Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-20
THERE STOOD REVEALED THE

thing! Where have you been all by your
self" cried the mother, lifting the child
from Geoffrey's arms, and clasping her to
her bosom. oh my darling, thought you
were lost. I have been all over the village
looking for you"'
Boy brought me home" said Winnie.
waving her hand triumphantly toward
Geoff
Winnie's mother held out hand to Geof-
frey, and smiled at him, although her eyes
were full Of tears. You brought my little
girl home,'' she said; and then her eyes
cleared and her face changed suddenly.
Your she exclaimed. "You-you-brought
her back to me?'
Yes. l did," said Godfrey manfully, al
though he could not help feeling of
slight surprise at the strange tone and ex
preston which she had, as it seemed, in
voluntarily adopted She had hurt her
foot-and her shoe was lost-and l carried
her"
He could not tell why the lights and
shadows chased each other so swiftly across
her face. He only knew that she put Win
fired down, and bent forward, holding her
arms out toward him with so motherly
gesture that it was perfectly natural to run
into them and TO pillow his head against
her shoulder. My dear! my dear!' she
murmured, passionately "Oh, my dear
my dear!"
Godfrey did not understand. But he
chung closer to her and threw his arms
round her neck. Are you so glad that I
brought your little girl back?' he said
wistfully.
Il am glad-yes-very glad" she an
swered with a sobbing breath; y am glad
that you brought her-you,' she added,
with a curious emphasis on the word.
ME in particularly said Godfrey.
Yes, you in particular" returned Win
MES mother, with little agitated laugh.
She strained him closer to her breast, and
then released her hold. II was glad when
you were kind to her, for, Of course, 1 know
who you are. You are Godfrey Allen Tenn
pest and-it is good thing that you should
be kind to-to-poor people like Winnie and
me-"
us that air. said Godfrey. in disap-
pointed tone. Il was thinking-I was hop
ing, you know-that you liked 1t to be me
because-because-beca
''Because?' said the woman, with all her
heart. as 1t seemed, in her voice and eyes.
Because. perhaps you liked me. too"
said the boy, with his mouth quivering in
spite of himself. Il have so few people to
like me- you know"
ooh, you poor, dear boy!" she said, fold
Ing him once more in her arms. II will like
you'll will love you, IL you will let me. You
poor. lonely little boyp'
And Godfrey felt her tears upon his face.
She was a Mrs. Allen, he understood
afterward: and he noted with surprise and
satisfaction that her name was like his
own. She had taken lodgings for the win
ter in the keepers cottage; and he gathered
from Jameson, the keeper, that she had
left London because her child was too DELI
very poor. Jameson added; and she wanted
TO exc out her income by giving music les
sons to young people: She had hired a
piano from the neighboring town, and
Jameson opined that her playing was lust
wonderful" -
Godfrey reflected upon this information
and. after much elaboration, he spoke to
his grandfather. They were sitting over
the dinner table on which dessert had Just
been placed. when the squire noticing the
puzzled frown on Geofrrey's brow, said sud
denly:
whats bothering you now?'
May l learn to play the piano, grand
father. please?" said Godfrey, coming out
of a brown study, and looking up at the
squire with blue, untroubled eyes.
THE piano! Heavens. no! You'll be a
man some day. 1 suppose. What should a
man learn the piano for?"
ut isn't that l care about the piano.
think 1t beastly-paying exercises and all
that. But there's a lady living at jamie
sons. and she's poor, and teaches the
piano. and thought 1t would be rather nice
II learned from her: because then you
could give her good lot of money for the
lessons, don't you see. grandfather
Il see, fndeed!' said Mr.. Tempest with a
short laugh. "A very Ingenious idea! Well
II 1t Is a question of charity, / don't mind
helping her. Five pounds any good?"
"Oh. she isn't that Sort" said Godfrey
coloringly holly. 'She doesn't want any
one to give her any money. She wants to
earn 1t. don't you see? That's why should
like to learn OF her.
Not that you care about the plano, Ell r.
said Mr.. Tempest. looking at him oddly.
4 don't think do. I hate the notes, and