Part 13 (2/2)

”Come right in,” she said cordially in response to Jeanne's rapid explanation. ”You are young to be sent on such an errand, my dear. But the times are such that we cannot always choose our messengers. Very often the young prove more reliable than older persons. You say that they are in your petticoat, my child?”

”Yes, ma'am,” returned Jeanne. ”You see it made my frock stand out like crinoline and no one would think it was anything else.”

”And a good place it is too,” replied the lady busy with her scissors.

”You have a thoughtful mother.”

”Mrs. Butler,” said the little girl suddenly after she and the lady had finished their task and the papers lay before them, ”do you know John Archer?”

”No, child. Why?”

”He is the man to whom my father sent these papers,” said the girl thoughtfully. ”Someway I do not like him. I wish he were not the man.”

”My dear,” reproved the lady gently, ”we ought not to let our fancies dominate us. If the man came to the General's rooms and was received there, rest a.s.sured that he is all right. The General has means of knowing whether a man is to be trusted or not.”

”True,” replied Jeanne, and feeling that it would be ungracious to give further expression to her distrust she went slowly back to the parlor.

Why should she, a mere child, presume to doubt a man whom the General and even her own father trusted? ”But I do wish,” sighed she as she opened the door of the apartment. ”I do wish that he were not the man.”

”Here are the papers,” she said, going straight to Mr. Archer.

”Thank you.” Archer took the papers mechanically and without another word or look at her turned to the Orderly, and was conducted from the room.

Jeanne stood looking after him somewhat dismayed. Was this all? Some way she had thought, had expected it to be so different. Mr. Huntsworth, Captain Leathers, even the great Farragut had seemed to consider that she had done wonders in carrying the papers but this man thought nothing of her action. Tears of disappointment welled to her eyes.

”Never mind, child,” said Farragut seeing her distress. ”Some people are so matter of fact that they suppose the whole world is of the same way of thinking. Besides, the consciousness of a good action is its own reward.”

”Ye-es,” said Jeanne, ”I know that it ought to be. It says so in my copy-book. But I thought that it would be so different.”

”It would be a fine thing if all our acts would receive approbation,”

remarked General Butler. ”Bra.s.s bands and calcium lights are things that human nature craves for deeds well done, but they are seldom given. That is, until one dies.”

”Don't be cynical, General,” laughed Farragut. ”The child will find it out soon enough.”

”Yes; I suppose so,” replied Butler. ”Didn't you say something about an uncle, Admiral?”

”Yes; that is the next thing in order. She is to stay with him until her father tells her to return. Her uncle is Benjamin Vance.”

”Whe-ew,” whistled the General an expression of blank amazement on his face. ”Did you say Benjamin Vance?”

”Certainly. Do you know him?”

”I do,” replied the General emphatically. ”And this girl is his niece, and she brings papers down here to Archer? It is about the boldest thing I ever heard of!”

”Why! What do you mean?”

”I'll tell you presently. Come here, girl. Do you hear often from your uncle?” he asked as Jeanne approached.

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