Part 38 (1/2)

”That's so nice of you! Now, you needn't be lonely any more, and I'll try to fill Archie's place till he comes back, for I know he will, as soon as you let him.”

”Well, I don't mind telling _you_ that while he was my mate I never missed brothers and sisters, or wanted any one else; but since he cast me off, I'll be hanged if I don't feel as forlorn as old Crusoe before Friday turned up.”

This burst of confidence confirmed Rose in her purpose of winning Charlie's Mentor back to him, but she said no more, contented to have done so well. They parted excellent friends, and Prince went home, wondering why ”a fellow didn't mind saying things to a girl or woman which they would die before they'd own to another fellow.”

Rose also had some sage reflections upon the subject, and fell asleep thinking that there were a great many curious things in this world, and feeling that she was beginning to find out some of them.

Next day she trudged up the hill to see Archie, and having told him as much as she thought best about her talk with Charlie, begged him to forget and forgive.

”I've been thinking that perhaps I ought to, though I _am_ in the right.

I'm no end fond of Charlie, and he's the best-hearted lad alive; but he can't say No, and that will play the mischief with him, if he does not take care,” said Archie in his grave, kind way. ”While father was home, I was very busy with him, so Prince got into a set I don't like. They try to be fast, and think it's manly, and they flatter him, and lead him on to do all sorts of things,--play for money, and bet, and loaf about. I hate to have him do so, and tried to stop it, but went to work the wrong way, so we got into a mess.”

”He is all ready to make up if you don't say much, for he owned to me he _was_ wrong; but I don't think he will own it to you, in words,” began Rose.

”I don't care for that; if he'll just drop those rowdies and come back, I'll hold my tongue and not preach. I wonder if he owes those fellows money, and so doesn't like to break off till he can pay it. I hope not, but don't dare to ask; though, perhaps, Steve knows, he's always after Prince, more's the pity,” and Archie looked anxious.

”I think Steve does know, for he talked about debts of honor the day I gave him--” There Rose stopped short and turned scarlet.

But Archie ordered her to ”fess,” and had the whole story in five minutes, for none dared disobey the Chief. He completed her affliction by putting a five-dollar bill into her pocket by main force, looking both indignant and resolute as he said,--

”Never do so, again; but send Steve to me, if he is afraid to go to his father. Charlie had nothing to do with that; _he_ wouldn't borrow a penny of a girl, don't think it. But that's the harm he does Steve, who adores him, and tries to be like him in all things. Don't say a word; I'll make it all right, and no one shall blame you.”

”Oh, me! I always make trouble by trying to help, and then letting out the wrong thing,” sighed Rose, much depressed by her slip of the tongue.

Archie comforted her with the novel remark that it was always best to tell the truth, and made her quite cheerful by promising to heal the breach with Charlie, as soon as possible.

He kept his word so well that the very next afternoon, as Rose looked out of the window, she beheld the joyful spectacle of Archie and Prince coming up the avenue, arm-in-arm, as of old, talking away as if to make up for the unhappy silence of the past weeks.

Rose dropped her work, hurried to the door, and, opening it wide, stood there smiling down upon them so happily, that the faces of the lads brightened as they ran up the steps eager to show that all was well with them.

”Here's our little peace-maker!” said Archie, shaking hands with vigor.

But Charlie added, with a look that made Rose very proud and happy, ”And _my_ little sister.”

CHAPTER XXIV.

_WHICH?_

”UNCLE, I have discovered what girls are made for,” said Rose, the day after the reconciliation of Archie and the Prince.

”Well, my dear, what is it?” asked Dr. Alec, who was ”planking the deck,” as he called his daily promenade up and down the hall.

”To take care of boys,” answered Rose, quite beaming with satisfaction as she spoke. ”Phebe laughed when I told her, and said she thought girls had better learn to take care of themselves first. But that's because _she_ hasn't got seven boy-cousins as I have.”

”She is right, nevertheless, Rosy, and so are you, for the two things go together, and in helping seven lads you are unconsciously doing much to improve one la.s.s,” said Dr. Alec, stopping to nod and smile at the bright-faced figure resting on the old bamboo chair, after a lively game of battledore and shuttlec.o.c.k, in place of a run which a storm prevented.

”Am I? I'm glad of that, but really, uncle, I do feel as if I _must_ take care of the boys, for they come to me in all sorts of troubles, and ask advice, and I like it _so_ much. Only I don't always know what to do, and I'm going to consult you privately and then surprise them with my wisdom.”

”All right, my dear; what's the first worry? I see you have something on your little mind, so come and tell uncle.”