People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-10-07
CHAPTER XII.
A HAPPY LOTRNEY

The week passed al 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,
prepared for my departure and again
went forth into the world to meet-I
knew not what.
1t was twelve miles from Mr.. Cor
nell's to the town where my cousin
lived, and though l affirmed that l
could easily walk that distance Mrs.
Cornell stated positively that should
do nothing of the kind.
Charles will take you down in the
buggy" she said, land be glad of the
privilege. He would never forgive him.
self if he permitted lady to leave this
house to make such journey as 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 a con-
versation. Occasionally remark was
offered by one and an answer made by
the other, but there speech dropped
and silence began again. was too
sad to talk, for in going out into the
world from the pleasant home | had
enjoyed for one brief week | seemed to
have shouldered all my old burdens
again. Charles, think, must have IN
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 fit
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 nay companions goodness by self
ishly devoting myself to nursing my
grief; and arousing my spirits by an
effort, l 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 mus
pardon me, for have been exceedingly
gloomy this morning"
81 fear you are unhappy" he re
piled, in a 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 an(
parents, and the happiness have en-
joyed during my stay at your home,
ind it hard to go out into the worl
again to seek home among strangers
l am afraid the past week has spoile
me so that shall be disappointed be
cause | expect too much pleasure an
attentions"
81 am indeed glad" he said, "tha
you enjoyed your short stay with Us
We should all be sorry if you had not.
"Ah, did enjoy it" l cried, ecstati'
ally. How much l enjoyed it l car
not say, because words will not e!
press my feelings. You were all S
good to me, and your mother was so
motherly."
| could not think of any word thG
conveyed my meaning so well as th
word motherly. No other word covere
the full definition of my feelings, b,
cause no other word in the English Lar
guage so completely embraces all tt
good and noble qualities of the woma
heart. In that one word | had expresse
all felt, and all that Mrs. Cornell ha
been to me. saw instantly that N
companion was pleased at what | sal
for a glow of delight overspread his faC
and twinkle of satisfaction sparkle
from his eyes.
Il am glad you like my mother"
said, proudly. "She is noble woma
and better mother no one ever had.
do not know how anyone who is a
quainted with her could fail to love he
This may seem like boasting, but T
sure there can be no harm in it, for
good, faithful mother is entitled to a
the praise her children can bestow."
1t did not seem to me like boastir