The silver star., 1899-03-30


like you at your age. There. there,
come and kiss me. Oh, child. you don't
know how my heart has hungered for
your mother all these years. My heart
and home have been empty without
her"
But. though touched by these uncx-
pected words, Hannah still held her
sell aloof. her heart sore and smarting
under the whole experiences of the
evening. At last he persuaded her to
sit down near him, and they entered
into a more friendly and confidential
talk. during which Hannah became
convinced that his hardness Of man
ner and brusqueness OF speech on her
grandfather's part were more or less
assumed for the purpose OF hiding
deeper feelings. When she was al
lowed TO go to her OWE room for the
night. her heart was in strange tu-
multi of conflicting feelings. But her
thoughts turned again and again to-
ward the home she had left, which was
poor and mean and sordid in some re-
spects. but at least it was illumined by
the light of self-sacrificing mothers
love. When she should see il again
she would prize it as she had never yet
priced it. So already the experience
of the day was bearing its fruit in the
girls mind. AS she was sitting there
in the stiffness, she was presently dis
turbed by low knock at the door.
Hastily bidding the intruder enter,
she rose to her feet, and was surprised
to see her aunt, in her dressing gown
and slippers. come in.
Il thought you would be in bed,
dear" she said, in quite gentle
voice. What are you thinking OF as
you sit there in the dark, all alone?'
Il was thinking about my mother"
answered Hannah simply, 'and say
ing to myself that had never known
until today what dear and splendid
mother she is; and | cannot get back
quick enugh to tell her so.'
Tears rose suddenly in Bertha Den
tons eyes. The quick passion with
which the girl spoke indicated the
depth of her feelings, and it seemed to
her that though her sister Rachel had
chosen the husks of life, yet was she
not altogether without compensation.
Il could see that you were disap-
pointed in u.s." she said hurriedly;
but, my dear. we are not emotional
people. 1t was because your mother
allowed her feelings too much scope
that she made such deplorable mis-
take. But I, at least would wish you
to be happy here, and when We get to
know each other better. perhaps it will
be possible for you to feel at home even
with me-"
These unexpected words. spoken
when Hannah's feelings were some
what wrought upon, betrayed her into
a most unusual demonstration. With
little sob she threw her arms about
her aunt's neck. and from that mo-
ment they seemed to understand one
another.
The strain of the first evening over.
1t was surprising how quickly Hannah
Pym accommodated herself to her new
surroundings, and how thoroughly she
felt at home. AS her aunt had said.
they were not demonstrative people;
fortunately, however, Hannah had been
reared in an Unconditional household,
and had early learned the lesson OF
self-control. A fortnight was the limit
OF her visit, and when the first week
had passed she found herself jealousy
counting the few remaining days which
would intervene between her return to
her own home During her visit she
wrote daily letter to her mother. and
these letters stirred In poor Rachel
Pym's heart such memories OF the
long-ago time that she seemed to live
in dream world: and SO the days
slipped away, and it came to Hannah's
last evening at The Gables.
They were sitting ut tea on the
lawn. the weather being SO mild and
summer-like that this was quite en-
joyable. Somehow they had talked
less than usual and at last Bertha
Denton. looking with a sudden sharp
glance at her fathers face. said
abruptly:
will you ask her. father, or shall
II"
You can do the talking. Bertha"
said the old gentleman good-humored-
ly, land II you say anything l don't
like or don't approve Of. I'll put In my
word"
At this Hannah smiled. She was sit
ting In n low basket chair. and her
face had been rather grave and
thoughtful.
I'VE want to know. your grand
father and l. whether you have had a
pleasant visit. or whether you will be
glad to leave us?"
Hannah's eyes filled with. sudden
tears.
"Oh. Aunt Bertha" she cried quick
ly. how can you ask me such o ques-
tion? l have never. never been ro
happy In all my lifc."
DO you hear her. father?" cried
Bertha, almost triumphsntly; "she
says she has never been so happy In
her life. II that is the case. then II
will make you listen more favorably
to what we have to say. We would
like you very much to live here Al
ways, Hannah. and become one Of u.s."