Eleanora H. Stooke

“ 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!" ”

“ Manners' sharp eyes caught sight of, and the many flowers which blossomed everywhere.
"How kind of God to make the world so beautiful!" she exclaimed, when her father called her attention to the view visible through a gateway—a sweep of fair meadow-lands dotted with sheep and lambs busily engaged in cropping the grass. They stood a few minutes watching a group of lambs at play, skipping around each other, and jumping one by one on the top of a little hillock, and down again. Una laughed to see the pretty creatures so happy, clapping her hands with enjoyment of the scene. ”

“ There were tears in the old man's eyes as, after receiving the usual, "Come in," in answer to his knock, the medical student took him by the arm and led him into the badly-lighted room.
Mrs. Blundell put down her work hastily, whilst the children turned curious eyes on the stranger. Old John Mudford took a step forward and looked at his daughter's face, exclaiming brokenly:
"Dinah! My poor maid!"
"Father! Father!"
"Dinah! My dear, I've come to take you home with me!"
After that Jim Blewett beat a hasty retreat, for he knew his share in the work of reconciliation was done. ”

“ Nellie and Bessie were her two little daughters, aged respectively eleven and nine. Mr. Norris was very proud and fond of them both, and his stern face softened at the mention of their names.
"How fast they do grow!" he exclaimed. "Why, they'll be women almost directly. Nellie is like her father, but I don't think Bessie takes after either you or your husband, Mary!"
"No," Mrs. Maple answered; then she added, in a lower tone, "but I know who she is like, though!"
"Who's that?" enquired the old man with a sharp glance at his daughter.
"Why, David, to be sure! Every one remarks the likeness! ”

“ Jabez Norris was known as honourable and upright, but was considered a hard man. Many years ago he had turned his only son, David, then a lad of eighteen, out of his house, because he wished to become an artist, instead of following in his father's footsteps, and being a farmer. From that day to this, Mr. Norris had never seen nor heard of his son, but whether this was a trouble to the old man or not nobody knew, for he rarely mentioned David to any one, and even his favourite daughter, with whom he lived, and who had loved her brother dearly, spoke of him but seldom. ”

“ You must pay us a visit, little Missy, one of these days, to see for yourself how the lamb is doing. Will you?"
"Oh, yes, if father will let me, and I know he will! How kind of you to ask me!"
"My wife and children will be pleased to see you, I know," the farmer continued; "you'll be very welcome."
"And Rags?" said Una, smiling as she put her hand on the dog's shaggy back, "you will be pleased to see me too, won't you, Rags?"
"You are fond of animals, I can see," remarked Mr. Maple.
"Oh, yes!" she answered readily, "so is father! He says he cannot think how any one can serve animals badly! ”

“ She is beautiful! We will call her 'Rose,'" and the little invalid looked at the doll with admiring eyes, and gently smoothed the amber gown.
When breakfast was over Maggie started for school, and Mrs. Blundell was obliged to go out to take her work to the business-house that employed her; and for the first time in her life the time Annie spent alone did not seem very long. She lay back in bed, feeling perfectly happy and contented, talking to her doll, which she held in her weak arms, and every now and again pressing tender kisses on the blooming cheeks. ”

“ Is your father a farmer?"
"Yes."
"How nice! I should like to be a farmer if I were a man, and keep lots of horses, and dogs, and cows!"
"And sheep, and pigs, and poultry," added Nellie, laughing, "but it's hard work looking after them all!"
"I suppose it is. My name is Una Manners—what is yours?"
"I am called Nellie—Nellie Maple," the elder little girl explained, "and she," pointing to her sister, "is Bessie!"
"I think Nellie and Bessie are pretty names! Oh, are you going already? Can't you stay and talk to me a little longer?" ”

“ Maple and Nellie and Bessie were attired in their best gowns in honour of the day.
Presently, they had tea in the best parlour, which room was only used on great occasions, or when there were visitors at the farm. Una sat between her father and grandfather in a sort of dream-like happiness. In the centre of the table was Granfer's birthday cake, which he cut himself, and every one declared to be most delicious.
The old man and each member of the little party seemed merry and pleased. ”

“ He has done wrong in keeping away from his own people all these years, but his father was hard on him and he determined never to return till he was a successful man. He did not think his father would grieve for him; he believed himself still unforgiven, or he would not have stayed away. He forgot that God would soften his father's heart."
"How pleased they all will be at the farm!" Una exclaimed in bright, glad tones, "Mrs. Maple, and Nellie and Bessie, and the farmer! As for Granfer—well, I really cannot think how he will feel when he knows God has answered his prayers at last!" ”

“ Manners is very like someone I used to know years ago," she answered with a sigh. "When he spoke, I declare the sound of his voice gave me quite a shock, and I could have almost thought it was my brother David, especially when he was talking to his little girl!"
"Is Mr. Manners really like Uncle David?" Nellie enquired eagerly. "If so, I think I should love Uncle David dearly!"
Mrs. Maple smiled, but her face remained thoughtful, and all that evening she was puzzling over the wonderful likeness between Una's father and her lost brother. ”

“ She was growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, learning to trust in Him as her unfailing friend, and casting all her weakness upon Him.
The night out-doors was bright and frosty. The pale moon and twinkling stars looked down upon the great city with its riches and poverty, its goodness and sin, upon luxurious homes whose inmates had little thought for those to whom Christmas meant nothing, and—thank God—upon those too who busied themselves preparing for the happiness of others ”

“ 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. ”

“ Ah, that is a great age, little lady!"
"It is indeed!" she agreed. "Seventy-nine! But a great many of the Bible people lived much longer than that! You must be very wise, Mr.—, I don't know your name. Should you mind if I called you Granfer, like Nellie and Bessie do?"
"No," he answered, in evident surprise, "I do not mind; but perhaps your father would not like it, my dear?"
"Oh, yes, he will! Father always likes what I like if it's right; and if it's wrong, he tells me, and then, of course, I don't like it any longer!"
Mr. Norris smiled amusedly at this somewhat involved explanation. ”

“ She went up to him and put her arms around his neck, giving him a tender, loving kiss.
"Has my darling slept well?" he enquired.
"I fell asleep the minute I was in bed, and never woke up till Nanny called me just now," she answered.
"Is it not a lovely morning?"
"Beautiful. There has been a heavy dew during the night, and everything in the garden is the fresher for it."
"It is Granfer's birthday," she reminded him. "I wonder if his son has come home?"
"Yes, Una; he returned last night!" ”

“ I don't suppose people are worse here than in the country. There's a deal of wickedness done in London, I must confess, but there's a deal of goodness too! For my part, I love the bustle, the continual movement, the life! It seems to me country folk are never properly alive!"
"I suppose all Londoners think that!" Jim replied laughing, as he looked at his landlady's good-humoured face. "I must acknowledge that you always strike me as being very much alive, and you say you're a real Londoner. You do not let the grass grow under your feet, Mrs. Metherell." ”

“ It was old Mr. Norris who spoke. He was seated with his Bible open upon his knee, in his favourite corner of the settle.
"Coming, father!" his daughter's voice responded from the dairy. And in another moment Mrs. Maple hurried into the kitchen and opened the door to little Una Manners and her nurse, Nanny Gray, who were standing directly outside.
Nanny was a cherry-cheeked, middle-aged woman, whose open countenance expressed a kindly disposition and an even temper.
"Good morning, ma'am," she said to Mrs. Maple, who knew at once who her visitors must be. ”

“ They entered the kitchen at Mrs. Maple's invitation, and Una glanced curiously at the old man on the settle, who turned his eyes upon her and regarded her gravely.
"Father," said Mrs. Maple, "this is the little lady who has come to live at Coombe Villa, and this is Mrs.—"
"Gray," Nanny said as she shook hands with Mr. Norris. "I hope you are quite well, sir?"
"Quite, thank you," he answered. "And how do you like this part of the world, little Missy?" he asked, turning his attention to Una.
"Oh, so much!" she replied promptly. "I love the country, and it is so very beautiful here! ”

“ I'm beginning to feel the weight of years, Mary!"
"You are a wonderful man for your age, father; every one says so."
"I'm not complaining, but at my time of life, I must expect to be failing. It is a lovely day, but, as you say, trying. Summer in the sun, and winter in the shade!"
"It's time for Nellie and Bessie to be home from school," Mrs. Maple remarked, adroitly changing the conversation as she glanced at the grandfather's clock that ticked loudly in a corner of the kitchen. ”

“ Do you think their mother will let them come to Coombe Villa sometimes?" she asked, glancing at Mrs. Maple, who was by that time deep in conversation with Nanny.
"I have no doubt that she will. I hope your father will like this neighbourhood. I suppose he is a Londoner?"
Mr. Norris was a very curious old man, who liked to be well informed about his neighbours, for he took a lively interest in every one.
"Father was not born in London," Una explained. "He has often told me he was brought up in the country, and he knows all about country things—animals, and birds, and flowers! ”

“ He was a good-looking lad, a medical student, Jim Blewett by name, and Nellie was the only child of his brother in Cornwall, and a great favourite with her uncle.
"I think I could afford half-a-sovereign," he ruminated; "for that price it would appear one can get a most desirable dollie!"
He was turning into the doorway of the shop when he espied a child at his side, watching him with great interest, and he paused. She was a little girl of about seven years old, with a pale, thin face, and large dark eyes. She drew back when she saw he had observed her, and coloured. ”

“ He says that he prays to God to let him live to see his boy again! Of course he isn't a boy now! Mrs. Maple says he may be a married man, and have little children of his own. I should like to run down to Lowercoombe Farm this morning, and give the book-marker to Granfer. May I go, father?"
"Certainly you may, my dear; but tell Nanny where you are going."
Una flitted away, and found Nanny in the kitchen.
"Off to the farm again!" the good woman cried. "Why, you almost live there! That old man seems to be wonderfully attractive to you, Miss Una. ”

“ Blundell saw and comprehended the meaning of the look on the young man's face, and when he took his leave, she followed him downstairs, and explained to him how she had married against her father's consent, and he had accordingly declined to have anything more to do with her.
"Many's the time I've longed and prayed for his forgiveness," she said sadly, "for I was a bad girl, sir, and wilfully disobeyed him. The misery my marriage brought me, I cannot tell you, and I don't wish to speak ill of the dead. ”

“ Blundell and her children appealed forcibly to his sympathy, and he could not help contrasting the anxious, careworn mother with the handsome girl he remembered as Dinah Mudford. He recalled having heard that old John Mudford's daughter had made an unfortunate marriage, and he thought it more than likely that the father knew nothing of his daughter's position.
"I've a great mind to write to the old man myself," he thought. "It may do some good, and I do not see that it can possibly do any harm. Poor woman! She needs help badly, and who should give it if not her father? ”