SOMETHING HAPPENS
"Is it finished, Winifred?"
"Ye--yes," said Winifred slowly, laying down her pencil, and surveying
rather ruefully the large sheet of foolscap in her lap. "It's finished,
but it isn't any good; I know your aunt won't like it."
"Oh, yes, she will," said Lulu encouragingly, coming over to her
friend's side, and surveying the result of her labors with evident
satisfaction. The two little girls were together in Lulu's room, and for
the past half-hour Winifred had been making a desperate effort to finish
her story.
"It isn't as long as mine," Lulu went on, "But I think it's a very
pretty story. 'The Indian' is a nice name, isn't it? I've called mine
'The Discovery of New Haven.' Of course I don't mean the New Haven where
the Boston trains stop. It's just an imaginary place, you know. We must
go and read our stories to Aunt Daisy now. I'm just crazy to know how
she will like them."
Winifred hesitated.
"I know she'll think mine dreadfully silly," she said. "Don't you think
you could possibly read it to her after I go home?"
"Of course not," said Lulu with decision; "you must read it to her
yourself, the same as I do. Come along."
Winifred rose rather reluctantly, and the two little girls went
downstairs, and out on the piazza, where they found Lord Carresford and
Miss Warren sitting together. "His lordship" was reading aloud to the
blind lady, but at the children's approach he laid down his book.
"Well, young ladies," he said pleasantly, "and what have you been doing
all the morning?"
"Winifred has been finishing her story," said Lulu, "and I've been
making a bureau cover for the fair. We came down to read our stories to
Aunt Daisy, but if you're reading to her now we can go away, and do it
another time."
"No, indeed," said Lord Carresford, "I am sure Miss Warren would much
prefer your reading to mine, but may I not be permitted to hear the
stories too?"
Lulu hesitated, and glanced at Winifred.
"We don't usually like to have grown-up people read our things," she
said doubtfully, "but you've been so very kind to us--shall we do it,
Winifred?"
"I'd rather go home, and let you read them both," said Winifred, with a
rather wistful glance in the direction of the distant hotel. "I guess
I'd better go home, any way. Mother's very busy sewing for the fair, and
she might want me to help her, you know."
"No, she won't," said Lulu confidently; "mamma is with her, and grown-up
ladies always like to be by themselves when they sew, don't they, Aunt
Daisy?"
"I don't know, I am sure," said Miss Warren, laughing, "but I really
think Winifred had better stay here. You ought not to mind letting Lord
Carresford hear your story, Winnie; think of all the stories he has told
you himself."
"Yes, and remember how kind he was that day on the yacht," put in Lulu.
"If he hadn't come to help us we might have all been drowned. I think we
each ought to do something to give him pleasure."
"But it wouldn't give him pleasure to hear my silly old story," Winifred
protested, blushing.
Lord Carresford insisted, however, that nothing could possibly give him
greater pleasure at that moment, and Winifred, being a very
good-natured, obliging little girl, made no further objections, only
begging that Lulu's story might be read first. So the two little girls
settled themselves comfortably on the piazza steps, and their elders
prepared to listen.
"My story is called 'The Discovery of New Haven,'" remarked Lulu, with
an air of pride, as she unfolded her manuscript. "Shall I begin now,
Aunt Daisy?"
Miss Warren nodded; Lord Carresford lighted a cigar, and Lulu began.
"THE DISCOVERY OF NEW HAVEN
"Once there were two little girls, whose names were Lillie and Violet.
Their home was in a beautiful country place called Haven. Lillie and
Violet each had a pony of her own, besides a great many other wonderful
things, including gardens, rabbits, and beautiful toys. Their father and
mother were very good, religious people, and though they were rich
themselves, they were not forgetful of the poor. They wished their
little girls to grow up to be noble women.
"One evening after Lillie and Violet had gone to bed, and their father
and mother--whose names were Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette--were sitting
together in their beautiful parlor all furnished in velvet and gold, Mr.
Lafayette suddenly paused in the middle of a piece he was playing on the
pianola, and said:
"'My dear, I have thought of a most beautiful plan. Let us go to the
city to-morrow, and look for two little poor children, and bring them
home with us to be companions to our little girls. It is time they began
to learn to make other people happy.'
"Mrs. Lafayette was delighted with this suggestion, and the next morning
they started for the city.
"The scene now changes to a dirty, crowded city street----
* * * * *
"Don't you think that's a nice expression, Aunt Daisy, 'the scene now
changes'? I got it out of 'Tales from Scott.'"
"It sounds a little like Scott, I think," Miss Warren said, smiling, and
Lulu went on.
* * * * *
"The scene now changes to a dirty, crowded city street, where Joe and
Nannie, two poor little beggar children, were busily engaged in selling
matches and shoe lacings. Joe and Nannie were very poor indeed. Their
father and mother were dead, and ever since they were two and three
years old they had been obliged to take care of themselves. They did not
even sleep in a house, but generally passed their nights in areas with
their heads pillowed on the cold stone steps. It was often very
uncomfortable, especially in winter, but they were very brave, cheerful
children, and no one had ever heard one word of complaint from their
lips. They were also very clean, and would often go to the free baths
without being told.
"One very hot day in summer, when Joe and Nannie were standing on a
corner, wishing most earnestly that some one would stop and buy their
matches and shoe lacings a car suddenly stopped just in front of them
and an elegantly dressed lady and gentleman got out."
* * * * *
"Don't you think it was rather poor taste in the lady and gentleman to
be so elegantly dressed under the circumstances?" Aunt Daisy asked, with
difficulty restraining a desire to laugh.
Lulu looked a little discomfited.
"It sounds pretty," she said. "I really don't think it matters, Aunt
Daisy, as it's only a story."
* * * * *
"The children went up to them and asked them to please buy some of their
things, but the lady, with a most beautiful smile, said:
"'Come with us, dear children, and we will take you to a much nicer
place than you have ever seen in your poor, forsaken little lives.'
"Joe and Nannie, wondering very much, followed the elegant lady and
gentleman, for they trusted them at once. When they came to the station,
Mr. Lafayette bought tickets, and then they all got into the train that
was to take them to Haven. The children had never been in a train
before, and at first they were very much frightened, but their kind new
friends smiled reassuringly upon them, and their fears were soon calmed.
"Lillie and Violet were very much surprised when they saw their father
and mother returning from the city with two strange, ragged children,
but matters were quickly explained to them, and then Mrs. Lafayette
said:
"'We will first take your new companions upstairs, and dress them in
some of your clothes, and then you may take them for a walk, and show
them some of the beauties of the country they have come to live in.'
"So when Joe and Nannie had been neatly dressed, the children all went
out together, each rich child holding the hand of a poor one. Everything
was a joy and a wonder to Joe and Nannie, and they had never been so
happy in their lives. They walked a long distance, much further than
even Lillie or Violet had ever been before, and at last they came to a
great forest. It was very beautiful, and so wild that the children loved
it, and they all sat down to rest.
"Suddenly they heard a strange sound; it was the distant roar of a lion.
Lillie and Violet were frightened, and wanted to run home, but Joe and
Nannie looked at each other with shining eyes, and Joe cried joyfully:
"'That is the roar of a lion, so this must be an uncivilized country.
Perhaps it has never before been discovered, and if so we have
discovered it, and it will belong to us.'
"Then Joe and Nannie embraced each other, and they all hurried home.
"When Mr. Lafayette heard of the adventure, he told them that they had
indeed made a great discovery, for no one had ever before taken
possession of that wild tract of country.
"After that they all went to Washington, and the President gave Joe a
claim to the undiscovered country.
* * * * *
"I don't know just what a claim is, but I read about it in a book.
* * * * *
"Then they came back again, and Joe and Nannie took possession of their
vast domain, and because they wanted to show the Lafayettes how grateful
they were for all their kindness, they christened their new kingdom,
'New Haven.' In time they became very rich and powerful, and Joe married
an Indian princess, and Nannie married a great duke."
* * * * *
"You ought to have had Joe marry one of the Lafayette girls," Lord
Carresford said, laughing, as Lulu paused, and began folding up her
manuscript. "It would have been another little proof of his gratitude,
you know."
"I thought of that," said Lulu, "but an Indian princess sounded so
pretty. Now, Winifred, it's your turn."
"My story isn't nearly as nice as yours," said Winifred modestly; "are
you sure you really want me to read it?"
"Quite sure," said Lord Carresford and Miss Warren both together.
Winifred's cheeks were hot, and her heart was beating uncomfortably, but
she made a mighty effort to steady her voice, and unfolding her paper,
began to read very fast indeed.
"THE INDIAN
"Once upon a time there was a little girl named Rosalie. She had an
older brother named John, and she had a father but not a mother.
"One day she was in the garden playing with her brother, when she
suddenly saw a very curious-looking figure coming towards them through
the trees. She paused for a moment in amazement, and then called,
'Brother.'
"'What is it, Rosalie?' said her brother.
"'What is that, Brother? Look at that awful thing coming towards us
across the field.'
"'That is an Indian, Rosalie. Let us run to the house, and tell
father.'
"They ran to the house as fast as they could, and told their father.
When their father came out he said in a stern tone. 'Where is that
strange figure that you saw, Rosalie?'
"Rosalie looked all around, and then said: 'There, father; he is up in
that tree. I see his red blanket.'
"'That is an Indian, Rosalie, coming here to camp. I will get rid of
him. Go into the house, and do your lessons.'
"So Rosalie went into the house and did her lessons. When her father
came in she asked, 'How did you get rid of him, father?'
"Then her father answered: 'I did not get rid of him, Rosalie. He was
John, the coachman, coming home from the village with some red blankets.
Neither was it an Indian you saw in the tree, but only a red heron, and
remember, I do not want you ever again to tell me a thing until you are
quite sure it is true. Now, run off and play.'--THE END."
* * * * *
"A very nice little story," said Miss Warren, smiling approvingly, as
Winifred paused; "I shall certainly use it in my book."
"I wanted her to make it longer," observed Lulu regretfully, "but she
said she couldn't possibly think of another word to say."
[Note.--The above stories were written word for word by two little girls
eight and ten years of age.]
"It has a good moral at any rate," laughed Lord Carresford, "and that is
more than can be said for every story. Are you going in, Miss Warren?"
"I have a little writing to do this morning," the blind lady explained,
rising, and folding up her knitting as she spoke, "and Mrs. Randall is
coming in half an hour for my music lesson. Are you going to the beach,
Lulu?"
"No; mamma thinks it too hot on the beach to-day, and Mrs. Hamilton
doesn't want Winifred to go either. We've asked Betty and Jack over
here, and mamma says we may have lemonade and cookies by and by."
"Lulu," said Lord Carresford, as the screen door closed behind Miss
Warren, "who is Mrs. Randall?"
"Why, don't you know? She's Betty and Jack's mother, and she gives Aunt
Daisy music lessons. She's a splendid music teacher, every one says so."
"I did not know their name was Randall," said Lord Carresford, looking
interested, though a little troubled as well. "They are English, are
they not?"
"Mrs. Randall is, but Betty and Jack were born in this country. Their
father died when Jack was only two, and they were very poor. Mrs.
Randall doesn't like to have them talk about it; she's a very proud
lady."
At that moment Winifred announced that the Randalls were approaching,
and the two little girls ran off across the lawn to meet their friends.
"Jack," said Lord Carresford, sitting down beside the little boy, when
he had assisted in placing him comfortably in the big steamer chair,
"did you say anything to your mother about what I told you yesterday
afternoon?"
Jack's eyes fell, and the color rose in his cheeks.
"N--no, sir," he faltered; "I told Betty, and we decided it would be
better not to say anything to mother about it. You see, she'd be so very
sorry not to be able to let me have the lessons."
"And have you no relations who could afford to help you--no uncles or
aunts, for instance?"
Jack shook his head.
"We haven't any relations at all," he said mournfully, "only an uncle in
England, and we don't know him."
"Don't know him, eh; but your mother knows him, doesn't she?"
"Oh, yes, at least she used to; he's her brother, you know, but we've
never seen him, and mother doesn't like to have us talk much about him,
because it makes her sad."
"What is your uncle's name?" Lord Carresford spoke quickly, and there
was a kind of suppressed excitement in his manner, which surprised Jack
very much.
"His name is Mr. John Stanhope," said Jack proudly; "I am named for him.
My grandfather was General Stanhope, and we have another uncle, who is
a--but, oh, I forgot; mother said we mustn't talk about him."
Lord Carresford rose hurriedly. He had suddenly grown very pale.
"Is your mother at home now?" he asked in a voice so odd and unsteady
that Jack stared at him in growing bewilderment.
"Yes, I think she is," he said slowly; "she's coming over here pretty
soon to give Miss Warren her music lesson. Don't you feel very well,
sir?"
"Yes, yes, my boy, I am all right. I must see your mother, that is all.
I--I think I used to know her long ago in England."
"Did you really?" inquired Jack, his face brightening. "Oh, I'm very
glad. Perhaps you knew our Uncle Jack too, and can tell us where he
lives."
At that moment Betty's voice was heard from the other end of the
piazza. "Here comes mother, Jack."
Lord Carresford turned his head; took a few hurried steps forward, and
then stood still, gazing at the figure of the tall lady rapidly
approaching across the lawn. He was very white, but there was a strange,
glad light in his eyes. All unconscious of the stranger's eager scrutiny
the lady had almost reached the piazza steps before the sound of Betty's
voice caused her to raise her eyes. Then suddenly her glance met that of
Lord Carresford, and, with a low cry, she started forward with both
hands outstretched.
"Jack," she gasped, "oh, Jack!" And then all at once her strength seemed
to fail her, and she sank down on the lowest step, shaking from head to
foot, while every particle of color went out of her face.
Ten minutes later Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Hamilton, who were spending a
pleasant morning together in the latter's room at the hotel, were
startled by the sudden and violent opening of the door, and the
precipitate entrance of Lulu and Winifred, both hatless, breathless, and
almost beside themselves with excitement.
"Oh, mamma, mamma," cried Lulu, flinging herself upon her astonished
mother, "the most wonderful, exciting, extraordinary thing has
happened! Lord Carresford is kissing Mrs. Randall on our piazza, and
she's got her arms round his neck, and is laughing and crying both at
the same time. We don't know what it all means, but we told Aunt Daisy,
and she said we'd better come for you."