He expressed his grateful appreciation of what the Minturns,
particularly Katherine, had done for his niece, but insisted upon
refunding all that they had thus far expended upon her education.
"It is but just and right," he persisted, when Katherine demurred,
saying it had been "a love offering, and she did not wish it
back." "I am abundantly able to do it and also to give her every
advantage in the future. I do feel, however, that nothing can ever
repay you for the great kindness you have shown her."
He afterwards had a private conversation with Jennie, during which
he proposed to legally adopt her, if she had no objection to
taking his name, and would be content to make her home with an
"old gentleman" like himself.
"Content!" she exclaimed, drawing an ecstatic breath. "Well, for a
girl who has always felt that she didn't really belong anywhere,
that is a prospect that would just about turn my head if I hadn't
found a new chart and compass to steer by. As for the 'old
gentleman,' if you don't mind"--with a roguish glance but flushing
slightly--"I'd--like to tell you I think he is just dear."
"I wonder what I'll have to pay for that?" said Mr. Arnold,
laughing, but with a suspicious moisture in his eyes.
"Well," said Jennie, cocking her head on one side and giving him
an arch look, "if you'll try to think the same of me we'll call it
square."
"That won't be such a difficult task," he replied, gently touching
a curling lock on her forehead that was so like his sister's.
"As for the name," Jennie resumed, more seriously, "you say my
middle one was given me for you; why not transpose it and call me
Mildred Jennison Arnold? Then I can keep them all, and it will not
seem out of place to still address me as 'Jennie.'"
This was regarded as a happy thought, and, as soon as the
necessary papers could be made out, she became Alfred Arnold's
legally adopted daughter.
His chief thought now appeared to be to make her life as happy as
possible, and, after consulting her wishes, he purchased a lovely
home very near Hilton Seminary, secured a competent and motherly
woman for a housekeeper, and thus the girl was enabled to continue
her course at school, as a day scholar, and enjoy her delightful
home at the same time.
Dr. Stanley also bought a fine residence in the same locality, and
early in January Katherine was back once more to take up her life
work 'mid old familiar scenes, greatly to the delight of the
Seabrooks and her many other friends.
Her husband still retained his office in the city, but with a new
sign now hanging in his window--"Phillip Harris Stanley, M.D.,
Christian Scientist," and already he was becoming widely known as
a successful practitioner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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