The Quest of Happy Hearts | Page 8

DAY
After supper was over, Aunt Janice gathered the Merediths in a circle around her, to talk over the happenings of the day spent in the forest.
"What exciting adventure did you have?"
There was a twinkle in the old lady's eyes, and Janey seeing it, knew that Aunt Janice was wondering what made them forget to bring back the ferns that they had set out so bravely to gather.
"We truly did have a delightful adventure," they all chorused, in reply to her question--"and we could hardly wait to tell you about it."
"Let's begin at the beginning."
"Naturally," Don said, glancing over at Janey--"that's the right place to start."
"--Don--Aunt Janice is waiting."
"Well--we got deep into the forest, when suddenly, at the end of a long narrow path there appeared a--log cabin!"
"We thought at first it might be a gypsy hut!"
"Don't be silly, Beth--you've forgotten that gypsies wander from place to place."
"Never mind," Aunt Janice spoke softly--"what did you find?"
"Marty and Jerry and 'Gem'." Alice could wait no longer for a turn to speak.
"She has climaxed the story before the climax!"
They all joined in the general laughter that followed the youngest Meredith's remark.
"You'd love Marty and Jerry, Aunt Janice," Nora said--"they are really delightful, and I'm sure you'll approve of our asking them to the party."
The old lady smiled, as she looked around on the eager faces. She was thinking of Mr. Greyson, the children's grandfather, who had known better days, but on account of reverses, had been so reduced, that he had come out from the city and asked work of her as a forester. Old Peter Greyson was proud and would have nothing except what he earned.
"Do you know Marty and Jerry?"
"I know of them, but the grandfather is quite a worthy man, and I'm glad you discovered the children."
"Do you think the grandfather will let them come?"
Beth's mind was on the forthcoming party.
"We shall certainly hope so. I'm sure if he could be made to see that he is depriving them of pleasure by keeping them so close, he would."
"We'll find him and tell him," Janey planned.
"We had a delightful picnic with Jerry and Marty; that made us forget about looking for the ferns for decorating."
"After all the party is some time off, and you can make another expedition to find those."
"I thought you'd say that," and Janey looked lovingly at the sweet face before her.
"It would have done your heart good to see how Jerry and Marty enjoyed your delicious lunch."
"To say nothing of ourselves!" Don supplemented.
"Well, you may have another as soon as you like, and I'll be sure to include the Greyson's next time."
"Land's End is the most delightful place in the world--" Janey threw her arms around Aunt Janice impulsively, while sudden tears brimmed over and splashed down her cheeks.
"Why, my dear, you must be all tired out," the old lady began sympathetically. But Janey shook her head.
"I was thinking that we don't deserve the jolly time you're giving us--at first when Dad told us of your invitation we--we--didn't want to come at all!"
Nora looked crestfallen, also.
Aunt Janice seeing the cause of their woe, immediately set their hearts at rest.
"Why I don't blame you, not even a little bit, my dears--Land's End doesn't sound a bit inviting, if you don't really know anything about it; no wonder you felt regretful!"
Janey's tears were quickly dried.
"We didn't know you then, Aunt Janice."
"Nor this lovely old castle and garden--"
"Nor the forest--with Marty and Jerry living in it--"
"Neither did we know that we were setting out, like Nora's story, on a quest for happy hearts."
"I think that is a lovely quest to be traveling on; how far have you gone on the way?" Aunt Janice was all interest, as she included the whole group in the question.
For a moment everyone was silent, then Nora broke the pause shyly--"We put you as the first Aunt Janice, on the quest for happy hearts, because you said we had brought gladness into your life. You're the golden link that began our chain of happiness."
"Quite right--quite right--" Aunt Janice agreed heartily, almost overcome herself. "But now it's bedtime, so let us first of all thank our heavenly Father for our happiness and then go to bed. We all need a refreshing sleep."
For a few minutes they all listened devoutly as Aunt Janice read the Twenty-third Psalm, after which they joined her in prayer and in the singing of the doxology. Then bidding Aunt Janice a hasty good-night, tired out with the day's adventure, the Merediths trooped away to enjoy the great blessing of sleep and rest.

CHAPTER VIII
THE STORY OF THE TOWER ROOM
Tell us a story, please tell us a story, Aunt Janice!"
"A story, Janey? . . . . What shall it be about?"
"About the old castle in the long ago," Beth hastened to beg, for she