The Quest of Happy Hearts | Page 5

trot
around the grounds on "Brownie's" broad back.
After the delightful day had gone at last, tired but happy they gathered
around Aunt Janice as she sat knitting.
"You must have a fortune growing around the old place on all of those
fine forest trees!" Harry commented.
Aunt Janice looked toward the speaker quickly.
"Well, I believe it is one of the finest in this part of the country; you
may all take a basket of lunch and go out exploring there, if you like,

soon--all varieties of lovely ferns grow about in damp places and you
can bring some back to help make the old place look green and pretty
inside, as well as on the outside, for we must get ready for a party."
"A party--a party--" chorused several voices at once.
"I see the plan meets with approval; all right then; I'll have a good
lunch put up and you may spend the day, and wander around to your
heart's content!"
"How delightful!--and shall we play games, too?"
Alice had come up close to Aunt Janice and placed one small hand in
hers. "Isn't everything going to be just ever so happy?"
"Happier by far than it has been for years, because of you young people
to make it so, and last but not least, we shall have as many games in the
program as you care to play."
The next hour or so passed rapidly in discussing the plans for the party
to be, and all of the Merediths including Aunt Janice, were sorry when
the hands of the old grandfather's clock began to warn them of the
breaking up hour.
After they had separated for the night, Nora and Janey kept on talking
of the delightful hours that they had spent.
"I never dreamed that Land's End would be as beautiful as a dream
story," Nora remarked, "and I said such cross things about coming at
first. I don't feel that I deserve this wonderful visit."
"You didn't really mean them, Nora; nor did I. I'm sure Aunt Janice and
Dad would understand."
"I hope so, because I'm really sorry and ashamed."
"I am afraid we all say things only too often that are so unworthy;
wouldn't we have much more happiness, Nora, if we would heed the
warning of the Bible to guard our tongue and not to judge our

fellowmen?"
"Y--es,--I suppose so. I think this place should be called the Castle of
Delight, instead of Land's End; it would certainly be more appropriate."
"I think so too," Janey agreed. "I wonder if we'll come across any
people living in the forest?"
"I wonder" Janey echoed. "Perhaps the old man who brought us from
the station in Aunt Janice's car. He may live in there, and we might stop
and invite him to the party."
Nora laughed.
"He isn't really old, Janey. I thought him pretty vigorous. Who knows
though, whom we may find deep in the forest? We shall have to ask
Aunt Janice though for permission to invite guests."
"The more the merrier, sir, she said-- While gazing on the tulip bed,--
Come be our flower-guests, so sweet-- And make our party quite
complete!"
"I didn't know you were a poetess, Nora! I'm sure Aunt Janice will let
us have all the flower guests we want--from woods or garden."
"The sooner we stop talking, the sooner morning will come again, and
so good-night and sweet dreams, Janey."
But Janey slipped out of bed and over to the window for one more look
at the terrace, white and silvery in the bright moonlight.
"Have you forgotten the mystery of the tower room, Nora?"
Nora brushed back her brown curls, impatiently.
"Come back to bed and to sleep, Janey--you probably saw, as I said, a
white pigeon imprisoned in the room; dismiss the thought, and forget
all about it."

Janey was peering through the open window on the moonlit terrace
below.
"I'm sure a white figure went gliding by and disappeared among the
trees. Come quick, Nora, and watch!"
Janey's voice was shaking with excitement, and it was only after
several minutes of remonstrance from Nora that she was persuaded she
was acting foolishly to be hunting up mysteries in perhaps just a
passing traveler, and so gave up and returned to bed.
"Maybe you'll find out I'm right about the waving handkerchief from
the tower room, and also about that passing figure. I think they're
connected, so there, Nora--you just wait and see when the mystery is all
cleared up!"
With that thought foremost in her mind, Janey at last, fell asleep.

CHAPTER V
EXPLORING THE FOREST
Bright and early after breakfast, the Merediths, bidding Aunt Janice
good-bye, started out on their exploring expedition into the forest.
"You may make a whole day of