Trail-Tales of Western CanadaRobinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Religion
Trail-Tales of Western Canada
Robinson, F. A. (Frank Alfred)
Canadian fiction -- 20th century; Missions -- Canada, Western -- Fiction; Short stories, Canadian
"You think my name is Flossie, don't you, Miss Buchanan?" the girl
asked slowly. "Well, it isn't. Nobody here knows either of my right
names, but I'm going to tell you: my right name is Nellie Gillard; and
Miss Buchanan, I want to be good again, and maybe get back home
soon--only, I am afraid, for I haven't even written for nearly a year."
Tears were wiped away as the memory of the old home was revived in the
light of new desires.
* * * * *
Another week was nearing its close, and Jessie Buchanan was as usual
making her plans for a hospitable Sunday. Glancing down the driveway,
she was surprised to see Nellie Gillard approaching the house. This
was the first daylight visit Nellie had made, and Saturday morning was
so unusual a time that Jessie Buchanan was at the door before the
bell-handle could be pulled. A cordial greeting and Nellie was
accompanied to the now familiar den. As the door closed the visitor at
once made known the purpose of her visit. "Miss Buchanan, I'd like to
go home, but I cannot--I dare not go alone."
"Oh! I'm so glad you have decided. How soon do you wish to go, dear?"
Jessie Buchanan's voice and face revealed her joy and thankfulness.
"I'd like to go right away" was the reply.
Within a few hours Nellie and her new-found friend were on their way to
the railway station.
The "local" was nearly three hours late when almost at midnight it
pulled into a little flag station in North-Western Ontario. It was
over two miles to the Gillards' home, and Jessie Buchanan suggested the
desirability of getting the station agent to assist them in procuring a
vehicle and driver.
The night was clear and bright, and Nellie urged that if it was not too
tiring for her companion she would much rather walk. "I know every
step of the way, and--and--well you are the only one I want with me
just now."
In the moonlight of that early October night two young women might have
been seen walking along the fifth concession.
At a turn of the road Nellie pointed to a little building: "There is
the schoolhouse I attended." When a church spire stood out clear
against the sky, there was a sob in the voice, "I used to teach in that
Sunday School and sing in the choir."
The gate of the old homestead was reached at last. The wanderer's hand
clung for a moment to the top rail and the head rested on her forearm.
"I wonder--I wonder if Father will let me in; I don't deserve it, but I
believe he will." And she was not mistaken.
At the side of the old roughcast dwelling, two bedroom windows had been
raised a few inches. Beneath these the only daughter of the home
called out in a trembling voice, "Father." There was no response.
Could anything have happened? A second time on the silent night the
voice anxiously uttered the same word. Immediately thereafter they
heard a movement and a man's head appeared at the window. "Father!
it's Nell: I want to be your Nell again. Will you let me come home?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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