Jewel: A Chapter in Her Life. Clara Louise Burnham

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СКАЧАТЬ He lifted Jewel to her place beside the driver, whose smooth, stolid face did not change expression.

      “Do I wait for Mr. Evringham?” he asked, without turning his head in its stiff collar.

      “No, Mr. Evringham remained in town.”

      “Is there a trunk?” pursued Zeke immovably.

      “How about your trunk, little one?” asked the doctor.

      Jewel produced a paper check. “A man gave grandpa this for it at the boat place.”

      “I'll see to having it sent up then.” The doctor looked along the platform. “It didn't come this trip.” He took the child's hand in his. “I shall see you again before long. Good-by.”

      Jewel looked after his retreating figure with some regret. Her present companion seemed carved out of wood. His plum-colored livery fitted without a wrinkle. His smooth, solemn face appeared incapable of speech.

      The swift horse trotted through the village street at a great pace, and the visitor enjoyed the novel experience so intensely that she could not forbear stealing a look up at the driver's face.

      He caught it. “Ain't afraid, are you?” he asked.

      She looked doubtful. “Is it error for the horse to go so fast?” she returned.

      “Error?” 'Zekiel regarded the child curiously. “Well, I guess it's considered one o' the biggest virtues a horse can have.”

      “Then why did you ask me if I was afraid? You're the third person who's asked me that this morning,” returned Jewel, with wondering inflections in her soft voice. “Are New York people afraid of things?”

      “Well, not so's you'd notice it as a rule,” returned Zeke. “I'm glad if she ain't one o' the scared kind,” he pursued, as if to himself.

      “Oh, this is splendid,” declared Jewel, relieved by her companion's smile; “I don't know as Anna Belle ever had such a good ride. See the trees, dearie! How the leaves are coming out! They aren't nearly so far out in Chicago; but oh,” as the horse turned, “there's a big storm coming! What a black cloud! We're just in time.”

      “I don't see any cloud,” said Zeke, staring about.

      “Why, right there in front of us,” excitedly, pointing at the long opaque mass against the sky.

      “That? Why, that's hills.” Zeke laughed. “The mountain they call it here. Pretty sickly mountain we'd think it was up Berkshire way.”

      “Oh, it's a mountain, Anna Belle,” joyfully, “we're really seeing a mountain!”

      “No you ain't,” remarked Zeke emphatically. “Not by a large majority. Guess Chicago's some flat, ain't it?”

      “We don't have hills, no. So now we're going to see grandpa's park, and the ravine, and the brook, and—and everything!”

      Zeke stole a furtive look at the owner of the joyous voice. The voluminous ribbon bows behind her ears were mostly in evidence, as she bent her face over her doll in congratulation.

      “Left Mr. Evringham in town, did you?” he asked.

      “Yes, he was busy, and in a hurry to get to his office. Grandpa's such an important man.”

      “Is he?” asked Zeke.

      “Why ye—es! Didn't you know it?”

      “I surmised something of the kind. So Dr. Ballard looked after you.”

      “Yes—and I do hope my trunk will come.”

      Jewel looked wistfully at the driver. In spite of his stiff and elegant appearance he had been surprisingly affable. “I have a checked silk dress,” she added modestly.

      “You don't say so!” ejaculated Zeke, wholly won by the smile bent upon him. “Well, now, if that trunk don't show up by noon, I'll have to do something about it.”

      “Oh, thank you!” exclaimed the child.

      They now sped through the gates of the park and by the porter's lodge, and began the ascent of a winding road. Handsome residences were set among the fine trees, and at sight of each one Jewel looked expectant and eager.

      “I expect mother'll be kind of looking out for us,” continued Zeke. “Poor kid!” he added mentally.

      “Grandpa said something about your mother.”

      “His housekeeper, Mrs. Forbes.”

      “Oh yes, of course I know about Mrs. Forbes,” returned Jewel hastily and politely. “He told me your name too,” she added suggestively.

      “Yes, I'm Zeke. And you just remember,” emphatically, “that I come when I'm called. Will you?”

      “Yes,” replied the child, laughing a little. “Do you know my name?”

      “It's Julia, isn't it?”

      “Yes, but if you called me by it perhaps I shouldn't come, for I'm used to the name of Jewel.”

      “Pretty name, all right,” returned Zeke sententiously. “Now you can see your grandpa's house. The one with the long porch.”

      Jewel jumped up and down a little in the seat and held Anna Belle to get a good view. The brown horse trotted with a will, and in a minute more they had passed up the driveway and paused beneath the porte-cochere.

      Mrs. Forbes threw open the door and stood unsmiling.

      “Where is Mr. Evringham?” she asked, addressing her son.

      “Stayed in town.”

      The housekeeper stepped forward and helped down the little girl, who had risen and was looking brightly expectant.

      “How do you do, Julia,” she said. “Did you come out alone on the cars?”

      “No. Dr. Ballard came with me.”

      “Oh, that was the way of it. Zeke, hitch up the brougham. The ladies are going out to lunch.”

      “Why didn't they let me know?” grumbled Zeke. “Could have hitched up the brougham just as well in the first place.”

      “Don't ask me,” returned his mother acidly. “Where is your bag, Julia? I hope you haven't left it in the train?”

      “No, I didn't have any. I used mother's. She knew I'd have my trunk to-night.”

      “Then come in and I'll show you where your room is.”

      The child looked eagerly and admiringly from side to side as she followed Mrs. Forbes up two flights of broad shallow stairs and into an apartment which to her eyes seemed luxurious.

      “Was this ever my СКАЧАТЬ