Fortunately George and Alma went on a prolonged trip to Europe. Betty's
love for George was unchanged, but she, finally, found an unselfish joy
in thinking of his happiness with Alma and Harold.
With this overcoming of self, Betty became a woman, and an added
sweetness was hers. Everywhere her mission work was a great success.
When her release came, which was just before George and Alma returned
from Europe, President Gladder parted with her with deep regret.
"Betty, when you are gone, I shall miss a great power in the mission."
Betty flushed with pleasure.
"Whatever has been done, has been done through me, and not by me," she
replied humbly.
*****
It was a beautiful, clear day, when Alma, now Alma Cadman, entered her
old home with George and Harold. The boy was in excellent spirits after
seeing the wonderful world, and his constant, eager questions about
what he had seen and heard, made the homecoming void of serious thought.
It was Alma's wish to keep the home untouched by any changes. George,
quick to read her thoughts, knew that she lived much with Will's
memory, and longed to keep the old surroundings.
George respected her devotion. It did not make her morbid, for
Harold was her living joy, and in him she found her new thoughts and
activities. Her fondness for George was as it always had been, and his
companionship destroyed her loneliness, and she was able to smile and
be happy once more.
Alma went eagerly from room to room, George and Harold following.
"Let the library be last," said George smiling.
"Why?" asked Alma surprised.
"My wedding present was to greet you on my return, was it not?"
"Just what I'm looking for," she replied laughing, though in reality
not having thought of it until this moment.
"It is in the library," answered George quietly. "We will inspect all
the house first."
"How clean it all looks! Who did you trust to keep it like this? I
expected to find it all cob webs?"
"Betty begged me to leave the keys with her, so that she could see to
it herself. It was her secret, you know."
"Dear Betty! Always doing something kind! I must see her tomorrow,
surely."
At last they reached the library.
"May I?" she asked, with her hand upon the door knob.
"Yes or no, would be the same to an inquisitive little woman," he
answered, laughing down at her.
She opened the door and they entered. The light was just strong enough
to show the room, cosy and inviting as they had left it.
Alma looked around wonderingly.
"I don't see it, she said, turning to George.
"O! Mus! Look! Look!", cried Harold, who had ran across the room, and
stood staring up at the wall in open-mouthed wonder.
Alma turned. With a cry of painful joy, she stood transfixed.
Over the mantle of the fireplace, hung a life-size painting of Will
Lambert. The massive gold frame was a brilliant setting for a perfect
likeness, which looked down upon them with the direct glance which
gives a picture the semblance of life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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