THE STRANGE HOUSE AGAIN.
"WHAT does she say?" asked Conway, coming to the foot of the stairs as
Gertrude came down.
"Will you come with me, Conway? I have a question to ask before I can
propose nurse's plan to your father."
She moved to the front door.
"Now?" asked Conway.
"Yes; it will not take us long."
They went out into the darkness, and Gertrude turned towards the
Strange House at once.
"Here?" asked Conway, utter astonishment in his tone.
"Yes; I believe Mrs. Swift will help us."
Mrs. Swift came at once to the door, and, without noticing Conway in
the dark, she exclaimed the moment she saw Gertrude—
"Oh, miss! Such a wonderful thing! My husband has seen a doctor, miss,
and he has told me what to do. It's bronchitis, miss; that's what it
is!"
"I am very glad you were able to prevail upon him—"
"It was like this, miss. There was a doctor's carriage going up and
down for ever so long this afternoon, and I watched it till I felt
nearly frantic. Then I thought, dear miss, of what you had said about
my Mighty Helper, and I did ask Him to make it all plain. Then I went
straight to my husband, and told him there was a doctor outside, and
might I call him in?"
"I am so glad—"
"He was awfully bad just then, and he said yes; so I told the coachman,
and presently in he came."
"I am truly glad," said Gertrude again; "I hope he will soon be much
better."
"I can never thank you, miss, for all you have done for me. As I have
been helped so much in this, I shall go on to other things."
"Yes," said Gertrude, thinking of the words which often ran through her
mind, "Because Thou hast been my help, therefore under the shadow of
Thy wings will I rejoice." "Yes, indeed, you will find it so over and
over."
"It is kind of you to come in, miss—"
"I did not come just now for kindness," said Gertrude, feeling that
her words were binding her at once to the plan which involved her
imprisonment for weeks, "but to ask a great favour."
"A favour of 'me,' miss?"
Then Gertrude briefly explained the case, and made her request, which
was, supposing of course that Mr. Shaddock approved the plan when he
heard it, that Mrs. Swift should lend them two rooms in which to nurse
little Randall, and help her by cleaning and cooking for her, and by
communicating with the outward world for her.
Mrs. Swift ran to ask her husband, and in a few minutes came back with
her reply.
And when she was gone, Conway drew nearer Gertrude, and said in a low
tone—
"Miss Ashlyn, I should like to shake hands. I do declare it is the
kindest thing I ever heard. And considering my mother's state, and
that all of us should have to turn out, nobody knows where, it is an
admirable idea. But it is asking a great deal of you!" He held out his
hand and shook hers warmly. "I feel I have not behaved to you as I
should—not been right down jolly, you know."
Gertrude understood, but she only said, "Thank you, Conway," very
softly. Her heart was very full; for what would Otto feel when he
realized that they should not be able to say good-bye?
Mrs. Swift returned and brought an earnest consent with her. "My
husband said, 'If we can do anything for the young lady that has been
such a comfort to you, let us do it by all means.'"
So Gertrude and Conway went back.
"I wonder if your father will be at home yet?" she said as they entered
their own garden.
As they mounted the steps, a figure stood there holding a beautiful
bunch of flowers.
"Gertrude!" said a voice.
"Otto!" she responded.
"I got half-way home, and then I saw these flowers, and I felt as if I
must bring them to you. I did not intend to come in."
"This is Conway," said Gertrude, introducing him, "of whom you have
heard. I have come home to find great trouble. I must not ask you in,
but—"
"I will leave you to speak to your friend," said Conway as the door
opened. "Mr. Leigh, we are in sad trouble; my little brother has
scarlet fever, and we dare not ask you in. Miss Ashlyn has been a
brick, and has proposed—But she will tell you."
And so what Gertrude had dreaded above all things—the fear of
grieving Otto, and letting him go forth on that long voyage without a
farewell—never came to pass!
In the few minutes in which they stood on the doorstep, he gave
his entire sanction to her plan. And, while making light of his
disappointment at not seeing her again, so strengthened her in what
both felt was right that she saw him finally walk away with a brave
heart.
And as she carried her bunch of flowers to her own room, she could only
remember his brave, cheery words as he parted from her: "Gertrude, we
have every reason to trust our Father!"
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