The Quest of Happy Hearts | Page 3

and there's Aunt Janice Meredith," Nora was the
first to jump out and go forward to greet the small figure awaiting them
in a flood of light, that stretched out in welcoming rays in all directions.

"A very, very warm welcome to all of my Meredith nieces and
nephews!" said the diminutive lady, holding out both hands in greeting.
Alice nudged Beth, her eyes big with excitement.
Their friendly pilot had said goodnight, and slipped quietly away,
leaving them to themselves for the first meeting.
"Come right in to supper, the old place hasn't had such a merry set for
quite a while, and it does my heart good to have you."
The old lady turned and led the way into a spacious dining room, where
the table was set with the daintiest china and gleaming silver.
The room also seemed filled with the softest most musical notes, that
made the place seem to Beth and Alice like fairyland at once.
"Now tell me about your journey," Aunt Janice began, after seeing to
the comfort of each, because she declared, they must really be almost
famished after the long trip.
Soon they began to talk and the evening advanced in an unaccountable
manner toward bedtime, so delightful were the hours of getting
acquainted. When she felt they must break up, Aunt Janice led the way
up the winding stair.
"Good-night, and happy dreams!" she said, with a smile for all the
group, "take a good rest now, and be ready for some good times
tomorrow."
"Oh, Aunt Janice, we're already having a lovely visit, and you are
indeed kind to invite us for a stay in this beautiful, old house."
"The more the merrier, my dear," she beamed on Nora. "All of you in
turn, will make the old place far happier than it has been in a long while,
and I shall be much helped by having you here."
"Is it a fairy castle?" Alice had slipped one hand into the old lady's, as
they stood talking together.

"I think I'll wait a bit and let you tell me if it seems like a real fairy
castle, Alice, after you've been here awhile."
"That will be fun," Beth answered.
Aunt Janice smiled.
"Don't you believe in fairies? The fairies I believe in have always been
welcome companions of mine, namely, the fairies of kindness, good
thoughts and wishes and deeds; they drive out loneliness, if you let
them live under your roof. Moreover, the world then seen is brighter
because of their light."
Alice beamed.
"There is a little song that says, 'Brighten the corner where you are--', I
love brightness and light, don't you, Aunt Janice?"
"I believe we feel that way, Janey, because of the One who is the
Source of all good thoughts, wishes and deeds and who said, 'I am the
Light of the world.' How desolate life would be without the light of His
love, shed on dark pathways to make them shine!"
Nora and Janey looked quickly into the old lady's face. They saw both
sadness and gladness, smiling through.
"I'm sure we're going to love it here," they said impulsively, as they
threw their arms around the old lady to bid her goodnight.
"I'm ever so glad that you feel that way; you may look forward to some
happy hours and surprises, I hope--just wait and see!"
Then Aunt Janice turned, and with a wave of her hand, disappeared into
a room at the end of the long hall.

CHAPTER III

A GLIMPSE OF THE TOWER ROOM
Not even the excitement of anticipation could keep the Merediths
awake that first night of their visit to Land's End, but after a refreshing
sleep, bright and early the next morning they were awakened by the sun
shining through the green blinds that shaded the old castle windows.
Also by Aunt Janice calling pleasantly, "Did you have a good night's
rest, and are you ready to go down to breakfast now?"
She beamed happily around on all the young Meredith's, as they
hurriedly joined her at the top of the stairs.
A little later at the breakfast table she asked suddenly,--"What shall the
program be today; an exploring expedition into the forest--a trip to the
city to shop, or perhaps a ride on the ponies and a visit to the old castle
gardens?"
"Oh," chorused the Merediths--"everything sounds so delightful, it's
hard to choose!"
Aunt Janice's eyes twinkled.
"Perhaps I'd best help you out to begin with then--suppose you explore
the gardens and the old place this morning; then by the afternoon, you'll
be ready to choose what you'd prefer next. I shall not go along, but you
are to feel perfectly at home; go anywhere you fancy--_only_--," Aunt
Janice lowered her voice--"only pass quickly by the