Part 3 (2/2)
”Not until you are ready to pay me.”
”Dr. Arnold, you have given me a great deal of pleasure--more than I can express. I----”
”Don't try to express it, Queen. You have given me infinitely more, I a.s.sure you.”
Her splendid eyes were lifted toward him, and with some sudden impulse she touched her lips to the hand he had placed on her shoulder. Something like a tremor crossed the doctor's habitually stern mouth as he looked at the marvellous beauty of the girl's countenance, and he kissed her slender fingers as reverently as though he touched something consecrated.
”Irene, shall I take you home in my buggy?”
”No, thank you, I would rather walk. Oh! Doctor, I am so much obliged to you.”
In answer to Irene's knock, Electra opened the cottage door, and ushered her into the small room which served as both kitchen and dining-room.
Everything was scrupulously neat, not a spot on the bare polished floor, not a speck to dim the purity of the snowy dimity curtains, and on the table in the centre stood a vase filled with fresh fragrant flowers. In a low chair before the open window sat the widow knitting a blue and white nubia. She glanced round as Irene entered.
”Who is it, Electra?”
”Miss Irene, aunt.”
”Sit down, Miss Irene; how are you to-day?”
”Mrs. Aubrey, I am sorry to hear your eyes are no better.”
”Thank you for your kind sympathy. My sight grows more dim every day.”
”You shan't suffer much longer; these veils shall be taken off. Here is the money to enable you to go to New Orleans and consult that physician. As soon as the weather turns cooler you must start.”
”Miss Irene, I cannot tax your generosity so heavily; I have no claim on your goodness. Indeed I----”
”Mrs. Aubrey, don't you think it is your duty to recover your sight if possible?”
”Yes, if I could command the means.”
”You have the means; you must employ them. There, I will not take back the money; it is yours.”
”Don't refuse it, auntie, you will wound Irie,” pleaded Electra.
There was silence for a few seconds; then Mrs. Aubrey took the hands from her face and said,--”Irene, I will accept your generous offer. If my sight is restored, I can repay you some day; if not, I am not too proud to be under this great obligation to you. Oh, Irene! I can't tell you how much I thank you; my heart is too full for words.” She threw her arm round the girl's waist and strained her to her bosom, and the hot tears fell fast on the waves of golden hair. A moment after, Irene threw a tiny envelope into Electra's lap, and without another word glided out of the room. The orphan broke the seal, and as she opened a sheet of note-paper a ten-dollar bill slipped out.
”Electra, come to school Monday. The enclosed will pay your tuition for two months longer. Please don't hesitate to accept it if you really love
”Your friend IRENE.”
Thinking of the group she had just left, Irene approached the gate and saw that Russell stood holding it open for her to pa.s.s. Looking up she stopped, for the expression of his face frightened and pained her.
”Russell, what is the matter? oh! tell me.”
”I have been injured and insulted. Just now I doubt all people and all things, even the justice and mercy of G.o.d.”
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