CHAPTER XIV.

HAPPY DAYS.

LATE on Saturday night, by the last train, Dr. Arundel came down to have a peep at them. He was not expected; but a patient who had been needing his almost hourly care had been taken "home" that morning, and he found that he could manage to leave just for the Sunday.

All were in bed at the farm; but the moment his ring was heard at the door, Mrs. Arundel guessed who it was, and opening her window, asked "if it was papa?"

He was soon admitted; said he wanted nothing to eat, but would have a glass of milk, which Mrs. Ross soon got for him, and then, without waking anyone else in the house, the three elders closed up quickly, and soon sleep reigned again at the quiet farm.

Great was the surprise of Walter and Arthur to be joined halfway down the lane early next morning by a tall gentleman, who came striding after them. But greater still was the astonishment of the little ones at breakfast, when they found their own dear papa seated at the bottom of the table. There was plenty to tell him, and all to explain about the little services and the hymns, and Christina, and Melton Castle.

"Christina," questioned their father, "who is she?"

"Oh, the most beautiful lady you ever saw!" said Ada rapturously. "She helps us sing, and she talks to Tom, and she is coming to tea to-night!"

"Then I shall hope to see her," said papa; "and certainly if she is the most beautiful lady, it will be a treat."

"Well, you will think so, I know," said Ada, pouting; "now isn't she, Walter?"

"Yes," said Walter.

"Who is she? And what does she do here?"

"Why she's a visitor," answered Ada; "she came here with her mother, who was ill; and now she has lost both her parents, and she has an aunt living with her, an old maid."

"A what?" said her father gravely.

"An old—a maiden lady. I forgot, papa," said Ada, colouring. "However, she and mamma and Nellie are quite getting friends; and mamma thought she would like to come to tea and walk to church with us to-night. We shall come back by moonlight."

Sunday passed away very happily. Walter had his little service in the afternoon, and persuaded his father to give the children the address instead of him.

"I do not know that I can, Walter," he said; "but I will do my best."

So Dr. Arundel was introduced to Christina on the sands, and walked home with her to the farm, during which time he had ample opportunity to make up his mind as to her beauty. This he told himself was undoubted; but he could not help being still more interested in the look of peace which was written quite as plainly on her face as the beauty.

"She is a gem in His crown," he said to his wife, as he joined her in the orchard.

After tea, the young people started in a body across the corn-fields to church. The harvest moon was beginning to be bright in the evenings, and they looked forward to their walk home by its light as only young people can who have all life before them. If Christina had any reservation in her joy, she at least did not say so.

Dr. and Mrs. Arundel stayed at home on this evening to take care of the little ones, sending the two servants out. The baby was very good, and had allowed himself to be hushed to sleep before his nurse's departure; Dolly and Tom were also in bed. The mother and father softly paced up and down the lane in front of the house, within hearing of the least sound, and yet feeling at rest enough to enjoy the peaceful time. Mrs. Arundel told her husband about what little Tom had said, and they rejoiced together, believing this would be the turning-point in their little invalid's life.

"How are Arthur and Ada getting on?" asked Dr. Arundel.

"I am very hopeful," she answered; "but, you know, we have felt for a long time that Arthur was thinking about these things."

"Nellie has been a great help to him," answered Dr. Arundel.

"Dear Nellie!" said her mamma. "She has been a great blessing in our home."

"Yes, she does live out those hackneyed words, 'Charity begins at home.' We must not forget, love, that while this outside work is most important and useful, it ought never to come before home duties and home happiness."

"I think they feel that," answered Mrs. Arundel. "I have tried to remind them of it from time to time, and Walter and Nellie set such a good example. They are always watchful at home to do the little kindnesses."

Meanwhile the young people were returning in the moonlight. Ada and Arthur, accompanied by Netta and Isabel, were on in front; and Nellie, Christina, and Walter followed slowly.

It was most lovely. The shadows of the branches were as distinct upon the ground as if the branches themselves lay there, and the plash of the waves could be heard plainly when they stood still to listen. The moon shone down upon the water in a flood of silver light, and as they watched, one little vessel with her sails set glided across the track.

The three were silent. Each had different thoughts. One dwelt on the past; another was living in the present; and the third gave a brief glance into the future. When the little ship passed out of the light into the darkness, they turned and went on their way homewards; and if each of those hearts could have expressed the conclusion of its thoughts, all might have been summed up in these words—

"Thy will be done."

For each of these young people, schooled in very different ways, had already learned to value doing God's will above their own. They had been taught to a certain extent that their Father's will was the wisest and the best, and would lead them into much fuller happiness than their own. But they had to learn more yet.

Thus peaceful, happy days passed away. The mornings were mostly taken up with bathing, and amusing the little ones till the service; after which Nellie and Christina made it a rule now to sit down by Mrs. Arundel and Tom with their work. Christina's aunt, Miss Arbuthnot, often joined them; and while the younger ones were digging, and Ada and Arthur were searching among the rocks for sea treasures, Walter would throw himself down at the feet of the ladies, and read to them till it was time to return to dinner at two. In the afternoon, the little ones generally rested; Mrs. Arundel did the same, or wrote letters; and the others took a country walk, sometimes joined by Christina, and sometimes not.

Thus the little party began to be very friendly indeed. In the evenings they would go on the pier, or sit in the orchard; and supper at nine was supposed to finish their day.

But the moon just now was too tempting. Mrs. Arundel would be drawn to the door to look, and then Ada and Arthur would coax her for "just one turn." She would yield to their loving invitation, and with an arm round each, some of their happiest moments were spent.

Nellie and Walter did not need any coaxing. The moment supper was over, he would say, "May we, mamma?" And they would be off for the brief half-hour which they prized above all the pleasures of the day put together.

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