Part 46 (2/2)
A quiet glow of peace stole into the restless eyes, as Mrs. Belmont listened, and settling down in her easy chair, she really looked like the picture of contentment, as the Colonel a.s.serted, entering as Vina went out.
Mr. and Mrs. Cheevers were to take a quiet tea with them, and, as the uncle declared, ”would bring along the horse-shoe, as there would be no good luck without it.” And soon all were seated in the drawing-room in pleasant conversation, to which Mrs. Belmont apparently gave no heed. An hour pa.s.sed, when the careful mistress, who was, indeed, troubled about many things, took the arm of her husband and went into the parlor opposite.
”She is so tranquil; how can we disturb her?” was the first e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n.
”We will not disturb her my dear.”
”But what about Lily?”
”What about her? Why she's the sweetest darling--”
”No, no! How shall we bring them together?”
”In the most natural way possible. When tea is ready I will escort her out to the table and introduce our daughter. She is a child and will submit to be governed and led. But where is Lily? I have not seen her for a long time.”
”Gone to her room with a letter from Willie, I imagine, as her cheeks put on an unusual glow when a small package was placed in her hand by the carrier.”
”What makes you say that, Lillian? Do you suppose that the heart of our child is in any way entangled with that boy's love?”
”I do not know.”
The subject of this conversation came tripping down the broad staircase, and with a buoyant step entered the room where her father and mother were standing by the window.
”See what Willie has sent me for Christmas!” she exclaimed, holding up a finger adorned by a ring set with precious stones.
”An engagement ring my darling?”
”O no! We never thought of such a thing. He is my brother, that is all!”
The sweet face could but crimson as she looked into that of her father.
”I believe you, darling; and as a brother he will be loved by us all.”
”Is it not beautiful?”
”It has cost him many a day of hard work, without doubt,” was the reply, while the mother was carefully examining the costly gift. ”Poor Willie!
He writes that he is not very well.”
”He misses his companion of so many years, and the bestowing of this gift has brightened up his loneliness more than anything else could have done.” This from the mother thoughtfully.
The bell announcing tea was heard in the hall, and the colonel, bidding his daughter see that all was ready, went to the drawing-room for the invalid. It was as he had said. Placing his arm tenderly about her shrinking form he led her into the dining-room where she met her granddaughter with only a slight quivering of the hand that was clinging so closely to the arm supporting her.
Lily kissed the pale cheek as she said: ”I will take her to the seat where Aunt Vina says she must sit.” During this the peaceful glow did not fade from her eyes, or the expression of resignation from her face.
”You are a magician as well as a prophet,” whispered Lillian, returning to the head of the table.
They were happy now. The rainbow was spanning the dark clouds, and its cheering colors were reflected in every face.
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