CHAPTER IX.

CHARLOTTE'S 'FANCY.'

APA, I do believe that is Ethel! yes, I am sure it is!' exclaimed Guy Linton, who, with Percy, had accompanied their father to the railway terminus at Beckworth to meet Ethel: and as he spoke, he darted forward, and flinging open the door of the second class carriage, sprang in, and saluted his sister with a hearty kiss.

Mr Linton's welcome, if quieter, was equally cordial: but he had not much time to spare for talking then, as the train that was to convey them to Oakley was on the point of starting.

May and Gertie were on the look out at home; and on the first glimpse they caught of Ethel, both ran down the gravel walk, trying | which could be the first to meet her. And then, when they brought her into the house, the little ones crowded round, and such a hubbub there was to be sure! every one talking at once, and even baby Lena, as she danced up and down in Charlotte's arms, must add her crowing to the general noise. But Ethel soon disengaged herself from them all, and ran upstairs to her mamma's room.

Mrs Linton was sitting by the window, wrapped up in a shawl: she half rose eagerly as Ethel came and knelt down beside her, and throwing her arms round her child, clasped her in a close embrace.

'My darling, I am very glad to have you back: we have all missed you sadly.'

'And I am glad to come, dear mamma.' Ethel could with truth say so now for if she had bid good bye to Feversham with feelings of regret, the warmth of her welcome home had driven them away-at least for the present.

And you left your aunt well, Ethel? my darling sister!'

'Oh, yes: and she has given me such lots of loving messages for you, mother, that I think we must put them off until to-morrow, or I shall tire you to-night.'

'You must be tired yourself, Ethel, after your long journey: I have told Charlotte to have a good tea for you. But tell me one thing before you go. Have you seen my mother? is there any hope of forgiveness?'

Mrs Linton waited eagerly for the answer: and for the first time Ethel regretted that it could not be a favourable one.

'Dearest mamma,' she said, soothingly, 'do not trouble yourself about it: grandmamma

was not at Feversham, she was only returning to-day.'

'To-day! and you did not wait to see her! oh, Ethel!"

I could not, mamma. You know papa wrote for me to return to-day: besides, if I had waited, I could have done no good.'

'I know, my child. I was unreasonable to expect it; but I hoped against hope. I shall never see my precious mother more.'

Mrs Linton shed no tears as she said this, but the words were spoken in a despairing tone, that went to Ethel's heart. She soothed her mother as well as she could, and when she left her, Mrs Linton was apparently calm. Ethel went to her own room with her feelings more bitter than ever against Mrs Feversham.

The party were assembled at the tea-table when she went down again: and Ethel was amused to see the womanly way in which May presided, and the care with which she prepared her mother's repast and carried it up to her. It was a merry party, and Mr Linton did not check the cheerful mirth around him; he even occasionally took part in it himself: but when the meal was over, the overflow of spirits had to be controlled, for lessons must be prepared for the next day: so the four elder children had to set to work-somewhat unwillingly, it must be confessed.

Ethel meanwhile returned to her mother. Little Katie begged to go with her: she would be very quiet and good if she might only lie in Ethel's lap and look at her; so Ethel consented.

'You darling sister!' said the child, squeezing her hand. I am so glad to have you back; it hardly seemed home without you. I love you so very dearly.'

'So you have missed me, my pet,' replied Ethel, as she kissed her tenderly.

For the next hour Ethel sat by her mother's side talking to her of Feversham; and Mrs Linton listened eagerly, for it was a subject of which she could never weary. Half forgotten memories seemed to return in all their freshness, as Ethel spoke of people and things which had been so familiar in her early days; and they would have sat there much longer, had not Charlotte come to see after her patient, and playfully forbid Ethel talking any more. she went away, lest the temptation should prove too much for both.

So

Outside the door of her mother's room she met with Guy, who, having finished his lessons was waiting eagerly for her. He took her up to the spare attic next to the nursery, which in summer the boys used for their workshop. Percy was already there.

'Look here, Ethel,' exclaimed Guy, 'this is

what I brought you for: some good fairy has sent us this, while you have been away;' and he opened the lid of a large box, and displayed to view a quantity of tools. 'Here is everything we can possibly want, is there not, Percy? and I am dying of curiosity to know where they have come from.'

Ethel smiled; she thought she could have enlightened them, but she kept her own counsel. 'Don't trouble your head about that,' said Percy, going on steadily with his work: you can finish your ship now, and that is all you need care for.'

'Oh, it is all very well for you to talk, Percy; you are as cool as a cucumber about everything; but that is not me. I wonder and wonder who can possibly know enough of us to have sent it. Ethel, cannot you help me to find it out?'

Are you quite sure there was no name with it?'

'No, only this:' and he produced the card on which the address was written. I unnailed it from the lid, and was rewarded for my trouble by finding this on the other side, "For | Guy and Percy Linton, from an unknown friend." I should like to know who that can be.'

I suppose your friend wishes to remain unknown, Guy, so I would not try any more to find out. It is a very useful present, so pray enjoy it, as Percy is doing.'

Papa seemed quite angry when it came, Ethel: I do believe he would have sent it back, only the best of it was, that he did not know where to send it. I daresay he thought the Fevershams had something to do with it: as if they would trouble their heads about us!'

'Do not speak ill of the Fevershams, Guy!' exclaimed Ethel, with a quick movement of

annoyance.

What! have you come home one of them? if you have, you won't suit рара, I can tell you: he did not half like your being there, I am sure, Ethel.'

'My aunt and uncle have been most kind to me, and I love them dearly,' cried Ethel, warmly; and at least I have learnt not to speak evil of one's relations, whatever one may think."

'If you loved work as much as you do the sound of your own voice, Guy,' remarked Percy, 'your ship would have been finished by this time.'

Oh, I am not going to work to-night; Ethel has only just come home. Come, Ethel, let us have a stroll in the garden; it is a splendid evening.'

bent over his work, was startled by the light touch of her hand on his shoulder. He raised his head, and threw back the hair that hung over his forehead, rather wearily.

'Percy, will you not come with us? you are not too busy, are you?'

'Busy, no!' he exclaimed, as he threw down his knife; but you and Guy will not care for a slow humdrum fellow like me.'

'Nonsense, Percy; if you are slow, you are persevering; I have heard papa say that hundreds of times. And as for not caring to have you-you don't think that, I am sure.'

'Indeed I do,' replied Percy, earnestly: 'I often think I am better here out of the way of everybody.'

6

You are here far too much, and run a good chance of being moped to death,' replied Ethel, laughing. Hark! there is that impatient Guy calling: he won't wait much longer; so come, Percy.'

She took his arm, and Percy rose and went with her.

For the next hour Ethel wandered up and down between her brothers, enjoying the walk more than she had thought possible: for they were discussing how pretty the garden might be if it were only cared for a little more: and they laid it out in imagination, so as to make quite a tasteful little garden of it. Guy was all eagerness to begin upon it; and this new idea drove away for a time the reigning one of ships and boats.

'Ethel,' said Percy earnestly, as they entered the house again, ‘do you really wish to have the garden as we have planned it?'

Ethel replied that she did wish it very much; and Percy resolved that as far as he had the power, it should be no longer neglected.

It was scarcely ten o'clock when Ethel sought her room; and the long twilight of the June evening had not faded out of the sky. She put out her light, and sitting down by the window, leaned her elbows on the frame; and burying her face in her hands, gave herself up to thinking.

And her thoughts wandered back to Feversham; and she pictured how her friends would be going on. They would most likely be at prayers then, she thought, and then Rosalie would bid her parents good night and retire: and Ethel almost wished she too could receive the warm, affectionate kiss of her aunt; and the grave but no less kind one of her uncle, ere she was dismissed for the night. Then she wondered if Rosalie would miss her, and the few loving sisterly words with which they had always parted at the door of Ethel's room.

From these thoughts Ethel passed to others

A few minutes later, and Ethel again stood in her brothers' workshop; and Percy, as he

that she had indeed gained some good during her ten weeks' absence: and as she sat there, she resolved that she would strive as much as lay in her power to make her own dear home like the home she had left.

At this point in her meditations, she was roused by a very gentle tap at the door breaking in upon the stillness of the night; she did

not answer, and it was not repeated; but the door softly opened, and Charlotte entered, closing it after her. She came forward with a quick, light step.

Miss Ethel, I was afraid I should find you so,' she said, in a low voice, so as not to disturb little Katie.

I am not sleepy, Charlotte; so it is of no use going to bed. Come and sit down and talk to me.'

The old servant put her arms round her favourite, and pressed a hearty kiss upon her cheek.

Miss Ethel dear, you are almost too old for me to take the liberty; but it is so pleasant to have you home again; the house hasn't seemed like itself without you.'

Every one seems glad to see me back, I think,' was Ethel's reply.

6

But you are not altogether glad to come, Miss Ethel. I could see that in the glance you gave round the parlour, when you first came in.' Ethel coloured, but Charlotte did not notice it in the fast waning light.

'It did look so very different from my aunt's rooms,' she said, 'that I could not help feeling it just at first; but I shall soon get used to it. But I want to know, Charlotte, what you think about mamma? it seems to me as if this is a worse attack than any she has had; do you think she is really worse?'

'Oh, no, I hope not, Miss Ethel. She has been wearying herself rather for want of you, I think; that is all. You need not make yourself uneasy about your mamma, Miss Ethel.'

About whom then?' asked Ethel; for the tone of Charlotte's voice was so peculiar, that she thought she must mean some thing.

"The little lamb that lies yonder,' replied Charlotte, pointing towards the bed.

"Who? Katie?' exclaimed Ethel, with a sudden pang; 'Oh, you know she has always been delicate, Charlotte; I did not see any difference in her.'

'No; because those who love her best, won't see it; but I see it, Miss Ethel.'

See what, Charlotte?' asked Ethel, almost impatiently, in the sudden fear which Charlotte's words had caused.

"That our little darling cannot bear the cold breath of the world, and that the Saviour will soon take her to the shelter of His arms,' was Charlotte's solemn reply.

Ethel was silent for a minute or two: then

she said resolutely, You are fancying this, Charlotte. Katie is not strong, I know; but she has grown fast, that is all.'

'Well, Miss Ethel; I can't make you see with my eyes, nor hear with my ears; and I have not mentioned this to any one else; but I do think the little one is fading away before our eyes. Aye, and she is fast ripening for heaven too, with her wise sayings, and her questions that it would puzzle many an upgrown person to answer. I have seen it once before, Miss Ethel, in my own little sister; and I don't think I am mistaken. Jesus has put

His love deep down in that little heart, because He is so early going to take her to His bosom.'

But Ethel would not think it. Of all the little ones Katie was the dearest to her eldest sister-perhaps because she had needed the most care and protection-and she was almost angry at the very thought of losing her. But she would not believe it; it was only one of Charlotte's odd ideas, and it would soon pass away. As Ethel did not answer, Charlotte spoke again.

'Perhaps I have been wrong to tell you this, Miss Ethel; and you only just come home. But I felt as if I must tell somebody; and the master and the mistress were both out of the question the knowledge will come soon enough to them.'

Why, really, Charlotte, how oddly you talk! You forget that papa consulted Dr Wilmot about her only just before I left; and he said there was nothing the matter with her, and she would grow stronger in time.'

'I know,' was all Charlotte's reply. 'Miss Ethel,' she continued, after a pause, in quite a different tone, you ought to have been in bed long since, and here I am talking still; I must go now. But promise me, dear, you won't think any more; if mamma had been here to look after you, you would have been asleep by this.'

Ethel rose with something of her old dignity of manner.

I have been accustomed to sit up as long as I please of late, Charlotte.'

Forgive me, Miss Ethel, if I have gone too You must put it down to the pleasure of having you home again to talk to.'

far.

I should have thought you would be glad to be rid of such a wayward, ill-tempered girl as I am, Charlotte,' said Ethel, with sudden compunction.

The old servant stretched out her hand: she did not clasp Ethel in her arms again, as affection prompted.

Miss Ethel, my darling, I could not love you more dearly if you were my own child: and as for the temper-we are all proud of your Feversham temper, Miss Ethel.'

Proud of it! oh, no,' exclaimed Ethel; but she said no more, and Charlotte bid her good night, and went away.

When she was again alone there came back to Ethel what Charlotte had said about Katie. She did not believe it-she would not; but it was with a sort of aching at her heart that she lighted her candle, and went up to the bed where her little sister lay, in the calm sleep of childhood. To Ethel's eyes she looked the same as she had always done; the delicate colour shone on her fair cheek, and the little white hand, as it lay on the counterpane, looked thin and worn, but then it had always done that. Ethel could see no difference; so with youth's natural aversion to sorrow, she threw from her the sudden fear which Charlotte's words had caused, as tired and weary with the day's excitement, she lay down by Katie's side.

(To be continued.)