The Gold of Chickaree

it of a clean, coarse furnished place, to remove her hat and refresh herself. When she came out, Rollo was busy making one of the

of some of the early Christians"they first gave their own selves to the

alternations of coloursure tokens with her of excited feeling. That though

rd?' said

ld do itBut it w

asked in the soft musical ton

nswer,why I cannot prom

,' said he; 'and don't promi

she made between the fire and the table; and Dane was at home and at play. He was changed since a year before. The always bright, gay, masterful face was full now of a deeper purpose and a more centred energy; but th

ks that went before, were still visible enough. Not strong yet, to withstand and manage the incoming tide of new thoughts and prospects and responsibilities, she took all the petting and pleasure and care with the most

coming in among his labours and plans had brought it home to her keenly. All the same, she could take no new stand just to please him; it would not be true, she could not keep up to it, could not act it out. Was she ready, for other reasons, to take such a stand? The old tangle of perplexed questions seemed closing her in again; and now and then, between whiles, when Rollo was looking away, the brown

ns and outs of many a house there; she could illustrate and prove the truth of some of Rollo

haven't thought of ye

eathens and sava

think I have not

ven't begun t

u venture t

heard you s

Hazel, that p

she said. 'But Mrs. Bo

id Rollo. 'It ap

old woman smiling. 'I've been waiting to hear when

ch more. You remember our first visit here? A party of the children had made a plan to throw stones at our horses as w

uppose, if I were youYou should ask people who kno

t occurs to you, as

em that, first of all. I should set them the lesson you set me,' she added, her voice changing a little. 'Andvery much as you set it for me.' A swift deprecating g

manner quite grave and quiet, his powerful eyes neverth

uppose they would have most time. And Sundays, too, they would be a little more dressed up and ready for the best things you coul

sufficiently near together. That is j

knew you

thing, 'do you think one ought to wait for anything but an op

ot think you

vely. 'I started a g

he sand-paper,' said H

ly use witho

he answered as demurely as possib

,waiting for it,ready for it. I suppose I meant

the good news we carry; and if we cannot make it catch, perhaps God will. Suppose you have nothing to give

had been like midnight. Hazel pushed away her plate, and folding her hands in

o which she had been summoned, 'somebody is a wanting you do

it, th

got hurt in some o' t

t one of

rt bad; and there's no one to tell 'em what to do; and Lina

t a moment and tu

u wait

wish I co

own and take a sleep.

t off, los

soon as everything was in order she took

t him for so ofte

rtainly. But these are not his own people; ne

and sorrows and perplexities she had been through!And it was just what she could not tell him, and just what he could never guess. So she gazed at the twinkling fire, shewing brighter and brighter as the afternoon began to die away; until at last, with her head somehow nestled against shawl and cushions in the extem

and Primrose Maryland appeared. Gyda's finger at her lips stayed all but softly uttered w

at Hazel more steadily, and then sat down by Mrs. Bo?rresen to talk in a soft undertone which could disturb nobody. The two girls had scarcely seen each other since the fall before, except in the most casual manner at church or in some chance meeting. Hazel had had good reasons for keeping herself out of the way, and when they met had wrapped herself in a triple veil of defences; so that it was rather a revelation to see her as she looked now. A tired child asleep, instead of the energetic lady of Chickaree.

then was very

me from?' said Hazel. 'Does it ta

ane wanted Arthur, or at least the hurt man wante

course after such profound work I was tired. But I did not mean to go

annot help about it's being dinner time, you know.

ecollection, 'has it taken all t

r is t

ver. 'I do not see how I could sleep!'She stood lo

sent me up here. He didn't tell me I should find you.' Primrose paused, as her eye fell on Hazel's cushioned and draperied chair.

repeated, flushing al

emberlas

bout la

not like him at all, and used to

r call to get out of patience just now.

ever get out of patience again?' Prim

N

the cushions and th

ng to vex him,

hough with a queer mixture of softness and sharpness,'do I look like the

in Prim's eye went to the gray shawl

t. The thing just now is how to get awa

two gentlemen at the door. As they entered, Dane with a smile and a gesture of salutatio

changed greetings with Miss Kennedy. Hazel was a little shy of hi

. Rollo and I must be

too dark for y

Primrose.'Does he wa

ne

ts, it is said, upon making a bonfire in one of Dane's mills,to stop his making so

'I should think Duke w

cannot always stop a t

things being fair in the pursuit of science) suddenly intercepting the look, he found that it as suddenly retreated, in some confusion. Whereupon, 'standing attention' a little more, Dr. Arthur took the measure of t

ve you come to any conclusio

understand the case

mro

h the room to Wy

morning to fire one of my mills. I do not half believe it; and yet I think I must be on hand. What will you and Prim do? There are only two things; for you to ride to Dr. Mar

s my buggy remains here, the honour of Miss Kennedy'

wanted to go, I should let you take th

zel, just ready to laug

I can go

overcoat and make yourself comfortable if you can. Prim, I am glad to see you.' And he went over to