Eleanora H. Stooke

“ Wallis discussed bygone days, which appeared to interest him more than the present time; whilst the little girls sat quietly listening, each experiencing a dream-like sensation of unreality, and almost feeling as though the large room with its handsome furniture and shining silver on the side-board, with its oak-panelled walls and pictures of short-waisted ladies, and gentle-men with frilled shirts and high stocks, would give place to the shabby little sitting-room at home. Joy touched Celia with her foot under the table to assure herself that she was really not dreaming ”

“ Celia looked at Joy quickly, her blue eyes full of alarm; but Joy uttered no word, only sat perfectly still with her cheeks, which had been so flushed a minute before, as white as the table cloth. It was Eric who at length burst into an indignant protest.
"What a shame of you to speak to her like that, Uncle Jasper!" he cried. "If you think Joy is not truthful you are very much mistaken."
"Eric, that is not the way to address me," Sir Jasper told the boy, severely. "And you do not know what you are talking about. Joy is perfectly well aware to what I refer." ”

“ Celia cried, unbelievingly.
"I doubt it, my dear, for I am afraid you are very far from knowing the secret of contentment, which is trust in God, and the belief that He knows what is best for you. Riches would not make you happy."
Celia looked incredulous. She thought if she was rich she would be perfectly happy. She longed to wear fine clothes, and have plenty of pocket-money; and she could not understand why her mother hesitated to accept Sir Jasper Amery's invitation. ”

“ Joy glanced up quickly, and saw her sister and the old man had paused at a little distance from her. She listened curiously for Celia's answer. It filled her with a sense of intense astonishment.
"Not in the very least," was the apparently careless reply.
"Nonsense, my dear!" In spite of his words, Joy noted that Sir Jasper's voice sounded very pleased. "Money is a very good thing sometimes."
"Is it?" Celia questioned, innocently.
"A very good thing sometimes," he repeated; "but there are occasions when it is useless, quite useless. What good is it to me—a poor old man who has lost his all?" ”

“ Joy agreed, "they are quite friends already, are they not? What do you think of Lulu's best dress, mother?"
"It is very handsome, but quite unsuitable for a young girl."
"Celia says she wishes she had one like it to wear on Sundays."
"If she had I fear she would be thinking more of her finery than of her devotions. Why are they stopping? Oh, I see. Lulu has splashed into a puddle of muddy water."
"I never knew such rugged lanes as these!" Lulu cried, irascibly. "Do look at the wheel ruts! And do look at the splashes of mud on my frock! ”

“ 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?" ”

“ Celia responded, heartily, her tear-stained countenance brightening.
Eric regarded his sister approvingly, and getting up from his chair he went over to the sofa and sat down by her side, addressing her more kindly and sympathetically than he had done at all.
"This is a sad end to your visit, poor Celia!" he said; "but you must try to be brave, and," he added in a low tone, "we can pray for Joy, you know."
"You can!" she cried; "but oh, Eric, I can't pray! I can't, indeed!" she reiterated, stressfully. ”

“ Mrs. Wallis said, gravely. "I am so sorry for you, my dear. It must have been very hard to have been unable to right yourself."
Joy's big, grey eyes flashed, and for a moment she was undecided whether or not she should tell her mother of Celia's cowardly silence; but even now she felt she could not justify herself at her sister's expense.
"Uncle Jasper is a cruel, wicked, old man!" she cried, passionately. "I wish we had never come to the Moat House, that I do! We were happier at home!" —and bursting into tears, she flung her arms around her mother's neck, and sobbed out all her grief. ”

“ On one occasion Sir Jasper had shown her the contents of the safe; and, amongst many papers and valuables had been his late wife's jewel case. The old man had been amused at Celia's very evident delight at the sight of the glittering jewels he had allowed her to examine; and when she had admired a brooch studded with diamonds, shaped like a butterfly, he had made her a promise which she had allowed her mind to dwell upon many times since.
"If you are a good girl," he had said, "I will give you that butterfly some day." ”

“ It's a sin, you know it is as well as I do," Joy declared, bluntly. "Mother wouldn't have liked you to be deceitful, and say what wasn't true, even to please Uncle Jasper."
"Well, you needn't make such a fuss about a trifle. There's no reason why you should work yourself into a passion. And why should you dictate to me when I am so much older than you? I don't like it. Do you mean to get me into trouble with mother?"
"Of course not!" Joy flashed out, angrily, resentful at the suggestion.
Celia looked relieved. She proceeded undress in silence, casting side glances at Joy meanwhile. ”

“ The minute her sister was out of sight, Celia turned round in search of the novel she had hidden; but, to her great amazement, it had disappeared. Whilst she was wondering what could possibly have become of it, the sound of a delighted bark broke upon her ears, and the puppy gambolled past her, shaking and worrying what looked like a bundle of loose papers, but was, as the little girl rightly guessed, the book she was in search of.
She darted after the dog, calling to him softly and insinuatingly:
"Wag! Wag! Good dog! Come here! Come here!" ”

“ Celia, much subdued in spirits, went to her bedroom, followed by Joy, to smooth her ruffled hair and bathe her tear-stained face, whilst Sir Jasper requested Eric to give him his arm to lean upon as he went downstairs.
"We do not often get such a storm as the one we have had this afternoon in Devonshire," Sir Jasper remarked a few minutes later, when they were all seated at the tea-table; "it came on so suddenly too, though the air has been heavy with thunder all day. I think I never saw more vivid lightning. I do not wonder poor Celia was alarmed." ”

“ God's ways are inscrutable in our eyes." Miss Pring's busy hands were quiet for a few minutes, and a wonderfully gentle expression crossed her plain, dark face as she thought of Lulu's young mother. "I knew the Tillotsons before I came to Home Vale, when I was richer than I am now," she proceeded, "but when loss of fortune came my way, I found them the same. Mr. Tillotson was ever a true friend to me, and I've always taken an interest in Lulu for her mother's sake. Sometimes she reminds me of her mother, when she forgets her fine clothes, and allows herself to be girlish and natural. ”

“ Wallis reminded her, "and that is a great deal to be thankful for."
"Oh, yes, mother, I know! But, oh, I do dislike having to live in a shabby house, and wear dowdy clothes! Why, when Eric was home at Christmas he said Joy and I were such old-fashioned looking girls!" And Celia's face flushed with annoyance. "Joy doesn't mind," she continued; "as long as she has story books to read, she doesn't care for anything else."
"Oh, yes, indeed I do!" Joy interposed, quickly. "But what's the good of wishing for what one can't get?" ”

“ Sir Jasper asserted; "but I suppose Miss Mary Pring is competent to teach her for the present?"
"Oh, yes," Mrs. Wallis agreed. "I should so like to be able to give Joy a really good musical education; I believe if she had that she would make her mark as a pianist, for I am sure she would work hard and conscientiously."
"She is very desirous of earning money by her music, she tells me."
"Yes, poor child. You must not think her mercenary, Uncle Jasper. Remember, she has known what poverty is. I don't mean want, but the poverty which denies everything but the merest necessaries. ”

“ Joy answered, in a low voice.
There was a brief silence, broken by Celia, who addressed Lulu in conciliatory tones.
"You mustn't be offended with Joy," she said; "she means no harm—she's always so outspoken."
"Oh, I don't mind that! I like people to say what they mean. It's only when people make a point of snubbing me, like Miss Pring, that I get annoyed." She looked at Joy with more interest in her glance. "You're a queer little thing!" ”

“ Lulu was quick to notice this, and her really kind heart swelled with sympathy and affection as, throwing her arms impulsively around Celia's neck, she kissed her tear-stained face.
"Perhaps it won't be so bad as you fear," she whispered consolingly. "Doctors are very clever nowadays, and make wonderful cures—I've heard father say so—and—and God can do what no one else can, can't He? We'll pray for Joy. We can do that, Celia.
"I can't pray properly," Celia sighed. "I used to, but since I've been at the Moat House my mind has been so full of—of things that I couldn't speak to God about." ”

“ You please yourself whenever you can, and are not above using a little deception to get your own way. What I can't understand is, why you're like that. I think if I'd had a mother, like you, I should be altogether different. I like you very much, Celia; we suit each other capitally; but I'm not blind, and I know we're neither of us a patch on Joy for goodness, and why Sir Jasper hasn't found that out I can't imagine. ”

“ She cannot understand that one may have great wealth, and yet be very, very poor."
"I think I know what you mean, mother," Joy replied thoughtfully, "in fact, I'm sure I do." Then she quoted softly: "When thou hast Christ thou art rich, and hast enough."
"True, little daughter. That is what I have endeavoured to teach all three of my children; but I fear I have failed to impress it upon Celia. Now, you and I are going to have an early cup of tea together, for Uncle Jasper is in the library, and does not wish to be disturbed." ”

“ A steady, studious lad like Lawrence Puttenham is the very friend for Eric."
"Your boy is all right, Margaret," Sir Jasper said, smiling; "he's good at heart."
The mother's face brightened at this praise of her son. At that moment the sound of music fell upon their ears, and Sir Jasper sat quietly listening.
"How well Joy plays!" he exclaimed at length. "She improves rapidly. She practices a long time every day, does she not?"
"Yes, she shows real talent for music, so every one says; and Miss Mary Pring is delighted with the progress She is making." ”

“ Celia asked, as soon as she and her sister were safely out of earshot of the others. "Did you ever see such an ugly old frump before?"
"Oh, Celia!" Joy cried, reproachfully, "I thought she seemed so very nice, and I didn't think her ugly at all."
"Well, all I can say is that if Miss Mary was like her aunt in appearance, I should be sorry she was going to be our governess," Celia remarked, meditatively. "I do like people to be pretty and well-dressed," she admitted; adding, "I don't call Miss Mary pretty exactly, but she's nice-looking, and as mother says, anyone can see she's a lady." ”

“ Joy wandered restlessly about the house, and at last joined her mother and sister, who were waiting more patiently in the sitting-room.
"How disconsolate you look, my dear!" Mrs. Wallis exclaimed. "But I don't know that that is to be wondered at. It is always a grave matter to take a new step in life, because we don't know where it's to lead us. God knows," she added, reverently, "and we must trust our future to Him. He will guide us aright."
"Yes, mother," Joy replied, seriously. "I can't think why I feel sad, but I do, and yet I am longing to see the Moat House and Uncle Jasper. ”

“ I know Celia wanted a new brooch very much."
"She has it, then."
"Is it pretty?" Joy asked, naturally feeling interested.
"Why, yes, pretty in its way," Miss Pring replied. "One could not help noticing that it glittered so. All this cheap jewellery one sees is very effective, but I do not care see it worn, somehow. I am old-fashioned in my ideas, and dislike shams."
"That's what mother says. She likes things to be real."
"There is so much pretence nowadays," Miss Pring went on; "people are so fond of show. It's a very great pity. Look at Lulu Tillotson, for instance." ”

“ I say, girls, I wonder if mother will be able to allow me a little extra pocket-money soon?"
"I'm sure I don't know," Celia replied. "You have more than your fair share as it is," she added, a trifle begrudgingly.
"I don't have so much as most of the boys," he told her with truth, "and, how, money slips away one hardly knows how. I hope if Uncle Jasper proves himself a generous old chap, you'll remind him that you've a brother at school who is generally hard up." ”

“ Joy is happier than either of us, even now."
Celia knew that Lulu with her shrewdness of observation had discovered the truth. She realized that Joy's happiness had foundation in a faith as simple as it was perfect. She trusted Jesus, and was content. No one understood better than Celia how great a blow it was to her sister to know that there was a strong possibility that she might be crippled for life. Vanished were the little girl's plans for the future. Her ambition to become a great pianist must be set aside. ”

“ Lulu cried. "Good gracious! What have you done? Don't you see that you've actually stolen the brooch? Why, you're nothing more nor less than a thief! Oh, you may get red and angry, but what I say is true! It's all very fine to talk of the brooch being yours some day. That some day isn't now. You've taken it without permission, and if Sir Jasper discovers that it's gone in your absence, he'll consider it has been stolen. I'm surprised at you, Celia, I am indeed. What a risky thing to do! If Sir Jasper finds you out, he'll never think anything of you again. ”

“ Have you heard—have they told you that she may never be able to walk as long as she lives?" Celia inquired, tearfully.
"No!" gasped Lulu. "Oh, it can't be true! Oh, it's too terrible!"
"It is true!" Celia sobbed. "Mother told me this morning; and, oh, it nearly breaks my heart to think it! It's her hip; it's more injured than the doctors considered at first; and it may be that she will have to spend the rest of her life lying on her back like Mrs. Long, the gamekeeper's wife. Oh, isn't it hard lines for her? She loves running about outdoors, and—oh, poor Joy!" ”

“ Is your boy good-looking, too?"
"People tell me he is a handsome lad," she replied, smiling. "Celia is very pretty, I know. I hope you will not spoil her, Uncle Jasper."
"Pooh!" he cried, "she does not take after her mother in disposition if she can be spoilt! How well and sensibly she talks! She appears very observant."
"In some ways she is older than her years, and I regret it," Mrs. Wallis remarked, a shade of uneasiness crossing her face. "Joy is much more childish; but, of course, she is two years younger than her sister." ”

“ For a moment Lulu seemed taken aback, then she laughed, and replied good-humouredly: "What a wise little owl you look with your big, grave eyes. No one would think you and Celia were sisters. Do you dictate to her what she ought, and what she ought not to do?"
"No, of course not," Joy returned quickly. "Celia doesn't often do anything wrong," she continued loyally, "but it was wrong of her to borrow 'Lady Isabella's Treachery' from you, because she had to read it on the sly. ”