Part 32 (1/2)

Would this peace come again? Not until she had seen Lily, and the mysterious problem solved should she look for it. She did not like this tangling up of broken threads; indeed, she did not want them to break at all; but, since they must, why could they not dangle free from each other?

Soon after dinner, and while the sun was still high, the carriage came around for her.

”Going to see the cripple, Willie Evans?” interrogated the driver from the box, with all the northern familiarity. ”His sister is back again, and a hard time she's had of it; so they say”; he continued, for the lady had not answered. She spoke now.

”She was with me, you remember, at the hotel.”

”Ah! yes, ma'am, I remember! There is something strange about her adventure, but I dare say it will in time be all explained.”

She had not liked the way the simple-minded man gave his information.

What if, after all, gossip, should burden her shoulders with the strange rumors. She had not thought of this! How would she be received at the cottage? Would Willie blame her? But Lily had told all! She certainly would relieve her from censure.

The carriage stopped at the gate and Mrs. Hopkins appeared in the doorway.

”Are the young people at home?” inquired the lady without moving from her seat.

”They have gone for a short walk to the lake, but will be back soon,”

was the reply. ”Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d, I believe? They will be glad to see you!

You had better come in and I will send for them.”

”I will go,” said the driver; and Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d stepped from her carriage and entered the little parlor.

”You will find that the girl is much changed,” remarked Mrs. Hopkins, handing the lady a chair. ”She is very thin and pale. She has been seriously ill, and I do not wonder! It _was_ dreadful! Her being out all night in that terrible storm; and in an open boat all alone! I tell her that she had better stay where her _friends_ are now, if it _is_ in the lower walks of life! She has some very foolish notions that, in my opinion, she would be much better without.” Mrs. Hopkins had taken a seat close by the window, and seemingly was communing with herself rather than entertaining her visitor. Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d allowed her to proceed without interruption. ”She is poor, homeless and friendless, and the sooner she makes up her mind to settle down to these facts and go to work, the happier she will be.”

”I think you are a little mistaken about her poverty, friends.h.i.+ps or home, for to my certain knowledge she has all. At any rate she can have them by the acceptance.”

”It seems that she did accept, and you see how it has turned out. She comes back without clothes or health and ready to seek shelter in the home she once so foolishly left. Still,” she continued, as she espied a flush of indignation sweeping over the face of her listener, ”I have much to thank you for in regard to my poor brother. He is very happy in being able to earn his board and provide for his own necessities. It was kind in you to bestow such happiness on a poor cripple. We had never thought it possible that he could ever be anything but a burden.” The lady moved nervously. ”Of course we were willing to take care of him, but it's so much pleasanter for one to take care of himself. Mr.

Bancroft has seemingly taken a great liking to him. He was out here last week and wanted he should hurry through with his vacation as he was lonely, so he said. I thought the change would be bad for him, but he has grown quite fleshy and is looking well.” The voice ceased, for suddenly she had awakened to the consciousness that she was talking all alone.

Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d was busy with her thoughts. This then was the f.a.n.n.y of whom Lily had told her. What wonder that her sensitive nature had shrank from her! Such exhibitions of a selfish spirit! It was not strange the atmosphere of such a home had chilled and frozen her warm, tender affections. But it was over. She should not remain a day longer where such storms of frost and snow must continually pelt her! She was indignant. ”Glad to get back to the home she had left” without friends or clothing! She looked up and saw a pair of stern eyes fixed upon her.

”I beg your pardon, I was wandering with my thoughts just then.” ”And I was waiting for them to come back,” was the response. ”Of course you will let the girl remain now where she rightfully belongs? She can help me and pay her way if she feels so disposed, and it's time that she should. If she is let alone I have no doubt she will make quite a woman.

She wanted to see you and I had no objections; but you had better not trouble yourself farther about her. Don't you think so?”

”I can answer your question better at nightfall,” Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d replied, ironically. ”I shall take them both with me to the hotel if they will go, and after talking the matter over can conclude with greater wisdom.”

”Of course they will! Some people are very willing to seek for aid when helpless and in trouble, but have no idea of returning the favors received when an opportunity is offered for them to do so!”

The little party were coming up the garden walk and Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d arose to meet them. With a bound and a cry of pleasure Lily sprang into the open arms ready to receive her.

”O Lily, Lily, my darling!” exclaimed the sweet voice, while the lips that spoke these words were kissing brow and cheek pa.s.sionately. Willie was. .h.i.tching himself over the green gra.s.s towards them. ”You are changed! How very sick you must have been!” and she held the weeping girl off at arm's length that she might look at her. ”Get yourself ready, as the carriage must be back to the hotel in three hours and it is nearly two already.” She stepped forward and clasped the cripple's extended hand. ”It makes me more happy than I can tell to meet you both again. You will go with us? I so pine for one of our old talks duplicated. Frank, help Willie to the carriage.” And she turned to find that Lily had disappeared, and in her place stood the veritable Mrs.

Hopkins.

”I do not want you to think,” she said, meekly, ”that I am not willing that you should be her friend, but I do think that if you are, you will advise her to remain in her present home, where she seems to have been placed, and not attempt to be what she is not or ever can be!”

Lily's appearance put an end to further conversation, and without a moment's delay the horses were turned towards the village.

”You see I have changed my plumage,” Lily said with a smile. ”I returned to Boston with a very small wardrobe, only what had been provided for me at the hospital by some kind visitors, and Willie out of his little acc.u.mulations insisted upon this French lawn, which I keep for my 'dress-up.' It is very pretty, is it not?”