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Show I 52 She's in nursing Sister Sen by. Helga and I are doing up the work." "You look so different, Ann Jane," I said. "I take it you're not sorry you came here." " Sorry? " she cried, her eyes glistening with happy tears. " Sorry ?- When 1t's just what Helga said t It's sure 'nuli Heaven! My! I can't hardly keep Helga from singing right out loud all the time. I've been humming my ownself. Sister Lucy's an angel-no, she's a goddess a'ready t And poor afflicted Sister Senby, she's awful good to us, too. My! but won't we just tuck in and work for her! She won't have to turn a finger to anything." The girl sighed rapturously, and went on with naive frankness : " They're so good to us, all of them! Why, Brother Sen by even treated us likelike as if we was his own daughters, 'stead of spirituals." "Do not tell that to the Bishop of this ward, if you wish to save Mr. Sen by from trouble," I cautioned. " Course not. Don't you s'pose I know," she replied, her eyes darkening. Young as she was, she had been forced to eat fully of the fruit of the tree. She caught my hand to her lips. " You're the right sort, too! I'll fetch Sister Lucy in half a jiffy." " I wish to see both, at once! " I called after her as she darted away. She knocked softly at the door of Mrs. Senby's bedchamber. There was no response. She knelt and whispered loudly through the key-hole : " 'Scuse me, but here's Brother Ford come. He wants to see you both- bad! " Lucy opened the door and stepped out into the parlour. She closed the door and stood looking at me hesitatingly. Ann Jane scurried into the kitchen as Helga's voice rang through the house in a joyous hosannah. The singing died away as abruptly as it had burst out. I hastened across to Lucy. I 53 "Dearest," I explained," I;have been ordered to go on mission. You see I'm already dressed for travel." "Travel? Going away?" she cried. "David! do notlea ve me ! " I drew her to me and kissed her white forehead. " I must go, dear. To refuse would mean ruin. To go may mean-- But I shall not tell you what it may mean; only that it is a rare good chance, one that may bring us happiness and-- No, that is all I can tell you now." "But for you to go away and leave me here! Ohl David, I am afraid. Aunt Ellen was so hopeful that - that what has happened to them would never-Yet you see! Could you but realize what a frightful blow it is to her!" " I do realize, Lucy. And I realize the danger to you during my absence. It is inevitable. The danger would become all the greater if I should refuse this mission. Opposition would be certain to inflame him to immediate action- to go farther than perhaps he now intends." j " He ?-not they? " 1 " Chilcott goes with me on the same mission. That is something." " Yes," she sighed, " it is something. When must you start?" "At noon." "Noon! To-day?" "Yes." She clung to me, trembling. "Oh, David, David! don't go! l'm afraid t " " You must be brave, dear. All now depends upon the courage that I know is yours. I have seen r,ou face death from cold and hunger. You are brave. ' " But it- it is so different. You do not understand. To have to meet hin>--to have to face him I" I drew her shuddering form closer and stroked back the silken tresses from her forehead. " Dearest, let us hope that our fears are groundless. |
