Heart of Gold

back in a few minutes. Well, that's what she said to do when she went out." For Mari

e maid crossly. "But mind y

s face, one straightway forgot all other characteristics, for in rugged homeliness it would have been hard to surpass him, and yet there was a striking kindliness of feature, a certain gentleness of eye that instantly drew peo

ce rumbled. "Are you the mi

had spoken aloud. "In fact, you look very much like his pictures,-as much a

the greatest compliment anyone could pay

, recalling a little lecture she had received that morning. "

you are one of Dr. Cam

al grandfather were ministers in their time. That's why I am so

the grown-up air she had assume

younger. The bishop said he thought a

small now. Pansy is the younge

s'pose she is as big as

he surprised minister, hardly knowing how to rece

ghed Peace. "I don't see why people wi

t a child will be when it grow

tty name for a person. It is all right for a flower, but for a real live thing-well, minis

turah, Caroline, P

hat you didn't go to the Bible for your children,

omfortable pastor, mentally deciding that this was the ru

us and while he lived he took the job of naming the rest of us,-all but Allee. He died before

me," murmured the ministe

re ain't a thing peaceful about me. I seem bound to make a stir wherever I go, no matter how hard I try to be good. It just ain't in me to be quiet and keep my mouth shut. Now, if Gra

ng the indignation which he had felt welling up withi

irls named Kitty are alw

ty is neither

t she look

he answered. "She rese

were softly tender, and the busy minister suddenly loved the t

five children, and my only

bab

mbers in the great fireplace, and

moment; then as the pause grew oppressive t

smiled in amusement. "Yes, and Carol

s an angel and your biggest children ar

towns. My sister Anne stays with us, and with the he

our boy? You haven't sa

ctor at Danbury Hospital in Fairview. He is getting to be quite a

sting on the cushioned stool of Dr. Campbell's great Morris chair. "I wish w

also sought the useless little feet on their cushion. "Why, child," he whispered, a

at all the while he had sat there listening to h

surprised at his question. "

ok his

r a time I could have crutches, but it's my back that's hurt and crutches won't

sad, weary days that had followed, while the preache

hispered tenderly, "Poor little girl!" and

softly, "I love you." There was a pause. Then before Dr. Shumway could think of any appropriate words in which to

from his chair in his astonishment.

ver since you came in, trying to make out why you looked so queer, and now I kn

l staring with fascinated eyes a

that moment there was a brisk step on the wide vera

ace's interview with the new pastor

story lingered in his mind, and he found himself constantly thinking

en she says she can't keep quiet. What wonderful good such energy could accomplish if trained in the right direction! I wonder if Dickson-I beli

radually taking shape in his brain, until at length a practicable idea at last p

served to his two youngest daughters, "Girls, what do you think of

ty!" gasped both

r Anne stared

no one ventured an explanation of

entertain," wailed Pa

d here," ventured sis

home for Christmas,

ole family to meet the young folks of my new flock. What if we aren't in apple-pie order? We'll be less s

n to discuss some household problem with his sister. "But I'll bet he's got s

ve just a little family gathering, such as they were accustomed to each year. There would be Kitty and Ed, Carrie and Phil, and Dick.-Dickson was still unmarried.-That would make five extra in the little family, and five people were a plenty to plan for, without having a pa

sonal invitation to attend his Christmas party, and made several visits to the Campbell home apparently to discuss his plans with members of that household, while in reality his object was to rouse the invalid's curiosity and interest so she would be sure to join the merrymakers at the parsonage on that night of nights. Then

for Peace had solemnly promised to be there in her wheel-chair, and it was har

nd she lay white and spent upon her bed in the Flag Room, watching with anguish in her heart while the other sisters made ready for the festiviti

ou should stick at home, too," she told them. "Besides, I want to

rld do you mean

st to each other. Faith hears only the music. Hope sees the pretty things f

daintiest dresses, robbed the greenhouse for their adornment, kissed the little sister fondly and hurried away into the night. Peace listened to the sound of th

beside the sobbing child and striving to soothe and comfo

ng 'cause the girls have gone, truly. It's just that dreadful ache in my back. O, Grandma, am I going to be like my Lilac Lady after all? She had well days when she could read

th agony at the sight of her darling's suf

, fur-coated figure stood unannounced in the doorway. Mrs. Campbell rose hurriedly to h

ing in his boyish face made Peace exclaim, "You look li

"It's because I am her brother

r. Dick?" she

d not come to our party, so I have brough

roducing what looked to be a scarlet carnation in a tiny plantpot of rich loam, but upon investigation Peace found that her litt

giggled. "Did you come down the ch

on." He did not add that for more than an hour he had been closeted with Dr. Campbell in the parsonage stu

e," said the girl, pleased with her own fancies. "But it would have seemed a little realer i

he parried, studying the d

her surroundings and caused her to writhe in agony, "and a pair of legs to match. You are a sure-e

will let me rub

or touch it!" she shuddered. "T

e promised, "and if it hu

she he

to sleep," she sig

if you will let me r

and she cried pitifully, "Yes, oh, yes,-just rub me now. It does hurt so bad I

eping up a lively chatter to amuse the small sufferer. So light was his touch, so sympathetic his personality, that very soon the tense

felt herself drifting away to slumberland, "You are a good doctor, Dr. Dick. I'll hire you the

his breath, and stole softly from the room to report his con