Books: The Quest of Happy Hearts
K >>
Kathleen Hay >> The Quest of Happy Hearts
THE QUEST OF HAPPY HEARTS
BY
KATHLEEN HAY
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. Plans
II. On the Way
III. A Glimpse of the Tower Room
IV. Plans for the Party
V. Exploring the Forest
VI. Marty and Jerry
VII. Talking over the Day
VIII. The Story of the Tower Room
IX. Adding to the Quest
CHAPTER I
PLANS
"Whoever heard of such a plan--a visit to Land's End! The very name of
the place suggests the last spot on the globe; a great old house set down
on the edge of a forest; and Dad called off on business for an indefinite
period, but seemingly content to ship us on a wild goose chase. He's
scarcely told us a word before of the place or of great-aunt Janice
Meredith!"
Nora's tones were dismal indeed, as she rushed into the living room to
join the other girls to discuss their journey.
She found the group the reverse of cheerful, at the prospect of this
sudden change of plans, by the invitation to go to Land's End for a
visit. "I have spent many happy days there with Aunt Janice and others,"
Mr. Meredith had told them on leaving, "but since your uncle Harry's
death, have been there seldom--some day--" just at that point he paused
with a sigh, and changed from what he had started to say--"Be dutiful and
very loving to Aunt Janice; now there's only time for good-bye."
That was all they knew, entirely too little to satisfy the young
Meredith family!
"A visit to Land's End, what a prospect," Janey joined in sympathy with
Nora; the two were near together in age, while Beth and Alice were
younger. They sat listening to the complaints of the older girls, not yet
having had a chance to express their views.
"Great-aunt Janice may be a lovely old lady," Beth seeing a chance broke
in, by way of consolation; she threw down her story book to join in the
discussion and plans that were inevitable.
The two brothers Don and Harry had gone to the station to see their
father off and so the girls did not know their views as to what was
to happen.
"How can we tell what Land's End is like, it may be a--a--castle!"
"Don't be silly, Beth--you must be reading a fairy tale!" Nora's tone was
scornful, but in a moment she was sorry.
Alice, the youngest of the Meredith's clapped her hands happily, however,
at Beth's suggestion.
"It _may be_ a real--palace, Beth--wouldn't that be delightful?"
"Well, call it a castle of dreams, if you like," Nora began to smile,
"it's no use crying over what can't be helped, because that wouldn't
change the situation; if we _must_, that's settled. Dad has made the
arrangements for us, by accepting the invitation, and there's nothing
left to do but make the best of it after all!"
Janey's face, as well as Beth's and Alice's began to brighten at Nora's
changed attitude.
"Land's End may be far happier to visit than we can dream of," Janey
joined in quietly, "and now we had best get right to packing, for there
isn't much time to lose."
"Could we do a little shopping?" Beth asked, "there may not be any
stores near."
"We can't carry too much though," Nora said, by way of precaution,
"however we must all remember to take Aunt Janice something; it's good of
her to take us all in for an indefinite visit."
"Only six additions of the Meredith family." At that they all began to
laugh merrily, and good humor was restored.
"Would you believe it, I've just begun to think of Aunt Janice's side;
she doesn't know us at all, yet has invited us on a long visit. I just
believe she must be a sweet, brave old lady!"
Janey looked up quickly from preparations--"I'm sure Aunt Janice is a
dear," she said pleasantly, "and I for one am going prepared to have
a good time, and to try and cheer her up. Dad said we must be dutiful
and loving."
"What's _dutiful_?" asked Alice.
Nora laughed. "There now, Janey--explain yourself."
"Well, Alice, I think it will mean for us to be obedient, and respectful
in trying to do everything to please Aunt Janice. I guess that is what
Dad meant."
Beth and Alice looked much happier; the visit to Land's End was growing
more and more interesting, since Nora and Janey were beginning to be
ashamed of their first attitude and trying to make amends.
"There's a song that goes like this," said Janey:
"'I would be true, for there are those who trust me,
I would be pure, for there are those who care,
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer,
I would be brave, for there is much to dare'..."
"I love to sing those words, don't you, Nora? There always seems a lot of
things to _do_ in it, that are worthwhile."
"There are a lot of worthwhile things to follow out in the song," Nora
replied, "suppose we all sing it together, before we start to get ready
for our journey?"
They all crossed quickly over to the open piano in one corner of
the room. Nora had taken music and so was the pianist of the
family. She struck the opening chords, and then they all joined in
singing it through.
"'_I would look up--and laugh--and love--and lift_--" the music died
away, while the girls remained in thought for a few moments. It was Nora
who broke the pause, glancing around on the group who had always looked
up to her.
"I think the words are beautiful," she commented softly--"I somehow feel
braver, when I sing them thoughtfully--'_I would look up_--_and
laugh_--_and love_--_and_--_lift_!'"
"I think I'll take that as my motto to try and follow."
"I would like to also," Janey, too, was thinking hard.
Then they broke up, happier because of the challenge in the song to
worthwhile effort, and ready now to begin the preparations of the
impending journey to Land's End!
CHAPTER II
ON THE WAY
The next day was a busy one for the Merediths, but at last everything
was ready, and bag and baggage they boarded the train and were off on
the journey.
"I wonder what it's all going to be like, really?" Nora and Janey peered
out on the passing scenes, as they sped along.
Directly in front of them were Beth and Alice, and beyond them, Don and
Harry, who felt the responsibility of their position as protectors of the
four girls.
Don and Harry were also speculating.
"I wonder how it ever came to be called _Land's End_?"
"I believe Dad said the land ran up into a narrow kind of neck and so
people, just trying to find a name, made it out of that, I suppose; it
sounds rather mysterious however; who knows but what we _may_ run up on
an adventure."
Harry laughed.
"Well, from its title it sounds rather quiet, but we won't have much time
for speculation, and as you say we may run up on something quite exciting
during our visit to the woods!"
They chatted away merrily for awhile, until almost before they could
realize the distance had passed so quickly, they were at their
destination, while a voice was calling--"all off for Land's End!"
Nora, Janey, Beth and Alice, Harry and Don, sprang to their feet in
surprise, while eagerly peering into the dusk of the outside, to catch a
glimpse of the scene awaiting.
A sudden jolt warned them that the trip was over and gathering up their
bundles they began to pile out.
They were greeted at the train steps by a friendly man, who took them at
once to a car not far distant.
"Is _this_ Land's End?" Don inquired.
"It is indeed," laughed their pilot, "did you imagine we all had to walk
out here?"
"I--I--really didn't know," Don replied, trying to be polite, while
sticking to the truth.
"_I_ thought perhaps it might be the end of the world!"
Small Alice suddenly joined in the conversation from her corner, half
hidden by packages and suit cases; after that the tension was over and
they all talked merrily as they glided along.
"Well, here we are, and there's Aunt Janice Meredith," Nora was the first
to jump out and go forward to greet the small figure awaiting them in a
flood of light, that stretched out in welcoming rays in all directions.
"A very, very warm welcome to all of my Meredith nieces and nephews!"
said the diminutive lady, holding out both hands in greeting.
Alice nudged Beth, her eyes big with excitement.
Their friendly pilot had said goodnight, and slipped quietly away,
leaving them to themselves for the first meeting.
"Come right in to supper, the old place hasn't had such a merry set for
quite a while, and it does my heart good to have you."
The old lady turned and led the way into a spacious dining room, where
the table was set with the daintiest china and gleaming silver.
The room also seemed filled with the softest most musical notes, that
made the place seem to Beth and Alice like fairyland at once.
"Now tell me about your journey," Aunt Janice began, after seeing to the
comfort of each, because she declared, they must really be almost
famished after the long trip.
Soon they began to talk and the evening advanced in an unaccountable
manner toward bedtime, so delightful were the hours of getting
acquainted. When she felt they must break up, Aunt Janice led the way up
the winding stair.
"Good-night, and happy dreams!" she said, with a smile for all the group,
"take a good rest now, and be ready for some good times tomorrow."
"Oh, Aunt Janice, we're already having a lovely visit, and you are indeed
kind to invite us for a stay in this beautiful, old house."
"The more the merrier, my dear," she beamed on Nora. "All of you in turn,
will make the old place far happier than it has been in a long while, and
I shall be much helped by having you here."
"Is it a fairy castle?" Alice had slipped one hand into the old lady's,
as they stood talking together.
"I think I'll wait a bit and let _you_ tell _me_ if it seems like a real
fairy castle, Alice, after you've been here awhile."
"That will be fun," Beth answered.
Aunt Janice smiled.
"Don't you believe in fairies? The fairies I believe in have always been
welcome companions of mine, namely, the fairies of kindness, good
thoughts and wishes and deeds; they drive out loneliness, if you let them
live under your roof. Moreover, the world then seen is brighter because
of their light."
Alice beamed.
"There is a little song that says, 'Brighten the corner where you are--',
I love brightness and light, don't you, Aunt Janice?"
"I believe we feel that way, Janey, because of the One who is the Source
of all good thoughts, wishes and deeds and who said, '_I am the Light of
the world_.' How desolate life would be without the light of His love,
shed on dark pathways to make them shine!"
Nora and Janey looked quickly into the old lady's face. They saw both
sadness and gladness, smiling through.
"I'm sure we're going to love it here," they said impulsively, as they
threw their arms around the old lady to bid her goodnight.
"I'm ever so glad that you feel that way; you may look forward to some
happy hours and surprises, I hope--just wait and see!"
Then Aunt Janice turned, and with a wave of her hand, disappeared into a
room at the end of the long hall.
CHAPTER III
A GLIMPSE OF THE TOWER ROOM
Not even the excitement of anticipation could keep the Merediths awake
that first night of their visit to Land's End, but after a refreshing
sleep, bright and early the next morning they were awakened by the sun
shining through the green blinds that shaded the old castle windows.
Also by Aunt Janice calling pleasantly, "Did you have a good night's
rest, and are you ready to go down to breakfast now?"
She beamed happily around on all the young Meredith's, as they hurriedly
joined her at the top of the stairs.
A little later at the breakfast table she asked suddenly,--"What shall
the program be today; an exploring expedition into the forest--a trip to
the city to shop, or perhaps a ride on the ponies and a visit to the old
castle gardens?"
"Oh," chorused the Merediths--"everything sounds so delightful, it's hard
to choose!"
Aunt Janice's eyes twinkled.
"Perhaps I'd best help you out to begin with then--suppose you explore
the gardens and the old place this morning; then by the afternoon, you'll
be ready to choose what you'd prefer next. I shall not go along, but you
are to feel perfectly at home; go anywhere you fancy--_only_--," Aunt
Janice lowered her voice--"only pass quickly by the tower room at the
extreme west wing--perhaps sometime--," the old lady paused, a sigh
escaping her lips, that she forgot to stifle, but quickly remembering,
brought back a bright smile, as she first led them in family prayers and
then waved them off, bidding her young visitors to have a happy morning.
"What a wonderful old place!" Nora was the first to speak, as they
passed here and there examining one thing after another.
"It certainly is," Harry's eyes were thoughtful. "I wonder why Dad has
only dropped a word, here and there, of it, and about Aunt Janice. I
hardly realized that she was real until we came and saw!"
"It puzzles me, too," Nora agreed, "I keep thinking that maybe I'll wake
up directly and find I've been dreaming."
"And we thought Land's End was going to be the end of everything! The old
place holds a mystery, and I can't but wonder what it is."
The undercurrent of excitement was thrilling to the Merediths, as their
thoughts turned to Aunt Janice's parting injunction about the tower room.
"If there's anything bothering Aunt Janice, I'd do anything to help her
out." Nora was speaking softly.
"Perhaps we can help," Don said, "anyhow we can follow out her
instructions, whatever they may be."
"I love Aunt Janice," Alice joined in, "don't you?"
"She's a perfectly darling old lady," Beth replied, a sentiment that
expressed the feelings of all the Merediths.
A sudden turn in their wanderings, revealed the mysterious west wing and
tower room, that was uppermost, just then, in their minds.
With its clinging ivy that covered the old walls, it looked more
mysterious than they dreamed it would. In another moment, however, they
remembered what Aunt Janice had said, and hurried on by.
"I don't think we ought to look at it even at a distance," Nora remarked,
"because I'm sure that room holds the secret that shadows the old place;
for some reason Aunt Janice isn't ready to disclose it."
"And _I_ believe that Dad would have told us all about the castle if it
hadn't been for the mystery." Janey glanced back over her shoulder as she
spoke, then gave a suppressed scream.
"There's someone inside the tower room," she gasped--"I saw a
handkerchief waving behind the ivy covered window!"
"Hush!" Nora broke in hurriedly, "you imagined that, Janey--probably a
white pigeon has flown in and can't find its way out again."
"Imagined indeed!" Janey's voice was shaking with excitement, "I tell
you that someone is there at this moment, peering through those
overhanging vines."
Alice began to cry softly, while Nora had to turn her attention toward
pacifying the little girl.
"Don't cry Alice, I think it is only a white pigeon that can't
escape, and is flying back and forth to find an opening; there's
nothing mysterious in that; now promise not to say anything of this
to Aunt Janice."
"I'll try to remember," and Alice dried her tears with Nora's words of
comfort, and soon they caught up with the party ahead, and for the time
being the incident was forgotten.
The morning hours slipped rapidly along, but at last they had gone over
the old place and gardens, which stretched around on all sides. With
reluctance they then retraced their steps, thinking perhaps they were
overstaying their time.
Aunt Janice was standing in the door awaiting them.
"Did you have a pleasant morning; and what do you think of the old
gardens?"
"Beautiful" and "Wonderful!" Their exclamations of delight and pleasure,
were quite satisfying to Aunt Janice.
"We're having the loveliest visit, and everything is charming."
The old lady's face was a picture, as she smiled on the group, reacting
to the breath of youth, again awakened in her heart, by these happy
young visitors.
"Suppose it could be managed, would all of you care to make the
old castle your--home?" She spoke on impulse on hearing their
words of praise.
"Oh, Aunt Janice--" Nora replied quickly, "it would seem like the happy
ending to a book!"
"Perhaps it can be arranged then," the old lady clasped her hands
together--"you could have all of the advantages of the near-by city, and
yet we could have a merry time out here in the old homestead, if only
Gwen--" she paused, suddenly remembering, and cut short the words
unuttered.
"Come--" she said, turning abruptly, "lunch is waiting, and I feel sure
you must be ready for it, after the morning hours of exploration."
CHAPTER IV
PLANS FOR THE PARTY
Luncheon over, the ponies were brought out from the stables, and as Don
expressed it, they seemed ready-made for their visit.
The boys were overjoyed as they mounted and galloped away down the long
avenue for a ride; the girls at first being satisfied with a trot around
the grounds on "Brownie's" broad back.
After the delightful day had gone at last, tired but happy they gathered
around Aunt Janice as she sat knitting.
"You must have a fortune growing around the old place on all of those
fine forest trees!" Harry commented.
Aunt Janice looked toward the speaker quickly.
"Well, I believe it is one of the finest in this part of the country; you
may all take a basket of lunch and go out exploring there, if you like,
soon--all varieties of lovely ferns grow about in damp places and you can
bring some back to help make the old place look green and pretty inside,
as well as on the outside, for we must get ready for a party."
"A party--a party--" chorused several voices at once.
"I see the plan meets with approval; all right then; I'll have a good
lunch put up and you may spend the day, and wander around to your
heart's content!"
"How delightful!--and shall we play games, too?"
Alice had come up close to Aunt Janice and placed one small hand in hers.
"Isn't everything going to be just ever so happy?"
"Happier by far than it has been for years, because of you young people
to make it so, and last but not least, we shall have as many games in the
program as you care to play."
The next hour or so passed rapidly in discussing the plans for the party
to be, and all of the Merediths including Aunt Janice, were sorry when
the hands of the old grandfather's clock began to warn them of the
breaking up hour.
After they had separated for the night, Nora and Janey kept on talking of
the delightful hours that they had spent.
"I never dreamed that Land's End would be as beautiful as a dream story,"
Nora remarked, "and I said such cross things about coming at first. I
don't feel that I deserve this wonderful visit."
"You didn't really mean them, Nora; nor did I. I'm sure Aunt Janice and
Dad would understand."
"I hope so, because I'm really sorry and ashamed."
"I am afraid we all say things only too often that are so unworthy;
wouldn't we have much more happiness, Nora, if we would heed the warning
of the Bible to guard our tongue and not to judge our fellowmen?"
"Y--es,--I suppose so. I think this place should be called the Castle of
Delight, instead of Land's End; it would certainly be more appropriate."
"I think so too," Janey agreed. "I wonder if we'll come across any people
living in the forest?"
"I wonder" Janey echoed. "Perhaps the old man who brought us from the
station in Aunt Janice's car. He may live in there, and we might stop and
invite him to the party."
Nora laughed.
"He isn't really old, Janey. I thought him pretty vigorous. Who knows
though, whom we may find deep in the forest? We shall have to ask Aunt
Janice though for permission to invite guests."
"The more the merrier, sir, she said--
While gazing on the tulip bed,--
Come be our flower-guests, so sweet--
And make our party quite complete!"
"I didn't know you were a poetess, Nora! I'm sure Aunt Janice will let
us have all the flower guests we want--from woods or garden."
"The sooner we stop talking, the sooner morning will come again, and so
good-night and sweet dreams, Janey."
But Janey slipped out of bed and over to the window for one more look at
the terrace, white and silvery in the bright moonlight.
"Have you forgotten the mystery of the tower room, Nora?"
Nora brushed back her brown curls, impatiently.
"Come back to bed and to sleep, Janey--you probably saw, as I said, a
white pigeon imprisoned in the room; dismiss the thought, and forget all
about it."
Janey was peering through the open window on the moonlit terrace below.
"I'm sure a white figure went gliding by and disappeared among the trees.
Come quick, Nora, and watch!"
Janey's voice was shaking with excitement, and it was only after several
minutes of remonstrance from Nora that she was persuaded she was acting
foolishly to be hunting up mysteries in perhaps just a passing traveler,
and so gave up and returned to bed.
"Maybe you'll find out I'm right about the waving handkerchief from the
tower room, and also about that passing figure. I think they're
connected, so there, Nora--you just wait and see when the mystery is all
cleared up!"
With that thought foremost in her mind, Janey at last, fell asleep.
CHAPTER V
EXPLORING THE FOREST
Bright and early after breakfast, the Merediths, bidding Aunt Janice
good-bye, started out on their exploring expedition into the forest.
"You may make a whole day of it, if you like," Aunt Janice had said, "and
have a picnic dinner--only be careful."
"We will--" they assented, "and as you don't mind if we stay all day, we
can camp out, and play we're a gypsy band, and have lots of fun."
The old lady smiled. Beth had run back for a moment.
"Won't you be lonely?" she asked, but Aunt Janice thinking of their
pleasure, had shaken her head.
"Not since you'll be coming back to have supper with me; don't stay any
longer than sundown."
"All right," replied Don.
"I nearly forgot," Nora began, "may we invite any one in the forest, whom
we chance to meet?"
Aunt Janice nodded in the affirmative, and at last they were off.
The blue mist across the hills was melting into thousands of sparkling
dewdrops, as the sun began to climb higher in the sky.
Janey looked at the open scenery as they came to the edge of the
shadowy forest.
"I wish we were going to the hills to camp--it's dark in there, where the
pathway is so shadowed by the forest trees!"
Nora read her thoughts, and put a warning finger to her lips.
"Don't be silly, Janey; don't you see Don and Harry ahead? We'll play
that we are all going on a quest, and they will be our knights--there's
nothing to fear."
Janey's face brightened, and Beth and Alice, thinking only of the good
time ahead, danced merrily along the way.
"Wouldn't it be fun, if we found a little cabin, in the heart of the
forest?" Don turned toward Harry to help with the basket of lunch, that
he had been carrying since they left.
Harry's eyes began to sparkle.
"Maybe we will; I, for one, am out on a real adventure."
"We're leaving the mystery of the tower room behind--" Janey paused,
remembering that it was Aunt Janice's secret, after all, of which she
spoke; yet she had not been able to shake off her nervous feelings, even
though Nora had laughed at her fears!
"I read a story once called, 'The Adventure of the Happy Heart.'"
"What a pretty title, Nora--tell us about it."
"The Happy Heart stood for anyone who tried to make someone, who was
lonely, glad, every day or whenever the opportunity arose, on the road of
life, as they adventured along its path."
"What a lovely idea!" Janey cried. "Where did you find the story?"
"In our Sunday school library; it all ended with the heart that started
out to bring gladness into other lives along the way; because every happy
heart in turn, made another happy, and the one who started it, was full
to overflowing with joy, all of her days!"
"Let's try and find someone today on our adventure."
"There's no time like the present," Don stepped back, and pointed
mysteriously through an opening in the trees ahead, that revealed at the
end of a winding footpath, a real log--cabin!
"Oh," gasped Janey, turning to catch Beth and Alice's hands--"maybe it's
a gypsy hut!"
"Don't be a goose-girl," laughed Don, "whoever heard of a gypsy settling
down in one place; they are a wandering tribe."
"We'll be the scouts and go ahead and bring back a report."
Harry and Don started forward--
"Brave knights of old--" Nora said softly, as the two disappeared down
the trail, toward the unknown, in the shape of a small cabin at the end!
"Well, this may be our chance to begin on our quest for happy hearts,"
Nora, her eyes following the boys, spoke again.
"I like adventuring for happy hearts, don't you?"
"So do I--"
"And I--"
"And I!"
"I believe Aunt Janice was the first one on our chain."
"I believe you are right, Janey--" and Nora smiled around on the
group--"we shall count her as the first link of joy on our quest of
adventuring for happy hearts!"
"Lovely!" exclaimed Janey--"I wonder who will be the next?"
"I wonder, too--" Nora replied, as they watched the retreating "knights"
disappearing down the shadowy forest trail!