CHAPTER XIX
The Rightful Heir
And words of true love pass from tongue to tongue, As singing birds from one bough to another.'--_Longfellow._
When Gwen had the savings of the old women dug up from the roots oftheir favourite apple-tree, she found to her amazement that no lessthan 95 pounds had been put away in the old teapot, and for some timeshe hesitated about appropriating it.
Miss Miller came round to advise, for she was most excited about it all.
'I have been making inquiries, my dear, about their relatives as if youfeel any qualms about taking their savings, I thought you would be gladto hear of their next-of-kin. But they seem to have no one leftbelonging to them. A friend of mine in this neighbourhood was left 300pounds by an old nurse once. She founded a parish room and club withit, and I need not say that if you wish to give it away in charity, Ishall be very glad to advise you. I said to Wilfrid that I did notbelieve you would keep it yourself, for though tales have been flyingabout that you and your two younger sisters have lost your money, I cansee that you are not destitute. You still keep a very good table, forMrs. Stone tells me she supplies you with poultry and eggs, and is notable to sell me her fowls under 2s. 6d; as she says you always give afair price for your things.'
'I have quite made up my mind about the way in which I shall use it,Miss Miller,' said Gwen, trying hard to speak politely.
There was never any love lost between that good lady and herself, andAgatha dreaded every encounter between them.
'On some pet charity of your own?'
'You may call it so, if you like;' and nothing more would Gwen say onthe subject.
Later on, she told Agatha she would send it straight to Walter.
'He is on my mind dreadfully. Not one word of reproach did he evergive me, and I am thankful I can help him this much. It is more of acharity to give it to him than let it drift through Miss Miller'sfingers. What an odious woman she is!'
'Oh, hush! I can't bear to hear you talk so. She has no tact, andmakes many blunders, but is really thoroughly kind at heart. I nevermind her speeches. I don't think any one does who really knows her.But I am very glad you are sending it out to Walter, and I shall beable to add a little to it when you do so. Our expenses are very smallnow, and if you will not let me spend any on yourself, I shall gladlysend it abroad.'
'How well old Nannie's text has fitted into your life!' said Gwen,musing: '"Trust in the Lord, and do good, . . . and verily thou shaltbe fed." You have proved that promise true, for you are the only oneof us all that is provided for life.'
I think we have all been cared for so far,' said Agatha quietly. 'Youwill find your verse no less true than mine: "Commit thy way unto theLord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."'
Gwen was silent. She could not talk freely about her feelings to anyone, but she had, as she expressed it to Deb, 'learnt her lesson.' Herself-confidence had been shaken to the roots, and she was no longerdesirous of following her own plans to the exclusion of all advice fromothers. Having discovered that she could make mistakes, she began towonder whether her life had not been full of them; and the gradualconviction of this drove her to her knees, and led her to the feet ofthe great Teacher as a little child.
One evening, soon after poor Deb's death, Agatha and Gwen were sittingdown to a cosy evening together, when they were surprised by the suddenentrance of Alick Lester. He seemed strangely perturbed, and veryanxious to pour out his trouble into Agatha's ears. When Gwen made amovement to go, he begged her to remain.
'You will all know it soon. It will be no secret, but I'd give a gooddeal to have prevented it coming out now. May I begin from thebeginning?'
Then, taking a seat, he plunged into it at once.
'You know I found some papers in my father's cupboard. He knew ofthem, but had never given me a hint of it, except that he had made mepromise to be home if possible last autumn. It appears that mygrandfather before he died made a codicil to his will, and handed itover to the keeping of my father, forbidding him to ever show it to anyone, until the right time came to act upon it. I suppose the poor oldman may have wished to right matters a little, and had got over hisbitterness about my father's marriage. I know he took a good deal ofnotice of me as a small boy, but I never dreamt he had any specialreason for it. The codicil simply transferred the whole of hisproperty from the hands of my uncle to myself when I should reach mytwenty-sixth year. This I did last September, and this accounts for myfather's anxiety to have me back at that time. It appears now that myuncle's valet got wind of this--how, and where, I can't imagine--but hetold my uncle he knew my father held some important papers in his handsthat concerned him. And after my father's death, as you know, MissDane, my uncle came down here to try and get hold of them. Well, afterour return, I suppose the delight of having Roger back again put thewhole affair out of my uncle's head, but lately he hasn't been verywell--at least that is the most charitable way to look at it--and hehas been perpetually nagging at me about the contents of the cupboard,and asking to see them.'
'I cannot think why you did not show them at once to him,' interruptedAgatha.
The young fellow looked a little confused.
'I daresay you may think me an ass, but I could not for the life of mebear the thought of turning the old man out after all these years. Hehasn't got many more years to live, and has seemed so perfectly securein his possession that I hadn't the heart to show the codicil to him.Of course, I know most people would call me a fool--our old lawyerpractically did so--but I put off doing anything about it, as much forthe sake of Roger, perhaps, as his father.
'Well, last night I lost my temper, and when my uncle began to attackmy father's good name, and hint that he had dishonourably kept familypapers from the head of the family, I whipped out the codicil in hisface, and asked him to read it through. Of course there was an awfulrow. At first he thought I had forged it, and he telegraphed to hislawyer, who came down the first thing this morning, and we had a greatconsultation in the library. Then my uncle shut himself up in hisroom, and has refused to see me since. I don't know how it will allend. I have begged and implored Roger to persuade him to stay on, andlet things be as they were; but he won't hear of it, and meditatesleaving at once. I feel awfully low about it, but what can I do?'
'You are a very quixotic young man,' said Gwen, unable to keep fromsmiling at the woe-begone face in front of her. 'You should bethankful it's all out, and your uncle knows the truth.'
'Yes, and to a certain extent I am. But I don't want them to clearout, and leave me in possession. I never expected to be a rich man,and don't altogether like the idea of settling down here.'
Gwen laughed again, and left the room, saying, 'You shouldn't quarrelwith good fortune when it comes to you.'
For a moment there was silence, then Alick turned to Agatha a littleawkwardly, a blush coming to his bronzed cheeks.
'Miss Dane, do you know my one comfort in all this? It is thinkingthat now I have a right to speak to your sister.'
'To Elfie?' asked Agatha.
'Yes, I am sure you won't raise an objection, will you? I know I'm nothalf good enough for her; but if she'll only listen to me, I feel as iflife will be too good to live.'
And for the next half-hour Agatha listened to a flow of eloquence onElfie's perfections, which amused and yet touched her, for it showedher how deeply devoted the young man was in his love.
Major Lester was not long in leaving the Hall. He announced hisintention of travelling abroad with his son, and before a month wasgone Alick was left alone. The cousins parted with mutual regret.Roger took the blow to his future prospects bravely and manfully, andtold Alick that he looked forward to see his bride at the Hall verysoon.
And then, one day, without a word to any one, Alick travelled down toDane Hall.
Elfie had been having a trying time--a time that tested all her powersof cheerfulness to carry her through it. Mrs. Dane was confined to
herroom with bronchitis, not ill enough to lie still and leave theresponsibility of her household to Elfie, but perpetually questioningthe girl's management, and giving contrary orders to the servants, whowere all in a state of irritation and turbulence. Mr. Dane wasimpatient of the slightest hitch in the domestic machinery, and, nowthat his wife was too indisposed to hear his complaints, vented all hisill-humour upon his young cousin.
But Elfie's sunny temper did not forsake her; and if, in the privacy ofher own room, home-sickness and loneliness got the better of her attimes, she always preserved a cheerful front in public, and earnestlystrove, not only to do her duty, but to be happy in doing it, and tomake those around her happy too.
It was a bright, spring afternoon, when, at last relieved fromattendance on the invalid, Elfie took her hat and went out into thegarden to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. She was singing away toherself and gathering some jonquils for the dinner-table, when she wasjoined by her cousin James.
'Elfrida, I am told that neither of the carriage horses can be takenout. It is extraordinary that with four horses doing hardly anythingthere should be this constant difficulty in getting one of them todrive.'
'Yes,' said Elfie a little carelessly, 'I have always heard that themore horses you have the less work you get out of them. Where do youwant to go, Cousin James? Can't you take Firefly in the dog-cart?'
'It does not matter to you where I wish to go. I wish to drive thepair, and I am convinced this new groom is an utterly incompetent man.Ever since we have been in this house we have had a perpetual change ofservants, and I was in hopes that when you came it would be different.'
'I am not responsible for your grooms. I have nothing to do withthem,' said Elfie brightly. 'I should ask Fenton what he think of thisnew groom.'
'Fenton is insufferable with his insolent bearing and behaviour, andyou encourage him in his familiarity. I heard you were taking tea withhim and his wife yesterday. I must beg you never to do such a thingagain as long as you are under my roof.'
'You must remember, Cousin James, Fenton has known us all since we weretiny children. He gave us our first riding lessons, and Aunt Mildredtreated him very differently to most of the servants. He lived withher for forty years, he was telling me.'
'I don't wish for any arguments, if I give you an order. I think yousometimes forget your position with us. You are here to relieve yourcousin Helen of all worry and anxiety about household matters, and ithas been a great disappointment to us both that you seem incapable ofkeeping things straight. I hear that the cook is leaving, and has beenexceedingly insolent to your cousin, telling her that she will not havetwo mistresses. I do not wish to interfere in these matters, but Imust request you to make more effort to maintain the disciplinenecessary in such a large household.'
Elfie was so accustomed to these daily grumblings that she went onpicking her flowers in silence; the brightness of the day seemedalready clouded for her, and she gave an involuntary sigh, as after alittle further complaining her cousin walked away.
'They have it all, wealth and comfort all round them; and yet are twodiscontented, miserable people. I wouldn't exchange places with themfor all the world.'
'A gentleman in the drawing-room has called to see you, miss.'
It was the footman brought the message.
Elfie started, flushed, and then went into the house to meet her fate.There was only one person it could be, and her instinct told her thatlife would be different after this interview to what it was at present.Her time of uncertainty and waiting was now at an end, and Dane Hallwould soon be her home no more.
CHAPTER XX
Brought Back
'Far, far above thy thought His wisdom shall appear, When fully He this work hath wrought, That caused thy needless fear!'
Three months later. Jasmine Cottage was full of lively voices andlaughter. Clare and Elfie were both at home, the former for a month'sholiday, and the latter till she left it to take up her quarters in theHall as bride and mistress. Alick was there, with no cloud upon hisbrow, and full of eager anticipation of all that he was going to doupon the estate in the future; and Agatha and Clare looked on at theyoung couple with interest and sympathy. They were gathered togetherin the verandah, and Gwen only was absent. Alick presently asked forher.
'She has gone to London to her publishers. You will be interested toknow, Alick, that it is about your father's manuscripts. Gwen hasfinished them at last, and it is to consult about bringing them out,that she has gone. We expect her back every moment.'
Agatha looked along the road as she spoke, and Alick's eyes followedher gaze.
'Here she comes; I know her walk!' he exclaimed. 'Rapid, defiant, andindifferent to all around!'
'You shall not talk of her like that,' remonstrated Elfie, 'and itisn't true of her.'
'I admire her awfully, only I'm just a little bit afraid of her.'
'I don't believe you're afraid of any one!'
Here Gwen appeared on the scene. She seemed flushed and ratherperturbed.
'Have I got my business done satisfactorily? Yes, I hope I have.Agatha, I am famishing; have you got anything for me to eat? That'sright. I will go straight into the dining-room now.'
Agatha followed her in.
'You look tired out. Sit down, and I will pour you out a cup ofcoffee. I expected you back earlier.'
'I was detained.'
For a few minutes there was silence. Then Gwen leant back in her chairand regarded Agatha with serious eyes.
'You're a safe old thing. I think I can trust you,' she said. 'Firstof all tell me, do you think Clare happy now?'
'I have never known her so happy in her life before,' said Agatha,wondering at Gwen's tone. 'Of course, I know she has her sad times,but she is far sweeter and even-tempered than she used to be. MissVillars was telling me the other day, she has found her niche exactly.All the visitors at the Convalescent Home are loud in their praiseother, and I really think her heart is in it.'
'Then it would be a pity to disturb her.'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, the fact is, I heard in town to-day rumours about Hugh turningup at some mission station in Africa. People say he was never killedafter all. I went to the Foreign Office about it. They know forcertain it is some English officer, but cannot be sure it is Hugh.'
'Oh, Gwen!'
Agatha seemed too dazed by the news to say more at first.
'We must keep it to ourselves for the present. It would be dreadfulfor her if it proved a false report,' continued Gwen; 'and really, sheseems so resigned now, that one dreads the effect of such news uponher. Do you think she ever really cared for him? I have my doubts. Iremember how restless, and discontented she used to be when he wasalive; and look at the change in her now!'
'Yes,' said Agatha quietly; 'but the change is not due to his death,Gwen. Clare has found out for herself the truth of Nannie's verse forher. She was always restless until she came to the Rest-giver, and nowshe is at peace. Circumstances do not sway her as they used to do.'
'Well,' said Gwen, after a slight pause, 'I hope it may be true, if shereally loves him. It is like a story-book, the long-lost lover come tolife again! Don't say a word to any one. They have promised to sendus the first information they receive.'
For the next few days both Agatha and Gwen appeared to the others veryrestless and pre-occupied; but as a week or two passed away withoutfurther tidings, they tried to banish it from their thoughts, and in ameasure succeeded.
Gwen was delighted at the prospects of her book coming out, and hopedto realize a good sum from it, more than she at one time could havethought possible to be earned by her pen. And when, a little later,she received the first instalment of it, she sent a cheque straight outto Meta Seton.
'I feel convinced,' she confided to Agatha, 'that she still cares forWalter; and it is only her father that has insisted upon her breakingit off. I should be so thankful if they came together again. In
Walter's last letter he mentions having met her, and I think that theymay have arrived at a secret understanding with one another; he writesin much better spirits.'
'If she is a wife worth having, she would never desert him for hispoverty,' said Agatha.
Gwen shook her head and sighed, for she knew the world better thansimple-minded Agatha did. But her writing took her mind off thestartling news she had heard, and Agatha was equally engrossed inpreparing Elfie's trousseau, so that though they were always on thewatch for any news in the papers, they did not mention the subject toone another, and it was a distinct shock to Agatha to receive atelegram one morning.
'Captain Hugh Knox alive. Coming home. Break it to his friends.'
Clare was doing some work for Elfie when the telegram arrived. Agathahastily consulted Gwen in the study, and then came into thedining-room, where the two younger girls were sitting.
'Who is the telegram from?' asked Elfie quickly. 'We have so few herethat Clare and I are quite curious about it.'
Agatha sat down, and her hands trembled as she unfolded and refoldedthe yellow envelope in her grasp.
'It contains very strange news,' she said slowly 'wonderfully strange,and I don't quite know how to tell it to you.'
Both Clare and Elfie dropped their work instantly, for they saw heragitation.
'Not bad news?' exclaimed Clare.
'No; very, very good news for you, Clare.'
Clare's cheeks grew pale at once.
'Oh, Agatha, speak out; don't keep us in suspense any longer!'
And then Agatha said as quietly as she could:
'It is about Hugh, Clare. Can you bear it? He was never killed, afterall, and this is to say that he is coming home.'
Clare did not faint, nor call out, nor did she utter a word. Only thequick blood rushing to her cheeks, and then as quickly ebbing fromthem, showed that she was moved at all. Motionless she sat, staringout of the window as if she were in a dream. Then at last she spoke.
'Oh, Agatha, I shall never forgive you if it is not true!'
The vehement intensity of her tone drew Agatha to her side at once.Stooping over her she kissed her. 'My darling Clare, it is true.Thank God with all your heart that it is so!'
And then in a few minutes a burst of tears relieved the overchargedbrain, and Clare fled to her room, there to thank on her knees for suchunlooked-for joy.
The days that followed were trying ones, but Clare bore them well. Shewent to see her lover's family, and it was there in the Yorkshire homethat she met the long-lost one again.
Captain Knox seemed but a shadow of his former self. Fever andprivations had told upon him, and Clare shuddered when she heard hisstory. For many months he had been kept captive amongst the nativetribe that had taken him and his comrades by surprise in the bush. Hewas subject to much cruelty and many indignities, but at last managedto make his escape, and for some months lived in the thick forests,striving to find his way back to civilization. At last he was found bya missionary, almost at the point of death, and tenderly nursed back tohealth and strength at a small mission station. It was some time,however, before he could send tidings of his escape, and long before hewas well enough to be brought down to the coast. He had much to tellto Clare, and also much to hear.
'I cannot believe it is really you,' she said to him, when alone withhim one day; 'I keep wondering if I shall wake up and find it all adream.'
'You had become accustomed to live without me, had you?' he said,smiling. 'Would you rather I had not come back to disturb your lifeagain? You seem to be so happy in your present work.'
'Oh, Hugh, if you only knew what I have gone through, you would nottalk so! I don't think you have been out of my thoughts for a singleday. God has helped me to bear your loss, but I never knew how yourlife was woven into mine, till the awful news came that I had lost you!'
'We will not think about it,' said Captain Knox, with deep feeling.'We have been brought together again, thank God, and I believe we areboth the better for what we have suffered. It is wonderful to see theway that we are led, and the goodness and love that brings sweet out ofbitter, and blessing out of evil.'
'And,' said Clare softly, as she leaned her head against his shoulder,and felt the support of his strong arm round her, 'we have both beendrawn inside the kingdom, Hugh. That is the best of all. We willserve our Master together, and not death itself can separate us now.'
One more scene before we leave the four sisters. Nannie is theconspicuous figure in it. She has been brought to Jasmine Cottage, andit is the eve of Elfie's marriage. The girls were gathered round herin the cosy bedroom that had been prepared for her, and they were fullof mirth and happiness.
Gwen had been astonishing them by a piece of news that she had beenkeeping to herself for a long time, and this was that she had at lastlistened to Clement Arkwright, and was engaged to him.
'They say that if one wedding comes off in a family, others are sure tofollow,' she said, by way of excusing herself; 'and he has beenbothering my life out lately. I never seem to go up to town withouttumbling across him somewhere. I think I have no spirit left to resisthim as I used to do. But one thing I have told him, and that is thathe will have to wait till I have cleared off more of my debts.'
'You have no debts,' said Agatha; 'it is nonsense to talk like that.'
'I shall never lift up my head and breathe freely till I have at anyrate returned Walter his money,' said Gwen very emphatically.
'Ay, my dear,' put in Nannie affectionately; 'we'd rather your headweren't lifted just yet. 'Tis apt to rear itself a little too high,and 'tis the bowed head that gets the blessing of the Lord.'
'Nannie,' said Elfie impulsively, 'say our verses to us again, willyou? Do you remember when you gave them to us? Put your hands on ourheads as you used to do when we were little children, and we willreceive them again as your blessing.'
And this Nannie did; and as she repeated the beautiful words, eachsister confessed in the depths of her heart what a blessing they hadbeen to her.
'Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, andverily thou shalt be fed.'
'Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desiresof thine heart.'
'Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring itto pass.'
'Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. . . . Those that waitupon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.'
'And,' said Agatha, 'the key-note to that Psalm is, "Fret not." Wethought it a terrible blow when Cousin James defrauded us of ourrights; but how wonderfully we have been cared for since!'
'Even when I did my best to ruin the whole lot of you,' put in Gwen.
And then Nannie repeated the last verse of her favourite Psalm:
'And the Lord shall help them and deliver them: He shall deliver themfrom the wicked, and save them because they trust in Him.'
FINIS.
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