Hilda's Mascot Part 17

"Before we leave you perhaps it would be advisable for me to go through the rooms in the back building and see which would be best to give him,"

suggested Mrs. Courtney.

Before Mr. Valentine could reply Hilda came running back to the parlor.

"He has gone to his room without waiting for anybody to tell him," she said almost breathlessly. "He says he knows the room that Lois gave him."

Rev. Carl gave a hearty peal of laughter, in which all joined. "That is the style of visitors to have, brother Val," he said; "they save you the trouble of entertaining them."

"I look upon it as a good omen," smiled his brother-in-law. "I hope my home will be a place of rest and refreshment to all who enter its doors."

"I am sure it will be," said Mrs. Courtney sincerely; "but this Archie, I don't understand his saying that he knows the room that Lois gave him.

I am quite sure it was not in Mr. Joshua Farnsworth's time, or in that of his widow, or Anna. I was here quite often, and never saw him or heard any of them speak of him."

"The servants who had charge afterward may have allowed him to sleep here, and no doubt were glad to have company near them," suggested Rev.

Carl.

"While we were reviving Hilda the night that Archie found her in the snow, Diana Strong mentioned that she had seen him on the road more than once, but did not know his name," remarked Mrs. Courtney.

"I, too, remember hearing him spoken of that evening," rejoined Rev.

Carl. "Dr. Lattinger mentioned that he frequently met him, and said that he was a mystery to him, reminding him of the Wandering Jew. He added that Archie is weak-minded and does not know his last name."

"He appears to be one who has seen better times," commented Mrs.

Courtney. "There is an air of refinement about him that one does not see in the ordinary wayfarer. I believe that he has a history, but it is not likely that we will ever know it."

It was now time to return to "Friedenheim," and Mrs. Courtney arose to go.

"I hope, sister, that you will allow Roy and Cecil to come here frequently and pa.s.s the night with me. I will bring Ralph and James often, and wish all these young people and their friends to take pleasure in visiting here."

"They will not be more pleased to come than I will be to have them with you, and we all wish you every happiness in your home," replied his sister affectionately. And thus ended the happy day that welcomed Hilda Brinsfield for the second period of her life to "My Lady's Manor."

CHAPTER VIII-LETTERS WHICH BRING A TRIAL TO HILDA

Not only the village of Dorton, but the whole country around it rejoiced that Mr. Valentine Courtney was the owner of "My Lady's Manor," and that it was again occupied and one of the hospitable homes of the neighborhood.

His first purchase was a pair of handsome horses, a comfortable carriage and a phaeton.

For coachman he wished a middle-aged, unmarried man, for whom he advertised, and among the many who responded was one he was satisfied to engage. This man was Sandy MacQuoid, a Scotchman who bore testimonials from two Edinburgh families as to his exemplary character and capability.

Sandy was tall, thin and pale, quiet in manner and scrupulously neat in attire, which was always black and perfect in fit.

With congratulations of his own good fortune, Mr. Courtney brought him to "My Lady's Manor" and the years which followed proved Sandy's testimonials correct; he vied in fidelity with the Irish housekeeper and the African cook.

Sandy stipulated but for one favor after the matter of salary was agreed upon, and that was that he might bring a parrot, which had been trained to say many things, and his Scotch bagpipes.

Mr. Courtney granted both requests with pleasure for he was partial to pets and fond of music; moreover the place would be rendered more attractive to his nephews and their friends, and to Hilda.

With the cordial a.s.sent of Mrs. Merryman, Hilda had availed herself of the invitation of Mr. Courtney to read in his library, and almost every afternoon on her way from school she pa.s.sed an hour or more in the home-like room.

Although Mrs. Flynn and Chloe saw but little of her during that hour, they were glad to know she was there; the day always seemed brighter when she pa.s.sed on the way to the library, halting to chat a moment with them.

As a rule, she was away by the time that Mr. Courtney returned from the city, but it was a pleasure to him to hear that she had been there.

At his request Mrs. Flynn frequently invited Hilda and her schoolmates to tea, which request was all the more heartily appreciated by her that Norah always came and spent the evening in order to see Hilda safely home.

It was also an understood thing that when Rev. Carl and Mrs. Courtney came to take tea at "My Lady's Manor" Hilda should be invited, and she always accepted the invitation. Thus in time she looked upon the villa as a second home, as when a child in the cottage of her Aunt Ashley she pa.s.sed so much time there with Anna Ashburton.

Happy summers pa.s.sed, and winters equally pleasant, and Hilda was growing into healthy, symmetrical and beautiful young womanhood, the cultivation of her fine mind keeping pace with her growth.

Three days in each week Mr. Courtney went to the city in his carriage and Sandy, after leaving him at his office, purchased supplies for the household.

One day, after completing this, he was driving to the hotel where the horses were cared for, when he had the unexpected pleasure of meeting an old friend who had recently arrived from "the land of the thistle."

Sandy invited him to take luncheon with him, after which they repaired to the lodgings of his friend where he was presented with a young Scotch terrier of great intelligence.

Sandy's pleasure in the gift was enhanced by that of Mr. Courtney, and when Roy and Cecil came over that evening they could scarcely tear themselves away in time to study their next day's lessons, so charmed were they with the terrier.

The parrot was kept on the porch, as a rule, and in order to hear its quaint speeches one had to go there, but the terrier was here, there and everywhere; and Hilda was almost tempted at times to defer her reading in the library to be amused by the antics of the canine foreigner.

Seeing her fondness for the terrier, Chloe was loth to complain of it, but could not at times refrain when his mischief grew too p.r.o.nounced.

"That pup is mighty mischievous, honey," she said one afternoon upon recovering her breath after chasing the terrier to get her clean turban which he had captured. "You don't know the tricks that terrier can play.

When the door-bell rings and I go to let company in, I'm never sartin that a pile of bones or ol' shoes won't fall in when I open the door."

"I wonder why he likes best to put them at the front door when there are so many doors to the house?" laughed Hilda.

"Jes' to be as tricky as ever he kin, honey, and where he finds the ol'

shoes is the riddle I can't guess. I never sees none layin' around, and I burns all he fotches in."

"But he is so funny, Chloe, and we all love him so!"

"I'm not gwine to say nothin' agin him, honey, and haven't said nothin', even when he tore up my best turban that Mis' Emma done give me. Mrs.

Flynn feeds him. She puts a piece of oilcloth on the floor by the table and gives the terrier sc.r.a.ps while she and Mr. Sandy is eatin'."

One afternoon Mrs. Courtney, Mrs. Merryman and Hilda went to take tea at "My Lady's Manor," a charming walk across the fields that lovely day, and Hilda was the happiest of the happy.

The afternoon pa.s.sed speedily and pleasantly, and Hilda, who had been part of the time in the library, was first to see the carriage containing Mr. Courtney and Sandy stop at the side gate. She ran joyously to announce his arrival to Mrs. Courtney, then to the kitchen to tell Chloe, then out to the gate to meet him.

"My home-coming is always more pleasant when Hilda is here to welcome me," he said cordially as he clasped her dimpled hand; "something told me that you would meet me at the gate."

Hilda flushed with pleasure, and, clinging to his hand, she went with him to the parlor, where he welcomed the other guests, then went to his dressing room, the terrier flying up the steps in advance of him, and watching every movement with alert, bright eyes until he descended.

Hilda's request to arrange the bouquet for the center of the table was cheerfully granted by Mrs. Flynn, and with scissors in hand she went to the garden, the terrier following in an ecstasy of delight and playing about her until he saw Archie coming through the gate, his coat upon his arm, for the evening was warm.

The terrier ran to meet him, danced around him and barked, but Archie paid no attention to him, and walking slowly up he placed his coat on the bal.u.s.trade of the back porch, then went to his favorite seat in the kitchen, and was soon asleep, worn out with his constant walking.

Hilda, in the meantime, had arranged her roses in a tall vase and placed them upon the table; then the tea-bell rang and Mr. Courtney and his guests gathered about it, and cheerful conversation enlivened the meal.