Gwen Harcourt felt that in leaving school at Avondale, and entering a small private school in the next town she was really doing something quite fine.
To be sure, the little school was not much of a school. Rather it should have been called a privateclass, and the little pupils met at the home of a young woman who was far from well equipped for the task of directing their studies, or training their minds.
She had acquired a fair education, but so little governing power had she that the pupils did about as they chose, and that Gwen considered the most charming fact regarding the class.
She thought it very smart to go over to the station, walk up and down the platform waiting for the train, and then, seated in the car, offer her ticket to the conductor when he came down the aisle.
"The Avondale girls and boys just walk to school, but I have to take a train!" she said to herself one morning, as she hurried toward the station.
One might have thought it aconvenienceto live at a distance from the school. The next town was a mile from Avondale, and Gwen thought it very daring to take the trip alone.
"It makes me sick to listen when Gwen Harcourt is talking about going to school," said Rob. "She thinks it a great thing to ride a mile! If she had to ride twenty-five miles, she'd feel so big that Avondale would not be big enough to hold her."
Rob Lindsey had met Gwen near the station, and she had looked at him as sharply as if she had not seen him for a year.
"Do youstillgo to school at Avondale?" she asked.
"Why, yes," Rob said. "Did you think we commenced to stay at home whenyouleft?"
"Well, I wouldn't go back there for anything!" declared Gwen. "My mamma calls me a very wonderful child, and when she told my new teacher that, she said to mamma; 'I know she's an unusual child. I can see that at a glance.'"
"Perhaps she'd callmewonderful if I engaged her to do so. I might tell her to just look at me and say if she'd give me a prize."
Lena laughed at Rob's disgust.
"I wonder if she will think any parties that are given at Avondale are toonearto be interesting?" she said.
"I wouldn't risk inviting her if I didn't want her to accept," Rob replied as he picked up his books and turned toward the door.
"Oh, say, Lena!" he cried, "I just happened to think of CaptainAtherton's party. Do you suppose Gwen is invited?"
"Why, Rob! What a question! Captain Atherton wouldn't slight any child in this neighborhood. Of course Gwen will be invited," Lena said.
"Then she'll be there," cried Rob. "She couldn't stay away."
Lena was a little late in preparing for school, and as she ran down the walk, she saw Leslie Grafton just ahead of her, hurrying down the avenue.
"Leslie!" she cried, and Leslie turned a laughing face toward her.
"Come on!" she cried, "I can't wait. Catch up with me, Lena. I want to ask you something."
Lena was swift footed, and soon they were running along together.
They were just in time to avoid being late, and as they entered, Leslie whispered:
"I'll ask the question at recess."
It happened that at recess, everyone was ready to ask the same question.
"Does anyone know what the 'festivities' are to be at Captain Atherton's party?"
That was the question that each asked the other, but while all asked the question, no one could answer it, and Harry Grafton laughed as he said;
"We'll have to wait 'til the evening of the party, and we might as well wait patiently."
"Rose won't tell us," Lena said, reaching to give one of Rose's brown curls just a little "tweak."
"At first when you asked me, I said I didn't know," said Rose, "but now I'll have to say that I know all of Uncle John's plans for the party, but I won't tell."
"And Sprite knows something about it, for see! She's laughing now," said Rob.
"Like Rose I know, but won't tell," Sprite said.
"I won't tease then," said Princess Polly, "because they ought not to tell, and I don'treallywant them to. I'd like to know now, but I'd rather have it a surprise when the evening comes."
"Polly is right, as usual," said Rob Lindsey, to which Harry Grafton replied in a teasing voice:
"Does anyone believe that Rob would say thatanythingthat Polly does isanythingbut right?"
"Quit teasing," cried Rob, "or I'll return the favor."
Harry at once became silent, and the others laughed, for it was well known that he admired Rose, and that he did not like to be teased.
On the evening of the party the little guests arrived promptly. "Festivities to commence at eight," the invitations had said, and there was not a boy or girl who cared to miss any of the pleasures offered.
Captain Atherton's new home was a blaze of light, and every room was decorated with a wealth of greenery, and glowing blossoms.
Mimic butterflies hovered among the flowers, and soft music sounded through the halls. Silvery bells were vying with the triangle in producing tinkling tones that chimed in sweet accord with the melody that the strings were playing.
At one end of the spacious parlor a tiny grove of palms and tall shrubs looked as if transplanted from out of doors.
Captain Atherton, tall and handsome, greeted his little friends gaily, and when all had arrived, he led them toward the grove.
"Wait here a moment," he said, "and see what happens. This is an enchanted grove, and a sweet enchantress is in hiding here.
"Come forth, oh lady fair,Dear spirit of the air,We long to see thy face,Thy form of airy grace.Some things we long to knowThou well can'st tell, I trow."
For a moment not a sound save the soft music was heard. Then,—a rustling as of silken draperies, or like wind among the leaves, and the branches parted, and Iris Vandmere, radiant, smiling, extended her pretty hands in greeting. Clad in softest silk gauze in lilac, and ivory white, she suggested the blossom for which she was named. Like a fair iris bloom she appeared, diamonds on her neck and in her hair representing dewdrops.
"Dearest friends, I heard you call,I have come to greet you all.I am now your fairy queen,And, beneath these branches green,I will grant, to each of youThat your dearest wish come true."
"Oh-o-o-o!" came like a sigh of delight from the excited children as they gazed at the lovely figure.
Each had a wish, and wisely she answered, for Iris was as quick witted as she was beautiful.
"I wish I could make everyone happy," said Princess Polly.
"Be as loving and kind as I am told you now are, and your wish will come true," said Queen Iris.
"I'd like to do somethingverynice for father and mother that would be a sweet surprise," said Sprite. "IwishI knew what to do."
"Your wish is granted," said Iris. She wrote a few words on a slip of pink paper.
"Look at this to-morrow morning and you will know just what to do," she said as she placed the tiny folded paper in Sprite's hand.
In the same sweet manner Iris contrived to grant the wishes of all.
Gwen held back.
"Have you no wish?" Iris asked kindly, and Gwen hesitated, then she said;
"Yes. I want to be admiredallthe time andeverywhere."
Iris looked searchingly at the pretty, but pert face. Then she said;
"Be kind, be good, be sweet, be true, and all the world shall smile on you."
"Oh, I don't meanthatway!" said Gwen in disgust.
"If you do as I tell you, you will be beautiful," said Iris.
"Why, I'm beautifulnow! My mamma says so!" cried Gwen. The children stared in amazement at the child who could make such a silly speech.
For a second no one spoke. To relieve the situation, Captain Atherton spoke.
"I think Queen Iris has granted your wishes most wisely. Now, let me present to you the little Goddess of Plenty."
He drew aside a brocade hanging and disclosed a huge half blown rose.
Its large petals commenced to open, and from its center sprang Rose Atherton, a "horn of plenty" in her hands, filled with bonbons. Laughing gaily, she lifted her hands filled with bonbons and tossed them into the center of the room.
Many of them were caught, so that few fell to the floor. Wrapped in tinsel, they shone like stars as they caught the light, and the boys and girls vied with each other, laughing as they tried to see which would be lucky, and secure the largest number.
When the gilded horn was empty, Rose ran to where a giant scallop shell was standing. It was formed of papier-mache, and decorated to look like the texture of a shell.
"Guess what's in this!" she said, looking over her shoulder to laugh at them.
"Oh, is it Sprite?" Princess Polly asked eagerly. "You were in the big rose. Is Sprite in the beautiful shell?"
Rose lightly touched the top edge of the shell.
It opened wide, and there, sure enough sat Sprite all clad in soft flesh pink gauze and coral, coral everywhere.
Strings of coral beads held her golden hair in place, hung from her neck and arms, encircled her slender waist.
She extended her arms, and then as the musicians played a little prelude, she commenced to sing.
"I've lovely gifts for my dearest friendsI've something for each of you,I've coral beads for the girls so fair,I've scarfpins, dear boys, for you.And always we will remember this,That a gift has a value true,But better far, than the finest giftIs the love that we give to you."
"Oh, Sprite, dear Sprite!" they cried, as they thronged around her to accept the beautiful coral. The girls gaily clasped the necklaces, and quite as eagerly, the boys accepted the pretty scarf pins.
"Now, we'll have some magic!" Captain Atherton said, "and let us all be seated here at this end of the parlor."
Quickly they turned to do as he said, and to their surprise, they found that while Iris, and Rose, and Sprite had been entertaining them, the housekeeper had arranged the seats in rows, as if at a private theatre.
They were soon seated, the musicians began to play some merry music, and then two slender nimble fellows, all silk tights, and spangles, ran in and began to balance great gilded balls on the tips of tiny wands.
Then they spun plates on those same slender wands, they brought a huge globe, and walked upon it, rolling it, by treading it, quite across that end of the room. They did clever tricks that made the children laugh, and at last, they rolled themselves up like balls, and rolled right out of the room!
The children cheered, and generously applauded, whereupon the two performers came back and repeated the last part of their act.
The housekeeper now appeared, gowned in black silk, with a fine white muslin cap, and apron.
"Will all these little friends, led by Captain Atherton, and Miss Vandmere, march out to the dining-room for refreshments?" she asked, and the eager little friends waited for no urging. A spread had been prepared especially suitable for a cold, wintry night, and how they did enjoy it!
Hot chicken boullion, wee, hot chicken pies in the dearest little round nappies, ice cream in lovely shapes, and hot chocolate with whipped cream. Oh, but nothing could have been chosen that would have been so delicious for a treat to be enjoyed on a frosty evening!
"Let us crack this huge nut," said Captain Atherton, and suiting the action to the word, he hit the big nut that lay upon a salver in the center of the table.
With a "crack" like a toy pistol it opened, proving itself to be filled with nuts of the usual size.
Then what fun they had trying to open their nuts! Some were chocolate nuts, with nut meats inside, while others were real nut shells filled with bonbons.
After the good things had been enjoyed, they hastened back to the large drawing-room, where they danced to the merry music.
It was an evening of fun and frolic, and when, in the midst of their fun, they noticed that bright, handsome Uncle John Atherton was dancing with Miss Iris Vandmere, they slyly formed a laughing ring around them and danced, and sang to their hearts' content.
It had been a bright, merry evening, and when the boys and girls toldCaptain Atherton how he had delighted them, he said, heartily:
"I have been very happy this evening, and if it is possible that you have been evenhalfas happy as I have been, I shall feel well repaid for having given this party."
* * * * * * * * *
Lessons were rather neglected next morning, for who could enjoy such an evening of rare delight, and so soon forget to think of its many pleasures? More than once the teacher had to speak rather sharply because she realized that their minds were upon something that had nothing to do with their lessons.
Many were the notes that were written, and exchanged, and when, at last, school was out, they walked along the avenue, their arms about each other's waists, and all the way they talked about the party of the night before.
"Oh, Sprite! You did your part well!" said Harry Grafton.
"And you looked just like a sea fairy!" said Lena Lindsey.
"I mean always to keep my lovely necklace," said Princess Polly, "and let's every one of us keep the pretty coral gifts to help us to remember the fine party that we so enjoyed."
"We'd never forget it," said Leslie, "but we'll all want to keep the dainty corals."
"And wasn't Miss Vandmere beautiful when she came to grant our wishes?"Rose asked. "Already I love her."
"Already?" Rob said, and his voice bespoke a question.
"Why, yes," Rose said, "already."
"That sounds odd, and queer," objected Gwen. "Why don't you tell us just what you mean?" but Rose chose not to reply.
She only laughed and shook her head.
Sprite could not wait to dress on the morning after the party. Softly she crept across the floor to the chair over which she had hung her frock.
From the folds of its girdle she drew the tinted paper, and opening it she read: "Captain Atherton is to offer a prize to the boy or girl who has highest rank at Christmas time. Try for it, and I believe that you will obtain it. Will not that delight your dear father and mother?"
"Iwilltry!" she whispered, "and oh, if it is possible, I'll get it, just to repay them for letting me have this lovely Winter. I wonder if it is to be a medal!"
It was her first morning at the home of John Atherton, and as she looked around the pretty chamber, she knew that she could be very happy there.
She had enjoyed her stay at Sherwood Hall.
Now commenced another visit with dear Rose Atherton as her companion, and Sprite wondered why such great good fortune had been given her.
Once she had been a dear little lass by the sea, with two loving parents, but no playmates. Now, she had Princess Polly, and Rose, beside ever so many little schoolmates, and she was being cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood, and Captain Atherton, who had asked her to call him, "Uncle John."
"I'm having so much pleasure," she whispered, "that I want to send some down to the 'Mermaid's Cave.' I'll beginto-dayto work for the prize!"
She seemed unusually quiet at breakfast, and Uncle John wondered if she were tired from the excitement of the night before, or if she were a bit homesick.
Gently he questioned her, and she laughed so gaily that at once his fears were allayed.
"I'm not tired, and not a bit homesick," she said, "but I've been thinking that I mustn't waste one single minute before Christmas. I mean to win that prize, and to do that I'll have to work very hard."
"Why, Sprite!" cried Rose, "you've been working hard ever since school opened."
"I have," she said quietly, "but I'll have to work harder still, andI'm willing to, if I have to work day and evening."
"Oh, Uncle John!" cried Rose, "she won't have to do that. Her lessons arealmostperfect now. A little more study, and she will easily be at the head of the class."
It was announced that day at school that Captain John Atherton had offered a prize for the best average, and Sprite gasped when the teacher said;
"The prize is well worth working for. It is a large prize for any boy or girl to win. It is fifty dollars in gold! Now work for it! You will all gain by trying, for while but one can win the prize, every scholar who works for it, has higher scholarship, and has acquired more knowledge than if he had not entered the competition."
The pupils were greatly interested, and it was evident that many intended to strive for the prize. Harry Grafton, on the way home from school, turned quickly to look at Rob as he asked;
"What's Gwen Harcourt doing these days?"
"I've no idea," Rob answered in a careless manner, and if he had spoken his thoughts, he would have said that he did not greatly care.
"Well, she's not going to school, and what is queerer than that, she isn't coming over here to tell us all about it," Harry said.
There were other matters of greater interest to be talked of, and the two boys soon forgot Gwen.
Gwen Harcourt never allowed herself to be long forgotten, and one bright afternoon, she decided to run off by herself and have a little fun of the kind that she liked best.
She stopped first at Aunt Judith's cottage.
She could not have told why she chose first to call there. Aunt Judith and the little maid had gone down to the parsonage for a call, and Gwen knocked until she was tired, then paused on the step, trying to decide where next she would call.
"Stupid that everyone is in school, and won't be out for an hour!" she said.
Then her eyes brightened.
"I know where I'll go!" she cried.
She turned from the avenue into a pretty street, and ran along until she reached a house that set a little farther back than the others.
"There's a lady who lives here who looks pleasant, and I've always meant to see the inside of her house," thought Gwen. "I can stay a little while there, and be just in time to meet the other girls when they come out of school."
She rang the bell.
No one came to the door. After waiting a few moments she rang again.
Again she waited, listening for approaching footsteps. Then she stooped, and tried to peep through the keyhole. She turned, a crafty light in her eyes, and she nodded until her curls danced as she softly said;
"What if the door isn't locked? And what if I should walk right in, and sit down? What would happen?"
She looked elfish as she asked the questions, a smile parting her lips.
Carefully she turned the knob and then, a gentle push opened the door, and on tiptoe, she entered, making her way along the hall to a room where the sunlight streamed across the floor.
The hall had been dark, and coming suddenly upon the broad band of sunlight, Gwen was almost blinded, and for a few seconds, she did not see other objects in the room. A chair stood near the door, and she climbed upon it, squirming around, and sitting down as if it were exactly what she had come intending to do.
She wondered why the house was so still.
She also wondered where the pleasant faced lady was. She felt strangely nervous, and a bit afraid.
She could not have told why she felt afraid to move, and so sat absolutely still. Her eyes roved from one object to another, first looking at the pictures on the wall, then the ornaments upon the mantel, then the lamp upon the table just before her, then,—
Between the lamp, and a tall vase that stood near it, a pair of eyes were looking sharply at her.
Gwen clutched the arms of her chair, caught her breath in terror, and then screamed.
"Strange that I can't read without being interrupted by a child who knows no better than to poke her impudent little nose in here, uninvited!"
The voice low and angry made her tremble with fear, and she slid from the chair, raced out through the hall, ran down the street, never once looked behind her.
"I won'tevergoanywhereagain, unless somebody asks me to," she said to herself. Who that ever had known Gwen would believe that she could refrain from doing just the same thing, the first time that her curiosity prompted her? She had been frightened, and, for the moment, would have promised anything.
The man, a studious, quiet man, with an unpleasant disposition, had been annoyed when Gwen had interrupted his reading.
Knowing little of children, he had not dreamed that he would frighten her, and when she ran out, he simply turned another page, and continued reading.
He had wished her to fully realize that she was an intruder, and when she turned and ran, he felt that she understood.
The first person that she met was the private teacher who, for the past few weeks had been endeavoring to have at least a few hours each day devoted study.
Gwen had refused to look at a lesson book in the forenoon, and when afternoon had arrived, she had left the house to escape instruction.
"Miss Gwen, I've been looking everywhere for you, and your mamma is really quite nervous, because you've been gone so long. Where have you been?" the young woman asked.
"I don'thaveto tell you," Gwen replied rudely, "but I will because I want to. I made some calls, and the last one was funny, and queer too. I was frightenedsome, and I ran out of the house where a cross man just shouted at me!"
"Was he a neighbor?" the teacher asked, looking curiously at Gwen.
"Of course not," cried Gwen. "What fun would it be to call on neighbors? I'd rather go to houses where Idon't knowthe people, just for the sake of seeing what they look like, and how their houses look."
The young teacher was not surprised. That very morning, soon after breakfast, upon returning to her room, she had found Gwen on her knees searching her trunk. Gwen had neither blushed, nor looked abashed.
"I wanted to know how many dresses you brought with you," she had said coolly, "and I don't see but one in the closet, two in this trunk, and one you have on. Is that all you have?"
Mrs. Harcourt passing the door, looked in to smile at Gwen.
"You mustn't mind if my little daughter examines your belongings in your trunks or bureau drawers. She's only deeply interested in you," she said.
The young governess felt like saying that she did not enjoy the sort of interest that made a child feel free to handle and examine the property of others, but she said nothing.
She knew that Mrs. Harcourt considered Gwen faultless.
* * * * * * * *
Weeks had passed since the little pupils had commenced to strive to win the prize. Now there was great excitement. At the end of the afternoon session the name of the winner was to be announced, and in the evening the Holiday party at Sherwood Hall was to be enjoyed.
Of all the boys and girls at school, Sprite Seaford was surely the most restless.
At one time her cheeks would be hot, and soon after the color would leave them.
She had worked very,veryhard to win the prize.
Oh, whose was it to be?
She clasped, and unclasped her nervous hands.
And when at last the teacher went to the board just back of her desk and wrote:
"Sprite Seaford, Prize winner," Sprite leaned back in her seat, pale, and almost breathless. For a moment not a sound broke the silence.
Sprite stared at the written words as if half stunned with surprise.
"Three cheers for Sprite Seaford!" shouted Rob Lindsey, forgetting that he was in school, and the teacher laughed outright.
"Give them, every one of you," she cried, and they gave them with a will.
* * * * * * * *
Evening had come, starlight, moonlight in the great garden at Sherwood Hall, and a blaze of light indoors, where little feet kept time to sweet music, and sweeter voices laughed and talked in merry mood.
Princess Polly in white with silver spangles, a silver bandeau holding her powdered curls in place, looked like a little lady of the time of Watteau.
Faces and forms were different in character, but the costumes were similar, because Mrs. Sherwood had asked both boys and girls to come clad in white, with powdered hair.
It was a Holiday party, and the white costumes suggested the snowy season.
The walls were hung with holly and mistletoe, and the wreaths and garlands were tied with scarlet ribbons, while portieres and hangings were of scarlet brocade.
Rosy cheeks and red lips looked well with the powdered hair, and bright eyes twinkled beneath snowy bangs.
A slender figure dressed in the gaudy colors of a court jester, skipped here and there between the dancers making comical jokes, while he tossed, and nimbly caught a bright colored ball.
Still they danced to merry measures, and from behind a damask curtain came a slender girl in hues as bright as that of the jester.
A basket of beautiful flowers hung from her arm, and these she offered to the little guests.
The boys placed them in their buttonholes, and the girls tucked the roses and lilies in their girdles.
Hark! A flourish of silvery trumpets announced the arrival of some great personage!
Another long, sweet note, and there strode into the room a tall figure in crimson velvet and white fur, with snowy beard, and kindly face, across whose breast gold letters bespoke his name:
"King Christmas."
A great pack was on his back, which when opened, gave forth beautiful gifts for all.
There were bangles for the girls, there were rings, or silver pencils for the boys, and a kindly word he spoke to each as he presented the gift.
"Now here's a little purse of fifty gold dollars for the little lass who won it by faithful study, and the giver permits me to present it. Come, little lass, and take it, for now it belongs to you."
Sprite ran to him, as he stood waiting.
"Oh, I know you, King Christmas! You are good, kind Uncle John! I know your pleasant voice that I've learned to love so well!" she said.
"Even as I love you, dear child," he cried, placing a strong arm around her slender little form, while with the other hand he tore off the beard that so disguised him.
"I am King Christmas," he said, laughing gaily as he pointed proudly to the golden letters on his breast.
"Also Baron Goodfellow!" said Mr. Sherwood. "That name fits you just as well."
"Prince Give Give wouldn't be half bad," said Rob Lindsey, "for he's wild to givesomebody something, all the time."
"Everyone in this house to-night is dear," said Sprite.
"Including you, Sprite Seaford," said Rose, and little Sprite felt that she had never been so happy.
There were merry games, and then refreshments, and then more games in which the elders joined, and when "good nights" were said, the guests turned homeward with happy hearts.
The moonlight shimmered on the snow, and glittered on the pendant icicles, and the keen, frosty air proved it to be true Holiday weather.
Jingling sleigh bells, tooting auto horns, voices talking, and laughing at the same time told of a gay evening that all had enjoyed.
They would dream of the party that night, and talk of it on the morrow.
There was one thing that no one thought of until some time after the party, and it was Leslie who spoke of it, to Rose and Princess Polly.
"Only think!" she said, "Mrs. Harcourt has had three different teachers for Gwen this Winter, because Gwen has acted so that the first and second left, and Gwen said yesterday that the one they have now is to leave next Monday."
"Whydoesshe act so horrid?" said Rose.
"I'll tell you one nice thing about Gwen," said Princess Polly, "and that is that she didn't do one single thing at my party that wasn't nice."
"Why, truly she didn't!" cried Rose and Sprite together.
Rain or shine, every Wednesday and Saturday evening found Gyp at the table in the sitting-room at Aunt Judith's cottage, bending over his books.
Aunt Judith, busy with a bit of needlework, looked often at the boy as he bent eagerly over his book, and marvelled that this was the same boy who less than a year ago was a trial to every owner of a garden or orchard.
A puzzled frown puckered his forehead one evening as he worked.
"What is it?" she asked. "Can I help you?"
"Maybe I'llhaveto let you, but IthinkI can do it. I'd like to work it out if I can, and I'll tryhardbefore I give up."
For a time he worked in silence, covering his slate with figures.
The clock ticked loudly on the mantel, and seemed to be trying to outdoGyp's busy pencil.
"Scratch! Scratch!" went the pencil, and "Tick! Tick!" chirped the little clock, and then the boy looked up, his eyes bright with excitement.
"I've done it, Mrs. Aunt Judith!" he cried, "I've done it, and it's right! You said it was better for me to do everything that Icoulddo, by studying and working, instead of being helped."
"It is better, because you will fully understand what you have done, and you will be more likely to remember it.
"But tell me," she said, laying her hand on his shoulder, "why do you call meMrs.Aunt Judith?"
He looked frankly up into her face as he answered.
"You aren't my Aunt Judith, tho' I wish you were, so I think I ought to call you something beside the name, so I sayMrs.with it."
"Dear boy, you meant to be respectful," she said, "but you are such a good, hard working boy now that you shall call me 'Aunt Judith' just as the other children do."
He hesitated, and she understood.
"They shall not wonder why you do. I'll tell them that I asked you to," she said.
Without a word he picked up his books, took his old cap, and crossed the room.
Wondering that he did not speak she followed him.
At the door he turned, and looking up at her with eyes in which tears glistened he said:
"I'm going to work with all my might, and I mean to be a decent man, andthenI'll do something for you,—Aunt Judith."
"Gyp, come back and let me thank you!" she cried when, after her surprise, she caught her breath, but a fit of his old shyness had come over him, and having said what was in his heart, he had at once raced off across the fields, and soon was out of sight or hearing in the dark woods.
Aunt Judith told Captain Atherton all about Gyp's ambition, of his hard work at school, and the evenings spent at the cottage.
"He is determined to get on, and he says that he will not always live like a gypsy.
"He declares that he will be a decent man," she said, "but will not people be so prejudiced that they will not care to employ him?" she asked.
"No!" cried the captain, "for I will set aside any notions that they may have by employing himmyself.
"Iwill trust him, and this very week I'll tell him so!"
It happened that he met the boy on his way from school.
"How go the lessons, boy?" he asked kindly.
For some reason Gyp was not afraid.
"This is Friday, and I've had every lesson perfect this week. I'm going over to tell Aunt Judith.She'llbe glad!"
"Don't you tell the folks at home?" queried Captain Atherton.
"They don't care much," Gyp said with downcast eyes. Then, as if to excuse their lack of interest, he said:
"I guess they don't understand why I'mboundto study."
"Iunderstand, my boy, just why you are working so hard, and I'm proud of you! Come, and tellmeabout the weeks like this, when things go smoothly, and come just as quickly if things, instead, go roughly. Let me help you over the hard places, Gyp, for when you are out of schoolI'llemploy you. Now, work hard at school, knowing that when you have completed the course you're to be employed byme."
"Oh, sir, I'll work for you with all my strength," cried the grateful boy. "Youbelievein me, youtrustme, and I'll betrue!"
"I know you will, Gyp," said Captain Atherton, almost as greatly moved as Gyp himself.
When he reached the cottage, he was almost breathless, so swiftly had he run.
He dropped upon a chair near the door, and told first of the week's work at school, and then of the promise that Captain Atherton had made.
Neither Aunt Judith nor the genial captain knew how close was the tie that bound Gyp to be faithful to them. They had befriended him, and for that he was grateful. They believed in him, and that gave him courage to make persistent effort, but deep in his heart lay the memory of the first kind, caressing words that had ever been said to him.
"She sometimes says 'Dear boy' to me, andhesaid, 'My boy,'" he would often whisper to himself.
Gyp was now very happy. He was doing good work at school, he had won the respect of teacher and pupils.
Now Aunt Judith was interested in him, Captain Atherton believed in him, and oh, pleasant promise, the kindly captain would prove his faith by employing him!
"Folks in Avondale will have to think I'm something more decent than a gypsy!" he said.
* * * * * * * *
The days were growing longer, the warm sun had chased away the last bit of ice, and now the fields were green, and the trees and shrubs were showing fine foliage.
In the gardens the early blossoms made soft color that told how soon the summer would appear.
Princess Polly sat waiting for Rose, and Sprite.
The soft breeze stirred the leaves, making them rustle as if they were whispering to each other the great news that summer would soon reach Avondale.
Polly turned to look toward the avenue. They were not in sight.
"I might walk over to call for them," she thought.
Then she remembered that she had promised to wait at a spot where they had often met, and from which they were now to set out for a walk.
"Why don't they come?" she said aloud.
A long time she sat waiting for her playmates to appear. At last a shout made her turn.
"Did you think we were never coming?" cried Rose.
"Oh, she must have thought just that," said Sprite, "so tell her what it was that kept us."
"Polly has been waiting so long, we'll start for our walk, and I'll tell the news as we go along," said Rose.
"Then let's hurry," said Polly, "because I'm wild to know what it was."
The three little friends tramped along the path that was always their favorite for a walk, and when they had reached a spot where a brook was spanned by a tiny bridge, they sat down to rest. It was then that Rose turned toward Polly.
"I'm not going to ask you to guess who was at our house, or why I could not meet you at two, as I promised, because you never could guess that, so I'll tell you. It was,—Great Aunt Rose!"
"Oh, Rose, whydidshe come?" Polly gasped. "Notto take you back with her!"
"That's just what I said, when I heard that she was in the parlor," said Sprite.
"Well, when I saw her carriage coming up the avenue," Rose said, "the shivers went up and down my back, but Uncle John, when he got up to go in to see her, stooped and whispered in my ear: 'Don't be frightened, little girl, for remember that you now belong to me, and I shall not easily give you up. Now, come in with me, dear. You know I can not refuse to let her see you.'
"So he took my hand, and we went in together.
"Great Aunt Rose sat stiff and prim in the center of the sofa.
"'How do you do, Aunt Rose?' I said, but she kept looking at me without speaking.
"'Doesn't Rose look as if the air at Avondale had done her a world of good?' Uncle John asked.
"'Really, John, I'm not sure,' Aunt Rose said, looking at me through her glasses, just as if I were a queer bug, or butterfly such as she'd never seen before. Uncle John looked vexed.
"'You certainly see that her cheeks are rosy, and she is rounder than when she first came to me,' he said.
"That's what I was thinking of,' she said, 'and when she was at our home, she was more delicate in her appearance. More slender, and pale, as an Atherton should be.
"'No "Rose Atherton" ever was what country people call "buxom"! I'mnotcountrified!' I said, half expecting to be scolded, but Uncle John put his arm around me, and drew me closer as he said:
"'Indeed you are not, unless fresh color, and dimples, mean countrified, when I should think the term a compliment.' Then he turned to Great Aunt Rose.
"'I have endeavored, ever since I have had little Rose under my care, to keep her much in the open air, and she has gained strength from sunshine and breeze,' he said.
"'I knew it! I knew it!' she said, springing from the sofa, and looking dreadfully excited, 'and that is the reason for my call. You'll have her tanned with the sun, and her complexion ruined by the wind, and she'll look like anything but an Atherton by the time she's a young lady!
"'You must let her return to the old Atherton house with me, and in its quiet, refining influence she will regain the delicate appearance that was so charming.
"'Rose, will you come with me?'
"She put out her hand as if she meant to take me, whether I wanted to go with her or not, and for the moment I forgot that Uncle John was big enough, and brave enough, to keep me with him.
"I screamed, and ran from the room, and oh, I know it was rude, and I'm afraid unkind, but I didn't stop to think, and just kept on running until I found Sprite waiting for me at the gate."
"And she clasped my hand," said Sprite, continuing the story, "and she never told me a word of all this, but, instead, she said: 'Come quick! Oh, come quick!' and together we raced along until we met you, Polly.
"Wasn't it funny? Rose knew why we were running, but I didn't. I ran because she told me to, and I had to, to keep up with her!"
Princess Polly looked thoughtful. "You don't really believe she could make you live with her again, do you?" she asked.
"Oh, Rose, you haven't but just begun to live at Avondale!"
"Uncle John said she'd not easily get me away from him," Rose said, "and it may be that I needn't have been so frightened, but I feel better out here, and I'll stay out until I know that she must have gone home. Come! We won't let it spoil our fun. We'll have a fine long walk, and when I get back, Great Aunt Rose will have surely gone."
One part of the road over which they walked was bordered on either side by white birches. Yet a bit farther willows took the place of birches, and there they left the road to cross the meadows, coming out into the bright sunlight.
The three little playmates had walked rapidly, and now began to slacken their pace, and when they reached a clump of trees, they sat down to enjoy the cool shade, and to talk for a while.
"You'll be happier, Rose, if we talk of something else," said Polly, "so I'll tell you that Sir Mortimer is strutting around our garden this morning with a new collar that I bought for him, and the big pink satin bow upon it is very becoming."
"AndI'lltell a bit of news. I sent my prize right straight to the 'Mermaid's Cave,'" said Sprite, "and pa put it in the Cliffmore bank for me."
"Why, Sprite Seaford!" cried Rose. "How did you dare to send fifty dollars in gold?"
"Because," said Sprite, "I didn't send it by mail. I gave it to one of the very best men in this world, and that is Uncle John, to take it to pa for me, and he did. He rode over to Cliffmore last Saturday. That's a week ago, and don't you know it was a stormy day? Well, that's why we didn't go with him."
Sprite nodded her head wisely as she spoke, and the sunbeams danced on her rippling hair.
"And I'll tell you something I've thought of," she said. "It was Friday after school that I asked him about sending it, and he said we'd all take the trip to Cliffmore. And when Saturday came it was so stormy we couldn't go. I didn't say a thing, but I must have looked disappointed, for he said: 'Cheer up, little Sprite, for your prize shall reach Cliffmore to-day. I'm going over there, and I'll take it with me.'
"NowI believe he wouldn't have gone so far on such a day for himself. I think he went for me."
"It would be just like Uncle John to do that," Rose said. "He's always doing something to make people happy."
As if to prove that his little niece spoke truly, he now appeared on the road in his big motor car, laughing when he espied the three playmates, and gaily calling:
"Has anyone seen a small girl straying around this part of Avondale?Girl with brown curls, and rosy cheeks, answers to the name of Rose?"
"You needn't laugh, Uncle John, for truly I was afraid Great Aunt Rose would try to make you say that I must spend, at least, a part of my time with her, and oh, I didn't want to."
"Do I look as if anyone couldmakeme give up what I considered mine?"
"No,no!" they cried in chorus.
"Then climb into my car, you three little tramps, and I'll take you for a ride."
A week's vacation!
All of the pupils were delighted, but Princess Polly was especially happy, because with Rose, and Sprite, the week would be a week of pleasure, no lessons, and all play.
"What shall we do on Monday?" she asked, as they skipped along the sidewalk.
It was Monday morning, and she did not wish to have a moment wasted.
"Come over to my house, and we'll sit in the big hammock and talk, and perhaps something will happen that will just tell us what to do."
The gay-colored hammock had been hung on the sunny side of the house, and the three little friends sat swinging and talking, and soon they had planned enough doings to occupy a month, instead of a week.
They were talking of Lena, and Leslie, when Sprite asked:
"When have you seen Gwen Harcourt?"
"They haven't seen me for ever so long!" cried an answering voice, and Gwen appeared around the corner, laughing saucily, because she had been listening, and had heard Sprite's question.
Of course she had some very large stories to tell regarding the private school that she was attending, and her classmates there.
"I wouldn't care to go to any other school," she said, "and I love to take the train every morning. I'd stay at home some days if I was near school and walked, but I like to ride on the trains so I never miss a day.
"Guess what I did just now," she said, laughing as if to imply that what she had done was an absolutely clever joke.
"What did you do?" Polly asked, not because she really cared, but rather from curiosity as to what especially abominable thing it had pleased Gwen to do.
Gwen never waited to be urged.
Seating herself on the piazza, railing, she swung her legs as she recounted the morning's happenings, making the list as long as possible.
"Just before I came over here I went into the room upstairs that mamma calls the 'Picture Gallery,' and I looked around for a while just to see which I liked the best.
"It seemed to me that the one that was on the first line, was looking right at me, and Ialmostthought the pink feathers on her hat bobbed just a little.
"The longer I looked at her the more it seemed to me that she really was looking at me, andonceI thought she smiled. I had a lovely new knife that my cousin Jack had given me. I went close to the picture, and more than ever it seemed as if she smiled at me, and I thought if I had her out of the frame she'd be lovelier than any doll I own.
"It didn't take me more than ten minutes to whip out my little knife, and cut her right out from the background, but say! After I'd cut her out, she didn't look nearly as pretty as I had thought she would. Just look at her!
"The paint looks real dauby when you get close up to her."
"Why, Gwen Harcourt!" cried Princess Polly; "you truly did cut her from the picture!"
"Of course I did. Did you really s'pose I'd tell you I did if I didn't?"
"You might have been joking when you said it," said Polly.
"Well, I wasn't joking," Gwen replied, "and now I don't know where to put this, now I have it."
"What did you mean to do, when you first thought of cutting the picture out?" questioned Rose.
"Oh, I thought I'd keep her in the dolls' house, but she looks bigger in my hand than she did in the frame. I don't believe she'd go into the doll's house, and I don't b'lieve I want her to, for really I don't care for her. Do either of you want her?"
She extended her arm, holding the picture at arm's length, while she looked from one to the other.
"We don't want her," said Polly, "and oh,thistime, Gwen, your mamma will surely be angry!"
"Pooh! See 'f she is. I guess I'll run home and see what she says," chirped Gwen, and gaily humming, she ran down the walk, and hurried home.
* * * * * * * *
Mrs. Harcourt had been entertaining guests for a few days, and it happened that soon after Gwen had left the house, the mischief had been discovered.
"Oh, can it be possible that there have been thieves prowling about the house in the night?" cried Mrs. Harcourt. "It really makes me feel quite ill to think of it."
At that moment, Gwen came flying into the house, and up the stairway.
"Somebody take this old picture and stick it back in the hole it came from. I thought it would make a nice big doll, but I guess I don't want her!"
"Oh, what a naughty thing for a child to do!" cried one of the ladies."That fine picture is absolutely ruined."
"Naughty!" cried Mrs. Harcourt, "no, indeed! As you say, the picture is ruined, but Gwen has proved her love for Art, and her artistic nature. She felt so attracted to the picture that she was actually obliged to take it with her when she went out. She surely loves Art. As I have always said: 'Gwen is a mostunusualchild. She shows great force of character, and I can overlook themistakeshe made in cutting the canvas, because the act showed me another fine trait,—the love of Art. Idowonder if she will be an artist?"
The guests were disgusted. They wondered how any mother could be so foolish as to think a piece of costly mischief showed either love of art or talent, instead of wilful wrong-doing.
"Gwen is a pretty child," said one woman, "and some one who had sense enough to correct her and make her behave, could train her to be a pleasing young girl, when she is a few years older, but her mother could never do that!"
"No, indeed," the other replied. "Mrs. Harcourt is spoiling her little daughter as fast as she can. I had promised to stay a week," she continued, "but I think I will make some excuse and leave here day after to-morrow. I am very fond of Mrs. Harcourt, but the child is so unpleasant that I can not remain."
The two friends were in the room that they had shared during their visit. In another room Mrs. Harcourt was changing Gwen's frock, and ribbons, to make her yet more attractive when she should appear at lunch. A less beautiful costume, and a bit of training in ordinary rules of courtesy, would have been far more beneficial. Mrs. Harcourt felt that Gwen must, at all times, be daintily dressed, but she permitted her to do or say whatever she chose, and at times when she was hopelessly rude, the silly mother thought her charming.
In the big hammock the three playmates still were swinging.
"Come!" said Polly, "let's walk around the garden, and when we come to the terrace, we'll sit down, and listen to the story that Rose promised to tell."
"No, the story that Sprite was to tell!" cried Rose.
"No, the story that Princess Polly found in the red book yesterday,"Sprite said, laughing because the others did.
"We'll run a race!" cried Polly, "and the one that gets there last will be the one to tell the story."
The others agreed, and Polly counted:
"One! Two!Three!"
They were off like the wind, past the fountain, the gates, the big clump of rose bushes, and it happened that Rose and Sprite were the first to reach the terrace.
"All right!" cried Princess Polly, "I'll tell the story of the 'Big,Brave Knight.'"
"Does it begin with: 'Once upon a time'?" Sprite asked, eagerly.
"Oh, yes," Polly said. "Once upon a time there lived a knight who was big, and brave, and he loved a princess who was so beautiful that it was like looking at the sun to look at her face, because her beauty was so dazzling.
"She wasn't very happy, for who'd be happy when an old witch had enchanted her?"
"Oh, oo!" purred little Sprite, "I love a story that tells about folks that are enchanted."
"So do I," agreed Rose. "Now go on, Polly. How was she enchanted?"
"Oh, I wish I had the book right here, so I could read every word of it to you, but I let Leslie Grafton take it home to read, so I'll tell it as well as I can.
"Where did I stop? Oh, I know. I'd just told you that the lovely princess was enchanted. Lora was her name, and she lived in a fine castle way up on a great, high mountain. The picture showed the castle, and it looked as if the side of the mountain was all ledges.
"On sunny days, she wandered around the castle gardens, picking the flowers, or feeding her pets, and when storm clouds hung over the mountain, she strolled through the great halls, playing her guitar, and sweetly singing.
"Often she leaned on the wall that bordered the gardens, and for hours she would gaze at the far distant plains.
"'Across those plains will come the prince who will set you free,' the old witch had said, and then she had laughed, and under her breath had muttered: 'That is, if he has the bravery to ride his charger up this steep mountain side.'"
"Did a prince come?" questioned Sprite.
"And was he fine, and brave?" Rose asked.
Princess Polly laughed at their eager questions.
"The book says:
"'Many princes came, but when they saw the ledge going straight up to the castle, they turned back, saying:
"'"No man could keep in the saddle, and no horse could climb such a huge crag as that. Both would fall and be dashed to pieces."'
"One day, when the sun was bright and the air was very clear, the princess became restless, and tired of roaming through hall, and garden, and she ran to the wall, once more to look off across the plain.
"A long time she stood watching, when, far, far over where the sky and land seemed to meet, she saw something flashing in the sunlight.
"At first it appeared to stand still, but after a little while, she saw that it was coming nearer.
"Brighter and brighter flashed the spot that she had been watching, and a moment later, she saw that it was a spear held aloft, in the hand of a man in armor.
"On, on he came, and soon she saw that his armor was of silver, and that the plumes on his helmet were white.
"Nearer and nearer he rode, and now, as he reached the foot of the cliff, the Princess Lora saw that he was handsome, for his visor was up, and even from that height she could see that his eyes were dark, and fine. He had seen her portrait that a great artist had painted, and he had vowed that he would win her.
"Bravely he urged his white steed up the side of the cliff, and the charger, placing his hoofs in the crevices, climbed steadily higher until, at last, the brave knight stood at the castle gate, blowing his bugle to demand admittance.
"At the sound of the bugle, the iron gates flew open, he rode boldly into the courtyard, and up to the door. He had shown himself to be so brave that no one dared oppose him, and after staying a month at the castle, he rode away, carrying the lovely Princess Lora as his bride, and they lived happy ever after."
"There!" cried Polly, "I've told that almost word for word."
"That was a lovely story," said Rose, "and I always like them when they commence, 'Once upon a time,' and end with, 'They lived happy ever after.'"
"So do I," said Sprite, "and just think of the lovely times we'll have this Summer, when we'reallat the Cliffs, at Cliffmore, that is, if you're coming down to the shore. Oh,areyou?"
"Uncle John says we'll enjoy the earlier part of the Summer here, and then go over to his lovely house at Cliffmore for the rest of the Summer."
"Why, that's just what my papa said, last evening," said PrincessPolly, "and I do believe they've planned it together."
"I'll go home just as soon as school closes," said Sprite, "and I'll be company for ma, I'll gather lovely shells for you to keep, I'll read to pa evenings, but most of all, I'll be watching the long white road that leads from the pier.
"Oh, let's play this hammock is the boat to Cliff more!" she cried, "and we'll call the different landings."
"All right!" cried Rose, "and do you hear that funny creak?" she asked."Well, that is the steamer just starting off."
They swung a while, and then Sprite shouted the name of the first stopping-place.
"Seaman's Port!" she cried. "This is where they always roll off lots of barrels."
"What's in them?" Polly asked.
"Oh, salt pork, and vegetables, and, oh, all sorts of things that they can't buy on the island."
"Seafarm Ledge!" she next shouted.
"All of us get out here!" cried Sprite, "because this is the place where the gentlemen sit around and do nothing, while the ladies dress up, and walk, and walk, and walk up and down the board walk."
There must have been a very rough sea, for the hammock rolled and pitched, until it seemed as if the little voyagers would surely be thrown overboard, so violently did the steamer lurch.
The passengers were evidently but little frightened. In truth, they appeared to think the trip a huge joke, for they laughed gaily; at last Sprite cried:
"Cliffmore! Cliffmore! Every one get out, because this steamer goes no farther!"
"Is that true, Sprite, that the steamerQueen of the Oceanstops atCliffmore, and then turns and goes back?"
"Oh, yes," said Sprite. "Some of the boats go farther, but that vessel never does."
"Well, we had a fine trip in our hammock-steamer," said Princess Polly, "and if our vessel did pitch pretty badly, what did we care, while the sky was blue and cloudless overhead?"
"It has been bright and sunny here at Avondale," said Sprite, "and I've had a lovely time, and I only long to go home, just because itishome."
"But soon after you go back to Cliffmore, Rose and I will come, and then we three will play together, and play all day, because it will be vacation, no lessons, and no school."
"Mamma is sure that this Summer at Cliffmore is to be delightful," said Polly.
"And Uncle John says that there will be lots of good times, but that he knows of one happening that will be a surprise for everyone!" said Rose.
Those who would like to meet Princess Polly again at Avondale, with her dearest friend Rose Atherton, to be with them again at Cliffmore, where they are constantly with little Sprite, may enjoy all their "good-times" in—
"Princess Polly at Play."
End of Project Gutenberg's Princess Polly's Gay Winter, by Amy Brooks