"I took"--and she faltered--"five from you and five from Patty."
"Well, don't try to think now, but go by yourself and if possibleremember what you took from each girl and replace it as you are going toreplace the jewelry. Whatever you took from the store and sold is aharder matter and you can't recover the goods."
"No," said Mattie.
"How much did you get for them?" asked Patty.
"About twelve dollars," replied the girl.
"You give that to me," said Patty. "Mr. McAllister is a great friend ofFather's. I will give Father the money and tell him to return it,--thatit's from a client--an old employee--who to save a human life and undergreat temptation took the things, and that she wishes to makerestitution. He'll never suspect you, nor will he question Father, forFather has rendered him too many services."
Mattie grasped her by the hand.
"Oh! you are too good to me, Miss Sands. However can I pay you and MissEthel?"
"Call me Ethel," said the girl.
"Yes, and me Patty. You are one of us and we are all sisters."
"And now," continued Ethel, "my Aunt Susan, who lives in Akron, is aphilanthropist. I've heard her tell of a Cripple's Home there. If yoursister is unable to pay she can get her in free. That doctor may slipsome of that money he speaks of into his own pocket, and if your sisteris under Aunt Susan's wing she'll see that she gets everything sheneeds, and she'll have the best of care. You can run down every week orso and see her. I'm sure Aunt Susan would make you welcome over night."
Mattie Hastings fell on the ground at the feet of the two girls.
"Oh, my God!" she said, "Are you in earnest?" and she kissed theirhands. "Can it be possible that there is about to be made a way for poorMollie? Are my prayers to be answered?" and she sobbed while the twogirls held her in their arms.
"Come on now," said Ethel, "let's go home. You're all tired out. We'llput you to bed. Don't worry, Mattie," she whispered, "we'll attend toeverything."
CHAPTER XXIX
MATTIE STARTS AFRESH
Everything was returned as the girls had planned. Mattie went into town,drew out her money, put the forty dollars in the purse and sent it toits owner, as they had suggested.
"Oh, my darling!" she said to Mollie, as she hugged her, "I have greatnews for you. Come, Mother, and listen."
Then holding each by the hand she related Ethel's proposal.
Mrs. Hastings wept tears of joy while little Mollie laughed.
"Are you sure she'll keep her word?" asked Mrs. Hastings.
"As sure as there's a God in heaven. She's an angel," replied Mattie."They all are. Oh! Mother, I never knew that there could be suchkindness in the world."
Mattie returned, and Ethel and Patty replaced all of the stolen money inthe girls' purses save the twelve that was to be given to Judge Sandsfor McAllister. The jewelry was more difficult, for there was danger ofit rolling out of the bags, so Patty suggested putting the ring in asmall box and slipping it in Nora's suitcase, and doing the same withthe locket belonging to Edith Overman.
The next morning appeared Nora with the ring on her finger, but withnever a word. Then rushed out Edith Overman.
"Do you know, I have found my locket and chain. I was awfully worriedfor I thought I had lost it."
The following day came a reply to Ethel's letter from Aunt Susan. Thiswas the extract pertaining to the Home:
"Yes, my dear, I can get the little girl in the Cripples' Schoolfree--not 'Home.' In this place she'll have the best of medicalattendance. I am one of the managers. She will be taught to sew and makelovely things besides having good nourishing food every day. Her sisteris welcome to stay with us whenever she cares to come. The little girlwill probably come out cured, and it will not cost her a penny. Evenher clothes will be furnished. Let me know when to expect them. Ienclose your mother's letter."
Mattie cried with joy.
"What is it?" the girls asked, and she told them.
Judge Sands had seen Mr. McAllister who took the money without a commentsave:
"Well, Judge, when a thing happens like this it sort of restores one'sfaith in human nature, doesn't it?"
And Mattie was a happy girl.
"Really," said Ethel to her cousin and Patty, "Mattie's eyes have grownwider apart."
"No, it's because you like her and she seems different to you."
Mrs. Hollister wrote: "My dearest girl:
"I hope you have made only desirable acquaintances and that you willforget the Camp Fire Girls, at least this winter. You will be seventeensoon and I shall give you a debutante's party. I have saved considerablemoney during your absence."
Ethel didn't answer the letter at once.
One day came up the hill the buckboard holding three men. The girls sawit from a distance, and there was some excitement. As it drew nearerthree shouts went up. There was Tom Harper, Uncle John, and Judge Sands.
Ethel almost wept on Tom's shoulder, and she was well hugged by UncleJohn.
That was the day that they had their great Camp Fire dinner--when theysoaked the corn for an hour in water before roasting it. Then tying astring to each ear they laid it in the glowing fire and ate it withmelted butter and salt. The Judge and Uncle John ate three ears apiece,besides the potatoes, chicken, and steamed berry pudding made by Patty,his daughter.
"Say, John and Tom," he said, "we'd better come up here and board. Nowonder these girls like to get away from town."
And Mattie was introduced to the Judge by Patty.
"Papa," she said, "this is Mattie Hastings, and when I was ill she satup the entire night taking care of me and putting fresh flax-seedpoultices on my chest."
And the Judge thanked her so sincerely that she nearly burst into tears.
"And your father?" he asked, "how is he? I need a man just like him inmy office. I've met him, and Miss Mattie, there's one thing I've alwaysliked about him,--he has a face that anyone could trust. I shall go andsee him on my return."
Then Mattie was not afraid to weep with joy as she clasped the Judge'shand and thanked him sincerely.
"Well, girls," said Uncle John, "we'll be looking for you nextweek--hey?"
"Yes," replied Kate, "and, Father, I'd like to have Aunt Susan come upbefore we leave. She'd enjoy it."
"Oh! yes," fairly shouted Ethel. "Do bring her, Tom."
CHAPTER XXX
AUNT SUSAN COMES
So the day Aunt Susan came, everyone was on the qui vive, and a warmerwelcome was never extended to an old lady. She was shown everything. Shehad a real Camp Fire dinner and enjoyed it.
She took Mattie one side and told her of the wonderful improvement inlittle Mollie, which made Mattie's heart beat high with joy.
When she was introduced to Honora the girl made such quaint remarks thatAunt Susan laughed merrily.
"Isn't it funny?" said Ethel; "that's the only girl in Camp that I don'tcare for."
"Ethel," replied her aunt, "perhaps, you don't know her as she reallyis."
"Perhaps," responded Ethel slowly, thinking of Mattie.
The evening that Aunt Susan stayed, Ethel was advanced from a WoodGatherer to a Fire Maker. She stood up in her ceremonial dress with herpretty hair hanging, and bound with a band of beads called her"ceremonial band," and she repeated the Fire Maker's song.
New honors were awarded. They had songs and toasts, one of which was"Aunt Susan," after which the girls repeated in unison:
"Burn, fire, burn; flicker, flicker, flame, etc."
Then, extinguishing the fire, they retired for the night.
The next morning the Camp broke up. Ethel bade them all an affectionatefarewell. She even kissed Honora. There seemed to be a spirit of goodwill among all of the girls.
"Be sure and come back next summer, Ethel," was heard on every side.
And Mattie, taking her apart from the rest, said:
"You have saved me from a fate worse than death. I was going thedownward path, and you and Patty lifted me out of the mud. I shall
prayfor you every night. Don't forget me."
"No, I shall not," replied Ethel, kissing her affectionately, "and youpromise to go and see little Mollie and write me all about her, won'tyou?"
CHAPTER XXXI
BACK TO AUNT SUSAN'S
After spending the night at Uncle John's, Aunt Susan and Ethel left forAkron.
"Oh! what a lovely summer I've had," said Ethel, "and how much I'velearned being a Camp Fire Girl; and I owe it all to you, Aunt Susan."
The next week Mr. Hollister came to take the girl home--and how he hadmissed her!
They spent the day with Uncle John. He and her father were like boysagain.
"You must come here next year, Archibald," said John, "and go up to Campand see the way these girls keep house. It's a revelation. What thewomen are coming to! I don't believe there'll be any room on earth forus men after a while."
Ethel's eyes were blinded with tears as she kissed her dear onesgoodbye, and Mattie Hastings with Patty Sands came way to Akron to seeher off, Mattie bringing the loveliest pin-cushion made for her by hersister Mollie.
One night Ethel and Mrs. Hollister had a serious talk. Grandmother madeArchibald go and listen at the door, as Bella's voice could be heardthroughout the house.
When Ethel left her mother she went directly up to her room, but Mrs.Hollister said to Grandmother:
"This is your work and your sister's as well. Ethel is a changedgirl and refused to obey me. She's going to take up low settlementwork and belong to that Camp Fire business this winter, and shealmost refuses to go into society at all. But for the fact thatsome of our best girls are Camp Fires I should positively forbidit. She is not yet of age, and I still have some authority overher, after all my slaving for her and sacrifices. Now she openlydefies me."
"No, Mamma," cried Ethel, coming down stairs and putting her armaround her mother, "I only object to sailing under false colors.All of our life has been sham--sham--and make believe, and I cannot see Papa growing older and more bent every day, when he shouldbe young looking and happy. And I know that it's worry over gettingthe money for me that I may make a show for people to think mewealthy. And when Aunt Susan came here you told everyone that I wasto be her heiress. Why, Mamma, she is poorer than we are. Everypenny of her money was lost four years ago, and Tom Harper--heradopted son--supports her. Then there's dear Uncle John. He'snearly five years older than Papa and he looks ten years younger.Why? Because he has nothing to worry him. And when I see the linesand wrinkles coming into your pretty face I think it's all for me,and I've decided to give it up. I shall still go out with thefriends who care for me, but they must know me as I am; and nextsummer I want you to come with me to Camp. You are so clever andcan teach the girls so much about sewing and dressmaking.
"Mamma dear, let's turn over a new leaf. Let's give up all sham andbe happy. Then we can tell who are our true friends and they'll beall we need."
Here Ethel put her arms around her mother who at once burst into tears,sobbing:
"And I wanted you to make a g-good m-match."
"Never mind," laughed Ethel. "Who knows? I may marry better than ever.Cheer up, Mamma dear," and from that hour the mother and daughterchanged places.
And Grandmother Hollister whispered to her son:
"Behold! a miracle."
* * * * * *
[Transcriber's Note: The following nine pages were bound with "How EthelHollister Became a Campfire Girl." They constitute a separate story.]
THE FLOWERS' WORK
"See, mother! I've finished my bouquet. Isn't it beautiful? More so, Ithink, than those made by the florist which he asked two dollars for,and this has cost me but seventy-five cents."
"Yes, yes, it is very pretty. But, dear me, child, I cannot helpthinking how illy we can spare so much for such a very useless thing.Almost as much as you can make in a day it has cost."
"Don't say _useless_, mother. It will express to Edward our appreciationof his exertions and their result, and our regards. How he has struggledto obtain a profession! I only wish I could cover the platform withbouquets, baskets and wreaths tonight, when he receives his diploma."
"Well, well; if it will do any good, I shall not mind the expense. But,child, he will know it is from you, and men don't care for such thingscoming from home folks. Now, if it was from any other young lady, Iexpect he'd be mightily pleased."
"Oh, mother, I don't think so. Edward will think as much of it, comingfrom his sister-in-law, as from any other girl. And it will please Kate,too. If _we_ do not think enough of him to send him bouquets, who elsecould? Rest easy, mother, dear; I feel quite sure my bouquet will domuch good," answered Annie, putting her bouquet in a glass of water.
She left the room to make her simple toilet for the evening.
Mrs. Grey had been widowed when her two little girls were in theirinfancy. It had been a hard struggle for the mother to raise herchildren. Constant toil, privation and anxiety had worn heavily on hernaturally delicate constitution, until she had become a confirmedinvalid. But there was no longer a necessity for her toiling. Katy, theelder daughter, was married; and Annie, a loving, devoted girl, couldnow return the mother's long and loving care. By her needle she obtaineda support for herself and mother.
Katy's husband held a position under the government, receiving a smallcompensation, only sufficient for the necessities of the present, and ofvery uncertain continuance. He was ambitious of doing better than thisfor himself, as well as his family. So he employed every spare hour instudying medicine, and it was the night that he was to receive hisdiploma that my little story begins.
The exercises of the evening were concluded. Edward Roberts came downthe aisle to where his wife and Annie were seated, bearing hisflowers--an elegant basket, tastefully arranged, and a beautifulbouquet. But it needed only a quick glance for Annie to see it was not_her_ bouquet. Although the flowers were fragrant and rare, they werenot so carefully selected or well chosen. Hers expressed not alone heraffection and appreciation, but _his_ energy, perseverance and success.
"Why, where is my bouquet? I do not see it," asked Annie, a look ofdisappointment on her usually bright face.
"Yours? I do not know. Did you send me one?" returned herbrother-in-law.
"Indeed I did. And such a beauty, too! It is too bad! I suppose it isthe result of the stupidity of the young man in whose hands I placed it.I told him plain enough it was for you, and your name, with mine, was onthe card," answered Annie, really very much provoked.
"Well, do not fret, little sister; I am just as much obliged; andperchance some poor fellow not so fortunate as I may have received it,"answered Edward Roberts.
"Don't, for pity's sake, let mother know of the mistake, or whatever itis, that has robbed you of your bouquet. She will fret dreadfully aboutit," said Annie.
All that night, until she was lost in sleep, did she constantly repeat:
"I wonder who has got it?"
She had failed to observe on the list of graduates the name of _EdgarRoberts_, from Ohio, or she might have had an idea into whose hands herbouquet had fallen. Her brother Edward, immediately on hearing Annie'sexclamation, thought how the mistake had occurred, and was really gladthat it was as it was; for the young man whose name was so nearly likehis own was a stranger in the city, and Edward had noticed his receiving_one_ bouquet only, which of course was the missing one, and Annie's.
Edgar Roberts sat in his room that night, after his return from thedistribution of diplomas, holding in his hand Annie's bouquet, and onthe table beside him was a floral dictionary. An expression ofgratification was on his pleasant face, and, as again and again his eyesturned from the flowers to seek their interpreter, his lips werewreathed with smiles, and he murmured low:
"Annie Grey! Sweet Annie Grey! I never dreamed of any one in this placeknowing or caring enough for me to send such a tribute. How carefullythese flowers are chosen! What a charming, appreciative little girl sheis! Pretty, I know, of course. I wonder how she came to
send me this?How shall I find her? Find her I must, and know her."
And Edgar Roberts fell asleep to dream of Annie Grey, and awoke in themorning whispering the last words of the night before:
"Sweet Annie Grey!"
During the day he found it quite impossible to fix his mind on his work;mind and heart were both occupied with thoughts of Annie Grey. And so itcontinued to be until Edgar Roberts was really in love with a girl heknew not, nor had ever seen. To find her was his fixed determination.But how delicately he must go about it. He could not make inquiry amonghis gentlemen acquaintances without speculations arising, and a namesacred to him then, passed from one to another, lightly spoken, perhaps.Then he bethought himself of the city directory; he would consult that.And so doing he found Greys innumerable--some in elegant, spaciousdwellings, some in the business thoroughfares of the place. The youngladies of the first mentioned, he thought, living in fashionable life,surrounded by many admirers, would scarcely think of bestowing any tokenof regard or appreciation on a poor unknown student. The next would havebut little time to devote to such things; and time and thought were bothspent in the arrangement of his bouquet. Among the long list of Greys hefound one that attracted him more than all the others--a widow, livingin a quiet part of the city, quite near his daily route. So he soughtand found the place and exact number. Fortune favored him. Standing atthe door of a neat little frame cottage he beheld a young girl talkingwith two little children. She was not the blue-eyed, golden-haired girlof his dreams, but a sweet, earnest dove-eyed darling. And what care he,whether her eyes were blue or brown, if her name were only Annie? Oh,how could he find out that?