CHAPTER XVII
THE BIRTHDAY
One stormy evening Harry Evringham blew into the farmhouse, wet from hisdrive from the station, and was severally hugged, kissed, and shaken by thethree who waited eagerly to receive him. The month that ensued was perhapsthe happiest that had ever come into the lives of either of the quartette;certainly it was the happiest period to the married pair who had waited tenyears for their wedding trip.
The days were filled with rowing, sailing, swimming, riding, driving,picnics, walks, talks, and _dolce far niente_ evenings, when the wind wasstill and the moon silvered field and sea.
The happy hours were winged, the goldenrod strewed the land with sunshine,and August slipped away.
One morning when Jewel awoke it was with a sensation that the day wasimportant. She looked over at Anna Belle and shook her gently. "Wake up,dearie," she said. "'Green pastures are before me,' it's my birthday."
But Anna Belle, who certainly looked very pretty in her sleep, and perhapssuspected it, seemed unable to overcome her drowsiness until Jewel set herup against the pillow, when her eyes at once flew open and she appearedready for sociability.
"Do you remember Gladys on her birthday morning, dearie? She couldn'tthink of anything she wanted, and I'm almost like her. Grandpa's given memy boat, that's his birthday present; and mother says she should think itwas enough for ten birthdays, and so should I. Poor grandpa! In tenbirthdays I'll be nineteen, and then he says I'll have to cry on hisshoulder instead of into his vest. But grandpa's such a joker! Of coursegrown-up ladies hardly ever cry. If father and mother have anything for me,I'll be just delighted; but I can't think what I want. I have thedarlingest pony in the world, and the dearest Little Faithful watch, andthe best boat that was ever built, and I rowed father quite a long wayyesterday all alone, and I didn't splash much, but he caught hold of theside of the boat and pretended he was afraid"--Jewel's laughter gurgledforth at the remembrance--"he's such a joker; and I do understand the sail,too, but they won't let me do it alone yet. Father says he can see in myeye that I should love to jibe. I don't even know what jibe is, so howcould I do it?"
Jewel had proceeded so far in her confidences when the door of her roomopened, and her father and mother came in in their bath-wrappers.
"We thought we heard you improving Anna Belle's mind," said her father,taking her in his arms and kissing both her cheeks and chin, the tip of hernose and her forehead, and then carefully repeating the programme.
"But that was ten!" cried Jewel.
"Certainly. If you didn't have one to grow on, how would you get along?"
Then her pretty mother, her brown hair hanging in long braids, took herturn and kissed Jewel's cheeks till they were pinker than ever. "Many, manyhappy returns, my little darling," she said. "I didn't know you weren'tgoing riding this morning."
"Yes, grandpa said he expected a man early on business, and he had to behere to see him. Father could have gone with me," said Jewel, looking athim reproachfully, where he sat on the side of the bed, "but when I askedhim last night he said--I forget what he said."
"Merely that I didn't believe that horses liked such early dew."
"Oh, Jewel!" laughed Mrs. Evringham, "your father is a lazy, sleepy boy.It's later than you think, dearie. Hop up now and get ready for breakfast."
They left her, and the little girl arose with great alacrity, for eversince she was a baby her birthday present had always been on the breakfasttable.
As soon as she was dressed, she put a blue cashmere wrapper on Anna Belleand carried her downstairs to the room where the Evringham family had theirmeals, separate from the other inmates of the farmhouse.
Mr. Evringham was standing by the window, reading the newspaper as hewaited, and Jewel ran to him and looked up with bright expectation.
"H'm!" he said, not lifting his eyes from the print, "good-morning, Jewel.Essex Maid and Star would hardly speak to me when I was out there just now,they're so vexed at having to stay indoors this morning."
The child did not reply, but continued to look up, smiling.
"Well," said the broker at last, dropping the paper. "Well? What is it? Idon't see anything very exciting. You haven't on your silk dress."
"Grandpa! It's my _birthday_."
The broker slapped his leg with very apparent annoyance. "Well, now, tothink I should have to be told that!"
Jewel laughed and hopped a little as she looked toward the table. "Do yousee that bunch under the cloth at my place? That's my present. Isn't it themost _fun_ not to know what it is?"
Mr. Evringham took her up in his arms and weighed her up and downthoughtfully. "Yes," he said, "I believe you are a little heavier than youwere yesterday."
The child laughed again.
"Now remember, Jewel, you're to go slow on this birthday business. Once intwo or three years is all very well."
"Grandpa! people _have_ to have birthdays every year," she replied as heset her down, "but after they're about twenty or something like that, it'swrong to remember how old they are."
"Indeed?" the broker stroked his mustache. "Ladies especially, I suppose."
"Oh, no," returned Jewel seriously. "Everybody. Mother's just twenty yearsolder than I am and that's so easy to remember, it's going to be hard toforget; but I've most forgotten how much older father is," and Jewellooked up with an expression of determination that caused the broker tosmile broadly.
"I can understand your mother's being too self-respecting to pass thirty,"he returned, "but just why your father shouldn't, I fail to understand."
"Why, it's error to be weak and wear spectacles and have things, isn't it?"asked Jewel, with such swift earnestness that Mr. Evringham endeavored tocompose his countenance.
"Have things?" he repeated.
Jewel's head fell to one side. "Why, even you, grandpa," she said lovingly,"even you thought you had the rheumatism."
"I was certainly under that impression."
"But you never would have expected to have it when you were as young asfather, would you?"
"Hardly."
"Well, then you see why it's wrong to make laws about growing old and toremember people's ages."
"Ah, I see what you mean. Everybody thinking the wrong way and jumping on afellow when he's down, as it were."
At this moment Jewel's father and mother entered the room, and sheinstantly forgot every other consideration in her interest as to whatcharming surprise might be bunched up under the tablecloth.
"Anna Belle can hardly wait to see my present," she said, lifting hershoulders and smiling at her mother.
"She ought to know one thing that's there, certainly," replied Mrs.Evringham mysteriously.
Jewel held the doll up in front of her. "Have you given me something,dearie?" she asked tenderly. "I do hope you haven't been extravagant."
Then with an abrupt change of manner, she hopped up into her chaireagerly, and the others took their places.
The very first package that Jewel took out was marked--"With Anna Belle'slove." It proved to be a pair of handsome white hair-ribbons, and the donorlooked modestly away as Jewel expressed her pleasure and kissed herblushing cheeks.
Next came a box marked with her father's name. Upon opening it there wasdiscovered a set of ermine furs for Anna Belle,--at least they were verywhite furs with very black tiny tails: collar and muff of a regal splendor,and any one who declined to call them ermine would prove himself a coldskeptic. Jewel jounced up and down in her chair with delight.
"Winter's coming, you know, Jewel, and Bel-Air Park is a very swell place,"said her father.
"And perhaps I'll have a sled at Christmas and draw Anna Belle on it," saidthe child joyously. "Here, dearie, let's see how they fit," and on went thefurs over the blue cashmere wrapper, making Anna Belle such a thing ofbeauty that Jewel gazed at her entranced. The doll was left with her chubbyhands in the ample muff and the sumptuous collar half eclipsing her goldencurls, while the little girl dived under the cloth once more for the
largest package of all.
This was marked with her mother's love and contained handsome plaidmaterial for a dress, with the silk to trim it, and a pair of kid gloves.
Jewel hopped down from her chair and kissed first her father and then hermother. "That'll be the loveliest dress!" she said, and she carried it toher grandfather to let him look closer and put his hand upon it.
"Well, well, you are having a nice birthday, Jewel," he said.
"Yes," she replied, putting her arm around his neck and pressing her cheekto his. "We couldn't put the boat under the tablecloth, but I'm thinkingabout it, grandpa."
After breakfast they all went out to the covered piazza to read the lesson.It was a fine, still morning. The pond rippled dreamily. The roar of thesurf was subdued. From Jewel's seat beside her grandfather she could seeher namesake glinting in the sun and gracefully rising and falling on thewaves in the gentle breeze.
They had all taken comfortable positions and Mrs. Evringham was finding theplaces in the books.
Mr. Evringham spoke quite loudly: "Well, this is a fine morning, surely,fine."
"It is that," agreed Harry, stretching his long legs luxuriously. "If Ifelt any better I couldn't stand it."
As he was speaking, a strange man in a checked suit came around the cornerof the house.
Jewel's eyes grew larger and she straightened up.
"Oh, grandpa, look!" she said softly, and then jumped off the seat to seebetter. All the little company gazed with interest, for, accompanying theman, was the most superb specimen of a collie dog that they had ever seen."It's a golden dog, grandpa," added Jewel.
The collie had evidently just been washed and brushed. His coat was,indeed, of a gleaming yellow. His paws were white, the tip of his tail waswhite, and his breast was snowy as the thick, soft foam of the breakers. Anarrow strip of white descended between his eyes,--golden, intelligenteyes, with generations of trustworthiness in them. A silver collar nestledin the long hair about his neck, and altogether he looked like a princeamong dogs.
Jewel clasped her hands beneath her chin and gazed at him with all hereyes. He was too splendid to be flown at in her usual manner with animals.
"What a beauty!" ejaculated Harry.
"It _is_ a golden dog," said Jewel's mother, looking almost as enthusiasticas the child.
"What have you there?" asked Mr. Evringham of the man. "Something prettyfine, it appears to me."
"Yes, sir, there's none finer," replied the man, glancing at the animal. "Icalled to see you on that little matter I wrote you of."
"Yes, yes; well, that will wait. We're interested in that fine collie ofyours. We know something about golden dogs here, eh, Jewel?"
"But this dog couldn't dance, grandpa," said the child soberly, drawingnearer to the creature.
"I should think not," remarked the man, smiling. "What would he be doingdancing? I've seen lions jump the rope in shows; but it never lookedfitting, to me."
"No," said Jewel, "this dog ought not to dance;" and as the collie's goldeneyes met hers, she drew nearer still in fascination, and he touched heroutstretched hand curiously, with his cold nose.
"Oh, well, but we like accomplished dogs," said Mr. Evringham coldly.
"Who says this dog ain't accomplished?" returned the man, in an injuredtone. "Just stand back there a bit, young lady."
Jewel retreated and her grandfather put his hand over her shoulder. The manspoke to the dog, and at once the handsome creature sat up, tall anddignified, on his hind legs.
The man only kept him there a few seconds; and then he put him through avariety of other performances. The golden dog shook hands when he was told,rolled over, jumped over a stick, and at last sat up again, and when theman took a bit of sugar from his pocket and balanced it on the creature'snose, he tossed it in the air, and, catching it neatly, swallowed it in atrice.
Jewel was giving subdued squeals of delight, and everybody was laughingwith pleasure; for the decorative creature appeared to enjoy his owntricks.
The man looked proudly around upon the company.
"Well," said Mr. Evringham to Jewel, "he is a dog of high degree, likeGabriel's, isn't he? But he's such a big fellow I think the organ-grinderwouldn't have such an easy time with _him_."
At the broker's voice, the dog walked up to him and wagged his featherytail. Jewel's eager hands went out to touch him, but Mr. Evringham held herback.
"He's a friendly fellow," he went on; then continued to the man, "Would youlike to sell him?"
The question set the little girl's heart to beating fast.
"I would, first rate," replied the man, grinning, "but the trouble is I'vesold him once. I'm taking him to his owner now."
"That's a handsome collar you have on him."
"Oh, yes, it's a good one all right," returned the man. "The dog is for asurprise present. The lady I'm taking him to is going to know him by hisname."
"Let's have a look at it, Jewel," said Mr. Evringham, and he took hold ofthe silver collar, a familiarity which seemed rather to please the goldendog, who began wagging his tail again, as he looked at Mr. Evringhamtrustingly.
Jewel bent over eagerly. A single name was engraved clearly on the smoothplate.
"Topaz!" she cried. "His name is Topaz! Grandpa, mother, the golden dog'sname is Topaz!"
Mrs. Evringham held up both hands in amazement, while Harry frownedincredulously.
"Did you ever hear of anything so wonderful, grandpa? How _can_ the ladyknow him by his name so well as we do?" The child was quite breathless.
"What? Do _you_ know the name?" asked the man. "Supposing I'd hit on theright place already. Just take a look under his throat. The owner's name isthere."
Jewel fell on her knees, and while Mr. Evringham kept his hand on the dog'smuzzle, she pushed aside the silky white fur.
"Evringham. Bel-Air Park, New Jersey," was what she read, engraved on thesilver.
She sat still for a minute, overcome, while a procession of ideas crowdedafter each other through the flaxen head. It was her birthday; grandpacouldn't get the boat under the tablecloth. This beautiful dog--thisimpossibly beautiful dog, was a surprise present. He was for her, to loveand to play with; to see his tricks every day, to teach him to know her andto run to her when she called. If she was given the choice of the Wholeworld on this sweet birthday morning, it seemed to her nothing could be sodesirable as this live creature, this playmate, this prince among dogs.
When she looked up the man in the checked suit had disappeared. She glancedat her father and mother. They were watching her smilingly and sheunderstood that they had known.
She looked around a little further and saw Mr. Evringham seated, his handon the collie's neck, while the wagging, feathery tail expressed greatcontentment in the touch of a good friend.
At the time the story of the golden dog had so captivated Jewel'simagination, the broker began his search for one in real life. He hadalready been thinking that a dog would be a good companion for the fearlesschild's solitary hours in the woods. As soon as the collie was found, hedirected that all the ordinary tricks should be taught it, and every dayuntil he left New York he visited the creature, who remembered him so wellthat on the collie's arrival late last evening, he had feared its joyousbarking out at the barn would waken Jewel.
She rose to her knees now, and, putting her arms around the dog's neck,pressed her radiant face against him.
Topaz pulled back, but Mr. Evringham patted him, and in an instant he wasfreed; for his little mistress jumped up and, climbing into hergrandfather's lap, rested her head against his breast.
"Grandpa," she said, slowly and fervently, "I wonder if you do know howmuch I love you!"
Mr. Evringham patted the collie's head, then took Jewel's hand and placedit with his own on the sleek forehead. The golden eyes met hisattentively.
"You're to take care of her, Topaz. Do you understand?" he asked.
The feathery tail waved harder.
Jewel gazed at the dog. "If anyth
ing could be too good to be true, he'd beit," she said slowly.
Mr. Evringham's pleasure showed in his usually impassive face.
"Well, isn't it a good thing then that nothing is?" he replied, and hekissed her.
CHAPTER XVIII
TRUE DELIGHT
When evening came and put a period to that memorable birthday, Topaz was adog of experiences. If he was a happy discovery to Jewel, she was none theless one to him. He was delighted to romp in the fields, where his coatvied with the goldenrod; or to scamper up and down the beach, barkingexcitedly, while his friends jumped or swam through the cool waves.
Jewel was eager that her horse and dog should become acquainted; so, whenlate in the afternoon Essex Maid and Star were brought out at the customaryhour, saddled and bridled, she performed an elaborate introduction betweenthe jet-black picture pony and the prince among dogs. Star arched his neckand shook his wavy mane as he gazed down at the golden dog with his fullbright eyes. He had seen Topaz before; for the collie had spent the nightin the barn, making sunshine in a shady place as he romped about the man inthe checked suit.
"Oh, grandpa!" laughed Jewel, as Star pawed the ground, "he looks at Topazjust the way Essex Maid used to look at him when he first came. Just as_scornful_!"
She knelt down on the grass by the pony, in her riding skirt, and Topazinstantly came near, hopefully. He had already learned that by sticking toher closely he was liable to have good sport; but this time businessawaited him. Mr. Evringham watched the pony and dog, with the flaxen-hairedchild between them, and wished he had a kodak.
"Now, Star and Topaz, you're going to love one another," said Jewelimpressively. "Shake hands, Topaz." She held out her hand and the dog satdown and offered a white paw.
"Good fellow," said the child. "Now I guess you're going to be surprised,"she added, looking into his yellow eyes. She turned toward the pony, whowas nosing her shoulder, not at all sure that he liked this rival. "Shakehands, Star," she ordered.
It took the pony some time to make up his mind to do this. It usually did.He shook his mane and tossed his head; but Jewel kept patting his slenderleg and offering her hand, until, with much gentle pawing and lifting hislittle hoof higher and higher, he finally rested it in the child's hand,although looking away meanwhile, in mute protest.
"Good Star! Darling Star!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging him."There, Topaz, what do you think of that?" she asked triumphantly. Foranswer the golden dog yawned profoundly, and Mr. Evringham and Jewellaughed together.
"Such impoliteness!" cried the child.
"You must excuse him if he is a little conceited," said the broker. "Heknows Star can't sit up and roll over and jump sticks."
"Oh, grandpa." Jewel's face sobered, for this revived a little differenceof opinion between them. "When are you going to let me jump fences?"
"In a few more birthdays, Jewel, a few more," he replied.
She turned back to her pets. "I suppose," she said musingly, "it wouldn'tbe the least use to try to make them shake hands with each other."
"I suppose not," returned the broker, and his shoulders shook. "Oh, Jewel,you certainly will make me lose my waist. Here now, time is flying. Mount."
He lowered his hand, Jewel stepped on it and was in her white saddleinstantly. The collie barked with loud inquiry and plunged hopefully.
In a minute the horses were off at a good pace. "Come, Topaz!" cried thechild, and the golden dog scampered after them with a will.
Harry and Julia took a sail in the "Jewel" while the riders were away,otherwise the four had spent the entire day together; and after dinner theyall strolled out of doors to watch the coming of twilight.
Jewel and her father began a romp on the grass with the dog, and Mr.Evringham and Julia took seats on the piazza.
The broker watched the group on the lawn in silence for a minute, and thenhe spoke.
"I was very much impressed by the talk we had last evening, Julia; more soeven than by those that have gone before. Harry really seems veryintelligent on this subject of Christian Science."
"He is making a conscientious study of it," returned Julia.
"You have met my questions and objections remarkably well," went on Mr.Evringham. "I am willing and glad to admit truth where I once wasskeptical, and I hope to understand much more. One thing I must say,however, I do object to--it is this worship of Mrs. Eddy. I know you don'tcall it that, but what does it matter what you call it, when you all giveher slavish obedience? I should like to take the truth she has presentedand make it more impersonal than you do. What is the need of thinking abouther at all?"
Julia smiled. "Well, ordinary gratitude might come in there. Most of usfeel that she has led us to the living Christ, and helped us to all we haveattained of health and happiness; but one very general mistake that errormakes use of to blind people is that Mrs. Eddy exacts this gratitude. Howwilling everybody is to admit that actions speak louder than words; and yetwho of our opposers ever stop to think how Mrs. Eddy's retired,hard-working life proves the falsity of the charges brought against her.She does wish for our love and gratitude; but it is for our sakes, nothers. Think of any of the great teachers from St. Paul down to the presentday. Who could benefit by the truth voiced by any of them, while he nursedeither contempt or criticism of the personality of the teacher?"
"Yes," returned Mr. Evringham, "there is strength in that consideration;but this blind following of any suggestion your leader makes looks to metoo much like giving up your own rationality."
Julia regarded him seriously. "Supposing you were one of a party who had,for long years, searched in vain for gold. You had tried mine after mineonly to find you had not the ability to discriminate between the pricelessand the worthless ore, or to discern the signs of promise that lead torich discovery. Now, supposing another prospector had proved, over and overagain, that he did know the places where treasure was to be found.Supposing he had demonstrated, over and over again, that his judgment anddiscernment never led him astray, and that reward followed his laborunfailingly. Now, what if this wise prospector was willing to help you?Supposing he stated that in certain places, and by certain ways, you couldattain that for which you longed and had striven vainly. When his advice ordirections came to you, from time to time, do you think you would be likelyto stop to haggle or argue over them? No; I think you would hasten tofollow his suggestions, as eagerly and as closely as you were able, andwith a warmly grateful heart. Would that prospector be forcing you? ordoing you a kindness? What are the fruits of Christian Science? What arethe results of the directions of this wise, loving leader who can come soclose to God that He teaches her to help us to come, too. Oh, father, thisobstacle, this foolish argument, meets nearly every one in the path you aretreading, and tries to turn him back. I do hope, for your sake, you willdecline to give that very flabby error-fairy a backbone, or let it detainyou longer. It is marvelous how, without one element of truth or reason, itseems able to hold back so many, and waste their precious time."
Mr. Evringham was regarding the speaker with close attention. "You are agood special pleader," he said, when she paused.
"It is easy to speak the truth," she answered.
He nodded thoughtfully. "You have given me a new light on the situation. Isee it now from an entirely new standpoint."
Here the trio on the lawn came running up the steps, father and childlaughing and panting as hard as Topaz, whose tongue and teeth were all inevidence in the gayety of his grin.
Harry threw himself into the hammock, and Jewel sat on the floor besideTopaz, who gazed at her from his wistful eyes, his head on the side. Harrylaughed. "Jewel, he looks at you as if he were saying, 'Really, now, youare a person after my own heart.'"
"She is after his heart, too," said Jewel's mother, "and I'm sure she'llwin it."
"He likes me already," declared the child. "Don't you, Topaz?" she askedtenderly, laying her flaxen head with its big bows against the gold of hiscoat. "Oh, there ought to be one more story in my bo
ok," she added, "onefor us to read right now and finish up my birthday."
"Why not have 'The Golden Dog' again?" suggested Mr. Evringham, from thecomfortable big wicker chair in which he sat watching Jewel and Topaz."That would be appropriate."
"Oh, yes," cried the little girl, looking at her mother.
"Oh, no," returned Julia, smiling. "There ought to be a special fresh storyfor a birthday. We might make one now."
"A new one, mother?" asked Jewel, much pleased. "Could you?"
"No indeed, not alone; but if everybody helped"--
"Oh, yes," cried Jewel, with more enthusiasm than before. "Grandpa beginbecause he's the oldest, then father, then mother, then--well, me, if Ican think of anything."
"It's very wrong of you, Jewel," said the broker, "to remember that I'm theoldest, under these circumstances. What did you tell me this morning?"
The child's head fell to the side and she leaned toward him. "I don't knowhow old you are," she replied gently; "and it doesn't make any difference."
"Then let's begin with the youngest," he suggested.
"No," said his daughter, "I think Jewel's plan is the best. You begin,father." She did not in the least expect that he would consent, but Jewel,her hands resting on Topaz's collar, was looking at the broker lovingly.
"Grandpa can do just anything," she declared.
Mr. Evringham regarded her musingly. "I know only one story," he said atlast, "and not very far into that one."
"You don't have to know far," returned Julia encouragingly, "for Harry hasto begin whenever you say so."
"Indeed!" put in her husband. "I pity you if you have to listen to me."
"It's my birthday, you know, grandpa," urged Jewel.
"So I've understood," returned the broker. "Well, just wait a minute till Ihitch up Pegasus."
"Great Scott!" exclaimed his son. "You aren't in earnest, Julia? You don'texpect me to do anything like that right off the bat!"
"Certainly, I do," she replied, laughing.
"Oh, see here, I have an engagement. We're one, you know, and when itcomes to authorship, you're the one."
"Hush," returned Julia, "you're disturbing father's muse."
But Mr. Evringham's ideas, whatever they were, seemed to be at hand. Hesettled back in his chair, his elbows on the arms and his finger-tipstouching. All his audience immediately gave attention. Even Anna Belle hada chair all to herself and fixed an inspiring gaze on the broker. It was tobe hoped that her pride kept her cool, for, in spite of the quiet warmth ofthe September evening, she was enveloped in her new furs, with her handstucked luxuriously in the large muff.
"Once upon a time," began Mr. Evringham, "there was an old man. No one hadever told him that it was error to grow old and infirm, and he sometimesfelt about ninety, although he was rather younger. He lived in the Valleyof Vain Regret. The climate of that region has a bad effect on the heart,and his had shriveled up until it was quite small and mean, and hard andcold, at that.
"The old man wasn't poor; he lived in a splendid castle and had plenty ofservants to wait on him; but he was the loneliest of creatures. He wantedto be lonely. He didn't like anybody, and all he asked of people was thatthey stay away from him and only speak to him when he spoke to them, whichwasn't very often, I assure you. You can easily see that people werewilling to stay away from a cross-grained person like that. Everybody inthe neighborhood was afraid of him. They shivered when he came near, andran off to get into the sunshine; so he was used to seeing visitors passby the fine grounds of his castle with only a scared glance or two in thatdirection, and he wished it to be so. But he was very unhappy all the same.His dried-up heart gave him much discomfort, and then once he had read anold parchment that told of a far different land from Vain Regret. In thatcountry was the Castle of True Delight, and many an hour the man spent inrestless longing to know how he might find it; for--so he read--if a personcould once pass within the portals of that palace, he would never againknow sorrow or discontent, but one happy day would follow another inendless variety and satisfaction.
"Many a time the man mounted on a spirited horse and rode forth in searchof this castle, and many different paths he took; but every night he camehome discouraged, for no sign could he find of any hope or cheer in thewhole Valley of Vain Regret, and it seemed to him to hold him like aprisoner.
"One day as he was strolling on the terrace before the castle, in bitterthought, a strange sight met his eyes. A little girl pushed open the greatiron gates which he had thought were locked, and walked toward him. For aminute he was too much amazed at such daring to speak, and the little girlcame forward, smiling as she caught his look. She had dark eyes and herbrown hair curled in her neck. Most people would have remarked her sweetexpression; but the old man turned fierce at sight of her.
"'Be off,' he commanded angrily, and he pointed to the gate.
"She did not cease smiling nor turn away, but came straight on.
"The little dried heart in the old man's breast began to bounce about at agreat rate in his anger. He turned to a servant who stood near holding inleash two great hounds.
"'Set the dogs on her,' he commanded; and though the servant was loath toobey, he dared not refuse, and set free the dogs who, at the master's word,bounded swiftly toward the child.
"Her loving look did not alter as she saw them coming and she held out herhands to them. When they reached her they licked the little hands withtheir tongues and bent their great heads to her caresses, and so sheadvanced to the man, walking between the hounds, a hand on the neck ofeach.
"He stared at her dumfounded as she stood before him, her eyes smiling upinto his. Her garments were white and of a strange fashion.
"'From whence come you?' he asked, when he could speak.
"'From the Heavenly Country,' she answered.
"'And what may be your name?'
"'Purity.'
"'I ordered you out of my grounds!' exclaimed the old man.
"'I did not hear it,' returned the child, unmoved.
"'Don't you fear the dogs?'
"'What is fear?' asked Purity, her eyes wondering.
"'This is the land of Vain Regret,' said the man. 'Be off!'
"'This is a beautiful land,' returned the child.
"For a moment her fearless obstinacy held him silent, then he thought hewould voice the question that was always with him.
"'Have you ever heard, in your country, of the Castle of True Delight?' heasked.
"'Often,' replied the child.
"'I wish to go there,' he declared eagerly.
"'Then why not?' returned Purity.
"'I cannot find the way.'
"'That is a pity,' said the child. 'It is in my country.'
"'And you have seen it?'
"'Oh, many times.'
"'Then you shall show me the way.'
"'Whenever you are ready,' returned Purity. So saying, she passed him,still accompanied by the hounds, and walked up the steps of the castle andpassed within and out of sight."
* * * * *
The story-teller paused. Jewel had risen from her seat on the floor andcome to sit on a wicker hassock at his feet, and Topaz rapped with his tailas she moved.
"I wish you'd been there, grandpa, to take care of that little girl," shesaid earnestly, her eyes fixed on his. "What happened next?"
"Ask your father," was the response.
Harry Evringham rolled over in the hammock where he lay stretched, until hecould see his daughter's face. She rose again and pulled her hassock closeto him as he continued:--
"As Purity passed into the house, the dogs whined, and the servant callingthem, they ran back to him. The old man stood still, bewildered, for aminute; then he struck his hands together.
"'It is true, then. Even that child has seen it. I will go to her at once,and we will set forth.'
"So the old man entered the castle, and gave orders that the child who hadjust come in should be found and brought to him.
/>
"The servants immediately flew to do his bidding, but no child could theyfind.
"'Lock the gates lest she escape,' ordered the master. 'She is here. Findher, or off goes every one of your foolish heads.'
"This was a terrible threat. You may be sure the servants ran hither andthither, and examined every nook and corner; but still no little girl couldbe found. The master scowled and fumed, but he considered that if he hadhis servants all beheaded, it would put him to serious inconvenience; so heonly sat down and bit his thumbs, and began to try to think up some new wayto search for the Castle of True Delight.
"He felt sure the child had told the truth when saying she had beheld it.It was even in the country where she had her home. The man began to seethat he had made a mistake not to treat the stranger more civilly. The verydogs that he kept to drive away intruders had been more hospitable than he.
"All at once he had a bright thought. The roc, the oldest and wisest of allbirds, lived at the top of the mountain which rose above his castle.
"'She will tell me the way,' he said, 'for she knows the world from itsvery beginning.'
"So he ordered that they should saddle and bridle his strongest steed, andup the mountain he rode for many a toilsome hour, until he came to wherethe roc lived among the clouds.
"She listened civilly to the man's question. 'So you are weary of yourlife,' she said. 'Many a pilgrim comes to me on the same quest, and I tellthem all the same thing. The obstacles to getting away from the Valley ofVain Regret are many, for there is but one road, and that has difficultiesinnumerable; but the thing that makes escape nearly impossible is thedragon that watches for travelers, and has so many eyes that two of themare always awake. There is one hope, however. If you will examine my wingsand make yourself a similar pair, you can fly above the pitfalls and thedragon's nest, and so reach the palace safely.'
"As she said this, the roc slowly stretched her great wings, and the manexamined them eagerly, above and below.
"'And in what direction do I fly?' he asked at last.
"'Toward the rising sun,' replied the roc; then her wings closed, her headdrooped, and she fell asleep, and no further word could the man get fromher.
"He rode home, and for many weeks he labored and made others labor, tobuild an air-ship that should carry him out of the Valley of Vain Regret.It was finished at last. It was cleverly fashioned, and had wings as broadas the roc's; but on the day when the man finally stepped within it and setit in motion, it carried him only a short distance outside the castlegates, and then sank to the boughs of a tall tree, and, try as he might,the air-ship could not be made to take a longer flight.
"His poor shrunken heart fluttered with rage and disappointment. 'I willgo to the wise hermit,' he said. So he went far through the woods to thehut of the wise hermit, and he told him the same gruesome things about thedifficulties that beset the road out of the Valley of Vain Regret, and saidthat one's only hope lay in tunneling beneath them.
"So the old man hired a large number of miners, and, setting their faceseastward, they burrowed down into the earth, and blasted and dug a waywhich the man followed, a greater and greater eagerness possessing him witheach step of progress; but just when his hopes were highest, the minersbroke through into an underground cavern, bottomless and black, from whichthey all started back, barely in time to save themselves. It was impossibleto go farther, and the whole company returned by the way they had come, andthe miners were very glad to breathe the air of the upper world again; butthe man's disappointment was bitter.
"'It is of no use,' he said, when again he stood on the terrace in front ofhis castle. 'It is of no use to struggle. I am imprisoned for life in theValley of Vain Regret.'"
* * * * *
Jewel's father paused. She had listened attentively. Now she turned to hergrandfather.
"Is that the way you think the story went, grandpa?"
Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think it did," he replied.
"Then go on, please, father, because I like a lot of happiness in mystories, and I want that man to hurry up and know that--that error ischeating him."
"Your mother to the rescue, then," replied Harry Evringham, smiling.
Jewel turned to look at her mother, and, rising again, picked up herhassock and carried it to the steamer chair in which Mrs. Evringham wasreclining.
Her mother looked into her serious eyes and nodded reassuringly as shebegan:--
* * * * *
"As that sorry old man stood there on the terrace, things had never lookedso black to him. He was so tired, so tired of hating. He longed for athousand things, he knew not what, but he was sure they were to be found atthe Castle of True Delight; but he was shut in! There was no way out. As hewas thinking these despairing thoughts and looking about on the sceneswhich had grown hateful to him, he saw something that made him start. Thegreat iron gates leading out of his grounds opened as once before, and alittle girl in white garments came in and moved toward him. His heartleaped at the sight,--and it swelled a bit, too!
"Instead of ordering her off, he hurried toward her and, although hescowled in his eagerness, she smiled and lifted dark eyes that beamedlovingly.
"'I cannot find my way to your country nor to the Castle of True Delight,'said the man, 'and I need you to show me. Since you have found your roadhither twice, surely you can go back again.'
"'Yes, easily,' replied Purity, 'and since you know that you need me, youare ready, and the King welcomes all.'
"'He will not like me,' said the sorry man, 'because nobody does.'
"'I do,' replied the child; and at her tone the man's heart swelled alittle more.
"'There is water in my eyes,' he said, as if to himself. 'What does thatmean?'
"'It will make you see better,' replied the child. 'It is the kind of waterthat softens the heart, and that always improves the sight.'
"'Be it so, then. Perhaps I can better see the way; but the road is full ofperils innumerable, child. Have you found some other path?'
"'There is but one,' replied Purity.
"'So the roc said,' declared the man. 'How did you pass the dragon?'
"The child looked up wonderingly. 'I saw no dragon,' she answered.
"The man stared at her. 'There are pitfalls and obstacles innumerable,' herepeated, 'and an ever-wakeful dragon. You passed it in the night, perhaps,and were too small to be observed.'
"'I saw none,' repeated the child.
"'Yet I will risk it!' exclaimed the man. 'Rather death than this life.Wait until I buckle on my sword and order our horses.'
"He turned to go, but the child caught his hand. 'We need no horses,' shesaid, gently, 'and what would you with a sword?'
"'For our defense.'
"The child pressed his hand softly. 'Those who win to True Delight use onlythe sword of spirit,' she answered.
"The man frowned at her, but even frowning he wondered. Again came theswelling sensation within his breast, which he could not understand.
"The child smiled upon him and started toward the heavy gates and the manfollowed. He wondered at himself, but he followed.
"Emerging into the woodland road, Purity took a path too narrow and deviousfor a horse to tread, but the man saw that it led toward the rising sun.She seemed perfectly sure of her way, and occasionally turned to looksweetly on the pilgrim whose breast was beginning to quake at thought ofthe difficulties to come. No defense had he but his two hands, and no guidebut this gentle, white-robed child in her ignorant fearlessness. Indeed itwas worse than being alone, for he must defend her as well as himself. Shewas so young and helpless, and she had looked love at him. With thisthought the strange water stood again in his eyes and the narrow heart inhis bosom swelled yet more.
"The forest thickened and deepened. Sharp thorns sprang forth and at lastformed a network before the travelers.
"'You will hurt yourself, Purity!' cried the man. 'Let me go first,' andpushing by the little
child, he tried to break the thorny branches andforce a way; but his hands were torn in vain; and seeing the hopelessness,after a long struggle, he turned sadly to his guide.
"'I told you!' he said.
"'Yes,' she answered, and the light from her eyes shone upon the tangle.'On this road, force will avail nothing; but there are a thousand helps forhim who treads this path with me.'
"As she spoke, an army of bright-eyed little squirrels came fleetly intothe thicket and gnawed down thorns and briers before the pilgrims, untilthey emerged safely into an open field.
"'A heart full of thanks, little ones,' called Purity after them as theyfled.
"'Why did they do that for us?' asked the astonished man.
"'Because they know I love them,' replied the child, and she moved forwardlightly beside her companion.
"They had walked for perhaps half an hour when a sound of rushing waterscame to their ears, and they soon reached a broad river. There was nobridge and the current was deep and swift.
"The man gazed at the roaring torrent in dismay. 'Oh, child, behold theflood! Even if I could build a raft, we should be carried out to sea, andno swimmer could stem that tide with you in his arms. How ever came youacross by yourself?'
"'Love helped me,' answered Purity.
"'Alas, it will not help me,' said the man. 'I know Hate better.'
"'But you are becoming acquainted with Love, else you would not look on meso kindly,' returned the child. 'Have faith and come to the shore.' She puther little hand in his and he held it close, and together they walked tothe edge of the rushing river. Suddenly its blackness was touched andtwinkling with silver which grew each instant more compact and solid, and,without a moment's hesitation, Purity stepped upon the silver path, drawingwith her the man, who marveled to see that countless large fish, with theirnoses toward the current and their fins working vigorously, were offeringtheir bodies as a buoyant bridge, over which the two passed safely.
"'A thousand thanks, dear ones,' said Purity, as they reached the fartherbank; and instantly there was a breaking and twinkling of the silver, andthe rushing water swallowed up the kindly fish.
"The man, speechless with wonder, moved along beside his guide, and fromtime to time she sang a little song, and as she sang he could feel hisheart swelling and there was a strange new happiness born in it, whichseemed to answer her song though his lips were mute.
"And then Purity talked to him of her King and of the rich delights whichwere ever poured out to him who once found the path to the HeavenlyCountry; and the man listened quite eagerly and humbly and clung to Purityas to his only hope.
"When night fell he feared to close his eyes lest the child slip away fromhim; but she smiled at his fears.
"'I can never leave you while you want me,' she answered; 'beside, I do notwish to, for I love you. Do you forget that?'
"At this the man lay down quite peacefully. His heart was full and soft,and the strange water that filled his eyes overflowed upon his cheeks.
"In the morning they ate fruits and berries, and pursued their journey, andit was not long before another of the obstacles which the roc and thehermit had foretold threatened to end their pilgrimage. It was a chasm thatfell away so steeply and was so deep and wide that, looking into the depthsbelow, the man shuddered and started back. Before he had time to utter hisdismay, a large mountain deer appeared noiselessly before the travelers.The man started eagerly, but as the creature's bright, wild gaze met his,it vanished as silently and swiftly as it had come.
"'Ah, why was that?' exclaimed Purity. 'Felt you an unloving thought?'
"''Twas a fine deer. Had I but possessed a bow and arrow, I could havetaken it!' returned the man, with excitement.
"'To what end?' asked Purity, her wondering eyes sad. 'One does not gainthe Heavenly Country by slaying. We must wait now, until Love drives outall else.'
"The repentant man hung his head and looked at the broad chasm. 'Would thatI had not willed to kill the creature,' he said, 'for I am loath to lose myown life, and it is less good than the deer's.'
"Purity smiled upon him and slid her hand into his, and again the deerbounded before them, followed this time by its mate.
"The child fondled them. 'Mount upon its back,' she said to the man,indicating the larger animal. He obeyed, though with trembling, while thesmaller deer kneeled to the child and she took her seat.
"Then the creatures planted their feet unerringly and stepped to a lowerjutting point of rock, from whence with flying leaps they bridged the chasmand scrambled to firm earth on the other side.
"'Our hearts' best thanks, loved ones,' said Purity, as the deer boundedaway.
"The man was trembling. 'I have slain many of God's creatures for mypleasure,' he faltered. 'May He forgive me!'
"'If you do so no more you will forgive yourself; but only so,' returnedPurity.
"They moved along again and the man spoke earnestly and humbly of thewonders that had befallen them.
"'To Love, all things are possible,' returned the child; 'but to Loveonly;' and her companion listened to all she said, with a full heart.
"By noon that day, an inaccessible cliff stared the travelers in the face.Its mighty crags bathed their feet in a deep pool, and up, up, for hundredsof feet, ran a smooth wall of rock in which no one might find a foothold.
"The man stared at it in silence, and it seemed to frown back inexorably.His companion watched his face and read its mute hopelessness.
"'Have you still--_still_ no faith?' she asked.
"'I cannot see how'--stammered the man.
"'No, you cannot see how--but what does that matter?' asked the child. 'Letus eat now,' and she sat down, and the man with her, and they ate of thefruits and nuts she had gathered along the way and carried in her whitegown.
"While they ate, a pair of great eagles circled slowly downward out of theblue sky, nor paused until they had alighted near the travelers.
"'Welcome, dear birds,' said Purity. 'You know well the Heavenly Country,and we seek your help to get there, for we have no wings to fly above thoserocky steeps.'
"The eagles nestled their heads within her little hands, in token ofobedience, and when she took her seat upon one, the man obeyed her sign andtrusted himself upon the outstretched wings of the other.
"Up, up, soared the great birds, over the sullen pool, up the sheer rock.Up, and still up, with sure and steady flight, until, circling once again,the eagles alighted gently upon a land strewn with flowers.
"The man and his guide stood upon the green earth, and Purity kissed herhands gratefully to the eagles as they circled away and out of sight.
"'This is a beautiful country,' said the man, and he gathered a whiteflower.
"'Yes,' returned Purity, smiling on him, 'you begin to see it now.'"
* * * * *
Mrs. Evringham paused. Jewel's eyes were fixed on her unwinkingly. "Go on,please, mother," she said.
"I think I've told enough," replied Mrs. Evringham.
"Oh, but you finish it, mother. You can tell it just beautifully."
"Thank you, dear, but I think it is your turn."
"Yes, Jewel," said her father, "it's up to you now."
"But I don't think a little girl _can_ tell stories to grown-up people."
"Oh, yes, on her birthday she can," returned her father. "Go on, we're alllistening; no one asleep except Topaz."
Jewel's grandfather had been watching her absorbed face all the time,between his half-closed lids. "I think they've left the hardest part of allto you, Jewel," he said,--"to tell about the dragon."
"Oh, no-o," returned the child scornfully, "that part's easy."
The broker raised his eyebrows. "Indeed?" he returned.
In honor of her birthday, Jewel was arrayed in her silk dress. The whiteribbons, Anna Belle's gift, were billowing out behind her ears. Shepresented the appearance, as she sat on the wicker hassock, of a person whohad had little experience with dragons.
<
br /> "Well," she said, after a pause, smiling at her grandfather and lifting hershoulders, "shall I try, then?"
"By all means," returned the broker.
So Jewel folded her hands in her silken lap and began in her light, sweetvoice:--
* * * * *
"When the man looked around on the flowers and lovely trees and brooks, hesaid, 'This is a beautiful land.'
"And Purity answered: 'I'm glad that you see it is. You remember I told youit was.'
"'It was the Valley of Vain Regret we were talking about then,' said theman. 'If you had known more about it, you wouldn't have called _that_beautiful.'
"Then the little girl smiled because she knew something nice that the mandidn't know yet; but he was going to.
"So they journeyed along and journeyed along through pleasant places, andwhile they walked, Purity told the man about the great King--how loving Hewas and everything like that, and the man had hold of her hand and listenedjust as hard as he could, for he felt sure she was telling the truth; andit made him glad, and his heart that had been wizzled up just like a fig,had grown to be as big as--oh, as big as a watermelon, and it was full ofnice feelings.
"'I'm happy, Purity,' he said to the little girl.
"I'm glad,' she answered, and she squeezed his hand back again, because sheloved him now as much as if he was her grandpa.
"Well, they went along, and along, and at last they came to some woods anda narrow path through them. The man was beginning to think they might needthe squirrels again, when suddenly"--Jewel paused and looked around on herauditors whose faces she could barely see in the gathering dusk,--"suddenlythe man thought he saw the dragon he had heard so much about; and heshivered and hung back, but Purity walked along and wondered what was thematter with him.
"'There's the dragon!' he said, in the most _afraid_ voice, and he hungback on the girl's hand so hard that she couldn't move.
"When she saw how he looked, she patted him. 'I don't see anything,' shesaid, 'only just lovely woods.'
"'Oh, Purity, come back, come back, we can't go any farther!' said the man,and his eyes kept staring at something among the trees, close by.
"'What do you see?' asked the little girl.
"'A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns!' answered the man, andhe pulled on her again, to go back with him.
"'Dear me,' said Purity, 'is that old make-believe thing ground here,trying to cheat you? I've heard about it.'
"'It would make anybody afraid,' said the man. 'It has seven heads and itcould eat us up with any one of them.'
"'Yes, it could, if it was there,' said Purity, 'but there isn't any suchthing, to _be_ there. The King of the country is all-powerful and He knowswe're coming, and He _wants_ us to come. Hasn't He taken care of us all theway and helped us over every hard place? Shouldn't you think you'd _know_by this time that we're being taken care of?'
"'Oh, dear!' said the man, 'I shall never see the Heavenly Country, nor thecastle, nor know what true delight is; for no one could get by thatdragon!'
"Purity felt bad because his face was the sorriest that you ever saw, andhis voice sounded full of crying. So she put her arms around him. 'Nowdon't you feel that way;' she said, 'everything is just as happy as it wasbefore. There isn't any dragon there. Tell me where you see him.'
"So the man pointed to the foot of a great tree close by.
"'All right,' said Purity, 'I'll go and stand right in front of that treeuntil you get 'way out of the woods, and then I'll run and catch up withyou.'
"The man stooped down and put his arms around the girl just as lovingly asif she was his own little grandchild.
"'I can't do that,' he said; 'I'd rather the dragon would eat me up thanyou. You run, Purity, and I'll stay; and when he tries to catch you, I'llthrow myself in front of him. But kiss me once, dear, because we've beenvery happy together.'
"Purity kissed him over and over again because she was so happy about hisgoodness, and she saw the tears in his eyes, that are the kind that makepeople see better. She _knew_ what the man was going to see when he stoodup again."
The story-teller paused a moment, but no one spoke, although she looked ateach one questioningly; so she continued:--
"Well, he was the most _surprised_ man when he got up and looked around.
"'The dragon has gone!' he said.
"'No, he hasn't,' said Purity, and she just hopped up and down, she was soglad. 'He hasn't gone, because he wasn't there!'
"'He _isn't_ there!' said the man, over and over. 'He _isn't_ there!' andhe looked so happy--oh, as happy as if it was his birthday or something.
"So they walked along out into the sunshine again, and sweeter flowers thanever were growing all around them, and a bird that was near began singing anew song that the man had never heard.
"There was a lovely green mountain ahead of them now. 'Purity,' said theman, for something suddenly came into his head, 'is this the HeavenlyCountry?'
"'Yes,' said Purity, and she clapped her hands for joy because the man knewit was.
"They walked along and the bird's notes were louder and sweeter. 'I_think_, said the man softly, 'I think he is singing the song of truedelight.'
"'He is,' said Purity.
"So, when they had walked a little farther still, they began to see asplendid castle at the foot of the mountain.
"'Oh,' said the man, just as happily as anything, 'is that home at_last_!'
"'Yes,' said Purity, 'it is the Castle of True Delight.'
"The man felt young and strong and he walked so fast the little girl had toskip along to keep up with him, and the bird flew around their heads andsang 'Love, love, love; _true_ delight, _true_ delight,' just as _plain_."
* * * * *
Jewel gave the bird-song realistically, then she unclasped her hands."Mother," she said, turning to Mrs. Evringham, "now you finish the story.Will you?"
"Yes, indeed, I know the rest," returned Mrs. Evringham quietly, and shetook up the thread:--
* * * * *
"As the man and Purity drew near to the great gates before the castle,these flew open of their own accord, and the travelers entered. Drawingnear the velvet green of the terraces, a curious familiarity in the fairscene suddenly impressed the man. He stared, then frowned, then smiled. Agreat light streamed across his mind.
"'Purity,' he asked slowly, 'is this my castle?'
"'Yes,' she answered, watching him with eyes full of happiness.
"'And will you live with me here, my precious child?'
"'Always. The great King wills it so.'
"'But what--where--where is the Valley of Vain Regret?'
"Purity shook her head and her clear eyes smiled. 'There is no Valley ofVain Regret,' she answered.
"'But I lived in it,' said the man.
"'Yes, before you knew the King, our Father. There is no vain regret forthe King's child.'
"'Then I--I, too, am the King's child?' asked the man, his face amazed butradiant, for he began to understand a great many things.
"'You, too,' returned Purity, and she nestled to him and he held her closewhile the bird hovered above their heads and sang with clear sweetness,'Love, love, love; true delight, true, true, _true_ delight.'"
* * * * *
The story-teller ceased. Jewel saw that the tale was finished. She jumpedup from the hassock and clapped her hands. Then she ran to Mr. Evringhamand climbed into his lap. It was so dark now on the veranda that she couldscarcely see his face. But he put his arms around her and gathered her toher customary resting place on his shoulder. "Wasn't that _lovely_,grandpa? Did you think your story was going to end that way?"
He stroked her flaxen hair in silence for a few seconds before replying,then he answered, rather huskily:--
"I hoped it would, Jewel."
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