajieavy feeling in her heart. "O, yes!" replied Miss Ralison. "I lovad him better than everything else in all the world. I suffered at first, and I wept so much " was very sick and a burden to Johanna. But she was brave and patient with me. Now I think of him with Jesus, and there is no pain in the thought. I expect to meet him by and by. I never speak of him now. I should like to sometimes, but I find Johanna cannot bear it. I tried it once or twice, but she looked so terri- bly that I did not try it again. She is different from me." "So would I be," cried Olive, with sudden consciousness of affinity with Miss Jo, "so would I be if Hervie died. I could not, could 68 TOMMY. m not get over it," with a little sob. " I could never forgive God ; I could never be happy wilh him way off in Heaven, and me here. You are good, Miss Jennie, and so is my papa and mamma. Good people love all God's ways, but — but — I'm sorry I called her Vinegar and Gall, and you may give her half of the pie and the biggest tart, and — and — poor dear old Jo," and down went Olive's head in Miss Ralison's lap and she cried heartily. Miss Jo was picking over beans by the kitchen window when Olive was ready to go. Her face was very stern ; sorrow makes some faces stern. She was so preoccupied she did not see the little figure all ready to depart looking at her out of wistful eyes much resembling two great violets heavy with dew. A long, deep sigh attracted the woman's atten- tion, and she started a little. " Why, child, how queer you act. What are you sighing about >" she asked sharply. " My sins," replied Olive solemnly. tl TOMMY. 69 ). " I could e happy wilh ■e. You are y papa and d's ways, but V^inegar and the pie and dear old Jo," iss Ralison's J the kitchen 0. Her face faces stern, see the little It her out of great violets (man's atten- What are ply. A smile flickered over Miss Ralison's face. "I'm so sorry," continued the child humbly. " Sorry for what } " still sharply. " 'Cause, — 'cause you don't like violets." "Who told you I didn't like violets ? I love them better than any other flower in the world." "But — but you wouldn't take them." "They stifle me, they stifle me ; I can't breathe where they are," said Miss Johanna, catching her breath as if they were oppressing her then. But she looked more kindly at the little girl, recalling that long ago when at that very door a tall, lithe figure stood in drab overcoat, with violets at its button-hole, while the sun that glinted on this child's curls turned his to threa:? of gold as he kissed his hand to her and laughed his happy " good-by ! " Yes, she loved violets. "I — I'm sorry I called you old Jo, and you ain't Miss Vinegar and Gall, and I do love you some when you let me, and I want you to eat the pie and tarts, and I'm sorry you've got an ache, and I wish I could comfort you ; but I ^o TOMMY. ,'lli li' 1; t i;!; ' you won't let me or anybody else — a;/ 1 iav.i ")u best 'cause — 'cause you don't forget Rol:_i£. It's just hateful to forget, and I couldn't." Johanna Ralison laid down her pan of beans and looked at the little one, who had drawn nearer and nearer to her during this speech. "Well, if ever I saw such a child," she ex- claimed. " No ; I guess you never did. I'm not good," said Olive meekly. " I never could be good enough to forget, and — and I've always got to repent and 'fcss somf^thing, but->-but I want to be good some, and I'm sorry I got cross, and you can call me Tommy if you want to, and" — "Hoity, toity," broke in Miss Reilison, *' You're not quite a little heathen, I guess, though you act much like it at times. Why, when you're quiet and lady-like your voice is quite like your mother's ; and never were two pairs of eyes in two heads as like as yours and your father's. Don't get discouraged ; there's r c V f( H^>!IMiMnM TOMMY. 71 )ocly else — J you don't forget, and an of beans had drawn speech. Id," she ex- r> not good," lid be good ways got to ■but I want )t cross, and : to, and" — ss Rp.lison, 2n, I guess, mes. Why, our voice is er were two ,s yours and >-ed ; there's hopvs for you, child, while there's anything like your pa. -nts about you. We'll rub out the old score, shake hands and begin over again." Olive took the extended hand, but she looked unsatisfied. "Well, what else.'" questioned Miss Jo, with a half-smile. "If you'd let me kiss you." Down went the stiff neck. How the little warm arms hugged it ! " P'r'aps he used to hug you so," she whispered, "your dear, dear brother. There's a kiss from me to make up, and there's one for comfort, and " — lingeringly — "there, that is for Robert," putting a kiss right on the tip of Miss Jo's nose. Then Olive darte> out of the door as if she surmised what would f. low, and saw Miss Johanna's head fall on the t Ae while she sobbed with all her might. " God bless that baby ! " she said amid her tears, for, true as strange, no human sympathy since Robert died had been as zeal to her as this. "Im a fool," she said presently; "but to "•i"*.^, iillii 72 TOMMV. think that child has such a heart. There's a good deal of flash to her, but it's the flash of the diamond. Poor little Tommy ! " with some- thing like a real laugh as she recalled that kiss on the nose. Perhaps her heart was lighter for her tears, for when, a little after, she heard her sister repeating softly, " Into each life some rain nust fall," she replied cheerily : — "And it's well 'tis so. Think of a world without a bit of rain to sweeten it, or a day of glare and no twilight to soften it. I guess God knows best," and Jennie looked her astonish- ment out of her mild eyes. ■Mil Ml&iR'p''" There's a he flash of with some- I that kiss her tears, her sister rain nust )f a world or a day of guess God r astonish- CHAPTER VI. HARDTV GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. So wise, so young they say, do ne'er live long. King Richard hi. /^ MAMMA ! " cried Olive, a little later V-/ that day, bursting into her mother's room with all the pent-up feelings of her soul rushing to her lips at once, " O, mamma! those violets were dreadful and lovely, and Miss Jennie looked like an angel, and Miss Jo loves them, but she can't bear them 'cause they stifle her, and— and she's got an ache, and I wish 1 could comfort her, but I wouldn't never, never, never forget Herbert, and I'd never forgive God for taking him, and I'm most sure he will 'cause he's so good and I'm so uncodiciled." And mamma, laughing, took the poor little doleful face, with its quivering lips, between her 73 ^mm I \'-]\ I : 74 HARDI.V GOOD ENOUOH TO niK YOUNG. hands, and kissed brow, eyes, check, chin and nose-tip before removing the pretty hat with its blue ribbons. " Mamma, I kissed her right on the tip of her nose." "Who, darling .>" "Miss Jo," replied the child gravely. "O, my girlie! " laughed mamma, at thought of dear straight-backeil Miss Johanna submit- ting to such an indignity. "How in the world did you manage it .' And what did she say .' " " Oh ! it was for Robert, you sec. I didn't really want to, you know, 'cause those kisses are Hcrby's, and papa's, and yours, and Ray's once in a while when he don't tease. But — but, O, mamma! Miss Jo has .su 'i an ache; and I couldn't help think if it had been Ilcrvie, and so — and so I did give her a nosy kiss." Mamma was mystified with " Robert " and the "ache," but she knew time and patience would get at the bottom of things. Just now her daughter needed diversion and sympathy. UARDLV GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. 75 c, chin and hat with its L' tip of her at thought iia submit- 11 the world he say ? " ;. T didn't e kisses are Ray's once t — but, O, he ; and I Icrvie, and )bcrt " and (1 patience Just now mpathy. "Just like my generous little Olive," she said, " but how did Miss Ralison take it, darling?" "I s'pose I oughtn't to know, mamma, for she gave a little sniff and I ran off quick ; but I looked back and her head wasn't up at the win- dow, and I know she didn't move, so I s'pect it was on the table and she was crying. I thought she would ; that's why I ran. It was alt the violets, mamma, the violets and— and Robert. He went and died, and they covered him with violets, and now they stifle Miss Jo and she can't bear them." "And Robert was.'" qucstioningly. " Her brother. O, mamma ! let me tell you all about it, only you'll be sorry, for I was naughty, and when Miss Jo called me Tommy Gardcnell I " — lowering her head and speaking slowly — "I called her Miss Vinegar and Gall and asked for th-^ lady of the house, as if she wasn't one. But, namma, I asked her forgive- ness and repented all right, and I'm willing you should think me very naughty or anythin"-, if w .f!^ 76 HARDLY GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. you'll only help me to comfort Miss Jo and ask God not to take Hervie, 'cause I want to be good some, only I couldn't iicver forget him." Perhaps Mrs. GardencU read between the lines of her little daughter's story ; perhaps she under- stood more of the silent life of sorrow hidden in that back ell than the sister who shared it. Certain it is from that hour a new respect for this tall, gaunt woman had possession of that gentle heart, which showed itself in numberless delicate acts of love. " Poor Miss Johanna," she said in tones sympa- thetic enough even to satisfy her small daughter. " We will ask God to comfort her and show us how to help her." " And Herbert, mamma, my Herbert .' " "Your Herbert is the dear Lord's own pre- cious child, and I think He has work for him to do here before He takes him to Heaven. My Oily needs to love and trust Jesus." They prayed together, and Olive felt lighter- hearted. She watched her favorite brother YOUNG. Jo and ask want to be )rget him." en the lines I she under- "o\v hidden 3 shared it. respect for on of that numberless mes sympa- II daughter, ad show us irt .? " s own pre- fer him to ;aven. My felt lighter- ite brother HARDLY GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. yj sedulously, however, for the next few days, greatly to his amusement ; noted what he ate, commented on his color, and teased him into an ^Jur of frolic when he ought to have been s'udying his Latin lesson. She concluded, as she informed Ray. that " Hervie was hardly good enough to die yet, for it was kind of naughty to play in study-hour, and it was only good boys who died young," But Olive did not forget her desire to comfort Miss Ralison ; it was with her continually, and at last showed itself to the amusement of all. "Are you boys very busy.?" she asked one study-hour, peeping into the room where Her- bert and Ray sat "pegging away " at their Latin, according to Ray's terminology. " About so, so," laughed Number One ; but Number Two said jokingly, "What next, pray.? how long since our convenience was consulted when Miss Flyaway had business on hand.? Don't stand on ceremony. Princess ; if you get too good you'll die young." r HARDLY GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. I : I! I ; li I f I " There, Ray Gardenell, if I'd quote a person's words right before another person. If I'm not good, there are some things I'm above doing." " As for instance, cajoling a fellow into play- ing away his study-hour for the express purpose of proving him not good enough to die," laughed Sir Tease. " To beguile a fellow mortal into sin with the selfish desire of relieving one's own heart, and then rejoicing, yea, exulting, that the victim has reached the level of his betrayer, that is — that is," cried Ray, striking an attitude and running his hand through his hair, " that is degradation indeed." " I didn't ; oh ! I didn't. Hervie, you darling, you are just as good, and clean, and white, and I didn't 'zult over you, did I ? " cried Olive, flying to her brother's side, her sensitive conscience alarmed at once. " If I am deregration you are gooder than ever, and I'll teil God so, 'cause 'twas my fault you played and 'glected your theology lesson." Both boys were laughing. c h t a) si sc de no ok da; ber S#Sk a person s f I'm not doing." into play- is purpose ," laughed al into sin one's own ;, that the rayer, that n attitude r, " that is 3U darling, hite, and I live, flying conscience )oder than s my fault lesson." HARDLY GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. 79 'O, Princess, Princess!" cried Ray. with dewy eyes, "you will be the death of me yet. Your 'deregration' has reached your brain while Herv's ' theology ' is still all in his heart. Now here's a specimen of zoology for you ; how will you classify her, Herv > " ' Love species." laughed Herbert, pushing the curls from the sweet face and drawing her to his knee, " Precious, Ray is suffering from a 'streak'; you ought not to let his rhapsody alarm you. What does brother's darling want > " Olive was easily diverted. "Are there any shorter cafkisms alive now .^ " she asked soberly. "No," struck in Ray solemnly; "they're all dead. Nothing but longer catechisms in vogue now." "O dear!" sighed Olive. "Miss Jo is so old- she forgot there wouldn't be any these days." " But there are. darling, lots of them." Her- bert still caressed the head on his shoulder. ,■■ j> w a 80 HARDLY GOOD ENOUGH TO DIE YOUNG. " O, you wicked boy ! " cried Olive, lifting her head to shake it at Ray. ♦' All a matter of opinion, sir, I assure you," answered the incorrigible. "You wished to know if they were alive. Herbert takes the affirmative and I the negative. I've had some experience in the matter, having got acquainted with the article in question while at Aunt Sally's. I give you my word as a gentleman, they are dead ; as dead as any dead language in existence, if anything can be said to be dead which exists. That the books are still to be found argues noth- ing whatever as, alas, we schoolboys know to our sorrow," lifting his Caesar with his toe and send- ing it spinning across the room. ' " To thy grave, thou dead and long since worthy of burial ! Take rest beside thy coldier- author. I'd gladly sing thy requiem," he cried theatrically. " Streaks ! " cried Olive, clapping her hands. " Streaks ! Hervie, couldn't you get me a shorter cat'kism ? " ^H pi" k'OUNG. HARDLY GOOD KNOJGH TO THE VOUNG. 8 1 lifting her sure you," wished to takes the ; had some acquainted unt Sally's, n, they are n existence, hich exists, rgues noth- know to our »e and send- long since thy coldier- 1," he cried her hands, me a shorter •' What do you want it tor, darling }" "To study ; I want to learn it all by heart ! " "And die young .>" put in Ray sepulchrally. " I knew you were approaching the goal when you inquired if we were busy. Look out, Prin- cess ; if you cheat Herbert and I out of another hour of study you will have to seek a solitary tomb. We shall not be good enough to accom- pany you thither." " Nobody ever thought you'd die young. Her- vie, will it hurt me to study the cat'kism ? " " I don't know ; ask papa. I should think it might be strong meat for babes," was the reply. " O, no ! it is milk. I was of very tender age when Aunt Sally applied it to me at Valley Farm. But my stomach was weak; it soured, and I threw it up as fast as I took it, so she concluded it was not suited to my constitution," said Ray. " My Miss ]'s studied it, and I guess they're good enough," cried the little girl. " Tt didn't sour Miss Je and Miss Jo isn't. sour, : xie's only stifled." 'f t 82 HARDLY GOOD EN^>UGH TO DIE YOUNG. " Stifled ! " echoed Ray. " What stifled her, Princess ?" "Violets," was the sententious reply, and no entreaties availed to make her explain further. "I'll just '^o see papa," she said. "He likes me to comfort folks, I know ; and p'raps he'll get ne a cat'kism when I tell him about Miss Jo." " That's right," seconded Herbert. " It is likely papa has the book in his study; he has most everything." And Ray broke in coax- ingly, " Tell me about Miss Jo, Olive ; that's a darling. If there's any comfort on foot I'd like to be in it ; and as to the catechism, I can recite two or three pages without a break." Oliv.; turned on him admiring eyes. "Then you'd suit Miss Jo. I'll tell her next time I go there, and she'll never call you a nuisance again. But — well, I'll think of it, and p'raps I'll let you comfort her a little," which was the very best the young lady would promise then. at stifled her, reply, and no lain further, d. " He likes ^'raps he'll get lit Miss Jo." ■bert. "It is study; he has roke in coax- Olive ; that's ■t on foot I'd techism, I can a break." eyes. " Then next time I )u a nuisance it, and p'raps " which was ould promise CHAPTER VII. MISS olive's request. To sum up all, be merry, I advise; And as we're merry, may we still be wise. Robert Burns. pAPA GARDENELL sat in his study quite busy with his papers, yet when his little daughter put her shining head through the door, asking demurely, — "Can the busiest and bestest man in New York spare half a minute to a poor little beggar girl .? " he answered joyfully, " Not only a half- minute, but a half-hour if it will satisfy or com- fort the weeniest corner of her precious heart." Then there was a merry scamper across the floor, and presently the little beggar had her shining head on a broad shoulder, " Papa, have you a shorter cat'kism ? " 83 > t ,* 84 MISS olive's request. Papa was astonishe '. "What can m- little beggar-girl want ui a shorter catechism ? " 'Oh ! for comfort, papa." " Comfort r " question ingly. "Yes, you darhn^o:, comfort. Let me kiss that puzzle-wrinkle out of your forehead 'fore you grow old. Mrs. Walker says it makes peo- ple old to wrinkle. Mamma never wrinkles; she only opens her eyes when she doesn't under- stand. That keeps her from growing old, and makes her quite lovely. When her eyes open so, I love her to death. Now, that will do. Yes, papa, I want to comfort poor Miss Jo, she has such an ache, and violets stifle her." Very lucid. Papa tried to keep the puzzle- wrinkle out of his forehead, and opened his eyes instead, for which he was repaid with a dainty kiss on the tip of his nose. "You see, I didn't know and I offered her vio- lets, and she looked ~ looked like Fate; like a judge; and I kissed the tip of her nose for Robert, and she cried." — Here Miss Olive's lis- CST. t can m- little schism ? " Let me kiss forehead 'fore it makes peo- evor wrinkles; doesn't under- awing old, and her eyes open : will do. Yes, ss Jo, she has 'P the piizzle- l^ened his eyes with a dainty ffered hervio- ■ Fate ; like a her nose for iss Olive's lis- MISS OLIVES KF.QUEST. 85 tener came near laughing, but restrained him- self. — "So I want a cat'kism." " I understand ; you hope the gift of that will comfort Miss Ralison ? What nade you think of such medicine, my dear? I itxi my copy is too old to be presentable." " But, you see, I don't want to give it to her ; I want it for myself." *' No, I didn't see, and now I fear my sight is slightly blurred. You wish to comfort Miss Johanna by presenting yourself with a cate- chism ? " " You are the smartest papa ! That's just it ; and I know it will please her better than any- thing I can do." The "smartest" papa, afraid of losing Lis reputation, opened his eyes wide a^^ain, but wisely kept his mouth shut. " You don't understand > Oh ! what a funny man. Now, listen ! I really did pray about it, and I know it's just the thing. Papa, if you knew a little girl who got cross when you called t '$ .'.( ■V. ,y •V f II 86 MISS OLIVE S REQUEST. her 'Tommy' and called you back Mr. Vinc- gar — "Tit for tat," interjected papa. — "And who shook her fist at you when you tried to keep her from fighting, and called you old J , no, old G ; 'cause you're not Miss Jo ; and who said you mustn't have any nice pic or tarts, and stifled you with violets " — Here papa's form shivered a little with repressed mer- riment, though his face looked preternaturally solemn — " And then repented and 'fessec'. but couldn't get any better, and you had to keep forgiving her, why. p'raps you'd like her to study the cat'kisin if you knew it would make her good." "P'raps I would," assented papa with great gravity. "Of course you would," responded his daughter, kissing him. "And the comfort," suggested papa; "I sup- pose the comfort would be iu having such a bad child reform ? " MISS olive's request. 87 L-k Mr. Vino- 'ou when you id called you )u're not Miss : any nice pie lets" — Here :pres.scd mer- 'eternaturally i 'fesscc'. but had to keep like her to would make a with great spondcd his ipa ; " I sup- g such a bad "Yes, 'course. You sec, if your brother Robert died and gave all his violets to Miss Jennie — no, to mamma, I mean — and you didn't have anybody else but him and her in the world, and he never came back, but was brought back dead, and you covered him with violets, and planted them on his grave, and they always stifled you, and somebody gave you two, and didn't know 'bout it, and stifled you again, they'd be sorry, papa." "Yes," assented papa. "Well, that's mc, papa," in a very doleful voice. "And you see if I could comfort her now I'd be glad. And she says lots of times girls were better in her day 'cause they studied the shorter cat'kism and learned their duty to God and man. And if I could s'prise her by saying it right off like she did when she was little, I think it'd be the best thing she'd like, and she'd know I was trying to be good. Papa, is it ' strong meat for babes ' and ' too much for a weak stomach ' ? " w IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) i;* 1.0 I.I 2.8 1^ 1^ UUl- li M 1.8 1.25 1.4 J4 *< 6" — ► 1*1* ...1 ^> O,^. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 #*i;in»s**»*^*«'**''- ^^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/iCMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiquas 88 MISS OLIVK S REQUEST. 1 Then papa had a chance to laugh and relieve himself. He carried her to the bookcase and held her up while she took the pamphlet from a top shelf. " I think you may study it without danger," he said, still smiling. " It is a wonder- ful strengthencr of the spinal column, and my girlie can tell brother Ray that papa will not object to his taking small doses of it daily, in the study, with you." Neither father nor mother expected Olive would adhere long to her purpose of committing the catechism to memory, and they were aston- ished as day after day she took her prescribed lesson without a demur. In this they saw fresh proof of the strerigth of her affections. It was a happy day to the child when her dancing feet carried her to the "Yellow Nest," as she called the abode of her maiden friends, catechism in hantl, hair flying and eyes radiant with delight. Miss Jennie met her in the kitchen with a kiss, and she caught a glimpse of Miss Jo in the sittm the c "( "I'v must want (ii node turn dust it say ^ had WOl sue ( wo " S f in it i 1 MISS olive's request. 89 'clieve e and rom a ithout onder- ul my 11 not ily, in Olive lifting aston- cribcd (• fresh It was g feet called ;chism with with a in the sitting-room beyond, dusting the ornaments on the corner bracket. "Oh! dear Miss Jo," she cried, dashing in, "Ive learned it! I've learned it! And you must be so glad, 'cause now you know truly I want to be good." "What has Miss Rattlebrain got in her little noddle now ? " asked the spinster, not unkindly, turning a moment to her before she finished her dusting. "The cafkism," replied the child. "I can sav all the pages." I^Iiss Jo gave a half-grunt. "In my day we had to repeat it without the turn or loss of a word," sighing. "They don't teach children such things these times." " Oh ! but I can say it and not miss a single word." passing the book into the lady's hand. " Shall I make believe I'm Tommy and go stand in a corner with my hands behind me, and recite it?" Miss Jo smiled grimly. go MISS OLIVE S REQUEST. "You can stand where you like, I needn't stop my work ; I know every word of it by heart. There, begin: 'What is the chief end of man > ' " There was a queer ghnt in the gray eyes as the child answered the last question. "And you did that to please me, Diamond >" she said almost tenderly. " Yes ; does it comfort you, Miss Jo .' " asked the child naively. " It makes me hope for you. You're a real Gardcncll child. Jennie, get Tommy a cookie." A cookie ! Olive received the great, funny- shaped gingerbread horse, with a stubby tail and one staring eye, with joy. It was made for her — made before she came. She danced all the way home. It WOi a good ■ G to en boy A comp "1 tard) "] The dren stud CIlArTER VIII. A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT. It would be argument for a week, laushtor for a month, and a good jest forever. King 1Ii:nry iv. GOOD-MORNING, you dear people all!" A cyclone of sunshine and cheer seemed to enter the breakfast-room with the handsome boy who smiled and bowed at the assembled company. " Papa, I beg your pardon ! I am sorry to be tardy." «I am sorry, too," said Mr. Gardenell gravely. The one thing he would not tolerate in his chil- dren was dilatoriness. " I was up early enough, but sat down to study before completing my toilet, in hopes to .ke up for last night's fun. It is six months T transgressed before; I trust you won't 91 92 A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT. be hard on a" — "fellow," Ray came near say- ing, for he was the culprit, but instead wound up with the words of an old Scotch woman whose darling he was in babyhood : " A wee, weak laddie." "Wee, weak laddie." Ray was the very oppo- site of that now, as papa, looked up into his brilliant face with its comical mixture of fun and penitence. How full he was of rich exu- berant life! Herbert Gardenell was proud of his children, and who could find fault with one so ready to confess his shortcomings > "You are excused this morning, but don't repeat the experiment," said the gentleman, with something like a twinkle in his eye. " It is not often we have delinquents in this direction ; strange that we should be favored with two this morning." Ray cast a hasty glance over the company. To be sure ; where was Olive } She was neve late. " May I see what detains Princess h I sit down ? " he asked, turning to his f-^ do sei sis ch wi ti; U! tl \\ A STARTLING DEVELOPMENT. 93 near say- id wound h woman " A wee, cry oppo- into his e of fun rich cxu- proud of with one lut don't nan, with It is not irection ; two this :ompany. as neve is h- .y own." woRDSWORTH. -rT did seem shameful for school to keep in i such bright spring weather, when Nature was wooing its children into the light. Ray called it "mean," and Olive "horrid," but the Misses Ralison brightened when the bell rang out its familiar summons, and Jennie, who was in the chamber, opened her window to its full extent, and waved her handkerchief in greeting to the merry groups gathering fast. "Look at that old witch ! is she crazy?" asked a new-comer. ^ "She isn't a witch, and she isn't crazy, said 107 io8 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. Ray Ganlcncll emphatically. " If you want to hold your own in 111 is school, be careful how you speak of our clear Miss Dr. J," lifting his hat and waving back to the window. Every boy in the crowd followed Ray's example in this as in most matters, and Miss Jennie responded to the compliment with a " Welcome back to school, my dears ! the sight of your faces does me good." "Three cheers for Miss Ralison," shouted Ray, and they were given lustily, while the girls waved their handkerchiefs. Olive looked with unfeigned admiration at her handsome brother as he stood with shining face and bare head among his fellows. " You arc a darling," she whispered, pressing close to him as the bell sounded, " I am proud of you, and you are very handsome when you're good." "Just so," he replied; "glad you begin to appreciate my virtues. You don't look bad yourself when you're jolly." What good did it do to compliment Ray .' Herbert would have kissed her for that warm little spi ready to after sch " I w: are so s are r= hi eyes lati " Oh said Ra even ir " Now, substan "I'll sation Misses danger out the A v but he fore hi to the knowr A LITTLE ADVOCATE. 100 )u want to 111 how you iig his hat ,'ciy boy in 1 this as in idcd to the to school, mc good." ," shouted lo the girls ition at her lining face ' You arc a ose to him if you, and : good." 1 begin to ; look bad nent Ray ? that warm little speech. Nevertheless, she was just as ready to admire again when Ray came to her after school to enlist her sympathies. " I was there and I didn't suspect, but you are so smart," she said, "and I do believe you arc r= ht, too ; I've seen a sad look in Miss Jo's eyes lately." "Oh! that's from poring over your epithet," said Ray, succumbing to his propensity to tease even in the midst of such serious business. <' Now, Ollie, you really have a chance to give substantial comfort ; suppose you try." " I'll try," replied his sister. Which conver- sation simply means that Ray suspected the Misses Ralison were in trouble, their home in danger of being lost, and wished Olive to find out the facts in the case. A very small thing aroused his suspicions, but he felt very sure of his ground. When be- fore had Miss Jo ever opened the garden gatp to the boys ? indeed, when had she ever been known to sanction its opening ? Yet she had 1 10 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. done it that day, and when he advanced, bowing, and asked for a pair of scissors to fit a piece of court-plaster to a scratch on his hand, had slie not invited the other boys in, jaying she was sure tliey were welcome and always would be, while she owned the place. And when they said politely, they hoped that would be as long as the old schoolhouse stood, she glanced at Jennie, and Miss Jennie sighed, and said she would be content if sure it would be as long as the present scholars remained there, but added, as if to allay suspicion, "Everything in this world is precarious, you know, my dears; we are not sure of even our own lives." Tender-hearted Ray had pondered the words all day. They must not be turned out of their home, the dear old ladies ! there was some way to prevent it if they were only sure ; and then Olive's happy faculty of getting at the botcom of things suggested itself. " Either Miss Jo's going 1;o die or they have lost their home," Ray asserted. It was needed Jennie, ^ no com I feared, t whole di " The but we paid unl sew, an have lei house n bard th all my 1 "Oh it," sai tell Jes Hubba But plain 2 had m with a A LITTLE AUVOCATK. lit cd, bowing, t a piece of id, had she ig she was . w(Jiild be, when they be as long glanced at d said she as long as but added, ng in this :ars ; we are I the words nit of their s some way ! ; and then the botcom r Miss Jo's borne," Ray It was indeed true, and not many words were needed to draw the whole story from Miss Jennie, who loved to talk over things and had no companionship in her reticent sister; she feared, too, that she was at the bottom of this whole disastrous affair. "The house has been mortgaged for years, but we always managed to keep the interest paid until lately. I've been so poorly I couldn't sew, and some of the ladies we depended on have left the city, and so we've had to use the house rent for evcry-day expenses. Mr. Hub- bard threatens to foreclose, and it seems to be all my fault," sobbed Miss Jennie. "Oh! but i =sn't ; and if it is, you can't help it," said Olive comfortingly. "Couldn't you tell Jesus, as my mamma does .> he can stop Mr. Hubbard." But that night Olive asked her father to ex- plain all about mortgages to her, and when he had made her comprehend, sat for a long time with a very preoccupied face. 112 A I.ITTl.E ADVOCATE. " Papa, arc you rich ? " she asked at length. " Nt), ilcar." " Why not ? Don't you cam a good deal of money ?" "Yes," admitted Mr. Gardcnell ; "and I spend .1 good deal. Will you understand if I tell you all about the various charities and missions and individuals who call upon papa for help.'" " Do you s'pose you could raise a hundred dollars, papa > Are we very poor .' " " O, no, dear ! we arc not poor at all. There is a great difference between poverty and wealth. I could raise a hundred dollars very easily. Why do you ask, my dear .' " " It's a secret," answered his daughter. Rut the ne.\t day she found opportunity to ask Miss Je if a hundred dollars would pay the mortgage ; she was most sure she could get so much. "No ;" Miss Jennie shook her head. " It was f..lly fifteen hundred dollars, and she must not trouble her dear little head about it. She must kiss her and never mention it to any one." Olive I herself t she couU " I'apa Judge \\ <*Ycs, his repu gives al Lord's ' then pa| the col( eyes br Thci Olive I She di mamm: somcth So ma who w charge corner o'clocl A LITTI.K AOVOCATK. "3 It lonj;th. oocl ileal of and I spcMul f I tell you lissions and .dp?- : a hundred all. There ' and wealth, very easily. ightcr. But to ask Miss e mortgage ; much. \d. " It was he must not . She must I one." Olive kissed her. but was careful not to pledge herself to silence. How could she help her if she could not speak of it ? "Papa," she bri)ko out th-'t evening, "is Judge Wilde rich ?" "Yes, dear, he is counted so, though 1 think his reputation for wealth exceeds the facts. He gives all his income above his ex,K-.nscs to the Lord's work. Do you understand that?" and then papa explained his words and noticed that the color grew in his little girl's face and her eyes brightened as he proceeded. The next day was Saturday. In the afternoon Olive obtained permission to go to the city. She did not divulge her errand, however. If mamma would please to trust her, 'cause it was something good and she would know some day. So mamma kissed her "Good-by I " and Herbert, who was also going to the city, took her in charge. He was to leave her at a certain street corner where she would meet him again at five o'clock. It was very hard not to tell him all 114 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. about it, but she kept it close by shutting her lijjs hard, and being unusually silent. He might not approve of her errand, but If he did not know it, how could he object ? She knew her way very well indeed, and had the wisest of plans in her wise little head. So when Judge Wilde said " Come ! " in answer to a rather timid knock at his ofKicc door, he was surprised and delighted at the bright sweet face that peeped in on hi\n. " Arc you all alone, dear judge, and can you spare me a half-hour as well as not ? " she asked politely. " Better than not. Alone, and at your dispo- sal for the whole afternoon, Birdie. I am so tired I was about to put up work. " I guess you were sent to rest me. What a blessed bit of sunshine you are, lighting up this old musty office." In a moment more our little woman was cuddled in the judge's arms, her hat ■on the table, while his hand sm.oothed her brown curls. A LITTLE ADVOCATE. 115 ;hutting her . He misiht he did not :ed, and had e head. So n answer to ioor, he was it sweet face ind can you '" she asked t your dispo- :. I am so ne. What a iting up this ore our little irms, her hat ;d her brown «' I wonder what has bought me this privilege. Want to consult uncle on papa's last court to see if Ray was tried properly ; is that it ? " for the judge had been called in as authority more than once by this small lady. "No, Judge Wilde, this is a truly case, and you will please not laugh to-day," replied Olive gravely. So the judge lengthened his face and declared himself ready to hear a clear statement of her business. " Uncle Judge, you have lots of money, haven't you .' " she began. -Let me sec," replied her friend, commencing to rummage his pockets. " Enough to get you a ribbon or two, or a new doll-baby, I guess." "Now, you arc laughing at me," she said indignantly. "Do be a good, nice Christian, please, and tell me if you are rich." « I'm a child of the King," said the gentle- man. " I have all I want, and plenty to use in the King's busmess. Suppose you tell me what money is needed." ! ii6 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. " It'b the King's business, really and truly, Uncle. Oh ! I'm so glad He gives you plenty to use, for this will take a lot more than a thousand dollars," speaking slowly, and looking into the gentleman's face to note the effect of this announcement. Judge Wilde opened his eyes, b'.it his lips smiled reassuringly, and she reached up to kiss him and call him a uarling, and with many diver- sions proceeded to tell her story, much to the amusement and interest of her listener. " You dear little chicken ! and your soft little heart is aching for your dear Miss J's. You are mamma's daughter, I see." " Dear Uncle Judge, if you were a poor woman — no, two women — 'cause it's a truly case — and had only one brother and he died — you mustn't kiss my hair, but listen — and was covered with violets ; and if your land had to go to build schoolhouses for children, and houses for folks, and you hadn't anything left to s'port both of you but one yellow house, and people living in the bigge sick and the rent couldn't you s'poi it all up off to sc " It Ic " Anc had lots girl, wh 'cause part — part of could I their \ this li have i and a good comfc violet j and truly, 'Oil plenty re than a id looking 2 effect of t his lips up tu kiss lany diver- ich to the ler. your soft Miss J's. )or woman ;ase — and ou mustn't vercd with to build ; for folks, rt both of living in A LITTLE ADVOCATE. 117 the biggest part Of it; and if one of you go sick and couldn't sew any more, and it took all the rent for the doctor and things, and you couldn't pay interest on the mortgage, don t you s'pose it 'ud be the King's business to pay it all up 'fore the hateful old man could sell it off to some one else ? " .. It looks like it," assented the gentleman. . ..And-andif Iwasrichandajudge, and had lots of the King's money to use and a httle girl, who had prayed about it, came and told me, cause Miss Je-she's one of you, the littlest p,n-cricd, and Miss Jo -she's the biggest part of you-looked solemn, and the boys never could go in there again to get drinks or have their hands tied up when they cut them, and this little girl who came to me couldn't ever have any more gingerbread horses with an eye and a tail -don't you think I ought to take a good lot of money and pay the mortgage, and comfort you. specially when Robert's dead and violets stifle you ? " ii8 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. Judge Wilde tried hard not to laugh as his little friend reached this climax, and turned on him her wide-open, solemn blue eyes. He put his lips to her forehead and hid his face in her curls, but the voice shook a little that replied decorously : — " Yes ; it looks so, I must say. But you know one must be very careful and look into matters before using another's money. I shall want the word of the King." " ' All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.' That's His word, and it was my verse this morning," said the child triumphantly. " Miss Je will die, and Miss Jo's heart will break, I just know, if they have to go away from the yellow nest. They were born there, and had a nice lawn where the large house stands now, and our schoolyard was their garden. They were rich, and now it's all gone but just that little yellow house and — and — their make-b'lievc garden not as big as this office, and they haven't any papa or mamr if it was on Jud< form sh " \Vh a plea uncle, a the am( do you "Ye Then any bi leaned while 1 «VV at lent "Y( does 1 will he "D you V some. A LITTLE ADVOCATE. 119 igh as his turned on He put ace in her lat replied But you look into f. I shall that men to them.' verse this y. " Miss •eak, I just the yellow had a nice w, and our were rich, ttle yellow garden not t any papa or mamma or any Robert, and I know I'd die too if it was mc." And down went the curly head on Judge Wilde's bosom, while the childish form shook with sobs. " Why, my darling, crying after making such a plea as that ! Why, what a lawyer ! Kiss uncle, and let us look it all over. Now tell me the amount due, and who holds the mortgage, or do you know, dear baby ? " <'Yes; I know everything," sobbed Olive. Then she sat up and answered questions as any brave little advocate might. Her friend leaned his face on his hands, watching her the while he mused. " What arc you thinking of, Uncle Judge ? " at length she questioned. " You are very like your mother, darling, and it docs my old heart good to know it. The world will have another brave, true woman, please God." " Do you think so 1 I'm so glad, only — only you know I don't always like to be good ; only some, when it's easy and nice." 120 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. He smiled and kissed her, caressing the beauti- ful head. "What will you do, Uncle Judge.? Do you think p'raps tha King sent me } " " I feel pretty sure He did." She clapped her hands. " Then you will save the little yellow house, you darling man," .she cried. " I knew you would, and you arc too good for anything, and i love you — heaps," throwing her arms about his neck and hu"-- ging him to strangulation. "You're just an angel." " Minus the wings," laughed the judge. " They never have any, papa says ; he don't think so , and I believe like papa. O, dear Judge Wilde, v/hen will you pay it all up.? May I tell my dear J's to-night .' " " No, no, my dear ! you must be very good, and say never a word to anybody. There may be difficulties to overcome. There, don't look dis- tressed. Birdie ; uncle can't bear that ; it's sure to come out right if it's the King's business, and I'll submitt It Wc disturbc have g( rose h; reached " Wh gravely the clas " Pre Good-b the doi " That' the wo "Al suppos "N{ momei sun bi to Ch up to A LITTLE ADVOCATE. 121 the beauti- Do you 1 will save nan," she Li arc too — heaps," and luig- ; just an he don't O, dear all up ? :ry good, liere may t look dig- it's sure business. and I'll be as speedy as possible." Then he submitted to another hugging. It was well, perhaps, that a rap at the door disturbed the two just then, or Herbert might have got tired of his street-corner. The judge rose hastily to greet his visitor, and Olive reached for her hat. "When shall I see you again?" she asked gravely, submitting to have her hat put on, and the clastic placed under her chin. " Pretty soon ; in the course of a week, I trust. Good-by. Posie ! " kissing her fondly. Then as the door closed he said, turning to his visitor, " That's the sweetest bit of flesh and blood in the world, sir." "Ah! a baby-daughter or grand-daughter, I suppose .-■ " " Neither ; " something like a cloud for a moment touching the fine old face. Then the sun broke through. " Her mother brought me to Christ, sir. I am one of a legion who rise up to call her blessed. How can I serve you ? " I 22 A LITTLE ADVOCATE. Meanwhile the little lady in the hall stopped a moment to readjust her hat ilacing the clastic where it belonged ; under tl . curh instead of the chin. " lie didn't know any better, and I'd hate to hurt his feelings," she .said to herself. " P'r'ps little girls wore it that way when he was a boy. He is old-fashioned, but just as sweet — as sweet as mamma's old-time flowers that papa likes so well. I'm like papa ; I love old-fashioned things." In All An Ray saic wonderf It see ber Tvf almost door ai Herber " Yo terribl) as he t lall stopped ; the clastic instead of I'd hate to f. '• P'r'ps was a boy. sweet — as that papa d-fashioncd CHAPTER X. PERHAPS. In the childish heart below All the sweetness seemed t.. grow and grow, And shine out in happy overflow, From her blue, bright eyes. T. Westwood. A WEEK was a long time for a little girl's patience, but it lasted "by patching," as Ray said, for he cheered her through its length wonderfully. It seemed strange to have a secret with Num- ber Two unshared by Number One. She felt almost guilty when she opened the study-room door and beckoned Ray away. What would Herbert think ? « You see I'm coming into favor. Aren't you terribly jealous?" asked the tease of his brother as he turned to obey the summons. 123 I 1^4 I'F.RIIAPS. "You won't feci bad, you darling, will you?" cried Olive, coming in to kiss the neglected one on his nose. " You are best, best " — " Hester, bestcst ! go it, 01," said Ray, finish- ing the comparison. "No, I mean good " — " Gooder, goodcst ; that's pure Saxon," per- sisted the naughty boy. "You know what I mean, don't you, Ilervie? and you're never a tease. But I have to tell Ray 'cause it was his secret at first, and he can be nice when he tries." The week ended with a summons to the par- lor. "Judge Wilde would like to see Miss Olive alone." Papa looked up from his paper in astonish- ment ; mamma opened her eyes; Ray whistled, and the young lady herself glided out of the room with great dignity, and a very knowing glance cast at her brother. " It's business, papa. I'll 'splain some other time," she said loflily. Businc decorum speedily arms, co mortgage vinced it been gn Then he the tran! to papa. So wl" examine told Mr. story of come. ] as relate: with tea: Papa permissi "And it be-au the tint 1 PERHAPS. 1-5 will you?" L>glcctccl one Ray, finish- Saxon," per- son, Mcrvie ? have to tell , and he can i to the par- :e Miss Olive in astonish- R.ay whistled, d out of the 'cry knowing \ some other Business, yes, and so dcli^ditful ! All the decorum was shaken out of the young lady speedily when the judge caught her up in his arms, covering her with kisses, and put the mortgage in her hands, telling her he was con- vinced it was the King's business, and she had been greatly honored as his royal advocate. Then he pledged her to secrecy as to his part in the transaction, and promised to tell the story to papa. So while the little girl wiled away Ray to examine the precious documents, Judge Wilde told Mr. and Mrs. Gardenell and Herbert the story of the child's visit to his office, and its out- come. It was a very pathetic yet amusing story as related by the judge, and his listeners laughed with tears in their eyes. Papa said Yes, when his girlie came to ask permission to go at once to Miss Jo's. "And you know all about it now, papa. Isn't it be-au-ti-ful .' " she cried. "And you're not the tintiest bit jealous now, are you, Ilervie.' 126 I'KRIIAI'S. 'Cause you sec I couldn't tell, though I wanted to awfully. Vou can go with Raynioiitl and mc if you w;int to." Ildbeit ckclined the invitation, assuring her he had not had a particle of jealousy, and with a sealed envelope, plaeeil in her hand by papa, who whispered a message that set her dancing all about the room, she at last departed with Ray for company. "Here it is. Miss Jo," cried the little girl, dashing into the little house and thrusting the mortgage and release into the lady's hand, " Here it is, all paid off. You must read every word of it before you look up, and you needn't thank . . ^ body, 'cause I didn't do it. Oh! you'd never guess who did ; and he doesn't want you to know. He's one of the best of men — as good, as good as my papa, only it isn't papa, 'cause he's not rich enough, and I'm so glad," all in a breath. Miss Jo had been trying to listen and read, too, as she stooped above the lamp ; now a look of bev the fa believ and w "O the (p you'll now ; "V niildl; "V all p:i in lu her c " I little <( c Ral i; woul was for than PERHArS. 127 iij^'h 1 wanted lond aiul nic assuring her .y, and with a ind by papa, t her dancinj; lepartcd with he little girl, thrusting the lady's hand. St read every 1 you needn't it. Oh ! you'd sn't want you of men — as it isn't papa, I'm so glad," ten and read, p ; now a look of bewilderment came to her face as she scanned the familiar iloeument. " Paid ! " she could not believe he; e)es. What was that child saying, and who had done this ? "Oh! you needn't a.sk," cried Olive, reading the question in her eyes. "Isn't it fun? And you'll never know ; it's a forever secret : and now you can stay here and be happy." "What is it, sister.-'" asked Jennie, looking mildly upon the two e.xcitcd people. "WHiy, the mortgage, and it's paid, Jennie — all paid. God bless that baby ! " with a quiver in her voice ; " I don't see how we can thank her enough." " I didn't do it ; I don't 'serve thanks, only a little for asking him to, you know." "Somebody must be thanked," said Miss Ralison huskily. This unexpected blessing that would spare the dear old home to Jennie — it was only of Jennie she thought — was too much for her self-possession. "Somebody must be thanked," echoed Miss Jennie. 128 PERHAPS. "Then it's God, I s'pcct ; it's his money. Judge — oh ! I most told — said so, and — and I guess he must have told Ray to put me to work. But it's all right, and you won't have to go now, and the school children can come into the yard as much as they like, forever and ever." "Amen," said Miss Jo solemnly. " Ain't everybody happy ? " cried the delighted child. " This is a truly comfort, isn't it. Miss Jo?" "You're a blessed child," returned Miss Jo fervently. " I know it. Papa said so when I asked him to let nie come here, and papa always tells the truth. I guess I'm getting good some — oh! I most forgot," searching her pocket. " Papa says Mis- Jennie is too feeble to spend this summer in New York, and you are to take her to the mountains," putting the envelope in Miss Ralison's hand. " It's money to go with, and you oughtn't to cry," much distressed as Miss Johanna gave a little sob, "'cause papa says she'll c papa al 'Di« Miss J "Yc " but worry i self, ai But si Jo dai « Y me c can d you foum "( Ray' he's mim "H( 'sec Im PERHAPS. 129 money. — and I :o work, go now, ;he yard clighted it, Miss Miss Jo ked him tells the — oh! I " Papa •end this take her s in Miss vith, and , as Miss )apa says she'll come back all right af.er her trip, and my papa always tells the truth." •Did any one ever see such a baby .>" asked Miss Jo through her tears. .-You're not a baby," began Olive soothingly, .-but you're tired, and I know you have been worrying about Je. You don't care for your- self, and you're just splendid, and I love you - But she got no farther with her speech, for Miss Jo darted for her and caught her in her arms. ■ 'You won't take thanks, and you won't let n.e call you baby, so. Tommy, I don't see as I can do anything for you but give you a kiss ; but you are a comfort, sure; though h. v you ever found out abc-t it I don't see." -Oh! Ray found out, and he guessea it. Ray's very smart, and good, too, sometimes, and he's waiting f.r me, ' she cried, suddenly re- minded that all this time Ray stood without. <.He wouldn't come in. 'cause he don't like •scenes/ and papa told me not to stay long, so I must go." V i:>o PERHAPS, Two women kissed the bright little face " Goo(l-by " to-night, and one said, so distinctly lliat Ray caught every word as the dooj opened, "Jennie, we must make Tommy another horse." lie laughed as he tucked his sister's arm under his own. "You'd soon have a stable full if you saved them, Princess. What did they say >" " Oh ! everything," sighed the little maiden. " You ought to have gone in if you wanted to know ; I couldn't begin to tell." " Try ; that's a duck," coaxed Ray. " Ray Gardenell, some things won't let you tell them. I'd like to, but I can't. It was just too lovely for anything. I guess p'r'aps Miss Jo is the biggest woman, after all — biggest in- side, you know. Ray Gardenell, let's be good." "When.'" startled at her abruptness. "Now — always; it's nice to be good. You are a darling when you try ; you've been just be-au-ti-ful in this ! S'pose we turn real good like mamma and Hervie .' " "Su to som go ah( fine C you're "D( It's c nice. Ra) "N at .' ai out. good, "V "T "T "V "P the fi "P he op V PERHAPS. 131 tic face istinctly opened, horse." ;r's arm iu saved maiden, anted to let you was just aps Miss ggest in- le good." Dd. You Dcen just real good "Suppose we do," replied Ray. "I expect to some day. I'm not quite ready yet ; but you ^0 ahead ; don't wait for me. You'd make a fine Christian, I know ; mother's kind. When you're good you always remind me of her." "Do T ? Am I like her to-night, Ray dear .' It's comfortable to have people think you're nice. I do like to be good some." Ray laughed. " I guess it is some." " Now, Ray Gardencll, what are you laughing at .' and you are so tall you are pulling my arms out. I don't like tall boys. Let's begin, and be good, do." " When .' " " To-night." "Too soon ! I've some fun on foot this week." " Well, next week, then. Ray, will you ? " "Perhaps," assented Ray as he bounded up the front steps and pulled the bell. " Perhaps." Mr. Gardenell heard the word as he opened the door, but did not catch its mean- \ CHAPTER XI. TRYING TO BE GOOD. 'Tis strange when babies will do wrong They always take to sinning, Amid a choice of naughty things, The way which is most winning ; Anrl make our capture more complete, By always adding sweet to sweet. S. R. G. C. GUESS," said Mamma Gardcnell, holding up a letter as papa seated himself at the supper-table. Papa looked very wise. "From Jessie," he ventured. "Oh ! you peeped." " Ray left it on the hall table, and as I passed I noted the post-mark and handwriting," con- fessed the gentleman. " But there's news." " Good V I 132 "Ver to spcm Mr. < " What papa hr "Oh ling?" let any love an do me, "Nt "Be "N( fied H "A as I 1 could you n to ler and t you s "/ \ TRYING TO EE GOOD. 133 .. G. C. holding If at the ssie," he I passed ig," con- «' Very. Jessie is coming with her two girls to spend the summer with us at Bloomingle." Mr. Gardenell looked at his little daughter. "What will my girlie do then, I wonder? her papa has only two knees." "Oh ! I'll have, I'll have Hervie, won't I, dar- ling ? " turning to her brother. " You'll never let any one but me sit on your knee, and never love anybody else in all the world so well as you dome, will you, Herbert?" " Never," replied her brother fondly. " Be careful, my son," said papa warningly. " Never while you love me best, sister," modi- fied Herbert. "A bargain ; and I shall never break it as long as I live," cried Olive warmly. "As if I ever could love anybody as well as my Hervie ! Oh ! you needn't look jealous, papa, 'cause you 'tend to lend your two knees to Aunt Jessie's girls, and they're both mine, you know. But I'll love you some." "And mamma?" inquired the gentleman 134 TRYiNG TO BE GOOD. I dubiously, "must mamma be punished for my sins ? " "No; I always love her just like Hcrvie, and — and you're nice some." Aunt Jessie was coming — was on the way indeed ; but this part of the news the parents kept to themselves, intending to surprise their brood. " Olive, you haven't been in a scrape for a week. I'm getting an.xious about you. What is the matter .' " "Why, I'm being good." " I thought so. Olive, I'm afraid you'll die young." The sepulchral tone startled the wee girl not a little, yet she said bravely, — " Ray Gardenell. do you s'pose God would take papa's only little daughter from him just 'cause she's trying to be good? 'Sides, I'm only good some." "That's it," said Ray, changing his tactics, "and some good don't amount to much, espe- cially when molasses candy is in the wind." "Wb "Kit delicioi "We off con "It science genuin be out My! 1 01i\ "\\ "O more "\ that 1 "/ cand; "1 forta cess. no s: TRYING iO BE GOOD. 135 led for my -Icrvic, and in the way he parents •prise their ;rape for a ou. What I you'll die led the wee God would m him just 'Sides, I'm his tactics, much, espe- wind." " Where ? " inquired Olive, interested. "Kitchen; Jane out; coast dear; smells delicious." "Well, I'll just go and peck." So Ray went off contented with his stratagem. "It isn't wicked," he said, to soothe his con- science. " She is deceiving herself ; it's not genuine. Good some is no good ; might as well be out-and-out naughty and have that candy. My ! how nice it smells." Olive soon made her appearance. " Where's your apron, Ol ? " " Oh ! I've only come to peek. I won't take more than a tiny taste." "You know mamma won't like it if you soil that new dress." " And you know she don't allow you to make candy without Jane's permission." " Tit for tat," laughed Ray, somewhat uncom- fortably, however. " Take your own way. Prin- cess. Jane needn't be so cross ; I'm sure there's no sin in making molasses candy." 136 TRYING TO BE GOOD. " Not in naking it," said Olive significantly. " What authority has an old servant girl, I'd like to know .' What sin is there in disobeying her.' I'm not going to be bossed." " O, Ray Gardencll ! you know it's disobeying mamma when you disobey Jane in her own 'realm,'" said Miss Olive loftily. "Mamma 'splained it all to me. Jane is queen in the kitchen, mamma said, and must be obeyed." " Nonsense," said Ray tartly. " It was never explained to me. ' Not a bit of canciy shall you make to-day,' .she said when I asked her, and it's no use to appeal to mamma. Why need Jane be so cross ? " " She isn't always ; not when she bakes us tarts and things." "Well, I didn't really mean to disobey," con- tinued the boy, as much to reassure himself as to enlighten his sister. " Fact is, I gave it up ; but I came in after a string and found this mo- lasses all turned out just on purpose to tempt a follow." " Y( if you Ray what " PerV throu] takes Wl molaj and s Ray a mo the s who she Sha dres B was ap TRYING TO DE GOOD. 137 ficantly. It girl, I'd lisobcying lisobcying her own " Mamma :n in the :yed." was never shall you ;r, and it's leed Jane bakes us bey," con- himself as ;ave it up ; d this mo- te tempt a .. You must 'sist temptation, Ray Gardenell. if you want to be good." Ray shook with laughter. " We shall sec what we shall see presently." he prophesied. .'Perhaps, good little girl, we shall be all through before Jane gets back. She generally takes the afternoon when she goes out." What a delightful time they had ! How the molasses boiled up and over ; how they mixed and stirred and tasted ! Olive forgot her dress. Ray his compunctions, and Harry coming ni for a moment forgot his play and remained to share the spoil. When the fun was fairly at its height who should appear but Jane. .. Now. Master Ray, this is how you obey," she cried, "and you the son of a minister. Shame on you. Miss Olive Hook at your pretty dress. But Olive had no time for reflection. She was pulling the lovely yellow stuff, and offered a piece to Jane to mollify her. .. I don't want it ; 'twould 'choke me. What 138 TRYING TO UE GOOD. with working like I Cud to get the kitchen straight before the company came — though to be sure they'll see little of it, one does like things nice. What is the use of scrubbing the floor and the chairs? See the marks of your feet, Master Harry, all over that scat," and out bounced Jane in high dudgeon. " O, dear!" sighed Olive, "why can't every body be good .' It's so selfish to spoil folks's fun." And Ray laughed slyly. " P'r'aps Jane thinks we's spoiling her fun," said Harry, wi' i a rueful look at the chair he had muddied. " P'r'aps she likes things nice." "P'r'aps," assented Olive, "but she oughter be willing to suffer some, 'cause she's a Christian, and there's always things to bear. How do you s'pose she thinks we bear her scolding ?" in an abused tone. " Let's make her taste our candy," suggested Ray. " Oh ! let's, let's," cried Olive and Harry in a breath. Out hands, saw \.\ u PI Jane, plead "G your and I morr moss aunt then enin t( crie( (I do i fun spe( TRYING TO HE GOOD. 139 n straight be sure vc things the floor >'our f'jct, and out n't every )il folks's her fun," ; chair he i"s nice." i oughter Christian, w do you ?" i in an suggested [arry in a Out to the back room they rushed, candy in hands, filling Jane's heart with dismay as she saw the door-knobs in their sticky fingers. " I'lease take a taste," they petitioned. " Dear Jane, for my sake, "cause I'm sorry I'm naughty." plead Olive. '• Go away, naughty children ! I won't touch your stuff," declared Jane, motioning them off, and continuing to sprinkle the clothes for to- morrow's ironing. "Get through with your moss and be off, so I can clear up before your aunt comes, and tea's to get." "Aunt," said Olive, "what aunt?" Just then Ray ran for Jane, holding his candy threat- eningly. " Get away ! get away from my clean clothes," cried the maid. "Then taste it," he laughed. "If you don't do it willingly we will have to make you." "Yes, yes, we will," cried Olive, alive to the fun in a moment. Han r joined them and speedily the victim was surrounded, i'earful of 140 TRYING TO HE GOOD. her washing Jane moved away from tho basket of clothes, the trio dancing around her, brand- ishing their weapons, laughing and yelling like lunatics. " Taste it," cried Ray. •' Taste it," cried Olive, and Harry echoed the refrain, and Jane, laughing and scolding, the ludicrousness of the accnc mollifying her anger, assented to a '^ingl'^ taste. This would not do now ; she must take a bite from each ; and sud- denly upon the stage appeared Herbert, thrust- ing his head through the door with, — " Ray, Olive, Aunt Jessie and our cousins are come." And still brandishing her candy his sister dashed out after him to greet the new comers. Wiser Ray dragged Harry to the kitchen sink and doused him mercilessly, then hurried up the back stairs to repair his own toilet. "Aunt Jessie, dear Aunt Jessie," cried Vhe sticky little girl, all unmindful of her plight. Her cousins started back in horror from this wretched r and took tl " O, you she cried, as she hel believe yo give me a Then C and blush the new nice she ' Aunt Je; little hea she crept cry. If Hcrbc when a the pari He pcej bunch c smiled inquire^ TRYING TO IlK COOP. I4> ^ basket ■, brand- iny like hoed the ing, the :r anger, 1 not do and sud- t, thriist- usins are andy his the new / to the isly, then his own :ried Vhe ;r plight. :rom this wretched apparition, but auntie sprang forward and took the sorry little girl in her arms. "O, you blessed child, how sweet you arc ! " she cried, laughing and kiss.ng the sticky face as she held the morsel away f.>r inspection. " I believe you are a child after my own heart. Do give me a bite. Then Olive caught a glimpse of mamma's face and blushed. For thr first time she remembered the new dress and U.e injunction to sec how nice she could keep it. Had mamma expected Aunt Jessie and meant to surprise her. The little heart sank, and seizing an early opportunity she crept away to her own room to have a hearty cry. If only she ever could be good. Herbert was hurrying through the upper hall when a sob caught his ear. It came through the partly-closed door of his sister's chamber. He pcej^ed in and saw such a disconsolate little bunch on the floor, all molasses and tears. He smiled as he advanced, and kneeling beside it, inquired into the cause of her trouble. 142 TRYIxNG TO BE GOOD. "Tn\ always naughty, and Aunt Jessie will think I'm ti'ily bad ; and, O, Hcrvie ! can you love me any more? Mamma is grieved, and — and I did try to be good for a whole week." " I know it, darling ; and you've been beau- tiful until to-day. How did this happen > " " It's all Ray's fault. He coaxed me to help him," she sobbed. •' And made your dear little feet go downstairs, and your dear little hands pull candy, and your dear little mouth eat it." " O, Hcrvie ! you know he didn't." " I thought not. Then Olive is the naughty one, after all, is she ■ " "Yes; some," reluctantly; "but it smelled awful nice, and — and " — " And you took your poor little nose where it could smell it. Abused little nose, I ought to kiss it." Then Olive laughed, as he intended she should. " Suppose now," he proposed, " I turn lady's maid and help you on with an^dier dress. be good TRYING TO BE GOOD. 143 Jessie will 2 ! can you ved, and — .veek." been bcau- )en ? " me to help downstairs, ', and your le naughty it smelled 3e where it I ought to she should, turn lady's her dress. Auntie will miss you. Let's wash the face and hands first." It was so funny to have Ilcrvie washing her face she grew quite merry, and especially when he tried to brush her hair. " VoLi don't know how," she laughed. " No ; but it docs not need much. Just a Utile brushing and a fresh ribbon will make it pre- sentable. Now, what dress shall we wear > " " Any you please, Herbert ; you pick it out." " Then we'll have this pretty blue, and a white apron. There, you are as sweet as a violet, only we must take off that ribbon and put a blue one on these darling curls," kissing them as he spoke. "Now, precious, you will try to be good for Hervie ? " " It's no use, the wicked's inside," said the child dolefully. " Yes ; i-^ut God is great and can make us good inside. That is what Jesus came for; if you ask him he will make you ' beautiful within.' Kneel down by brother just a little minute." 144 TRYING TO BE GOOD. Two little dimpled hands in two larger, boyish palms, one little flushed cheek pressed into a warm neck : — " Please forgive little sister, dear Jesus. Teach her to believe in your love. Make her as beau- tiful inside as she is outside, and keep her little heart and hands and feet all for your own use. In thy dear name we ask it." " Now, Precious, just one kiss. Mamma and auntie are in the back parlor." " What is it about that Herbert of yours that makes him so uncommon.-'" Mrs. Rogers was asking Mrs. Gardenell as Olive entered the room. "Why, he's never in a hurry, Aunt Jessie," answered the little girl, advancing to the lady's side. " He seemed in a great hurry a few minutes ago when he ran off with Tom's letter," laughed auntie. "O, Auntie! did he have a letter, and — and he never rea.' it. He came into my room and ii TRYING TO BE GOOD. US rger, boyish :sst;d into a esus. Teach her as beau- :cp her little ur own use. Mamma and i yours that Rogers was entered the unt Jessie," to the lady's few minutes :er," laughed r, and — and ny room and washed my face and combed my hair, and — and prayed." "Is it possible!" ejaculated the lady, tears springing to her eyes. " What a boy ! " "That's what I meant, Aunt Jessie. He seems in a hurry, and I guess he is, but he always makes time to listen and comfort and love people. He's just the darlingest darling." •' I guess you all are, my cherub," laughed Mrs. Rogers, taking the little blue bundle in her arms and kissing it enthusiastically, "if you do occasionally get too sweet. I always could endure any amount of sugar, but not a drop of vinegar. She loves her brother, it seems, and 'tis very becoming to her, and so is this blue dress and white apron. Turn around, Posey-bud, and let auntie tie your ribbons. You haven't learned to make a good bow yet." " You mustn't," replied Olive gravely, gently releasing herself from her aunt's hands. " My own Hervie tied it, and I like it just so. It's nice if it isn't, you know ; 'cause he loved me it 146 TRVING TO BE GOOD. while he was tying it, and put a kiss right under the bow." " We never object to a sash or bow When Little lilac Ribbons prefers it so. Loyal Chick, I don't wonder Ray calls you Prin- cess. Yensic, where did you get her .■' " " From Heaven," answered mamma, smiling. " O, mamma ! did you .' " Olive came to her mother's side and lifted astonished eyes. " How could you bring mc down here to get wicked, and lose all my pretty angel-ways ? I never knew before I was so good. I guess p'r'aps that's why I like to be good some " — There Olive stopped because she must, for Aunt Jessie was smothering her with kisses. M invade Harry ., It- have s ing at are al if onl; in clo^ Herbc boy. aunti( L kiss right CHAPTER XII. it so. lis you Prin- r ? la, smiling, came to her r^es. " How get wicked, 5 .'' I never ucss p'r'aps e must, for 1 kisses. TRYING TO FLV. Two little feet braced well ap.irt. Two arms like bird-poised wings, A joyous rain-washed, upturnt'l face. Lost to ail carnal things. CoRNELLA Sherman. MRS. ROGERS loN^ed litde people, and early the very morning after her arrival, invaded the nursery and was having a romp with Harry and Eddie when their mother appeared. " It's just like you and Herbert Gardenell to have such children," she said in greeting, look- ino- at little Eddie with coveteous eyes. Mine are all of the prosaic sort. There's Elsie, now, if only she can get her head in a book, she's in clover. She will want to study theology with Herbert, I have not a doubt ; pity she isn't a boy. Come here, my cherub, and tell your auntie what you are made of." 147 148 TRYING TO FLY. \ " Dirt," said Eddie promptly ; and was won- dertully astonished when Mrs. Rogers went off into convulsions of laughter. " Dirt, indeed, you precious. Uncle George has whole acres of it that he would give for just one darling baby boy like you." Eddie was looking at her out of very wide- open eyes. "God makes 'em," he said gravely, " only p'r'aps sometimes he 'ets de 'ittle andels help him." Then auntie knelt down before him and put her arms about his neck. "Wise little baby. I've not a doubt God made you. He made your papa and mamma be- fore you. Now, catch me if you can," and off she went on a race, bound to " dispel the dis- mals," as .she said, and keep that baby from grow- ing wings too soon. In the uproar of fun that followed the fond aunt proved speedily that Herbert Gardenell's children were substantial flesh and blood, if they were "angels." Tk Rogei Germ; the br "M right Harr) «< V Garde mend "C younj my 1 stood "\ "I b ural.' « T Itho sunn Tige \ TRYING TO FLY. 149 1 was won- rs went off cle George ivc for just very wide- lid gravely, ittle andels im and put doubt God mamma be- n," and off oel the dis- f rom grow- :d the fond Gardenell's ood, if they That afternoon Mr. Gardcnell drove Mrs. Rogers and her daughter Elsie to their cousin Germainc's, and Olive sat with her mother in the bnrk parlor, learning to knit. "Marnma," she began, "I don't think it's right to allow Mary Ann to talk to Eddie and Harry about angels and Heaven and all that." •' Why not right, daughter .''" questioned Mrs. Gardenell, looking up from a garment she was mending. " Oh ! why, for lots of reasons. They're too young, and " — hesitating. — " And what ? " continued mamma. " Will my little daughter try to make herself under- stood ? " " Why, it's this," cried the child impetuously, " I b'lieve it makes them die, Eddie isn't nat- ural." " How long since ? Less than an hour ago I thought him the merriest baby that ever shook sunny curls as he scampered with Harry and Tiger over the lawn." ISO TRYING TO Fl.Y. «'0 yes!" admitted Olive. "lie is a funny little fellow. But — but he talks uneartlily some- times, mamma, and 1 is eyes l(v.k so big. and I b'licve he loves Heaven and Jesus more than he does MS. It just isn't right to teach babies so much ; they die young ; it weans them from earth." Mrs. Gardenell's beautiful mouth parted to a smile. She knew her little daughter was quoting some authority. "Strange," she said, "that all the teaching you had in that direction failed of such results." " Not a wing has come out. Not the weeniest sprout," rhymed Ray maliciously from behind the cur- tain, where he was pretending to be reading, and had been undiscovered until now. Mamma placed both hands to her cars to shut out the shocking rhyme, at which her boy laughed. B".t Olive said shan ' y, " Vou needn t make any ' comets,' Ray liardenell ; not a pin feather of your wirgs has been seen yet." \ " Trii brother failure Mam droppei and 01 "Til isn't lil has ta good 1 I told out of nebbei ittlc a I, Har showe 01i\ seen ' angels harm Oli' from 1 , a funny lily sonie- )i<;, and I e than he babies so icm from artcd to a as quoting ; teaching :i results." 1 the cur- lading, and irs to shut her boy (HI needn t not a pin yet. ) TKVINO TO FLY. '5' "Truth, my shining 'comet,'" retorted her brother. " Wc are both notable e.xamples of failure in early training." Mamma shook her head, and the curtain dropped instantly, shutting out the saucy face, and Olive continued : — "There's a difference in children. Kddie isn't like anybody else, and, mamma, Mary Ann has taught him that ang-ls have wings, and good little boys turn to angels when they die. I told him it wasn't true, and he looked at me out of his solemn eyes and said, * Mary Ann nebber tells ennysing but the truf, and I sectl a ittle andel myscf 'wid davlin' ittle wings, didn't I, Harry ? ' And when I wouldn't believe it, they showed me a picture Mary Ann bought them." Olive was very indignant, but mamma had seen the innocent little print with its winged angels about the baby Saviour, and feT-^d no harm from its enjoyment. She said so now. Olive sighed, and a dismal groan answered her from behind the curtain. •5^ TRYING TO FLY. "Kosy don't think so," slie said, determined to treat her tormentor with the ,contemi)t he deserved. "You sliould have seen how she hjoked when she went to tell the boys a story the other day, and ICddie said, ' I don't yant to hear the ittle yed hun, Wosy ; tell luldie 'bout tiie i)itty antlcls where he id goin' by and by." "Oh! little — mother — v;oman," here inter- rupted the irrepressible, darting his curly head between the curtains again, " I wish you could have seen Rosy that afternoon. I was an un- seen spectator of the whole scene." " You always arc where you're not wanted," said his indignant sister. " If this much-abused fen^alc will permit me to make a few ' comets ' upon that story for your special benefit, mamma, I promise to retire and give her the floor for the remainder of the afternoon. " The nursery door was ajar as I passed by, and I peeped in. There was little Ned making \ his plea, in horrc him in, going t( "Not ran coh my life when E " ' D( wings ; me.' the chi' ov the '. his littl think ( blocks. the litt a word clane ( at all, would dapc \ \ TKVING TO FI.Y. 153 determined 3ntcmi)t he n liow she oys a story don't yant tell luldie d goin' by here inter- cnrly head 1 you could was an un- ot wanted," permit me t story for isc to retire ider of the passed by, Jed making his plea, and Rosy sittin- with both arms lifted in horror, and mouth wide open, as if to take him in, and thus forever end his chances of going to ' dc andels.' "Not knowing what thi^ portended, my blood ran cold, but I remained ready to defend with my life, if need be, my brothers, my only sister, when Eddie continued thus : — ")ok his heail at her, and told her Harry and he were going to see them soon : ' Idcnt we, Harry .' ' " "And O, mother," again interrui)ted Ray, unmindful of his late agreement, "guess what our young professor of investigation answered, ' Yes ; I would like to go for a little while to see what their wings are made of, and how they fasten them on.' I beg your pardon, sis. I'll go before I forget again," and off ran the lad without confessing that he had spent two whole afternoons ii. the construction of a pair of wings for Harry's special benefit, and that they were safely hidden away in his bedroom, ready to be tri charge tl It was clear. I adjusted eyes, thi ties to t " You said he ' his own Long lay talk: daring i whcreb; unseen sensitiv "Wc com par later tv secret room I her ekl TRYING TO FI.V. 155 ts fust. I'll a pL'iil of :d by his ic, ami his asked the lal ho said, sli>)()k his :1 he were larry ? ' " [)ted Ray, jucss what answered. ,'hile to see how they 1, sis. I'll an the lad two whole a pair of 1 that they oom, ready to be tried on after Mary Ann had left her chart;e that evening. It was prayer meeting night, so the coast was clear. Harry was dressed, and the wings were adjusted to his shoulders, fastened by hooks and eyes, the sewing on of which ta.xed Ray's abili- ties to the utmost. " ^^)u can put them on and off as you please," said he to the little fellow, as he carried him to his own room to survey himself in the mirror. Long after Ray left them alone the two boys lay talking of the wonderful wings, and Harry, daring and ambitious, soon had a plan arranged whereby he could try his treasures the first time unseen by any but ICddie, for Harry was very sensitive to ridicule, and he might fail. •• We ought to ask little Cousin Marion ; she's company," suggested Eddie; and a few minutes later two tiny white-robed figures disclosed their secret to the little girl who slept in the small room opening from theirs. Mrs. Rogers and her elder daughter had not returned from Prof. '->»J^ 156 TRYING TO FLY. Gcrmaiiic's yet, and this wcc one, scarcely older than Harry, was left with the babies, in Mary Ann's charge. Marion asked so many questions that Harry grew impatient. She was naturally a slow child. Her mother declared that she was born with her mouth wide open in astonishment at finding her- self in the world, and had never closed it since. Aunt Jessie's pet name for her youngest born was at least expressive, — "speckled gosling.'" I he dear freckled-face, inquiring child was just the opposite of her mother. " Born not to beauty, but greatness," that merry parent said, and Mr. Gardencll assured her that she would have reason to be proud of Marion some day. " She does not ask questions for nothing." It was beautiful spring weather. Every day now the children were permitted to be out as much as they pleased, so conscientious little Eddie had no questionings in his little heart early though it was when they awoke next morning. Their cousin was roused, and breathlessly they TRYING TO FLY. 157 scarcely older ibies, in Mary IS that Harry y a slow child, born with her at finding her- osed it since. 'oun<,rest born vied gosling.'" :hild was just Born not to ^ parent said, lat slie would on some day. Dthing." Every day to be out as ientious little tie heart early icxt morning, ithlessly they prepared to depart. A queer-looking trio they were as, hair uncombed, faces unwashed, and clothes half on, carefully carrying the wings between them, they crept downstairs. No one was astir. Even the kitchen maid had not arisen. The door-fastenings withstood their efforts, but they effected their escape through a window, and went out to spy the land and the best place for the flight. The prospect looked dubious until they espied a ladder left leaning against the barn. "De andels did yant you to fly, Harry," said Eddie, with child faith. " Dick, he fordet to put away de ladder. De andels make he fordet." " I'm afraid it's too high," said cautious Harry. "If I should fall.?" " Den you'd be a ittle andcl, an' have truly wings." •'Only good boys make angels," answered Harry. " We's dood," stoutly affirmed the tiny brother. 158 TRYING TO FLY. "What you s'pose mamma would say if she knew ? " questioned the older boy, with a con- science evidently not well at ease. Eddie stood still ; the first thought of any possible wrong in the premeditated pleasure had come. " 'Et's go back and ask mamma," he said. But Harry was bound to try the experiment. "Mamma's asleep, and papa says never to wake her, Eddie." " Ask papa, then .' " " He's out. I heard them come for him 'cause some one's dying. He went a long time ago." Harry had not been able to sleep for excitement. Eddie was much inclined to give the whole thing up, but Marion at last settled the question in her funny slow way : — " Would it be wrong to do what angels did?" This was unanswerable, and seemed to remove the last objection. Slowly they mounted the ladder two at a time, Eddie ahead, and Harry with the precious wings across his back, behind. The barn had a French roof ; th( by dint landed, ai descendci he at las on the ro of return the wing! ently all " Hadr anxiously we yant '. But H persisten He had Eddie th marched "You Eddie, w frightene were pre prayer cc TRYING TO FLY. '59 Id say if she , with a con- Eddie stood ble wrong in ho said. ; experiment, ever to walce 3r him 'cause 5 time ago." r excitement, e the whole the question what angels d seemed to wo at a time, ecious wings lad a French roof ; the ladder hardly reached the top. But by dint of pushing and boosting, Eddie was landed, and the wings beside him ; then Harry descended for Marion. It was after much labor he at last drew himself up, and the three were on the roof-top. No one thought of the matter of return ; one was going to fly. With difficulty tlie wings were attached to the hooks, but pres- ently all was ready. " Hadn't you better pway first .' " asked Eddie anxiously. " 'Cause you know if we id naughty we yant Dcdus to forgive us." But Harry was older and wiser. He knew persistent disobedience held no place for pardon. He had been well instructed. He did not tell Eddie this ; he only said he wasn't afraid, and marched to the edge of the roof. " You won't care if I shut my eyes .-• " cried Eddie, with almost a sob, for he was getting frightened. Under his tightly-closed eyes tears were pressing, and through his closed lips one prayer came over and over, — i6o TRYING TO FLY. " Dcdus, Dedus, help Harry to fly, and let us not be 'icked " Herbert Gardencll had never gotten over his olden habit of answering every call of distress. It was a common thing for him to be summoned to the bedsides of the unknown, unsaved, un- happy. From such a scene he was returning this bcautit'id spring morning. How fresh every- thing seemed ; as if just from the hand of God. As he turned from the city to the suburbs, where his own home stood, his heart swelled with gratitude. He had just watched another soul pass over the silent river, just pointed a dying one to Christ. How strange that men left these things of greatest moment to the last and least fitting hour of life. It is good to serve God! How kind the dear Father is to him! His nest is so full of precious, twittering life. He is early, so turns into the gate. No ; he will go and look at the grape-vine back of the barn that Dick spoke of yesterday. "The Almighty often hangs great weights on slender wires." What bundles move, shining ( thing wi quick to with Ha " Ano with a s the httlc fatal. ^ under tl is taken won't C2 A qui that que two str( two que ministei Harr} as kiss then he TRYING TO FLY. I6l and let us ;n over his of distress, summoned nsaved, un- i returning fresh every- md of God. le suburbs, art swelled led another t pointed a ; that men t to the last ood to serve is to him ! ittering life. No ; he will of the barn he Almighty r wires." What is that on the roof ? What odd little bundles are these ! Jlis step quickens, they move. That little crouching something with its shining dome — can it be Eddie .' But that other thing with hideous outstretchcL .vings.^ He is quick to think — to understand ; he is acquainted with Harry's secret propensities. " Another scientific experiment," he ejaculated with a smile and groan. He dares not speak as the little figures near the edge ; a word might be fatal. Stealthily, but rapidly, he glides along under the barn. The win^i are spread, the leap is taken. He hears Eddie's childish cry, " You won't care if I shut my eyes .-• " A quiver 'mid air, a little quaking of a heart that questions, " If I had not been here ? " and two strong arms envelop the little flyer, and two queer kite-like things are flapping about ministerial ears. Harry's eyes were shut, too, but they opened as kiss after kiss was pressed on his face, and then he was set gently on his feet. 1 62 TRYING TO FI.V. " Id you fycd, Harry ? " piped the little voice above. " Yes, darling," answers a voice he loves be- low. '• Now, you fly. Just jump to papa," and unhesitatingly the little fellow leaped to the arms awaiting him. Papa caressed the golden head as he said, — " God sent me to catch my little flyers just in time. If the dear Lord ever forgot, or was anything but the good God he is, mamma would be weeping over one of hci little boys now." "There's another one, papa," said Harry gravely. " Cousin Marion is up there." "Little Marion !" in wonder ; then, "Wait a wee, darling, uncle's coming," and over the lad- der sped papa. He had to smile as he caught a glimpse of a figure stretched out flat, face just projecting over the roof, and gray eyes intently watching the scene below. "Why didn't you let him fly.'" asked the serenest of serene voices, as he took her in his arms, ing. L have lai "On he kissc Then morninj evil doe small ei the broi there w and wit tie boy breakfa Mar> that "1 babbies whatev "My Rogers great ri "All TRYING TO FLY. 163 c little voice he loves be- o papa," and iped to the , the golden e flyers just )rgot, or was amma would ys now." said Harry 2rc." len, "Wait a over the lad- glimpse of a ojecting over kvatching the " a.skcd the ok her in his arms. " Now we've had all our trouble for noth- ing. Uncle Herbert, where do you think he'd have landed if you hadn't caught him ? " "On his nose," responded uncle, laughing, as he kissed Aunt Jessie's "speckled gosling." There was always a little fire in papa's study mornings, and it was always a "haven of rest to evil doers," as Ray averred. There three very small evil-doers had a nap that morning, two on the broad couch, and one in the big chair, then there was a talk and a nice prayer all around, and with faces washed and hair combed, two lit- tle boys and one little girl were led into the breakfast room. Mary Ann had just been telling the mistress that " not hide nor hair of those two blessed babbies could she find, or a stitch of their clothes, whatever could have become of them." " My gosling's missing, too," commented Mrs. Rogers. " But she's too philosophical to run great risks ; they'll turn up." "All women are prophets," quoted Mr. Gar- 1 64 TRYING TO FLY. '.Icncll, opening; t'.e door lu cime to hear this last, anu presenting his trio. What became of the wings remained i mys- tery to Ray. When questioned the httle fel- lows only shook their heads and looked at eacn other with laughing eyes as if they knew some- thing worth telling if they would. And the owners of those heads knew, and those roguish eyes had seen the wings go up in flames, and papa standing by cheered Harry on as uc ap- plied the match. K mm ;o hear this .ined i mys- he little fi.1- oked at eacn knew somc- And the lose roguish flames, and n as iic ap- CHAPTER XIII. AT DLOOMINGLE. We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. riiiLii' Jamls Hailky. NOW that Aunt Jnssie had come prepa--^ ■ tions were soon completed for a remo'- to Bloomingle, as Mr. Gardenell's residence on the b?nks of the Hudson was called. The place was a gift from Judge Wilde, who gave it this name in honor of the book Yensie had written in the days of her sorrow. This beautiful house was large and roomy, surrounded by lawns and gardens, in full view of the river and close to wooded haunts. It had come to Mr. Gardenell before his little girl was born, and there Olive first opened her blue eyes to the world, much to the delight of the judge. That this precious baby, born in the new home, i6s m<:-- \ 166 AT ULOOMINC.LE. should be a yirl, tlic only c;iil of the hoiischvjlcl, was source; of iicvcr-cnding joy lo the {^ood gen- tleman, and she became his favorite among his pastor's children, the place hitherto given to Herbert. The boy was more than willing to abdicate in favor of his darling sister, and whether the old man or the young lad took greatest pleasure in her first speeches -nd trembling attempts to walk, would be hard to decide. They vied in their attention to the wee lady, and she repaid their devotion with unstinted affection. In this home were garnered the attractions of many lands, the rarities not only gathered by Herbert Gardencll and his wife during their trip to Palestine, but pictures, statuettes, rocks, gems and shells, tlie fruits of the many sojourns the judge had made in foreign countries. Here was Olive's grand piano, a gift from the same kind friend on her sixth birthday, mamma's cabinet organ and papa's library of restful, helpful books of travel and standard literature. Here Judge Wilde w; his time school-b their st hurrah I Latin f Hcrv, : your be vacatioi Herl: hurt rr yourse friend. he is s' of thin "N( " Don tion ? durini "W about I AT BLOOMINGLE. 167 : liouschoUl, 10 t^ood gcn- among his to given to T abdicate in ther the old t pleasure in attempts to rhey vied in i she repaid ion. ittractions of gathered by ing their trip , rocks, gems sojourns the ;. Here was le same kind ma's cabinet nelpful books Here Judge Wilde was always welcome, and spent much of his time in summer. " Farewell, old friends," cried Ray, hustling his school-bcM,ks, helter-skelter, into the closet of their study-room. "Take a good rest, do; hurrah fur fun, and not a K^i^P^c of algebra or Latin for two whole months, at least. I say, Hcrv, you needn't smuggle that Horace into your box of specials ; papa forbids study during vacation." Herbert looked up with a smile. " I shall not hurt myself, old fellow, be sure, any more than yourself. I asked permission to carry this old friend. It will be just sport studying with papa, he is such a delightful teacher and knows no end of things." " No books ! " Elsie Rogers looked her horror. "Don't your father allow any study during vaca- tion ? I should think you'd lose all you gained during school time." •< Which shows how much you do not know about the Rev. Herbert Gardenell," laughed 168 AT ni.OOMINfiLE. Ray. "Wait a wcc. Don't tell her, Ilcrv; let her find out as it comes. You sec, cousin mine, our papa is himself and nobody elso, and has his ways of doing things." Which, indeed. Miss Elsie found out to her entire satisfaction. No study? No, not a bit, but such delightful additions to knowledge with- out a seeming effort at attainnicnt. "O Ray, you are a favored boy!" said this young miss smiling, as, coming from a chemical experiment just finished in Mr. Gardenell's laboratory one day, this graceless lad, making a grimace, said quizzically : " No study } t should think you'd forget all you ever didn't know. " " I tell you, coz," he made answer to her re- mark, " you're only beginning to get the first glimp'^c. You wait. There arc oceans, mount- ains, cou.' tries, planets left yet to explore. You want to hear father read Shakespeare, so that even I get charmed with the musty old chap; then there arc the magazines, and Mark Twain's latest. I shouldn't know anything if it wasn't for the ' get all tl fellows : tions ju: it is a fi We'll ha tower tc feeds up and of ( let his meal." Well, flowers, Here v sketchii riding amount vulsed 1 some b; a sly tc ke''^hic coughs AT Ill.OOMINGLR. 169 , Hcrv ; let ousin mine, and has his out to her , not a bit, 'ledge vvith- " said this a chemical Gardcncll's 1, making a 1 should : know." r to her re- let the first ans, mount- plorc. You are, so that y old chap ; ark Twain's if it wasn't for the • no study ' months at IMoominglc. I get all the material with which I astonish the fellows at school over my brilliant composi- tions just from this source, and the best of it is a fellow hasn't to cram for a word of it. We'll have a clear night soon and go up in the tower to get acquainted with the stars. Papa feeds up every summer while at the old ' Hloom,' and of course it wouldn't do for a minister to let his children starve while he enjoys a full meal." Well, it was delightful ; the long rambles for flowers, the examination of rock specimens. Here was geology, astronomy, botany, music, sketching, reading, and all intermingled with riding and boating parties, and the largest amount of innocent fun. Mr. Gardenell con- vulsed his audience at times with laughter over some bit of comic literature, and elicited many a sly tear at others, wiped on half-drawn hand- ker-hiefs with averted faces and incipient coui^hs. He never appeared anywhere without 170 AT BLOOMINGLE. a trio of children at his heels, and led them into trials of speed which taxed the fleetest-footed of their number, and trials of skill and strength that Liought out any amount of ingenuity beside health and amusement. Elsie Ro, rs was de- voted to him. Marion was ever at his side, and all deplored his occasional calls to the city. " I don't wonder Herbert keeps young," laughed Mrs. Rogers, looking from the window one morning as he played tag with the children. "There, if Olive hasn't coaxed the judge into the sport. I do wish George and Fred were here." " So do I," said Mrs. Gardencll heartily, drawing her chair nearer the open window, through which floated the merry voices. " Do tell me about Fred ; she is the only one of your children I have not seen yet. We have been too busy to have a real good long chat since you came. Suppose we take it now. Tell me about all your girls." "Thev're beautiful," said their mother, in her AT BLOOMINGLE. 171 1 them into st-footcd of id strength uiity beside rs was de- is side, and c city. OS young," the window ic children, judge into Fred were .'11 heartily, ;n window, liccs. " Do one of your have been it since you tV. me about )ther, in her sprightly way, " only they are all girls," dolefully. " Why couldn't I have had one boy > I tell you, Ycnsie, George and I coveted your Herbert when he was with us last summer. It was hard to give him up again. We missed the fun he and Tom Burton made in the house. Indeed they were inseparables. Mrs. Burton said she hardly real- ized she had a boy while Herbert was there, hers was home so little ; and he was inconsolable after Herbert left. George used to join tb.cir romps, and, I too, for that matter. He was a real godsend. Mabel had just married and gone, and we felt as if we had buried some one until your boy came. He cheered things won- derfully. He is his father's self over again. " As to Fred, she does her best, and is the ne.xt best thing to a boy. I still make her part her hair on one side, and keep it short. I'm bound to come as near as I can to the missing article. George says she is as good as any boy in the hay-field, but you need not looked dis^rcsised, she is low-voiced and womanly, Ycnsie. She spent SA 172 AT BLOOMINGLE. last winter with Lois, at Chicago. Being the only boy, we missed her, but she needed a change, she is such a home-body. Lois has everything nice, is happy with her husband, and has a girl-baby. So, you see, I am grandma, and should be proud enough if it were to a grandson. How time flies ! Imagine me with a daughter twenty-five years old. I must be old, though I don't feel that I am. If your first Herbert had lived, darling, he would be a man now. Do you realize it .'' " " No," answered Mrs. Gardenell, a little sadly. Any reference to her lost darlings moved iier heart. They had lacked so much, and there — she looked out at them with tear-filled eyes, — how full their cup, " Neither do I," continued Mrs. Rogers, un- mindful of her friend's agitation. " Fact is, one needn't grow old because the years multiply. One can't stop them, but they need have noth- ing in the world to do with them ; simply ignore them and keep the heart fresh. Age begins AT BLOOMINGLE. 173 Being the needed a Lois has isband, and grandma, were to a • mo with a list be old, your first be a man little sadly, moved iier id there — ed eyes, — Rogers, im- pact is, one s multiply, have noth- nply ignore \ge begins within and works out ; I haven't the least bit of a wrinkle on my he irt. I am astonished, Yensie ; I did expect to see you somewhat changed, but you are your olden self, hai)py and care-free as the birds, and as nuisic-fuU. Your voice is not broken, and Olive inherits that gift of yours, lucky chick! I see you find time to be inter- ested in everything, and yet, judging from the week I spent with you in town, you have great and continued demands on your strength. The position of pastor's wife, in your case, at least, seems to be no sinecure." Mrs. Gardenell smiled. " Yes ; I have both hands full, and my heart must have wonderful stretching capacity to hold so much, for it never feels strained; but I have such a guardian and helper, Jessie. So few are blest as I," tears again springing to her eyes. " I am watched so constantly by such loving eyes ! It is wonderful, and to me ever suggestive of those never-weary Eves above, the jealous care with which my hus- band surrounds me. He always knows when I 1/4 AT BLOOMINGLE. have (lone just enough, when rest is needed, and he assures it, too, by warding off all that comes near. lie has such a way of compelling without compulsion, of shielding without seeming effort. He stands like some natural bulw rk between me and every hardship, beating back the incom- ing waves by his very position. Yet I share all his labors and thoughts and burdens. I could not be denied th.at privilege, but it is the light end of the cross I carry ; the end that lifts one into the joy of fellowship, without the pangs of martyrdom. I wish he would spare himself as he does me." " And who arc yon, if not the dearest and best part of himself ? " asked a cheerful, manly voice beside her, for Mr. Gardcnell had entered unperceivcd, and heard her closing words. " Ennie dear," laying a fond '..and on her head, " I need no sparing. It is glorious, just the privilege of work, hard work, for the Master. I never suffer. Every hour of anxiety and toil for his sake is its own exceeding great reward. I seeni to comes so tinually z within m look at 1 say noth earth, n' seventee tion, rer love to I through Now tears we up to m fondly t " Her tears, " your wi: I'm glai "So and adc would iccdcd, and that comes ini;' without mn'^ effort, k between the incom- I share all 3. I could s the light It lifts one e pangs of himself as earcst and rful, manly ad entered ing words. I her head, s, just the Master. I anc' toil for reward. I Ai PLCiOMINGLE. 175 \ seen, to 'lave pcrennia^ springs within, and He comes so nigh, lifts cross and Nearer so con- tinually and consciously, lives so beside, around, within me, I know no need. Then, sister Jessie, look at my church, my home, my childnui, to say nothing of this best, this sweetest gift of earth, my wife. I've known no need these seventeen years, no need but deeper consecra- tion, renewed thankfulness, and purer, greater love to Love divine that by strange paths led me through self-renunciation to unutterable joy." Now Jessie was crying softly, and Yensic's tears were dropping even while her eyes shone up to meet his love, and while her lips pressed fondly the dear hand on her arm. " Herbert Gardcnell," said Jessie, through her tears, " only one woman on earth was fit to be your wife ; such devotion would spoil most of us. I'm glad you've got her." " So am I," responded the gentleman heartily; and added playfully, "What sort of Providence would you make, : • onder, if you fitted more 176 AT I5L00M1NGLE. than one woman for one man ? I assure you, Jessie, much of what we ministers are called upon to do in that line is simply carpentry ; job work that cannot possibly be pleasing to the Master Builder." How time flew at Bloomingle. A month! Could it be possible ? VV^hcrc had the days gone ? Another, "and not a scrape worth mentioning," as Ray declared ; while Olive added, " W'c never do get into trouble when we have papa to play with. It's easy to be good with him. Aunt Jessie, don't you s'pose that's the reason that folks are always good in Heaven, 'cause Jesus looks at them and plays with them ? I s'pect He is like my papa, some." " I s'pose you're a wee darling, and I s'pect you know more about Heaven than I do," answered Aunt Jessie enthusiastically, kissing tlic mouth that questioned. Vacation was really done. School would commence next week. Papa and the boys always went back to the city then, though { mamma mained occasioi over th( "It's begin c Why, S months, But Jessie, her to r at Blooi Fred vv( make a course, tearful t soon set decided not rem " Alt( summer say one AT DLOOMINGLE. ^17 assure you, 3 arc called pcntry ; job sing to the A month ! 3 days gone ? iicntioning," " \Vc never )apa to play lihii. Aunt reason that cause Jesus 1 ? I s'pect md I s'pect ban I do," ally, kissing ;hool would .1 the boys hen, though K mamma and the little people sometimes re- mained a while longer, the boys running up occasionully on Friday afternoon, and stopping over the Sabbath. "It's a shame," Ray spluttered; "school to begin on the very best month of the year. Why, September and October are the crowning months, as papa says." But inexorable is Fate, and so was Aunt Jessie. In vain Mr. Gardenell tried to pe raa * her to remain a few weeks longer with hib ■.-■■:-'. at Bloomingle. Her time was up. George and Fred would begin to expect her, and she must make a couple of short visits on her homeward course. So the pleasant house received the tearful farewells of the children, and they were soon settled again in their city home, for mamma decided to go with them, as Aunt Jessie could not remain. "Altogether, it has been such a delightful summer," Elsie said. " It would be a shame to say one regretful word to mar it." So Ray, who ! 178 AT lU.OOMINiJLE. had been her devoted cavalier for the ivccks pas' to the great amusement of the older part of the company, tried hard t(^ stifle all com- plaints, at least in her presence. " I':.\Lremes meet," laughed Mrs. Ro;j;crs, as h r nearly eighteen-year-old daughter, and the not quite fourteen-year-old lad, paced the back veranda, arm in arm, the night before she was to start westward, IMr. ("lardencD smiled. "What shall I do with him when he is twenty .? " he asked. " Send him to me if he is too much for you. I prophesy you will be proud of that boy some day. Herbert, what will you take for one of your boys ? " " Not in a mood for money-making to-night,'* responded the gentleman, his eye upon his son's tell-tale face. "God bless that dear little woman," he continued presently. "Jessie, dear sister, the world needs women as well as men. God gives you one crop to raise and me another, both for the kingdom. Some day I kv>-'- AT m.noMINGI.E. 1/9 r the weeks ic older part iflc all com- ;. Ro;j;ers, as iter, and the :cd the back fore she was t shall I do le asked. Rich for you. hat boy some e for one of ing to-night,'* ipon his son's t dear little " Jessie, dear well as men. aisc and me Some day some man will bless you for that Christian daughter." "Come here, my speckled gosling," called Mrs. Rogers to her small daugh.ter, passing by, at this moment, with Olive. "Conic here. Uncle Herbert (.'vcs me a liulc ImiK', and I want to kiss you. f wonder am I growing pioud .' I don't believe you are (|uite as speckled as you used to be. Kither that, or Olive has taken on some tan. Herbert, since your crop is to be boys, suppose I take your girl along with me.'" For answer Mr. Gardenell stooped and opened his arms, and, as his one choice girlie sprang into them, he folded )ier to his bosom and chanted softly, as he walked up and down, a verse of the twenty-third psalm, his wife was wont to sing, " My cup runneth over, runneth over ; " and Aunt Jessie sluu her eyes and list- ened with a rapt face, as tlic little girl's voice caught up the strain, " Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, shall follow me all the days of my life." CHArXKR XIV. IN TlUaC WE TKUST. Silence I Silence! Silence!— I'ray I Kvcry moment is an hour, Minutes long as weary years. Henry Baieman. I WOULDN'T go, Ray." " But I've promised." " A promise to do wrong ought to be broken. Tell the boys, in thinking it over, you have de- cidvd it's not the thing to disobey father. Be manly about it." " Oh ! but you sec I haven't so decided ; my brother bar done that for me. Besides, I'm to furnish half the cash for the supper. They'll think I'm dead broke or growing stingy." "You stingy!" Herbert laughed. "Give them your share of the money, then ; that will iSo stop all we are strictly his per " Wl Any 01 Harry. since J Her "01 fellow quire ? older I'm ta if he two." "W "O a tele and tl as if ] a chic IN Tlir.E WE TKUST. l8l \ 1 EMAN. ! broken, have de- her. Be dec! ; my >s, I'm to They'll " Give that will stop all that sort of supposition, liut don't go ; we are not at Bloomingle now, and father has strictly forbidden us to go on the water without his permission." " What docs father take me for, I wonder. Any one would think I was a little shaver like Harry. I'm going, anyway. It's been dismal since Aunt Jess took Elsie off." Herbert smdcd and lifted his eyebrows. « Oh ! you needn't look so knowing. Can't a fellow like his own cousin, I'd be happy to in- quire ? She's just the thing if she is four years older than I am. Four years aren't many, and I'm taller than she is already. I asked father if he didn't think I looked the older of the two." " What did he say ? " " Oh ! he looked through his hand as if it was a telescope, and said ' some,' just as Ol does, and then caught me under the arms and laughed as if I had been a standing joke. I say I'm not a chicken, why shouldn't I like a girl or row a IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) €f< id y ml/ A //A I 1.0 1^ IIIIM ||M "• IM III 2.2 ':' IP 6 illl^ nil 1.8 1 1 I.I i 1.25 1.4 llll^ 1.6 , II ._ ^ 1 < o Photographic Sciences Corporation ^A" ■^ iV 6^ % ■\> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14500 (716) 872-4503 ^^ .^ ^'' ^^^ m o ,v' C^x .<■' m % i m. Q- W, /J/. ^A ^ i i s i CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 'f. IN TIIEE WE TRUST. boat. I wonder. I can manage an oar. When a fellow's fourteen he ought to have some liberty." .. For shame, Ray, when father lets us do every possible thing we ask that isn't positively wrong or dangerous. You know there isn't one of you could mange a boat under difficulties." " Who's going to have difficulties ? You'd better tell Jonas Cowles he can't manage a boat. Why, he's a splendid hand. His father isn't afraid to trust him on the water anywhere." '« Then he has his father's permission," said Herbert quietly, quite sure to the contrary. Jonas Cowles was a boy he did not like, and it troubled him to have Ray with him so much. <■ Suppose you follow his example in that respect. Then if father says No, his mouth is shut." " And he'd be sure to say No." " He might offer to accompany you." « And spoil the boys' fun. You see they are in for sport." " When did father ever spoil fun, I'd like to know ? " ii ■*^i"-&>s^»«' ■i,(ijj.^t.r;yV?'?»'V' „, an oar. When ve some liberty." thcr lets us do t isn't positively w there isn't one cr difficulties." ficulties .' You'd 't manage a boat. His father isn't r anywhere." permission," said to the contrary. d not like, and it ith hin^ so much. )lc in that respect. uth is shut." o. ,ny you." You see they are lil fun, I'd like to IN THEE WE TRUST. 183 " Well, they'd think so ; Cowles wouldn't budge. Now, Herv, remember this is an out- and-out secret. 1 had no business to tell you, only — only I don't feel right, and that's a fact, in slying off without a word." " Ray, honor bright, you know the whole thing is wrong." " Well, no," slowly ; " not in itself. How can an innocent sail on the river be wrong .' The only thing crooked is not telling father about it, and that's out of the question, as you see." Herbert did not see, neither did he reply ; in- stead he pursed up his brows and looked at his brother out of troubled eyes. " There, don't you come father with your ' Look of Fate,' as Ol calls it," said Ray irritably. " I declare, you're the image of him, and quite as old ; the best thing you can do is to take orders. It's no use," waxing wrathy, "I'm not going to be pinned down or kept from the water. I'm bound to learn to manage a boat and command one, too, if I have to run away for my chance." V V 'v«-« ' -ai^'i |; '^yi- %\ 184 IN THEE WE TRUST. " And break mamma's heart." .. Pooh ! Little mother-woman isn't so soft as all that. She'd yield if she thought I was called to it." with a contemptuous curl of the lip. " She can do anything when she wills. What a splen- did oar she is. anyway. I was proud of her that day Judge Wilde and Aunt Jess went with us for a boat-ride. Such little hands to make such neat strokes." .' Yes ; and father said you were doing famously that day', too. Oh ! he intends you shall learn and have all you want of it. but he has been pressed with care lately, and can't find time for boating. He's as fond of it as any of us." ..But a fellow can't wait forever. I was cut out for a sailor ; I'm finding my calling, and I'll be one some of these days, you'll see. I'll have a vessel of my own -a beauty- and take you all around the world. You needn't look at me out of such eyes ; I kngw what you're thinking ; but mamma will sail across the briny deep m my own bark yet. my hearty. Anybody'd think, the ^ ^.W*».<' UST. t' nan isn't so soft as lought I was called irlofthelip. "She Us. What a splen- is proud of her that Jess went with us bands to make such were doing famously nds you shall learn it, but he has been 3 can't find time for as any of us." forever. I was cut T my calling, and I'll you'll see. I'll have jty_ and take you all ;edn't look at me out you're thinking ; but le briny deep in my Anybody'd think, the IN THEE WE TRUST. 1S5 way you talk, that little mother was a bundle of nerves. Who was it quieted that crazy man who escaped from the asylum and invaded the woman's prayer meeting that day ? Why, he was like an infant in her hands, and walked back to his keepers lamb-like. And who is it hushes that crowd of vagabonds at the Mission by just lifting her hand and opening her mouth to sing ? She is never afraid of the worst man or woman among them, Mapes says. Oh! our mamma is a wonderful little woman," cried Ray, getting warm over his favorite theme, "and I'd like to see the person who would deny it or — "That her son is the sweetest flatterer in the world," said a tender voice, while two arms en- circled the boy's neck. .'Mamma, you here!" rising, and flushing crimson. What might she not have overheard ? " How long have you been listening to us ? " .' Fie ! my son, I thought mamma was a won- derful woman, and now you suspect her of act- ■mm ...^ '■■-•.'■• 1 86 IN THEE WE TRUST. ing the spy on her boys ; as if that was ever necessary. I wanted something from this closet and just stepped along in time to hear your culogium. You must bo^h be in earnest dis- cussion not to hear the door open. What is the subject up?" " Mamma," answered Ray, putting both arms about her, and thus hiding his face from view, "our dear mamma," shaking his head furtive^ at Herbert, finger on his lips. His brother un- derstood this was to enjoin silence on their late conversation, and he motioned back that his lips were sealed only on one condition, the giving up of the whole project. Ray nodded a hasty assent, and mamma, unconscious of this by-play, having opened the closet door to which Ray had conducted her. laughed as she made answer from its depths, " Surely there can be no difference of opinion between Numbers One and Two on such a theme ; two. such loyal subjects queen never had before." <• We will always be loyal," Herbert said, kiss- ^^™*-33Bfc*- - - ■:a'M':'::^7iii lUST. if that was ever rig from this closet iiiie to hear your be in earnest dis- pen. What is the putting both arms lis face from view, his head furtive'y . His brother un- lilence on their late d back that his lips idition, the giving ay nodded a hasty ous of this by-play, • to which Ray had : made answer from 1 be no difference ( One and Two on yal subjects queen Herbert said, kiss- IN THEE WE TRUST. 187 ing her as he helped lift the bundle she sought from an upper shelf. " Loyal till death." " And after," laughed Ray, springing to take the bundle and carry it to the sitting-room, thus avoiding further talk with his brother. Herbert was not troubled as the majority of boys are, with scruples about "telling" on his brother. If mischief was in the air and he could prevent it he was bound to do so. Yet he was not a tell-tale, and Ray would have been first to knock the boy down who dared call him such. Number One was in the habit of reasoning with Number Two, who generally confided his proj- ects to him, and usually succeeded in talking him out of them. When Ray passed his word Herbert rested. " There never was a more hon- orable fellow," he often asserted. So he went to school that afternoon with a light heart and was not suspicious even though Ray failed to put in an appearance at the supper-table. " Off somewhere with the boys and forgot himself, I suppose," he answered to his mother's II comment at this unusual occurrence. He gave a little sigh of satisfaction when he found him- self in the study-room alone ; as he recalled Ray's pledge he was sure his brother was not on the river : he had his promise to that effect. " Have I a boy at command ? " asked mamma pleasantly, fully an hour after, putting her head into the room where Herbert sat alone with his Latin. "Number One at your servi:e in a half-min- ute ; only another line to translate." "And where is Number Two ?" "Still among the missing," responded her eldest cheerily. "Won't I do as well, mamma ?" " You will do, but hardly as well. Then I am really uneasy about Ray ; he seldom trans- gresses like this. Have you no idea of his whereabouts, Herbert?" " Why, he must be all right, mamma. You know Ray is honorable." Yet his mother's un- easiness communicated itself to him in spite of his assurance. " Why won't I do, mamma ? " i:Jj!im»^- -"—--• •■ -■-! ■ -1- Irust. IN TIIEK \VF, TRUST. 189 urrence. He gave ^hen he found him- as he recalled Ray's her was not on the that effect. id ? " asked mamma sr, putting her head rt sat alone with his 2rvi:e in a half-min- anslate." rwo .' " ng," responded her o as well, mamma } " ly as well. Then I y ; he seldom trans- you no idea of his ight, mamma. You ii:'ct his mother's un- If to him in spite of t I do, mamma i " " A ba.sket for old Auntie Stewart. You know she will be sure to say, ' Why didna me ain bra' laddie bring it .' ' " "And I'll answer as sober as a judge, your ain bra' lad has Lrought it, Auntie." "And her reply, " smiled Mrs. Gardenell. "It is no use, Herbert, Ray's jolly little speeches have won the first place in her heart, and she will .say, ' To be sure. Master Herbert, your me ain lad, but it's the curly-pate with his wee bit fun I'm after asking for. I hope he's weel, this evening, and no forgets old auntie.' " " But, if the basket mun go, it mun go, mamma; and you'll want it there before dark." All the way to Mrs. Stewart's Herbert reas- sured himself. He was vexed at his own un- easiness, growing fast as he recalled his mother's troubled face. Could Ray have been overper- suaded, after all .' " Of course not. He is the soul of honor," he answered himself. " His nod is as good as his word." Nevertheless he de- cided to consult his father if Ray was still miss- ''^J U t mf - IQO IN TIIF.E WE TRUST. ing on his return. He met Olive at the Rate, hat on. jnst returned from a call on a httle friend. -Herbert," she asked immediately, "where did Ray go after school ? There was that old Jonas Cowles and Ben Gordon and Ira Faulks with him. Grace Turner met them, and she said they were lauj^hing and talking as if some full was on foot." Her brother stopped abruptly in front of her. .. O llcrvie ! " she said, reaching up to smooth his brow with her little hand, "how that 'Look of Fate • grows on you. Please don't let your eyes go any deeper. I've told you all I know, every word of it. and I dont -serve to be stared ' He kissed her. " Run in. Pet, and stay with mamma. Play for her, sing that new song -do something, everything-but don't lispaword of what Gracie said. That's a dear ; HI go see papa." And Olive who no more thought of dis- obeying Herbert than papa when he used that V W^ %a^^i ta»j0»' ' * ^' IN THEE WE TRUST. 19» RUST. Olive at the gate, a call on a little Timcdiatcly, " where There was that old -don and Ira Faulks met them, and she ,d talking as if some •uptly in front of her. -caching up to smooth ind, " how that ' Look ricasc don't let your : told you all I know, lu't 'serve to be stared in, Pet, and stay with ng that new song — do but don't lisp a word of L's a dear; I'll S" see no more thought of dis- ,apa when he used that tone, rr.n in, after a troubled Blance into his face, and he hastened to the study. A little later from the parlor window she saw „a„a and her hrotherpass out and hasten down rto street. Her mother, just beside her, saw ,bo„,, too. and a smile brightened her lips, .ow muci, alike they were, her eldest son and her precious husband. The lad was already nearly „,, ,0 his father, and had the same pr.ncely fi„„re, the same noble head. Her heart always rt'rmed with pride when she saw them thus together. 0„ they strode. Herbert had hard work to keep up with his father. Straight for the river they shaped their course, and reached it n, a „,arve,o„sly short space of tin,e. It seemed scarcely a moment to the boy since he stood m the study repeating his fears, and now the boa. was loosed and they out upon the water. H,,w the little skiff bounded over the waves under the manful strokes at the oar. .. To the Point, did you say, Herbert ? that jmVuit^ 192 IN THEE WE TRUST. was all tl.c word spoken. Mr. GardcncH had been seized with the awful conviction of .mme- diate necessity for action. A horror for wh.ch he could not account, and which left no room even for surprise, had taken possession of him from the moment Herbert had uttered his f^rst word. And now. hat pushed from his forehead, locks free to the breeze, coat removed, he bent to the oars as if life and death depended on his exertions. Mow Herbert exulted in those „.asterful strokes! His father was so gra..!. so much a man in everything; he would be hke him. God helping him. and then a sudden ejacu- lation from the alert man sent his thoughts m another direction. They were midway across to the island ; a boat approached. There were only boys m U and one crouched over as if in fear. They had taken in sail, and were coming slowly, but the erand strokes of this single oarsman soon brought the skiffs abreast. Herbert discerned Jonas Cowles, Ira Faulks and Ben Gordon in the lUST. Mr. Gardcncll had onviction of inime- ^ horror for which vhich left no room possession of him rtacl uttered his first d from his forehead, it removed, he bent death depended on crt exulted in those ather was so grand, ig ; he would be like then a sudden ejacu- sent his thoughts in OSS to the island ; a were only boys in it, if in fear. They had oming slowly, but the single oarsman soon 5t. Herbert discerned and Ben Gordon in the IN THEE WE TRUST. gathering dusk. Vvhere was Ray? Perhaps he didn't go, after all, " honest old fellow," he commented inwardly, with a little self-reproach that he ever had doubted him. " What have you in the bottom there ? " How stern his father's voice sounded ; not a boy in that boat bu: shivered as he heard it. " Ray Gardenell," answered somebody timidly. "He fell in as we were pushing off; not very deep, but he got tangled somehow. We pulled him out, but he isn't conscious." Another stroke, and silently as the boats met, two hands passed Herbert the oars, took up the motionless form beside which Ben Gordon cowered, wrapped it silently in his coat, and hastily resumed the oars. Forward with a bound went the little skiff under a desperate touch. "Was Ray dead?" Herbert felt faint as he caught sight of the white, upturned face. Did the strong man ask himself that question also ? On, on, back towards the city they went with IN TIIEE WE TRUST. From the baitman's lips mighty plunges. From dropped these words, these only: - ..Thou »rt God. our Go.1. InThee we trust. Like n,usie they fell on the hoy^ars over yonder, between whom and the speaker ay that white soruething. " Our God. In Thee „e trust." Herbert wept as he repeated then. '"how short, how long a t,me sinec they left that wharf where they landed again. Herber never knew how the boat was fastened, or wha happened next. The first he reah.ed severa „U sailors were helpi.,g to lift Ray -'"-"W .bed near by, and his father's voiec was saymg, ..Adoctor.myboy.bequiek!" Then he ran, the last words in his ears those of one the seamen, M think he's quite gone, s,r and hs fathers ealm and reverent ar.swer,"Sm« God lives, wc will hope." Providence favored Herbert. Only a block or two away he fairly ran under the feet of Dr. Ford's horse. He was a friend of the fam.ly. I ,Xv^^*^,:^^'ijy-^^". IN THEE WE TRUST. 195 RUST. he boatman's lips )nly : — In Thee we trust." I the boy-ears over id the speaker lay )ur God. In Thee IS he repeated them time since they left uled again. Herbert was fastened, or what it he realized several o lift Ray into an old ler's voice was saying, ^uick!" Then he ran, rs those of one of the uite gone, sir," and his ;nt answer, " Since God erbert. Only a block or , under the feet of Dr. , a friend of the family. and as he drew up, Herbert scrambled to the seat beside him. How breathlessly he waited as the physician felt for the heart and pulse of his brother. " I fear there is little hope ; no perceptible pulse," he said sadly. How his father's eyes gleamed in the dim light ; what unearthly strength and beauty lit up his fine face ! " With God, a little goes far. There's abundance of hope somewhere." And while they labored to resuscitate the limp body Herbert crept back in a corner, and, dropping on his knees, prayed There was wrestling the ne.\t hour in that old shed; no Jacob wrestled harder. One wrestled as he worked, and one worked only wrestling. " O, Lord, I will yield all my preferences, I will do thy work, and thine only, while I live. My life for his, dear Lord. I will be your slave, go to heathen lands— anything — but spare him till his soul is saved," moaned the boy under his breath. And then as the sudden conviction IN THEE WE TRUST. .Ha. death had even .hen .aUen possession „™„ghishear.,>ndespera.io„hecned,"W..h Thee are .he issues of life. Oh ! bring him baek. baek, back, un.il his soul is saved." And ye. no. .he quivering of lip or nos.nl gave sign of re.urning life. .. Even so, Fa.ber, for so i. seeme.h good n thy sigh.," a. leng.h moaned Mr. Gardenell, Jing himself from above his boy and ra,smg hi. e es in hear..broken resigna.ion .o Heave. ,N„I my »ill,bu. Thine be done." And , us. then Dr. Ford said ferven.ly, "Thank God . and one of .he old .ars uncovered his hea, and ,_ 1 .„r„ " Vc's be answered, yer sobbed ou. brokenly, Yes ue Riverence ; .he b'y brathes." Brca.hes! They held .heir brea.hs as u,ey ™„d for ano.her gasp. Yes, surely, another ; ;ereis..fe,andwi.hag.ad,-.Herber.ou GO. does answer prayer," .he fa.her ben ov hi, son. Yes, he lived, and by and by, w.th .he docor beside him, R.y was placed in an easy "ns ■% I* ^-^iT--'-^^ • UST. taken possession ,n he cried, "With h ! bring him back, ived." g of Up or nostril it seemeth good in led Mr. Gardenell, his boy and raising iignation to Heaven. ,e done." And just tly, "Thank God!" overed his head, and 's be answered, yer cs. heir breaths as tliey Yes, surely, another ; glad, "Herbert, our ' the father bent over nd by and by, with the was placed in an easy and Herbert hastened IN THEE WE TRUST. 197 ahead in the doctor's carnage to prepare the household for his coming. " Go to Martha, and have his bed made ready at once." whispered Mr. Gardenell at the door, with a pressure of his son's hand, and he turned to his wife's room. ni m if'l': Mv ^Jl! CHAPTER XV. THE DANGER PAST. Ah. yes. His pity, like His heaven, is large.^ ^ ^ MRS GARDF.NELL had been passing a wretched evening. In spite of her little daughter's efforts to entertain her. all through the hour spent with the wee boys her heart had been heavy with some iU-defined dread, some premonition of sorrow. A few fnends dropped in. and she tried to be pleasant and interested in their conversation, but her thoucrhts would wander to the mssing boy. and wonder that his father did not return. Some one ought to be searching for Ray. Unwilling to burden Olive with her fears, she dismissed her at last, and felt relieved when she could go to her room alone and pour out her heart before 198 THE DANGER FAST. 199 XV. PAST. leaveti, is large. J. P. C. had been passing a In spite of her > entertain her, all th the wee boys her ith some ill-defined of sorrow. A few e tried to be pleasant :onversation, but her the n-issing boy, and d not return. Some g for Ray. Unwilling r fears, she dismissed ^ed when she could go xr out her heart before 98 God. She had just arisen from her knees when her husband found her. " Darling, God is good to us," he said, kissing her brow as he bent over her. " O, Herbert ! what has happened ? " Something of the strain, the agony of the . past hours may have been in his voice ; much of the joy of deliverance from a great sorrow. This one whose every heart-throb had long since learned to vibrate to the cadence of that be- loved voice -to whom the slightest variation of his tone was understood -this one knew that danger was past, that some great blow had been averted, that her husband needed her now, and as she sprang to her feet, the question on her lips, she turned to the door, adding, — " I am ready, darling. Yes, God is good. What am I to do .? " "Thank Him, first, that our Ray is saved from an awful death -from drownin;;. I hear the carriage coming. God bless my brave little wife!" For Herbert Gardenell had never yet ^»i- 20O THE DANGER PAST. come to Yensic. whatever the exigency, and found her unready. Together they met the burden at the door; he proud and exultant, and not to be dismayed at the white face and wilted body before wh,eh his wife paled ; but, in spite of an inward s,nk- i„g, no one responded more calmly to every . demand of the physician or assisted more efR- eiently at that bedside than Yensie Gardenell. Herself was put aside, and when everything was arranged for the night she insisted that she alone must watch by the couch while others rested. Herbert had found his little sister wa.tmg for him in the hall, crouched on the top stair, when he went in search of Martha. " What are you doing here, Pet ? " .. O Hervie ! I couldn't sleep. Mamma sent „.e to' bed. but I was so afraid. I didn't say one word to her all the evening, but my heart f,,, ,o-so dizzy, and I most know hers d.d too. She didn't want me to s'pect anythmg. U^ J-a ^ii-nn"--^"* lST. he exigency, and rden at the door; ot to be dismayed body before which of an inward sink- e calmly to every , assisted more effi- Yensie Gardcnell. hen everything was ; insisted that she couch while others tie sister waiting for , the top stair, when I. -e, Pet ? " sleep. Mamma sent afraid. I didn't say vening. but my beart most know hers did ; to s'pcct anything, fff i :, 11 ■ r\ I \iV\ 1 1 M ; I 'ill ! Hi'' ',1 'dt THE DANGER PAST. 20 1 and I didn't \ nt her, and we were such misyer- able hypocrites. I wish I hadn't promised not to tell. It's just dreadful to be making b'lieve happy when p'raps something awful is happenin' to your own brother. Hervie, tell me truly, did Ray go on the river with those boys, and is he dead .' " " He went on the river, but he is safe, darling. God has given him b; ck to us, and now you must hop into bed like a precious." " Oh ! I can't, I can't ; don't ask me too, Hervie. I'll be just as good and just as still, but I won't leave you again to-night. 1 feel safe where you are, and my bedroom is so lonesome." What could Herbert do but kiss the tearful little face, and, putting a shawl about her, allow her to follow him to Martha's room, thence to Ray's, and so into the very scene he longed to spare her ? " Please come in here," he said, opening the door of his own pleasant chamber as he heard the carriage wheels approaching. She followed if i H w ii' (• : ■' r if : m I'': ; ti i; 202 THE UANGER PAST. hin. but only to spring out into the hall agam ^v.hcn the heavy steps aseended the sta.rs. .. Don't look. cWt. Olive." Herbert said, put- ting his hand over her eyes. Too late! She had caught a glimpse of that deathly faee, and was clinging to him in mortal terror. MIeisdead.I know he is, and, oh-oh ! M had only always been good to him," she moaned. In vain Herbert soothed and reassured her ; told her Ray had opened his eyes, spoken, that Dr Ford said he would live. Apparently con- vinced one moment, she broke into wails the next, and at last he took her to Ray's own room and asked the doctor to tell her himself that her brother would live. .< Yes ■ bless God. little Olive. I trust the boy is out of danger now," said the physician cheerfully. "Now. lady-bird, you get mto your nest, or I shall give you one of these terrible powders." Then he kissed the little girl's cheek, and papa carried her away in his strong arms and -jS^- ■..,-•< •^'i4„.\;.'"i. \ IS VST. nto the hall again (l the stairs. Herbert said, put- Too late! She t deathly face, and I terror, i, and, oh-oh ! if I him," she moaned, and reassured her ; s eyts, spoken, that c. Apparently con- roke into wails the her to Ray's own ■ to tell her himself ; Olive, I trust the ," said the physician -bird, you get into c you one of these tie girl's cheek, and his strong arms and THE DANGER I'AST. 203 put her to bed himself, and sat beside her until she had fallen into a sound sleep. Herbert and his mother were alone when he returned to Ray's chamber. There was no need to keep the household up, Mrs. Gardenell said, so she had dismissed them all but this one ; he insisted on remaining until sure Olive slept. Mr. Gardenell stooped above his eldest-born and folded him in his arms. " Kiss your mother," he said, holding the dear face for the caress. .. Now I will sec you in bed. I want to feel sure of my treasures to-night." .< You will go to bed and get a little rest your- self, Herbert," Mrs. Gardenell said to her hus- band as he returned again to her side. .' Rest ! " he smiled. " Shall I ever need rest again > I feel as fresh as a skylark, and as ready to soar. 'They that wait on the Lord shall renew their .strength.' Literally has the prom- ise been fulfilled in me to-night " "And yet Herbert has told me how you labored. You will feel it to-morrow. Do go to ":"4^*ftfn m m " 'k. THE DANGER I'AST. 205 AST. ious glance of my "• fondly. "Did the first, the only c, ' Little mother- But Mr. GardencU words seemed the id ever heard, and le caught his eldest like a babe, while sympathy. ay opened his great ;r, and repeated his T," she was there to childishly for a kiss, p again ; but not for woke again with the ,nd more: "Will you '• I have, my son." " Pray." That was all. Only as she knelt and held his hands, praying, she saw two bright tears course down his checks. He was very weak. She did not talk to him. It ws bc'tcr for the dear Holy Spirit to talk, she thought. That would not weary her boy. There was great joy and thanksgiving in the hearts of each member of the family next morning, as they assembled at breakfast, and knelt in prayer. How praise abounds after sorrow averted ! Strange we do not offer it oftencr before it comes — when it has not even threatened. Queer mortals we are. Ray was missed ; the vacant chair was there, but oh ! " not forever," thought father and mother, and though tearful eyes met, there were smiling lips. Ray was very weak ; would be a prisoner for some days, and all vied in their attentions to him. His parents noticed, in the days that ?»*■- i*? THE DANGER PAST. followed, how often his eyes filled at some fresh proof of their devotion. " I don't deserve it," he said to mamma, as his father laid the new book he had been desiring, on his pillow. " Love is Gou-like," she made answer. " ' Not by works oi' -i^hteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy. He saved us.' " Ray was thinking. Might not this dark road lead to the King's highway ? They hoped so. PAST. . filled at some fresh said to mamma, as book he had been nade answer. " ' Not which we have done, He saved us.' " ht not this dark road ? They hoped so. CHAPTER XVI. BETTER AND WORSE. The darkest day Live till to-morrow, will have passed away COWPER. AS Ray got better, he acted very much like his olden self, much to the disgust of Olive and the sorrow of Herbert, who had one long solemn talk with him. " If you had died then, Ray, where would you be now .' " he asked, shuddering, and with such pain in his voice that his brother was moved. '< Dear old Herv," he said, laying a caressing hand on his brother's, "you care altogether too much for this boy; he's not worth it. Don't waste your time ; let me take my own way. I'm not just ready yet. If you'd spent all this time on your Horace it would have paid better," lifting and passing him the book he had dropped. 207 I: 1 208 BETTER AND WORSE. " Ray, Ray ! " "Herbert. Herbert!" mockingly. "Honor bright, you'll never find me in such a scrape aga'in. I shall not blame you if you don't take nly word ; I've forfeited your respect, but I do intend to keep straight henceforward. Farther than that, I'm not ready to go. There's too much to give up. There's lots ahead I want to do, and religion -your kind and father's - would be in my way. H I could take it as some do -the pliable sort that stretches -I might try it ; but that wouldn't suit you any better than my present position, and I hate shams myself. Now, let me alone awhile. When I'm ready I'll let you know, and you can pitch in. It's kind of taking advantage of a fellow to press him when he is down, and hates to deny you. "Everybody thinks I ought to turn pious now because I've been into this scrape, and everybody thinks it their business to throw in a dose of advice with every flower and bit of fruit ,.' gly. " Honor such a scrape you don't take spcct, but I do ward. Farther ). There's too ihcad I want to and father's — ould take it as it stretches — I ;t suit you any ion, and I hate e alone awhile. ,ow, and you can J advantage of a down, and hates ht to turn pious this scrape, and acss to throw in a /er and bit of fruit BETTER AND WORSE. 209 they send me. I'm sick of it. I told mamma I would not see another person. I guess papa is parson enough to attend to all my needs in this direction, and if he is not he has a very able assistant at hand. I say no man has a right to attack another just because he don't agree with his beliefs." " Has a United States officer a right to arrest a criminal without his permission ?" asked Her- bert quietly. " Of course he has. He isn't a faithful offi- cer unless he does. That's his business." '< Ju,st so ; and it's my business and papa's and every other Christian's to arrest every sin- ner in the name of Jesus Christ, and bring him to unconditional surrender. You are a rebel against Heaven, Ray Gardenell." " And you are a born parson as well as a first- class lawyer," laughed Ray uneasily. " But I tell you, Herv, your special police had best settle it that half of your work is but lost time." 2IO BETTER ANU WORSE. •• None of my business or a government offi- cer's, either. Our time is not our own ; it has been bought up. Mine was given me to lose or spend as God wills for his own glory. Hence- forth by his grace He shall have his way in one boy." <'You don't mean," said Ray, eying his brother keenly, " you can't mean — Herv, old fellow, what's the matter with you, anyway? You don't appear natural. Did I give you such a scare that you lost yourself altogether .? " <• Do you miss me, Ray .' " " Miss is no word for it. You always were good, but not gooder. There," answering a wistful look in his brother's eyes, " don't preach. I am what I am, and you what you are. I'm really half afraid to be left alone with you lest I have to turn parson to please you." Herbert smiled sadly. " H you will only turn Christian we will wait for the parson a few years .. As if I ever could be parson. You were WORSE. 5r a government offi- not our own ; it has s given me to lose or own glory. Hence- lall have his way in said Ray, eying his I't mean — Herv, old r with you, anyway .' Did I give you such self altogether ? " >" it. You always were There," answering a "s eyes, " don't preach. HI what you are. I'm eft alone with you lest please you." " If you will only turn for the parson a few be parson. You were BETTER AND WORSE. 211 cut. „ea„t for .ha. yourself, Ilcrv; got *e exact !;', believe youre right. an