Part 10 (2/2)

”Uh-huh,” agreed the boy. ”But yer needn't to worry--her heart's all right. Didn't she give us that there grand ride in her swell autermobile?”

Little Maggie's embarra.s.sment suddenly returned.

”Did you really enjoy the ride?” asked Helen.

Bobby answered, ”I'll say we did. Gee! but yer ought to a seen us puttin' it all over everybody in the Flats.”

Something in the boy's answer brought another smile to Helen's lips, but it was not a smile of happiness.

”I really must go now,” she said, rising. ”Thank you for telling me about the happiness jewel. Don't you think that it is time for you to be running along home? Your mother will be wondering where you are, won't she?”

”Uh-huh,” agreed Bobby.

But Maggie's mind was fixed upon more important things than the time of day. With an effort, she forced herself to say, ”If the fairy comes to yer will yer tell me about it, sometime? I ain't never seen one myself an'--an'--”

”You poor little mite!” said Helen. ”Yes, indeed, I will tell you about it if the fairy comes. And I will tell the fairy about you, too. But, who knows, perhaps the happiness fairy will visit you first, and you can tell her about me.”

And something that shone in the beautiful face of the young woman, or something that sang in her voice, made little Maggie sure--deep down inside--that her princess lady would find the jewel of happiness, just as the Interpreter had said. But neither the child of the Flats, nor the daughter of the big house on the hill knew that the jewel of happiness was, even at that moment, within reach of the princess lady's hand.

When Helen had disappeared from their sight, the two children started on their way down the hill toward the dingy Flats.

”Gee,” said Bobby, ”won't we have something to tell the kids now? Gee!

We'll sure make 'em sore they wasn't along. Think of us a-talkin' to old Adam Ward's daughter, herself. Gee! Some stunt--I'll tell the world.”

They had reached the foot of the old stairway and were discussing whether or not they dared prolong their absence from home by paying a visit to the Interpreter, when a man appeared on the road from town.

Bobby caught sight of the approaching stranger first, and the boy's freckled countenance lighted with excited interest and admiration.

”Hully Gee!” he exclaimed, catching Maggie by the arm. ”Would yer look who's a-comin'!”

The man was not, in his general appearance, one to inspire a feeling of confidence. He was a little above medium height, with fat shoulders, a thick neck, and dark, heavy features with coa.r.s.e lips showing through a black beard trimmed to a point, and small black eyes set close above a large nose with flaring nostrils. His clothing was good, and he carried himself with a.s.surance. But altogether there was about him the unmistakable air of a foreigner.

Bobby continued in an excited whisper, ”That there's Jake Vodell we've heard Dad an' the men talkin' so much about. He's the guy what's a-goin' to put the fear of G.o.d into the Mill bosses and rich folks.

He's a-goin' to take away old Adam Ward's money an' Mill, an'

autermobiles, an' house an'--everything, an' divide 'em all up 'mong us poor workin' folks. Gee, but he's a big gun, I'm tellin' yer!”

The man came on to the foot of the stairs and stopped before the children. For a long moment he looked them over with speculative interest. ”Well,” he said, abruptly, ”and who are you? That you belong in this neighborhood it is easy to see.”

”We're Bobby and Maggie Whaley,” answered the boy.

The man's black eyebrows were lifted, and he nodded his head reflectively. ”Oh-ho, you are Sam Whaley's kids, heh?”

”Uh-huh,” returned Bobby. ”An' I know who yer are, too.”

”So?” said the man.

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