“I was going to ask, couldn't you show me how to go to Bel-Air, so you
wouldn't have to take so much time?”
A gleam of hope came into Mr. Evringham's cold eyes and he looked down
on his companion doubtfully.
“We have to go out on the train,” he said.
“Yes,” returned the child, “but you could put me on it, and every time
it stops I would ask somebody if that was Bel-Air.”
The prospect this offered was very pleasing to the broker.
“You wouldn't be afraid, eh?”
“Be what?” asked Jewel, looking up at him with a certain reproachful
surprise.
“You wouldn't, eh?”
“Why, grandpa!”
“Well, I believe it would do well enough, since you don't mind. Zeke is
going to meet this train. I'll tell the conductor to see that you get
off at Bel-Air, and when you do, ask for Mr. Evringham's coachman.
You'll see Zeke, a light-haired man driving a brown horse in a brougham.
He'll take you home to his mother, Mrs. Forbes. She is my housekeeper.
Now, do you think you'll understand?”
“It sounds very easy,” returned Jewel.
Mr. Evringham's long legs and her short skipping ones lost no time in
boarding the train, which they found made up. The relieved man saw the
conductor, paid the child's fare, and settled her on the plush seat.
She sat there, contentedly swinging her feet.
“Now I can just catch a boat if I leave you immediately,” said Mr.
Evringham consulting his watch. “You've only a little more than five
minutes to wait before the train starts.”
“Then hurry, grandpa, I'm all right.”
“Very well. Your fare is paid, and the conductor understands. You might
ask somebody, though. Bel-Air, you know. Good-by.”
Hastily he strode down the aisle and left the train. Having to pass the
window beside which Jewel sat, he glanced up with a half uneasy memory
of how far short of the floor her feet had swung.
She was watching for him. On her lips was the sweet gay smile and--yes,
there was no mistake--Anna Belle's countenance was beaming through the
glass, and she was wafting kisses to Mr. Evringham from a stiff and
chubby hand. The stockbroker grew warm, cleared his throat, lifted his
hat, and hurried his pace.
CHAPTER VI
JEWEL'S ARRIVAL
When her grandfather had disappeared, Jewel placed Anna Belle on
the seat beside her, where she toed in, in a state of the utmost
complacence.
“I have my work to do, Anna Belle,” she said, “and this will be a good
time, so don't disturb me till the train starts.” She put her hand over
her eyes, and sat motionless as the people met and jostled in the aisle.
Minutes passed, and then some one brushed the child's arm in taking
the seat beside her. “Oh, please don't sit on Anna Belle!” she cried
suddenly, and looked up into a pair of clear eyes that were regarding
her with curiosity.
They belonged to a man with a brown mustache and dark, short, pointed
beard, who carried a small square black case and had altogether a very
clean, fresh, agreeable appearance.
“Do I look like a person who would sit on Anna Belle?” he asked gravely.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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