She glanced wistfully at the happy faces about her; at the half-
finished wreath in her hands; at the deep-blue ocean whence came a
cool, refreshing breeze, then, with a quickly repressed sigh, laid
down her work and arose.
"Let me go," she said, turning to Mrs. Minturn and stealing a fond
arm around her waist. "I'm sure I can do the errand all right."
"Dear, they will make quite a package, for there will have to be a
good many," objected her friend, but with a quick smile of
appreciation for her thoughtfulness. "Besides," she added,
glancing at the merry group behind them, "you are all having such
a good time."
"Never mind anything so we have the lanterns. We must let our
light shine, you know; and just look at that for muscle!" cheerily
returned the girl, as she swept up her loose sleeve and revealed a
truly sturdy arm. "I can catch the next train, if I step lively,
and I'll be back on the one that leaves at five. Make out your
order, Mr. Minturn, and I'll be ready before you can say 'Jack
Robinson.'"
She bounded into the house and was halfway upstairs before Mr.
Minturn could get out his notebook and pencil, and in less than
ten minutes was down again equipped for her trip.
"'Jack Robinson,'" solemnly repeated Mr. Minturn, but with a
roguish twinkle in his eyes as he handed her the leaf which he had
torn from his notebook, with his order and the address of a Boston
firm written on it. "Now be off, you sprite, or you will lose your
train, and you shall have your reward later," he concluded, as the
trap, which he had ordered up from the stable, dashed to the door.
"I'll get my reward on the way," laughed the girl, throwing him a
bright glance over her shoulder as she ran nimbly down the steps
and sprang into the carriage, little thinking how true her
lightly-spoken words would prove.
Four hours later the trap was again sent to the station to meet
her, and, a five minutes' drive, behind the pair of spirited
beauties, landed her at home once more.
Much had been accomplished during Jennie's absence, and the broad
veranda was like a sylvan bower, the last nail having just been
driven, the last wreath and festoon put in place; while the
Seabrooks were on the point of going home to dinner as the
carriage stopped before the door.
She looked pale and appeared to see no one; but, leaping to the
ground, sprang up the steps, touched Katherine on the arm, saying
briefly, "Come!" then fled inside the house.
Everyone wondered at her strange behavior, and Katherine
immediately followed her to her room.
The moment she appeared Jennie caught her in her arms and swung to
the door.
"Katherine! Katherine!" she cried, breathlessly, "I'm found!--I'm
found!--I'm not a 'stray waif'--I'm not lost any longer--I'm--I'm-
-"
She could say no more-her breath was spent; her emotion mastered
her--and, bowing her head on her companion's shoulder, she burst
into passionate weeping that shook her from head to foot.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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