The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-07-27
CHAPTER XII
A HAPPY JOURNEY.

The week passed all too soon, and
when the end came was 10th, indeed,
to leave the home Of my new friends.
But it seemed to me that to remain
longer would be an imposition on their
generosity, and, foregoing my own
pleasure and stoutly resisting the en-
treaties Of the mother, father and son,
Ipropared for my departure and again
went forth into the world TO meet-l
knew not what.
It was twelve miles from Mr.. Cor.
nell's to the town where my cousin
lived, and though affirmed that
could easily walk that distance Mrs.
Cornell stated positively that I should
do nothing Of the kind.
"Charlss will take You down in the
buggy" she said, land be glad Of the
privilege. He would never forgive him.
self II he permitted a lady to leave this
house to make such a journey rs that
on foot, and never should either"
So Charles Cornell brought his bug
gy, and together we rode across the
prairie and along the smooth lanes
toward my destination. The first two
or three miles were passed over In COM
parative silence, neither OF US seem.
ing inclined or prepared TO open con-
versation., Occasionally a remark was
offered by one and an answer made by
the other, but there speech dropped
and silence began again. / was toe
sad to talk, for in going out into the
world from the pleasant home / had
enjoyed for one brief weok seemed Ia
have shouldered all my old burdens
again. Charles, think, must have un.
derstood something Of my thoughts, for
ever and anon he cast upon me look
full of sympathy; then, turning his
eyes away, appeared TO fall into I'll
Of abstraction, gazing blankly out
across the plain or mechanically cutting
the weeds by the wayside with his
whip. ] imagined then that he pitied
my condition and that the unpleasant
prospect lying before me caused his
heart TO feel sad.
realized that was poorly requit'
ing my companions goodness by self
ishly devoting myself to nursing my
grief; and arousing my spirits by an
effort, forced smile to my lips, and,
turning to him, remarked:
81 fear you find me rather dull com
pany, Mr.. Cornell, and think me very
unappreciative of your kindness in bring
ing me this journey. But you must
pardon me, for | have been exceedingly
gloomy this morning."
~ fear you are unhappy" he re
piled, In tone of true compassion,
his eyes meeting mine with tender so
licitude.
81 am unhappy" answered, unhesi-
tatingly after all the kindness
have experienced from yourself and
parents, and the happiness have en-
joyed during my stay at your home,
hnd II hard TO 90 out into the world
again to seek home among strangers
am afraid the past week has spoiled
me so that | shall be disappointed be-
cause expect too much pleasure and
attentions"
81 am indeed gind," be said, that
you enjoyed your short stay with us
We should all be sorry II you had not
"Ah, | did enjoy it," l cried, ecstatic
ally. "How much enjoyed II | can
not say, because words will not ex
press my feelings. You were all &c
good TO me, and your mother was So
motherly."
could not think Of any word that
conveyed my meaning so well as the
word motherly. No other word covered
the full definition of my feelings, be
cause no other word In the English Ian
guage SO completely embraces all the
good and noble qualities Of the woman
heart. In that one word had expressed
all felt, and all that Mrs. Cornell haG
been TO mo. saw instantly that my
companion was pleased at what / said
for glow of delight oversprcad his face
and a twinkle Of satisfaction sparlslet
from his eyes.
81 am glad you like my mother" he
said, proudly. "She Is noble woman
and better mother no one ever had. i
do not know how anyone who is ac
quainted wi, ,h her could fail TO love hor
This may seem like Boosting, but I'm
sure there can be no harm in II, for Q
good, faithful mother Is entitled to al
the praise her children can bestow."
II did not seem 10 me like boastins