The Springfield herald., 1899-03-31


| know how my heart has hungered ior
your mother all these years! My heart
and home have been empty without
her."
But, though touched by these une1-
pected words. Hannah still held her
SELF aIoof, her heart sore and smarung
under the whole experiences OF the
evening. At last he persuaded her 10
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 ner
grandfather's part were more or less
assumed for the purpose OF hidlns
deeper feelings. When she was al
lowed to go to her OWL room Tor the
night, her heart was In strange tu-
mutt 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 1t was illumined by
the light of self-sacrificing mother 3
love. When she should see 1t again
| she would prize 1t as she had never yet
priced 1t. 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.
II 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?"
81 was thinking about my mother"
answered Hannah simply, "and say
ing to myself that l had never known
until today what dear and splendid
mother she is; and l 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 1t seemed 10
her that though her sister Rachel had
chosen the husks OF life, yet was she
not altogether without compensation.
| II could see that you were disap-
pointed in u.s." she said hurriedly;
"but, my dear, we are not emotlonai
people. 1t was because your motneN
allowed her feelings too much scope
that she made such deplorable mis-
take. But l, at least. would wish you
to be happy here, and when we get 10
know each other better. perhaps 1t VIII
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
a little sob she threw her arms about
| her aunt's neck, and from that mo-
ment they seemed to understand one
| another. .... 4.... Z
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 jealousiy
counting the few remaining days which
would intervene between her return to
her own home. During her visit she
wrote a 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 a dream world; and SO the days
slipped away. and it came to Hannah's
last evening at The Gables.
They were sitting at tea on the
lawn, the weather being SO mild and
summer-like that this was quite en-
ioyable. 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 If 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 a low basket chair, and her
face had been rather grave ana
thoughtful.
I'VE want to know, your grand
father and l, whether you have had
| n,easant visit, or whether you Will be
glad to leave us?"
Hannah's eyes filled with sudden
tears.
"Oh, Aunt Bertha" she cried quick 4
ly, "how can you ask me such ques-
ton? have never, never been so
happy in all my life.'
"po you hear her, father?" cried
Bertha, almost triumphantly; "she
says she has never been SO happy in
| Ao. ,ifa II that ia the case then 1t