Eleanora H. Stooke

“ The hedges were full of wild flowers, and the air was sweet with their delicate scents, the perfumes of hawthorn and wild hyacinths. But Una did not pause to gather herself a nosegay to-day, though her soft brown eyes dwelt admiringly on the wealth of flowers, for the artist's little daughter possessed a beauty-loving soul, and her quick glance took in all the glory of the May morning. ”

“ M'Cosh, her broad, red face deepening in hue. "How did you get here? I hope nothing is amiss."
"No, no. Grandfather brought me, and he's coming for me this evening," Felicia explained. "Oh, how glad I am to see you! How is Mr. M'Cosh?"
"Very well; and proud and pleased he'll be to come home and find you here, my dear child. Let me look at you. Why, how you've grown, and you've such a pretty colour, and you look quite the lady, that you do. My, what a world this is with its ups and downs! To think of your living in a grand house, with servants to wait on you, and plenty of everything!" ”

“ Sir Jasper said, as he glanced from Celia to her brother; "she is a very sensitive child—and, I think she troubles about her sister too."
"Why did you speak to her so harshly?" wailed Celia.
"There, there," said the old man, soothingly, "I promise I will not do so again but it aggravated me to hear her talk so—so piously. I dislike anything approaching hypocrisy."
"Joy is not a hypocrite," Eric declared, bluntly. "You are mistaken in her character altogether. She's heaps better and truer in every respect than either Celia or me, isn't she Celia? Why can't you speak up for Joy? ”

“ The man had thrown himself, fully dressed as he was, upon the bed, and had already sunk into a heavy, drunken slumber. Salome stood looking at him, the tears running down her cheeks, mingled love and indignation in her aching heart. Then the love overcame all else, and she sank on her knees by her father's side, and prayed earnestly for him who was unfit to pray for himself, whilst the words the Vicar had spoken to her that evening—
"'The eternal God is thy refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.'"
—recurred to her memory, and fell like balm upon her sorrowful spirit. ”

“ William Brown answered; "I can't see them, but I've faith as to what's going on underground. I've seen too many springtimes to doubt that."
"And what's going on underground, Grandfer?" asked Billy.
"Why," his grandfather said gravely, "a miracle—the miracle of the resurrection. It's too wonderful for us to understand. We don't see the stir of life in the spring, but we see the effect of it in everything—in the budding trees, the flowers, the fresh green grass. It's God's life-giving spirit wakening the world from its winter sleep. We must have patience. ”

“ A sudden, comprehensive light broke across Theodore's mind, and he felt a sharp pang of regret that his stepbrother was not like other boys. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took one of the little invalid's hands in his strong, brown fingers, and there was a silence for a while, broken at length by Jack.
"How good you are to me, Theo. You always understand."
"No, I don't, old fellow."
"Oh, I think you do! Don't think me very selfish, Theo. Do you think it is wrong to wish to be like you—strong and well?"
"It is hard for you, Jack. I wish—I wish; I know!" ”

“ Instead of having cut Peter Perry, he had been cut by him. Tom's cheeks were aflame with anger when his little sister joined him.
"Oh, Tom," she cried, looking with an expression of mingled wistfulness and admiration at the car, which was now on the point of starting, "how nice it must be to be rich like Miss Perry! I wish she was our aunt, don't you? What a good time that boy must have, mustn't he? Oh, what a nice dog!"
"Come along, come along!" said Tom gruffly. "Don't stare so, Nellie! The dog's a savage brute!" ”

“ I don't want to be like grandfather! Oh, Uncle Theophilus, you don't think I could ever be like him, do you? I am sure father is not! Father would not speak to people as grandfather does!"
"No; I am sure he would not! But we will not discuss your grandfather; if he is proud, he has many excellent qualities. Every one knows he is the soul of honour!"
"But he is very unforgiving," Dick said, with a sigh; "that's dreadful, I think! No wonder he looks so cross and unhappy!"
Dr. Warren made no reply, for he did not wish to say a word against Sir Richard to the little boy. ”

“ The hot, angry colour rushed to Marigold's face, flooding it from brow to chin. She was about to make a passionate retort, when she caught an appealing glance from Miss Holcroft, and the words died on her lips. Already she had forgotten her mother's warning, and nearly allowed her unruly tongue to have its way.
"Mother has not fallen low," she said gently, when she had sufficiently overcome her wrath to choose what her reply should be; "I don't think you quite understand, Aunt Pamela. Mother has to work because father had not enough money to give her when he died to keep us all. ”

“ What sort of Christmas would he himself have with this guilty secret on his conscience? He felt he could not speak out; but whilst he was in hesitation, he met Edwin's eyes fixed upon him sadly and anxiously, and overcome with the dread of what his continued silence might lead to, and a sense of real remorse, he startled every one in the room by bursting into tears.
"Freddy, my dear boy, what is it?" asked his father, putting his arm tenderly around the little boy's heaving shoulders; "depend upon it your uncle will do nothing that is not right and just." ”

“ Angel heaved a sigh of perfect contentment. How happy she was! She felt at that moment as though she had not a trouble in the world. Her father was daily gaining health and strength; there were no worrying unpaid bills to weigh upon her mind; Uncle Edward was kindness itself, and she was growing to love her new home; and lastly, she thought how she was to go to the school which Dinah and Dora Mickle attended the coming term. Her life was to be a lonely one no longer, and she was to have the same advantages as her brother. ”

“ But Cousin Becky shook her head when questioned, and replied with a smile:
"I cannot tell you my friend's name, because—to be plain—she does not wish it told. It doesn't matter, does it? She is an eccentric person, who likes to do little kindnesses when it is possible, without being thanked."
"I see," Polly responded gravely. "Well, I shall call her our good fairy, for she must be another such person as the one who was so kind to poor Sarah Glubb. How nice it is to think there are so many good fairies still left in the world!" ”

“ In a few minutes she spoke again.
"At home when mother was alive the servants used to speak of me as an heiress, and I thought it so grand, but they did not love me— nobody loved me really but Sarah, and she did not think much of money."
"She loved you for yourself, Stella."
"As you and uncle do, Aunt Mary!"
"Even so. You are as one of our own children; we could not love you better if we had known you all your life. But had you not better go on with your exercise, or you will not get it done to-night!" ”

“ Margaret would have liked to have kissed her mother's flushed cheek, but feared to disturb her; so she contented herself with pressing her lips to the soft, white hand which lay outside the counterpane, then stole back to her own room as quietly as she had left it, and after putting out the candle crept back to bed. She felt she could rest with an easy mind now, and was no longer disturbed by distressing dreams. ”

“ That night Farmer Wills' prediction came true; the wind died away and it began to freeze. In the morning, the faint beams of the December sun fell on a world white and beautiful under the touch of the frost king, and everyone declared the expected spell of severe weather had set in at last.
Miss Long, well wrapped up in anticipation of a cold journey, took her departure from Haldon Hall soon after breakfast, bearing with her the heart-felt good wishes of the whole household, and the substantial gift of a big hamper, laden with good things, to enrich her mother's larder at home. ”

“ Una remarked; "that seems strange, does it not?"
"To you, no doubt; but there are a great many people who do not like flowers, just as others do not like poetry or music. By the same rule, there are those who cannot admire a fine view, but I am glad my little girl loves beauty and can appreciate the crowning works of God."
Una glanced up into her father's face, and, meeting his smile with one equally bright and loving, she cried:
"Oh, father dear, I am so happy to-day! I can't help thinking of Granfer, and of how glad he will be when his son comes home! I hope he will come very soon!" ”

“ Barton had brought home his bride and her little son to Afton Hall. Once more it was early spring; once more the crocuses and daffodils were in bloom, and old John Bawdon was turning over the brown earth with his spade, and musing, meanwhile, on the changes which the past twelve months had brought about. He thought of the day on which Jane had informed her little master in his presence of the existence of his stepbrother, and remembered how anxious and uneasy he had himself felt at the sight of Theodore's rebellious face, with its flashing grey eyes and determined mouth. ”

“ Basset found her, a picture of utter dejection, when, guessing where she had hidden, he, by and by, came to seek her.
"Josephine," he said, touching her lightly on the shoulder, "get up, my dear!" Then, as she obeyed, he made her take one chair, and seated himself on the other. "God has spared your dear father's life," he continued, "and thankfulness for that ought to soften this blow—"
"Oh, Uncle John, indeed I am thankful!" Josephine interposed; "but—but—oh, think what life will be to father without sight? He has always been so active and busy in every way! ”

“ Lulu regarded Celia with growing favour; but she took no notice of Joy, and when later she rose to go to her room to prepare for tea, it was the elder sister she asked to accompany her.
"Mother, what do you think of her?" Joy asked, the minute she and her mother were alone together.
"Poor child, she is much to be pitied," was the answer she received in tones of deep compassion.
"Oh, mother! Why?"
"Because she has no one to correct her faults, my dear; no one to tell her what a self-centered little girl she is, so wrapped up in her own affairs and so vain of her dress. ”

“ Then she shed some tears over her mother's Bible, which she placed on the table by the bedside, meaning to use it herself for the future, and sobbed bitterly at the sight of her mother's workbox, containing the simple tools which had helped to earn their daily bread.
"Oh, mother, mother!" she cried in an agony of grief, "why did God let you die? Oh, I never, never can be happy without you!"
She wept until her head ached, feeling utterly friendless and alone in the world. Life seemed so dark and dreary, and she dreaded the future with her grandfather and Uncle Guy. ”

“ Ann returned, hurriedly, trying in vain to conceal her astonishment; "you must not think I wish to pry into your private affairs, Violet. Your money is your own to do as you like with; but you must remember that you did tell me you were going to send some to Ruth, and that misled me."
"Do your mother and father know that Agnes Hosking suspects me of having stolen her purse?" demanded Violet, in a hard tone.
"No," replied Ann; "I have not told them."
"Then I shall," said Violet proudly; "I wonder if they will believe that I am a thief! Perhaps they will send me home in disgrace!" ”

“ Marigold wanted me to read a few verses every day, like she does—I almost think I will!"
"I wish you would. Don't put it off any longer. Do try to love God and walk in His ways. Oh, my dear," and the lame girl's voice was tremulous with strong emotion, "don't say 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,' but make up your mind you will be one. Life is so short—at any time we may be called upon to face our Maker, and how shall we meet Him if we have not tried to keep His commandments?"
"Molly," said Muriel, in an awestruck tone, "do you ever think of dying?" ”

“ The donkey paced solemnly around the field to Ruth's intense enjoyment. Suddenly he paused, seemed to think matters over, and then began to kick. Ruth uttered a shrill scream as she was pitched into a bramble-bush in the hedgerow; and Dick rushed towards her with a wildly beating heart, and a face from which all the colour had fled.
"Oh, Ruth, are you hurt?" he cried, as he assisted her to get up, and disentangled her skirts from the brambles. He gazed with dismay at a scratch on her cheek, and another on her nose, and tenderly wiped away the blood with his own handkerchief. ”

“ Trent in bewilderment, "and the Mill House is yours, and we never guessed it—at least, it seems Martin did! Oh, Cousin Becky, it appears incredible you could keep this secret to yourself! How blind we must all have been!"
"Then it is you who are our good fairy," said Polly, putting her arms around the old lady's neck and hugging her in a transport of affection and delight. "Oh, how glad I am! How wonderful it all is, like a real fairy tale, isn't it? Oh, boys, aren't you surprised? ”

“ She broke off, shuddering, and looked up with a world of pathos in her dark eyes at Tom. "Oh, don't believe I'm so wicked as Max Sordello made out to you," she said pleadingly; "but I'm afraid you will, because I've run away."
"I don't believe you're wicked at all," Tom declared stoutly, "nor does Peter Perry. We wish we could help you."
"How kind!" said the child. Her eyes filled with tears, and her lips quivered. "I can't go back," she said. "I won't! I'd rather stay here and die! It would be better to die here than to be killed by Hero."
"Hero?" echoed Tom. "Oh, the lion! ”

“ Gerald had been the mother's favourite of the two children; but that knowledge had not caused Angel one jealous pang. She was too fond of her brother herself to begrudge him the first share of any one's affection; and now when the dear, indulgent mother was no longer there to wait upon him, she faithfully tried to fill her place, and was his willing slave, darning his socks, mending his clothes, helping him with his lessons evenings—in fact, being generally employed either by or for him in one way or another. Angel regarded herself in the light of a failure. ”

“ After a moment's hesitation, Marigold explained to her new friend all about her mother and brothers, and her London home. Mrs. Adams listened with great interest, her bright dark eyes full of kindly sympathy.
"I see the thought troubles you that life is so much easier and pleasanter for you than for your mother and brothers," she said gravely; "but I would not let that worry me if I were you. It seems to me that your duty lies with your aunts at Exeter, for the present, at any rate. Has it ever occurred to you that they may want you more than your mother does?" ”

“ A rustling in the brushwood which bordered the lake on one side interrupted her train of thought at this point, and as she glanced in the direction from which the sound came, she saw a movement in the under-growth of high ferns and brambles.
"Lion! Lion!" she called, thinking the mastiff was coming in search of her; "is that you, old boy?"
It was not Lion, however, but another dog—a lean lurcher with a rabbit in its mouth—which emerged from the brushwood, and without taking any notice of Felicia, made off as fast as its long legs could carry it in the direction of the high road. ”

“ It hurts me to think my husband's son should care for low company. Understand me, if this Tom Blake was a good boy I should not object in the least to your going about with him; it is simply because he is not good that I do object. Dear Theodore, you must see it is right. Do promise me you will do as I wish!"
"No! no! What has it to do with you? Why do you interfere with me? No one ever did until you came! You are not my mother, and I won't stand it! I hate you! I do! Yes, I hate you!"
"You do not know what you are saying, Theodore," Mrs. Barton said quietly, though her face became very pale. ”

“ She had always been a pleasure-seeking woman and fond of society; but, broken down in health, she had not found life at Yelton so utterly unbearable as she had anticipated. Her husband had devoted much of his time to her, and, thrown more in contact with her little daughter, she had begun to take a deeper interest in her than she had done before.
She had always been pleased to notice her beauty, but of late, she had discovered that Margaret possessed other and higher attractions—goodness and unselfishness—which she could not but admire. ”

“ Wallis promptly hurried Celia and Eric from the room.
"I wonder why she doesn't want to see Uncle Jasper," remarked Eric, thoughtfully, as walked home by Celia's side; "you know they had become friends again, and he's been cut up about her. How distressed she looked when you spoke of him!"
"Sick people get queer fancies, I've heard," said Celia; "oh, how glad I am we have seen her! She is really better, though she does look so ill. Oh, how thankful I am to God for sparing her life! What should we have done without Joy?" ”

“ Una was full of excitement. After breakfast there was Nanny to be told the wonderful news, and to the little girl's great astonishment she discovered that her nurse was not so surprised as she had anticipated she would be.
"I have guessed your father was old Mr. Norris's son for some while now," Nanny confessed, "on account of different things I have heard Mrs. Maple say about her brother, and by putting two and two together. I am glad it has come out at last. Ah, Miss Una, this life is too short for folks who love each other to be angry long; we ought to learn to forgive and forget!" ”

“ Why doesn't she adopt some little girl who has no mother or father or brother to love her? Why should she want me?"
"Because, somehow, you have touched a soft spot in her heart, little Sunbeam," Mr. Pringle answered. "I can think of no other reason. Poor Miss Leighton! I am afraid she will be very disappointed when she hears we cannot favour her plan."
"Poor Aunt Caroline!" sighed Peggy. "Why can't she be friendly with us all, and come and see us and be nice like she was when she came to tea at Lower Brimley?" ”

“ After she had gone, mother and daughter looked at each other questioningly, and the latter cried:
"Oh, mother, how dreadful to think that Uncle John believes Roger to be a thief! How dare he?"
"He will learn his mistake, my dear," Mrs. Trent responded soothingly, with difficulty concealing her own indignation. "He has misjudged my boy terribly, I am positive of that."
"He thinks Roger took the coin because it is valuable," the little girl proceeded, her voice quavering with anger. "He wouldn't think it if we had plenty of money like himself. Oh, mother, how hard it is to be poor! ”

“ How often have I heard you say that when you grow up you mean to be a soldier? Well, a soldier must not be a weakling, and a soldier must learn to do his duty! It is your duty now to be a brave boy, and not to make things harder for father and me than they are already. We would rather keep you with us; but it is our plain duty to send you to England, and it is your plain duty to go willingly. You will find a happy home awaiting you, and God will be with you, my darling, always," and Mrs. Gidley mingled her tears with her little son's, whilst he sobbed bitterly. ”