Books: The Quest of Happy Hearts
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Kathleen Hay >> The Quest of Happy Hearts
CHAPTER VI
MARTY AND JERRY
Don and Harry, starting down the trail, had cautioned the girls to wait
where they were, until they received the signal to come and join them, or
otherwise.
"It may be just a deserted cabin that belongs to Aunt Janice, and that we
can claim if she's willing--" then the boys had hastened on deeper into
the forest.
"Suppose--" Harry began, "that we find that the log cabin, so hidden
away, has something to do with the secret of the tower room!"
"Then we won't investigate, because Aunt Janice doesn't seem to want
us to know."
In another moment, as they came nearer the hut, voices could be heard
speaking inside, and a dog began to bark furiously.
"Be quiet, 'Gem'--down--down--who's there?"
The boys, waiting a few feet away, replied, "Harry and Donald Meredith;
we were just exploring and thought we'd come up and see if anyone was
occupying the cabin, but your dog sounds mean."
The door had opened by this time, while a boy, holding "Gem" by the
collar, appeared.
"Oh, 'Gem' is our protector, you see. Marty and I are alone at night
sometimes, when Grandfather's away foresting; you are from the
Castle then?"
"We're visiting our Aunt Janice; she gave us a basket of lunch and said
we might have a day of exploration."
"Then, we were also to gather greens and wild ferns, for a party that she
is giving for us later."
"How nice!" a bright-eyed girl had joined her brother at the door.
She nudged him quickly as a reminder.
"Why don't you ask them in, Jerry?"
The boy smiled--"This is Marty, my sister--and she's wondering if you
won't come in--see, 'Gem' is quite friendly now, since he sees that you
are also friends!"
Don and Harry stooped to pat the small dog, capering around at
their feet.
"Thanks--" they both replied, "but we left Nora, Janey--Beth and Alice,
behind; they were waiting for us to make a discovery here."
The small girl clapped her hands impulsively.
"Girls--" she cried, "there are girls too, Jerry!"
Jerry looked as pleased as his sister--"Go and bring them along,
Marty--they may be afraid of 'Gem.'"
In a flash, Marty disappeared down the trail.
Nora was watching and came to meet her. She noted at a glance, the worn,
shabby red dress, but neat appearance, of the small stranger of the
forest cabin.
"I've come for you--" Marty began timidly--"Jerry said you were afraid to
come nearer he guessed, but 'Gem' is friendly now--come!"
Nora held out a hand in greeting.
"We shall love to if you'll have us--" she smiled, as Janey, Beth and
Alice joined her.
"We want you all," Marty said at once, and indicated that they
follow her lead.
"This is our home--Jerry and I and Grandfather live here, together."
"How nice! We are all on a visit to Aunt Janice Meredith, and I'm sure
she'll be willing for us to come and see you often."
Marty gave a little gasp.
"The castle must be a grand place to live--but--" she hesitated,--"but
one evening late, we were passing there, and I thought I saw something
white waving from a window--Grandfather said though, not to say anything
about it, but I forgot; he called it, the story of the tower room--Do
you know it?"
She looked inquiringly at Nora, who shook her head quickly.
"Aunt Janice hasn't told us yet, but we know it makes her sad, and so we
don't mean to try and find out, you see!"
"It's a secret, I guess--" Marty continued, "and of course secrets
must be kept."
"We're making Aunt Janice happy again," Beth beamed, "she told us
so herself!"
They had gathered in front of the cabin now, and the boys began to cast
wishful eyes at the lunch basket.
"Let's have our picnic right here under this big tree, if Marty and Jerry
are willing; it's been quite a while since breakfast!"
"Oh, of course--it will be lots of fun to have you," they both joined at
once in the invitation. "We usually wait for Grandfather for awhile, but
if he's too long in coming, we have dinner without him."
"You are to be our guests today though, and the more the merrier,--Aunt
Janice said that of us; let's spread the table."
Alice skipped around as they made preparations, running back and
forth, and helping Marty with tumblers and a pitcher of cool water
from the spring.
Even the Merediths were not prepared for such a feast! Aunt Janice had
everything good imaginable, packed to overflowing, in the basket; enough
and more to spare, even after the hungry boys and girls, had eaten all
they could, with "Gem" to do his part.
"There's not quite enough left for another picnic!" Beth looked over the
table and gave a little sigh.
Everyone joined in the laugh that followed.
"Why, you sound sorry," Nora said, "we'll leave the rest of the feast
for Jerry's and Marty's Grandfather."
Jerry's face brightened, although he began to demur, but Harry and Don
ended the discussion at once, by declaring they would certainly not lug
the heavy basket back again.
"Won't you get hungry though?" Marty's eyes rested on the delightful
things left.
"No, indeed; supper will be waiting and ready, when we get back to
the castle."
"It's beginning to get late, too--we've stayed here so long, since
finding you and Jerry in the cabin."
"Please, don't go yet," Marty began, fearing Janey's remark was leading
up to that point.
"We promised Aunt Janice to be back by sundown, and we haven't explored
very much of the forest," Nora smiled.
"Then you'll come another day," Jerry proposed, "and Marty and I can go
along too; I'm sure Grandfather will be willing."
Another happy hour slipped by, and then the Merediths knew their time was
really up.
"I just wish you could all live here," Marty's eyes were beginning to
look cloudy.
"We'll come soon again, and of course you and Jerry are to be guests at
the party, whenever it comes off."
"Of course," Nora joined in with Janey, at once--"Aunt Janice told us
that we could invite any one we met out here."
Marty and Beth had caught hands at the mention of a party and were
dancing around in a circle. Then Nora began laughing--
"Why, we've had such a pleasant day, that we forgot all about digging up
wild ferns to carry back with us."
"The party won't be for awhile yet, and so after all we'll have a plenty
of time," Don said. "I think Aunt Janice will agree that it's better to
make another trip for them anyway."
"I'm sure she will--" Beth had her arms around Marty, "and you and Jerry
will know where we can find the prettiest ones."
Good-byes were at last over, and they all waved until Marty and Jerry
were swallowed up by the shadowy forest trees.
"Forward--march--" ordered Don--"it's almost sunset!"
"After a delightful day!"
Nora spoke softly, as they followed the trail, that led out of the
forest.
"And, I believe, we've found two more on our quest for happy hearts," she
ended, joyously.
CHAPTER VII
TALKING OVER THE DAY
After supper was over, Aunt Janice gathered the Merediths in a circle
around her, to talk over the happenings of the day spent in the forest.
"What exciting adventure did you have?"
There was a twinkle in the old lady's eyes, and Janey seeing it, knew
that Aunt Janice was wondering what made them forget to bring back the
ferns that they had set out so bravely to gather.
"We truly did have a delightful adventure," they all chorused, in reply
to her question--"and we could hardly wait to tell you about it."
"Let's begin at the beginning."
"Naturally," Don said, glancing over at Janey--"that's the right place
to start."
"--Don--Aunt Janice is waiting."
"Well--we got deep into the forest, when suddenly, at the end of a long
narrow path there appeared a--log cabin!"
"We thought at first it might be a gypsy hut!"
"Don't be silly, Beth--you've forgotten that gypsies wander from place
to place."
"Never mind," Aunt Janice spoke softly--"what did you find?"
"Marty and Jerry and 'Gem'." Alice could wait no longer for a turn to
speak.
"She has climaxed the story before the climax!"
They all joined in the general laughter that followed the youngest
Meredith's remark.
"You'd love Marty and Jerry, Aunt Janice," Nora said--"they are really
delightful, and I'm sure you'll approve of our asking them to the party."
The old lady smiled, as she looked around on the eager faces. She was
thinking of Mr. Greyson, the children's grandfather, who had known better
days, but on account of reverses, had been so reduced, that he had come
out from the city and asked work of her as a forester. Old Peter Greyson
was proud and would have nothing except what he earned.
"Do you know Marty and Jerry?"
"I know of them, but the grandfather is quite a worthy man, and I'm glad
you discovered the children."
"Do you think the grandfather will let them come?"
Beth's mind was on the forthcoming party.
"We shall certainly hope so. I'm sure if he could be made to see that he
is depriving them of pleasure by keeping them so close, he would."
"We'll find him and tell him," Janey planned.
"We had a delightful picnic with Jerry and Marty; that made us forget
about looking for the ferns for decorating."
"After all the party is some time off, and you can make another
expedition to find those."
"I thought you'd say that," and Janey looked lovingly at the sweet face
before her.
"It would have done your heart good to see how Jerry and Marty enjoyed
your delicious lunch."
"To say nothing of ourselves!" Don supplemented.
"Well, you may have another as soon as you like, and I'll be sure to
include the Greyson's next time."
"Land's End is the most delightful place in the world--" Janey threw her
arms around Aunt Janice impulsively, while sudden tears brimmed over and
splashed down her cheeks.
"Why, my dear, you must be all tired out," the old lady began
sympathetically. But Janey shook her head.
"I was thinking that we don't deserve the jolly time you're giving
us--at first when Dad told us of your invitation we--we--didn't want to
come at all!"
Nora looked crestfallen, also.
Aunt Janice seeing the cause of their woe, immediately set their
hearts at rest.
"Why I don't blame you, not even a little bit, my dears--Land's End
doesn't sound a bit inviting, if you don't really know anything about it;
no wonder you felt regretful!"
Janey's tears were quickly dried.
"We didn't know you then, Aunt Janice."
"Nor this lovely old castle and garden--"
"Nor the forest--with Marty and Jerry living in it--"
"Neither did we know that we were setting out, like Nora's story, on a
quest for happy hearts."
"I think that is a lovely quest to be traveling on; how far have you gone
on the way?" Aunt Janice was all interest, as she included the whole
group in the question.
For a moment everyone was silent, then Nora broke the pause shyly--"We
put you as the first Aunt Janice, on the quest for happy hearts, because
you said we had brought gladness into your life. You're the golden link
that began our chain of happiness."
"Quite right--quite right--" Aunt Janice agreed heartily, almost
overcome herself. "But now it's bedtime, so let us first of all thank
our heavenly Father for our happiness and then go to bed. We all need a
refreshing sleep."
For a few minutes they all listened devoutly as Aunt Janice read the
Twenty-third Psalm, after which they joined her in prayer and in the
singing of the doxology. Then bidding Aunt Janice a hasty good-night,
tired out with the day's adventure, the Merediths trooped away to enjoy
the great blessing of sleep and rest.
CHAPTER VIII
THE STORY OF THE TOWER ROOM
Tell us a story, please tell us a story, Aunt Janice!"
"A story, Janey? . . . . What shall it be about?"
"About the old castle in the long ago," Beth hastened to beg, for she
too, dearly loved the story hour.
The quiet moment seemed to have at last arrived, as they all gathered
together on the broad veranda, in the twilight.
The old lady smiled. "A story of long ago! It seems I shall hardly know
just where to begin; in the long ago, there used to be merry parties,
but--" just there she paused, and linked it up with the present--"now
since you young people have come, it seems more as it did then."
Aunt Janice's face was thoughtful, and for a few moments no one
interrupted the thread of her thoughts.
Outside the twilight deepened, and the stars began to shine down through
the rustling trees, in the garden.
"Do you think Dad may get here in time for the party?" Alice's tone was a
tiny bit mournful, and Aunt Janice hastened to dispel any feeling of
homesickness.
"Who can tell? Perhaps he may surprise us at any time now; anyway, I'm
sure he wants you to spend happy days at the old place."
"We are, indeed we are!" chorused the Merediths together.
Alice placed an arm around Aunt Janice's shoulder, and began
coaxingly--"Tell us the story of the Tower room, please." In vain Nora
shook her head, but Alice did not look up. "The first day that we went
through the gardens, Janey saw something white waving from the
window, but we hurried by, as you said, we must. Nora said, it was
only a pigeon!"
Alice had completely forgotten her promise, and dismayed, but helpless to
stop her, the others sat around, speechless.
Aunt Janice's face whitened with the request, but she patted gently the
golden head against her shoulder.
"The story of the tower room is a long one, dearie, but perhaps you
should know it. I shall try and hurry through it. Your own father could
tell you much of those happy days gone by; Harry, his brother, and senior
by a good many years, married Gwendolyn Arlington, and they had one son,
beloved by his parents to almost a painful degree. When he was about
sixteen years old perhaps, he insisted that the only thing that he wanted
to do, was to go to sea, and although it almost broke his mother's heart,
they gave in to his whim. With his departure, the life of the old place
also seemed to go.
"In just a few months after that, a report was received that the vessel
on which he had gone was lost with all the crew and passengers.
"After the terrible news, your Aunt Gwen's health failed, and she lost
interest in everything; finally after the death of your uncle Harry, she
went into a complete melancholy, and retired to the seclusion of the
tower room, with an attendant. In all of these seven years since the
tragedy, she has remained there; only at night sometimes, she wanders
around the old gardens. Perhaps if Janey hadn't seen the handkerchief
waving from the window, I should never have told the sad story of the
tower room!
"The seasons have come and gone quietly since then, but this year I could
stand it no longer. I had long wanted to see all of you dear nieces and
nephews, and wrote asking your father's permission to have you for a
long visit.
"He consented, and wrote of his business call that came just about the
same time. He has come by to see me now and then, but for this same
feeling of gloom that it has cast over the place he has never told you
the sad story either, nor had we planned your coming before for the
same reason."
Aunt Janice drew a breath of relief, as though after all in the telling a
burden had rolled away.
The rustling trees broke the surrounding stillness, then the tinkling of
a silvery bell at the gate.
"Who could be out on a visit so late?" The old lady peered through the
shadows, as two figures advanced. The light streaming out from the hall
revealed Donald Meredith and his brother Harry's son, supposed to have
been lost seven years before!
The Meredith's sprang forward to greet their father, while Aunt Janice,
the story warm on her lips that she had just been telling, sat quite
still, scarcely believing what her eyes saw.
"Welcome, Donald--and--can it really be, or am I dreaming?"
She stretched out her arms, while the stalwart form of Harry and
Gwendolyn's son walked straight into the shelter of their love.
Older of course, and careworn, because of those years of imprisonment
among a savage tribe, yet the same! There was not time just then for the
story of those years--how he alone survived in the shipwreck where all
had been thought lost; of the struggle in the dark waters, but cast up at
last unconscious on shore in the most uncivilized part of Africa where he
had been a captive through the years. Then came the almost miraculous
escape to a passing ship homeward bound!
Later, there would be time a plenty for all of the details or as much as
he saw fit to tell.
Just a few low spoken words to Aunt Janice, and then he was off to find
his mother--and who would draw the curtain aside on that scene?--The
years seemed to roll back and link quickly with the present, while the
tension broke. Gwendolyn, forgetting in the joy of the moment, the sorrow
she had endured, came back to herself completely, and was even as she had
been before!
Mr. Meredith, with his family and Aunt Janice, were discussing the
wonderful happenings of the day, when into the picture stepped Gwen and
her son, adding their happiness to the hearts overflowing for them.
Little Alice stood holding her father's hand, while Don, Nora, Harry and
Beth, looked wide-eyed at the turn of events.
"I wish," Alice broke into the silence, "that we might all stay
here forever!"
The tiny bright-eyed old lady, her loving heart ashine in her face,
looked into the eyes of all of the happy group.
"I'm sure that will be the most joyful way for us to spend the years;
there is room and love in abundance for all; let's share them in the old
castle together."
The Merediths joined hands in delight at the suggestion. "A home with
dear Aunt Janice! How delightful!" Nora voiced in words the thoughts they
all would utter--"Tomorrow we must go into the forest and tell Marty and
Jerry the wonderful news."
"And bring back the ferns and vines for the party!"
Alice and Beth were skipping around in excitement, that the grown-ups
felt, but expressed in a quieter way.
"Isn't it fine that you will be here for the party?" Janey was looking
into her father's face as she spoke, softly--"Aunt Janice will be glad
for us to show you around."
The old lady smiled her assent; but just then did not remind Janey of
the years he had spent around the old place.
"Even Aunt Janice hasn't met Jerry and Marty," Beth said--"but you will
both love them."
"I'm sure we shall."
Then Nora, thoughtful as usual, motioned the others into the next room.
"Let's leave them to talk together," she whispered--"they have been
separated so long."
"The mystery of the tower room is gone forever!" Harry exclaimed.
"I _did_ see a handkerchief waving from the window, that day,
Nora;" Janey's tone was triumphant. "Wasn't Aunt Janice good to
tell us the story?"
"Alice--" Harry paused; for just then, no one felt like reminding her of
the broken promise.
"All's well that ends well--" Don remarked, with a wise shake of his
head.
CHAPTER IX
ADDING TO THE QUEST
"Aunt Janice--Dad--we're off for the forest again!"
Don stood in the doorway, watching the two deeply engrossed in
conversation, as he came up to announce their intentions.
"Don't forget the lunch basket--and remember the wild ferns and greenery
for the decorations." Aunt Janice reminded.
"We surely will bring back some beautiful decorations this time; for
tomorrow will be the party day!"
Aunt Janice was as happy in her preparations as any of the younger
Merediths, and had been busy already giving orders for the bountiful
feast, for the whole day and evening was to be one of an entire
"gala" occasion.
Gwendolyn and her son, were as merry as two children, helping Aunt
Janice with the plans wherever they could.
"How very merciful God has been!" the old lady said softly, her gaze
resting lovingly on the group waiting outside, in the sunlight of another
beautiful day.
"Oh, Donald--" she continued, "it seems almost too good to think of you
and the dear children, coming to live here always, to gladden the years."
"We should be truly grateful," Mr. Meredith replied, "and it shall be the
greatest pleasure to take care of you and your affairs."
Don had waited, not wanting to interrupt, and Aunt Janice seeing him,
motioned that he come up to her side. In the happiness that had come to
them all, she had not forgotten a plan that she had made for Marty and
Jerry's grandfather and themselves.
"I want you to take a message to Mr. Greyson for me, Don--tell him that
the manager is returning to his home in the city, and that I shall be
glad if he will consider the vacancy, and accept at once if he will. The
house of course goes with the position."
Don fairly exploded with the good news, as he rushed on out to catch up
with the others, who had gone ahead. Nor did it take them long to find
their new friends.
Marty and Jerry with their grandfather, were coming down the trail that
led out from the cabin. They saw the Meredith's approaching and hurried
forward to greet them.
Nora, Janey, Don, Harry, Beth and Alice, needed no introduction to Mr.
Greyson, for much to their joy, they found him one and the same as the
friend who had piloted them from the station, on the evening of their
arrival at Land's End.
After the warm greetings were over, Don couldn't wait another moment to
break the news.
"The mystery of the castle is over, for our cousin Harry has returned;
he wasn't drowned at all, but kidnapped somewhere off the coast of
Africa, in the most uncivilized region."
"And--" Janey interrupted, "his mother, who shut herself up in the tower
room, is perfectly well again."
"We left them gathering flowers for the party!" Alice began, quickly
joining in to have a part in the affair.
"Wait--" Don spoke up again--"I want to give Aunt Janice's message
first."
Then, in a rush, it all came out--the words fairly running over one
another for utterance, and ending with a glowing picture of the pretty
house, nestled at the foot of the blue misty hills, "Please say you'll
accept and move right in, Mr. Greyson; Aunt Janice really needs your
help at once."
Marty and Jerry stood waiting, their faces pictures of eager expectancy.
The house that Jerry described and of which they had only seen the
outside, seemed like a real palace to them.
When their grandfather, without losing time, accepted the offer, their
cup of joy seemed to overflow!
He laid a kindly hand on Don's shoulder.
"You may tell your aunt that I gladly accept, and will come to her for
instructions at once."
The whole group who had been perfectly quiet as they waited, now broke
into a jubilee of merriment.
"We're going to live with Aunt Janice--always," Beth said,--"isn't that
delightful?"
"Quite delightful," Peter Greyson replied, as he looked round on the
group. "We have these young visitors to the castle to thank for our part
of the good times, because they found you, Marty and Jerry, away out here
in the forest."
"We were out on an adventure--" Nora's eyes were shining, "a happiness
quest, to find someone to whom we might bring happiness. I read a story
once like that, and we decided to go on this same quest."
Marty clapped her hands gleefully--
"You've brought happiness to three of us today, and in a way to 'Gem' and
the kitten and the cat, too! Can we move today, grandfather?"
Mr. Greyson, smiled down on his enthusiastic young granddaughter, with a
shake of his head.
"I must go up to the castle first, and make all arrangements with Miss
Meredith. I think that it will be best for me to see her, Don, and so I
shall give her the answer before you get there--then, you may start to
pack up things and get ready for the move, Marty. I'll leave you young
folks to gather the greens for the party tomorrow, and have your picnic
together afterwards."
"We will start to hunt them right away," Harry began, taking out his
trowel, "because there's so much to do and we must make a beginning on
our part, so all will be ready on time."
"Aunt Janice says the cake will be the biggest the old kitchen has ever
had baked."
"With the whitest, loveliest icing," Alice supplemented.
Everyone joined in the general laughter that followed Alice's speech.
With a smile, then, Mr. Greyson was off down the trail that led out of
the forest and on toward the castle beyond.
Marty accompanied him for a short way along the path, her hand clasping
his tightly, and Jerry remembering that he had forgotten to ask his
grandfather something of importance, followed, to speak a word and return
with Marty.
The Merediths waited in a group, until they returned to start to gather
decorations.
"The chain of happiness for others, as well as for ourselves, is
really growing," she began, her eyes following the three figures in
the distance.
"Oh, Nora--" Janey said, "let's always try to keep on finding hearts that
need happiness."
"Let's--" Beth agreed, and all of the others joined in accord in the
lovely plan, that they had made theirs.
"Dear Aunt Janice started it all by inviting us on a visit to the castle;
now it's growing beautifully."
"Because, you see, we are on a quest of happiness for others; our dear
heavenly Father undoubtedly blessed such a quest, for He wants happy
hearts. Only let us not forget that hearts must know our dear Lord Jesus
to be crowned with happiness."