Through Devious Ways, Chapter I-III [pp. 550-564]

Througk Deviot~s Ways. 561
one is kept in a perpetual round of evening. I have merely brought
sight-seeing and enjoyment-as the some trifles for the little ones. ~Ve
world goes. I could never be con- are great friends. I have become
tent to live this way; and feel dubious quite at home with them during your
as to whether I can find it compati- absence."
ble with real duties at home to re- "So Laura tells me," she answered;
main the promised time. You re- "and they have not been silent
pro ached me before I went away with either. They are very lovable chilbeing low-spirited, Laura. Your pa- dren."
nacea has not proved beneficial. I "I have found them so," I rejoined.
am, if not melancholy, not half so "I suppose they are all three dreamcheerful in my mind, as Fred would ing of Santa Claus at this moment.
say, as when I left you. So don't be But I must be going. Be kind
surprised to see me any morning enough to present my compliments
about breakfast time. Tell the chil- to Mrs. Auvergne, who is probably
dren, Cousin Helen is glad they have busy il~is evening. And allow me to
found a new friend; but"-here the wish you a very merry Christmas."
reader paused; and, after a hurried As I ceased speaking, the parlor
perusal of the remainder, replaced the door opened and the mistress of the
missive in its envelope. house entered, bonneted and shawled
Foolish Helen 1" she said, as for a walk, and accompanied by Fred,
though talking to herself; then, sup- who announced himself a complete
per being announced, there was no- wreck from a frolic in the nursery.
thing more said on the subject "Good evening, Mr. Moray," said
On Christmas eve I called with the little lady cordially. "These for
some presents for the children. I the children? Thank you; you are
had promised fl~em to enlist Santa very kind; they will be so delighted.
Claus in their favor, and waited until You see our wanderer has returned.
I thought they would be asleep to Is she not looking well? Sit down,
bring what toys and trinkets they had you must not go yet. Rather late
told me confidentially would be ac- for a lady to go shopping, is it not?
ceptable. Ushered into the parlor, But I want something down-town,
I did not at first perceive in the dim and Fred has volunteered to accomlight that some one was standing near pany me. ~Ve shall not be absent
the window. The noise of the door long; you must stay till we return.
closing caused the occupant of the You and Helen are old friends, I
room to look round, and, as she did know, and can manage to pass an
so, I recognized Miss Foster. hour pleasantly together."
"Excuse me," I managed to arti- I fancied Helen looked at me imculate in my surprise; "I did not ploringly, as though to say, "Do
know you had returned, or that you go away," and I ventured to remonwere expected." strate.
"I was not expected," she answer- "I am inexorable," was the reply.
ed smilingly. "But I grew home- "You are to remain till we come
sick as Christmas approached, and as- back. Fred, take his gloves; and
tonished them all this niorning at Helen, ring for lights."
daylight. ~Vill you sit down, Mr. There was no withstanding sud~
Moray?" And she drew a chair for- importunity. Reluctantly, but with
ward. as good grace as I could summon, I
"Thank you," I replied, "not this allowed myself to succumb to the
voL. x.-36