Jewels Story Book | Page 6

Jewel." The broker's
heart swelled within him as he pressed her to his breast. Her sorrow
filled him with tender elation, and he winked hard.
"There isn't--isn't any sorrow--in mind, grandpa. Shouldn't you--you
think I'd--remember it? Divine Love always--always takes care--of
us--and just because--I don't see how He's going--going to this
time--I'm crying! Oh, it's so--so naughty!"
Mr. Evringham swallowed fast. He never had wondered so much as he
did this minute just how obstinate or how docile those inconvenient and
superfluous individuals--Jewel's parents--would prove.
He cleared his throat. "Come, come," he said, and he kissed the warm

pink rose of the child's cheek. "Don't spoil those bright eyes just when
you're going to have your picture taken. We're going to have the jolliest
time you ever heard of!"
Jewel's little handkerchief was wet and Mr. Evringham put his own into
her hand and they went into the lavatory where she used the wet corner
of a towel while he told her about the photographer who had taken
Essex Maid's picture and should take Star's.
Then the cherished leghorn hat was rescued from its ignominy and
replaced carefully on its owner's head.
"But I never thought you meant to have my picture taken this
afternoon," said Jewel, her lips still somewhat tremulous.
"I didn't until a minute ago, but I think we can find somebody who
won't mind doing it late in the day."
"Yours too, then, grandpa.--Oh, yes," and at last a smile beamed like
the sun out of an April sky, "right on the same card with me!"
"Oh, no, no, Jewel; no, no!"
"Yes, please, grandpa," earnestly, "do let's have one nice nose in the
picture!" She lifted eyes veiled again with a threatening mist. "And
you'll put your arm around me--and then I'll look at it"--her lip
twitched.
"Yes, oh, yes, I--I think so," hastily. "We'll see, and then, after
that--how much Nesselrode pudding do you think you can eat? I tell
you, Jewel, we're going to have the time of our lives!" Mr. Evringham
struck his hands together with such lively anticipation that the child's
spirits rose.
"Yes," she responded, "and then after dinner, what?" She gazed at him.
The broker tapped his forehead as if knocking at the door of memory.
"Father and mother!" she cried out, laughing and beginning to hop

discreetly. "You forgot, grandpa, you forgot. Your own little boy
coming home and you forgot!"
"Well, that's a fact, Jewel; that I suppose I had better remember. He is
my own boy--and I don't know but I owe him something after all."
CHAPTER III
HOME-COMING
Again Jewel and her grandfather stood on the wharf where the great
boats, ploughing their way through the mighty seas, come finally, each
into its own place, as meekly as the horse seeks his stable.
The last time they stood here they were strangers watching the
departure of those whom now they waited, hand in hand, to greet.
"Jewel, you made me eat too much dinner," remarked Mr. Evringham.
"I feel as if my jacket was buttoned, in spite of the long drive we've
taken since. I went to my tailor this morning, and what do you think he
told me?"
"What? That you needed some new clothes?"
"Oh, he always tells me that. He told me that I was growing fat! There,
young lady, what do you think of that?"
"I think you are, too, grandpa," returned the child, viewing him
critically.
"Well, you take it coolly. Supposing I should lose my waist, and all
your fault!"
Jewel drew in her chin and smiled at him.
"Supposing I go waddling about! Eh?"
She laughed. "But how would it be my fault?" she asked.

"Didn't you ever hear the saying 'laugh and grow fat'? How many times
have you made me laugh since we left the office?"
Jewel began to tug on his hand as she jumped up and down. "Oh,
grandpa, do you think our pictures will be good?"
"I think yours will."
"Not yours?" the hopping ceased.
"Oh, yes, excellent, probably. I haven't had one taken in so many years,
how can I tell? but here's one day that they can't get away from us,
Jewel. This eighth of June has been a good day, hasn't it--and mind,
you're not to tell about the pictures until we see how they come out."
"Yes, haven't we had fun? The be-eautiful hotel, and the drive in the
park, and the ride in the boats and"--
"Speaking of boats, there it is now. They're coming," remarked Mr.
Evringham.
"Who?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thayer Evringham," returned the broker dryly.
"Steady, Jewel, steady now. It will be quite a while before you see
them."
The late twilight had faded and the June night begun, the wharf was
dimly lighted and there was