The Quest of Happy Hearts Part 2

"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!"

"Hus.h.!.+" 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 pa.s.sed 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.