Part 13 (2/2)

But with the querulousness of old age Judy scouted the idea.

”Reckoned she knowed how Marster Bernard's last wife looked.

'Twan't no more like the young lady than 'twas like Uncle Abe,”

and with her mind thus brought back to Abel, she commenced an eulogy upon him, to which Edith did not care to listen, and she gladly followed Phillis into the pantry, explaining to her the use of such conveniences as she did not fully understand.

”Two o'clock!” she exclaimed, as she heard the silver bell from the library clock. ”Richard'll think I'm lost,” and bidding her new acquaintances good bye, she hurried to the gate, having first given orders for Bedouin to be brought from the stable.

”Shan't I go home wid you, Miss?” asked the negro, who held the pony; ”it's hardly fittin' for you to go alone.”

But Edith a.s.sured him she was not afraid, and galloped swiftly down the road, while the negro John looked admiringly after, declaring to his father, who joined him, that ”she rode mighty well for a Yankee girl.”

CHAPTER XII.

LESSONS.

Arthur St. Claire had returned from Worcester, but it was several days ere he presented himself at Collingwood; and Edith was beginning to think he had forgotten her and the promised drawing lessons, when he one evening was ushered by Victor into the parlor, where she was singing to Richard his favorite songs. He was paler than when she saw him before, and she fancied that he seemed weary and worn, as if sleep and himself had been for a long time strangers.

”Did you leave your friend better?” she asked.

”Yes, better,” he answered hurriedly, changing the conversation to topics evidently more agreeable.

One could not be very unhappy in Edith's presence. She possessed so much life, vivacity and vigor, that her companions were sure to become more or less imbued with her cheerful spirit; and as the evening advanced, Arthur became much like the Arthur of Brier Hill memory, and even laughed aloud on several occasions.

”I wish I was sure of finding at Gra.s.sy Spring somebody just like you,” he said to Edith when at last he arose to go. ”Yon have driven away a whole army of blues. I almost believe I'd be willing to be blind, if, by that means, I could be cared for as Mr.

Harrington is.”

”And crazy, too?” slily interrupted Edith, who was standing near him as he leaned against the marble mantel.

”No, no--oh, heavens, no! anything but that,” and the hand he placed in Edith's shook nervously, but soon grew still between her soft, warm palms.

There was something life-giving in Edith's touch, as well as soul- giving in her presence, and standing there with his cold, nervous hand in hers, the young man felt himself grow strong again, and full of courage to hope for a happier future than the past had been. He knew SHE could not share the future with him--but he would have as much of her as possible, and just as she was wondering if he would remember the lessons, he spoke of them and asked when she could come.

”Just when Mr. Harrington thinks best,” she replied, and thus appealed to, Richard, guided by Edith's voice, came forward and joined them.

”Any time,” he said. ”To-morrow, if you like,” adding that he believed he, too, was to be always present.

Edith's eyes sought those of Arthur, reading there a reflection of her own secret thoughts, to wit, that THREE would he one too many, but they could not tell him so and Arthur responded at once, ”Certainly, I shall expect you both, say to-morrow at ten o'clock; I am most at leisure then.”

The next morning, at the appointed time, Richard and Edith appeared at Gra.s.sy Spring, where they found Arthur waiting for them, his portfolio upon the table, and his pencils lying near, ready to be used.

”I am afraid you'll find it tiresome, Mr. Harrington,” he said, as he a.s.signed his visitor a chair, and then went back to Edith.

”I shall do very well,” answered Richard, and so he did for that lesson, and the next, and the next, but at last, in spite of his a.s.sertion to the contrary, he found it dull business going to Gra.s.sy Spring twice each week, and sitting alone with nothing to occupy his mind, except, indeed, to wonder how NEAR Arthur was to Edith, and if he bent over her as he remembered seeing drawing teachers do at school.

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