Jewel: A Chapter in Her Life Part 47

The gentleman had observed the doctor enter the house, and glanced idly as he pa.s.sed, to see what child was waiting in the buggy. The half shy look of recognition which he met surprised him. Somewhere he had seen that rosy face. Going on his way and searching his memory he had left the buggy behind, when in a flash it came to him how, one day, that same shy, pleased smile had beamed wistfully upon him in a trolley car.

Instantly he turned back, and in a minute Jewel saw him standing beside her. He lifted his hat and replaced it as he held out his hand.

"We've met before, haven't we?" he asked kindly.

Jewel shook hands with him, much pleased. "My mother and father have gone to Europe," she said "and it seemed as if there wasn't a Scientist in the whole world until I saw you."

"Another proof of what I always say--that we should all wear the pin. I didn't know that Dr. Ballard had any Science relations."

"Oh, Dr. Ballard and I are not relations," explained Jewel seriously.

"I think he wants to marry my cousin Eloise; but he hasn't ever said so, and I don't like to ask him. He's the kindest man. I just love him, and he's letting me ride around with him while he makes calls."

"Why, that's very nice, I'm sure," returned Mr. Reeves, smiling broadly.

"Does he know that you're a Christian Scientist?"

"Oh, yes, indeed. I had a claim, and my grandpa called him to help me, so then I told him, but he kept on reflecting love just the same."

Mr. Reeves scented an interesting experience, but he would not question the child. "Nice fellow, Guy Ballard. He deserves a better fate than to bow down to false G.o.ds all his days."

"Yes, indeed," returned Jewel heartily.

"But, as you say," continued Mr. Reeves, "he reflects love, and so we shall hear of his being a successful physician."

"Yes, I want him to be always happy," said the child.

"Who is your grandfather, my dear?"

"Mr. Evringham."

"Is it possible? Then you are--whose child?"

"My father's name is Harry."

"Of course, of course." Mr. Reeves nodded, trying to conceal his surprise. "And is he a Scientist now?"

"Yes, my mother is teaching him to be."

"Well, I'm sure I'm very glad to hear this. Your grandfather is not unkindly disposed toward Science?"

"My grandfather couldn't be unkind to anything! I thought you knew him."

Mr. Reeves smoothed his mustache vigorously. "I thought I did," he returned. "You spoke of your cousin. I knew your aunt and cousin were with Mr. Evringham now. Well, I'm glad, I'm sure, that you are so pleasantly situated. You must come to our little hall some Sunday where we have service, you know. It will be rather different from your beautiful churches in Chicago."

"But I'd love to come," replied the child eagerly. "I didn't know there was one here. I'll get grandpa to bring me."

"Mr. Evringham!" The speaker could feel the tendency of his jaw to drop.

"Yes, or else cousin Eloise. She helps me get the lesson every day, and then she takes my book and reads and reads. She told me this morning she read almost all last night."

Mr. Reeves nodded slowly once or twice. "Still they come," he murmured meditatively.

"Would you--would you mind writing down where that hall is?" asked the child.

"Certainly I will." Mr. Reeves suited the action to the word, taking an envelope from his pocket for the purpose. "And if I ever see Mr. Evringham there"--he said slowly, "by the way, please tell your grandfather that we met and had this chat."

"I don't know your name," returned the child.

"Why, of course. Pardon me. Reeves. Mr. Reeves. Can you remember that?"

The little girl flashed a bright look at him. "We can't forget," she reminded him.

"Of course," he nodded. "Exactly. I'm very likely younger in Science than you are, little one. How long have you known about it?"

Jewel thought. "Seven years," she replied.

Her companion gave a laughing exclamation. "There, you see. I've known for only one year. What is your name?"

"Jewel Evringham."

"Good-bye, Jewel, till we meet again, some Sunday soon, I hope."

They shook hands, and Mr. Reeves went smiling on his way.

"Seven years," he reflected. "There's the simon pure article. She can't be over nine. I'll wager Bel-Air Park has had its sensations of late.

Evringham! The high ball, the billiard ball, and the race track, and now the reputation of being a difficult old martinet. Never unkind to anything! Why, she's a little feminine Siegfried, that precious Jewel.

Ballard and the cousin, eh? I've heard that rumor."

When Dr. Ballard returned to the buggy, Jewel began loquaciously telling him of her pleasant experience.

"And he knows you, Mr. Reeves does, and he said you were a nice fellow,"

she finished, beaming.

"Very civil of him, I'm sure," returned the doctor as the horse started.

"I distinctly remember his having a different opinion one night when he caught me in his favorite cherry tree; but I don't yet understand the levity of his behavior in sc.r.a.ping acquaintance with the young lady I left unprotected in my buggy."

"Oh, we'd met before in a trolley car," explained Jewel. "I wanted to run right to him when I first saw that he was a Scientist."

"A what? Mr. Reeves? Oh, go 'way, my little mascot. Go 'way!"

"Yes, he had on the pin--this one, you know." Jewel touched the small gold symbol, and Dr. Ballard examined it curiously. "So we smiled at each other, and to-day he's told me where I can come to church, and I'm nearly sure cousin Eloise will go with me."

Dr. Ballard's eyes grew serious as he turned Hector's head toward the park. "I can scarcely believe it of Mr. Reeves," he said.

"He says you are too nice to bow down to false G.o.ds," added Jewel shyly.

"If mine are false to you, yours are false to me," said the young man kindly. "You can understand that, can't you, Jewel?"

"Yes, I can."