The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-08-09
LIGHT o. LAUGHTER
BY JANE GORDON

hotner, tnat Whlle you are on
this trip you'd stop over at Glenmore
and look up my old friends daughter.
Now, please do not demur, Gordon;
this Is an unusual request duty left
undone by myself which has long trou-
bled my cons eience. May 1 tell you
about it?"
The tall, dark-haired young man
smiled his willingness. But, mother"
he objected, you know how / detest
these old calls of past memories 1 am
out for relaxation from wearisone daily
conventions. Nevertheless, If that ten
der conscience of yours is bothering-"
Il may be able to make you under
stand my sense Of responsibility in this
matter" Mrs. Dare replied, "for have
neglected Rosalind's daughter all these
years. But at the back of my memory
has ever been a picture that would not
be banished-the picture of a great,
stately room in an old mansion on the
Hudson river, and in curtained bed
my little friend, Rosalind, dying. Like
some hurt child she lay, and turned her
tired blue eyes to me.
Hester" she begged, you will see
that they make my baby happy. She is
such tiny thing-no larger than my
last doll. I would have my little
daughter the very light of laughter-so
I had planned, had l been spared. l
have suffered in my husbands home;
he SO misunderstanding. his mother
fretful-eold. And his proud old ia
ther-Oh, Hester, when you brought
your fine gentleman to meet me, when
Garth Stephens fulfilled your ambitious
desire and married your humble friend,
neither you nor could see the days of
gloomy forbearance ahead. I can only
be glad that they were but days and
months, not years. My little one-how
will she grow in such shadow garden?
I would have her happy, as I was hap
py and gay of heart in grandfather's
CHEEKY cottage. far up in the hills. So
shall leave for her the name of Gay"
l went as often as l might to visit
Rosallnd's child after her mothers
death. But the visiting was not as easy
Of accomplishment as one would eX-
pect. The grim, dominating grandmoth
er, guarded jealously-one might say
spitefully-her sons daughter. She
would brook no meddling from outsid-
ers. And Garth Stephens was, as al
ways, quietly acquiescent to his moth
er's management. The old man-Miser
Stephens, some called him-ignored me
| in a manner that / could not overlook,
even while carrying out my promise to
Rosalind. This motor trip of yours,
Gordon, will take you almost to the
gates of Glenmore. VIII you bring me
/ f,,t. do, fnr2
And if you find her as sorrowful in the
shadow of that gloomy family as my
little Rosalind was sorrowful will you
try to persuade them to allow her to
come to me for a visit? l would eager
ly write the invitation"
Gordon frowned over the thought of
his disagreeable task as his car drew
up before the gates of Glenmore. He
smiled as the gates were thrown wide
by an aged servant. Beyond the white
haired servant sat an old, bent gentle
man-gentleman in every detail of
manner and clothing; and Mt the old
gentleman's side sat, on the marble
bench, a wrinkled old lady.
"Sir," asked the old gentleman, your
name? And when Gordon had given
1t, with the name of his mother for re-
minder, the old lady sent the old serv-
ant in search of Garth Stephens. He
came soon, courteous in greeting.
Then, down the fiower-bordered path,
toward them all, came light dancing
figure. She wore white frOck and
carried in her arms roses which she
had gathered. The young girls lips
curled delightfully."- at their red corners.
Her blue eyes glanced at the visitor,
and in their depths shone a merry
twinkle
Gordon Dare caught his breath he
had not believed in love at first sight.
Now, his one desire was to keep this
lively, happy vision close, that he might
bring forth that radiant smile-that he
might gaze, his troubles forgotten, in
the warmth of those clear blue eyes.
Garth Stephens spoke gently: This"
he said, "is my daughter, Mr.. Dare
our very light of laughter. Years ago
this was a gloomy old place enough /;
and we were badly needing sunshine.
Then Gay came to us to bear with us.
to brighten u.s."
"Father!" cried the daughter, rosily
confused.
"He always will talk that way" she
indulgently told the visitor. But some
time later, as the visitor fingered long
in the town of Glenmore, Gay refused
the invitation sent by Gordon's mother,
with this explanation: "They need me
in this big, dreary house, to keep them
happy. The two dear grandparents
will not long be with us. l have my
mothers last will to carry QUITO the
end. Shall tell you? When was a
very little girl I found this note in a
golden locket she left for me:
"'My little Gay-so name you. For
would give you, If might bestow It,
life OF pure happiness, that you
yourself might be very light OF
laughter