Mrs.Evringham tried heroically to look impassive when her daughter returned from the ride.There was barely time then to dress for dinner,and no opportunity for confidences before the meal,nor afterward until bedtime;but the look of peace and sweetness in Eloise's face could have but one significance to the mother,who believed that peace lay only in the direction upon which she had set her heart.
Mr.Evringham took coffee with them after dinner in the drawing-room,while Jewel caressed her watch,never tiring of looking at its clear face and the little second hand which traveled so steadily its tiny circuit.
Mrs.Evringham looked often toward the door,expectant of the doctor's entrance.The evening wore on and he did not come.Still Eloise's face wore the placid,restful expression.A gentle ease with her grandfather replaced her old manner.
Her mother determined to try an experiment.
"You could never guess who called to-day,Eloise,"she said suddenly.
Her daughter looked up from her coffee."No.Who was it?""Nat Bonnell."
"Really!"The girl's tone indicated great surprise,and that only."Iwish I might have seen him."
The addition was made so calmly,almost perfunctorily,that Mrs.
Evringham smiled with exultation.
She turned to her father-in-law."Who would believe that Mr.Bonnell was Eloise's brightest flame a year ago?'How soon are we forgot!'"she said lightly.
When Jewel had kissed them all good-night and gone upstairs,and Mr.
Evringham had withdrawn to his library,Mrs.Evringham took her child's hand and looked fondly into her eyes.
"Well?"she asked.
"Well,"returned Eloise,"do tell me everything Nat said.""After you've told me everything Dr.Ballard said.I supposed you'd fly to tell me,dear."The girl looked tenderly back into the eyes that were sharp with inquiry."Dear little mother,"she returned,"it can't be.""What can't be?"
"What you wish.Dr.Ballard."
"Have you--refused him--!"Mrs.Evringham's face whitened,and unconsciously she stepped back.
"It didn't have to come to that.Dr.Ballard is so fine--such a wise man in so many ways.I do admire him so much.""What did you say to him?I will know!"exclaimed Mrs.Evringham passionately.
Eloise was mute,and her eyes besought her mother.
"Speak,I say!Was it Christian Science?Did you dare,Eloise Evringham,did you darespoil your life--my life--our future,by scaring Dr.Ballard with that bugbear?"The angry woman was breathing fast.
"Mother dear,don't give us something so painful to remember.Don't,Ibeg of you.Dr.Ballard does not reproach me.He thinks I shall change,and he wishes to give me time to see if I do.Think of him,if you will not think of me.He would be so shocked to have you take it this way.If you could have seen how kind he was,how patient.Dear mother,don't cry.It isn't anything I can help,unless I should deliberately turn dishonest."But Mrs.Evringham did cry,and heartily.She hurried away to her own room as quickly as possible,and locked the door against Eloise,who lay awake for hours with a strange mingling of regret and joy at her heart,and a constant declaring of the truth.
At midnight the girl heard the door unlock and saw her mother emerge.
"Darling mamma!"she exclaimed,springing out of bed.
"Oh,Eloise,"moaned the poor woman,dissolving again upon her child's shoulder."I never went to bed without your kiss,and I can't bear it.
How can you be so cru--cru--cruel!"
"Darling,everything is going to come right,"returned Eloise,holding her close."Nothing good would come of doing wrong.I never loved you so much as now.I never saw duty so plainly.Dearest,in one way Isuffer for you,but still I was never so happy.I have grasped the end of the clue that will surely lead us safely through the labyrinth,no matter what life brings.You will see,mamma dear,after a while you will see.Don't go back.Come into my bed."Disconsolately Mrs.Evringham obeyed,and in a few minutes,worn out with emotion,she had sobbed herself to sleep in her child's arms;and although for many days afterward she wore a languid air,and declared that there was nothing to live for,she yielded herself to Eloise's courageous and quietly joyful atmosphere,with silent wonder at her child's altered outlook.
On the morning following the painful interview with her mother,Eloise presented herself in Jewel's room at the usual hour.
Smiling,she approached the child and exhibited three fresh new books.
India paper editions of the Bible and "Science and Health,"and the little brown pamphlet were in her hands.
"Yours?"exclaimed the child.
Eloise nodded.
"Good,good!"Jewel hopped up and down,and forthwith brought Anna Belle to have her share in the rejoicing.
"You were afraid you couldn't get them.Now see!"cried the child triumphantly."As if Divine Love couldn't send you those books!""He showed me a way,"returned the girl."See where I've written my name.I want you to put 'Jewel'right under it in each one.""Oh,in those lovely books?"said the child doubtfully."I don't write very well.""Yes,I want it,dear,when we go downstairs and can get some ink.Did anybody fix your hair yesterday?""I just brushed it down real smooth on the outside,"returned the child.
"It looks so,"said Eloise,laughing."Let's fix it before we have the lesson.By the way,what time is it,Jewel?"The little girl smiled back at her cousin's reflection in the glass,and took the open morocco case from the bureau."Anna Belle and I put him to bed last night,"she said,looking fondly at the silver cherub on its velvet couch."We've named him Little Faithful.He'll come to the lesson,too.I know he's going to be a lovely Scientist.""I'm sure I hope he will,and neither be fast nor lazy,"returned Eloise,as she unbraided the short pigtails.
"I tell you it wasn't so nice getting the lesson alone yesterday,"said Jewel."You were away all day!Did you have a nice ride?""Yes,"Eloise responded slowly."The day was very nice--and so is Dr.
Ballard."
