NAN'S SUDDEN RESPONSIBILITY.
With a rapidly-beating heart Nan sat at her desk and opened the large
envelope in which there was a letter and another envelope that was
evidently the one to which Miss Dahlia had referred as businesslike.
"My dear Anne," the girl read, "I am prostrated with grief today and you
will not wonder when I tell you that I was wrongly advised by one whom I
considered a trustworthy friend, and I invested, not only my own fortune
but also Sister Dahlia's in securities that I am now informed are
absolutely worthless.
"I did this, I assure you, with my sister's permission, for, as you know,
she had great faith in my business ability and good judgment. The result
is that we are suddenly reduced to straitened circumstances which will
necessitate an entire change in our mode of living.
"I am indeed glad that our Anne has been able to complete the course of
studies at Pine Crest Seminary before this calamity befell us. There is
one other thing which in this hour of humiliation and grief is a
consolation to me, and that is that our home in San Seritos is in no way
effected. It is in my sister's name and cannot be taken from her."
A blot followed and then with an evidently shaking hand had been written:
"Anne, a sharp pain in my heart warns me that I must cease writing for
awhile and rest. I had intended mailing this letter to you, but,
remembering that it would reach you on your eighteenth birthday and
shadow the happiness which is rightfully yours at that time, I have
decided to place it on your desk and when you come on Sunday, you and I
will retire to your room and discuss the matter.
"As you know, my dear Anne, it is difficult for me to express in words
the emotions that I may feel, but I want you to know how proud I am of
the little girl who came to us three years ago. You have brought a new
happiness into my life and I must confess, that, though my original
thought was merely to Christianize one whom I called a heathen, I myself
have become more sympathetic and loving, more truly a Christian.
"Good night, Anne. If I should be taken away before my dear sister
Dahlia, I will go with far greater willingness knowing that you will care
for her and comfort her as long as she shall live.
"Your loving,
Aunt Ursula."
The postscript had evidently been written much later. The writing was
easily legible. "Anne, another of those sharp heart attacks warns me that
I would better place in your care the money that we have on hand. I sent
Dorcas to the bank this afternoon to draw it out and I have locked it in
my desk; the key I am enclosing. There will be sufficient to care for you
and sister Dahlia for at least a year; after that I am sure that my brave
Anne will find a way."
* * * * * * * *
Phyllis quietly entered the room a few moments later and saw Nan seated
at her desk, her head on her arms.
"Oh, Phyllis," she sobbed, as her friend sat beside her and tried to
comfort her, "how Aunt Ursula must have suffered. If only I had been
here. Perhaps if we had talked it over together, it might have been a
help to her."
Nan then gave the letter to Phyllis to read, and after a thoughtful
moment, added, "I must be worthy of the trust that splendid woman has
placed in me. How glad I am that I will be able to teach. I shall not
tell Aunt Dahlia of the financial loss until it is necessary. She is very
frail and it might be more than she could stand. Come dear, let us go to
her. I do not want to leave her alone."
A week later Nan returned to Pine Crest Seminary and Miss Dahlia was with
her. Mrs. Dorsey had at once visited the Barrington home and had insisted
that her old friend share her pleasant apartment at the school until Nan
had successfully passed the final examinations and had received her
diploma.