One Maid's Mischief Part 64

"I feel quite a boy," he said, merrily. "At least, I should if we were not in such trouble."

"And we are, Henry, indeed," said the little lady, sadly. "I'm afraid I'm neglecting you terribly, my dear; but I am obliged to try and help that poor man, who is completely prostrate; and if it was not for the help Grey Stuart gives me, I'm sure I should break down. Have you any news?"

"Not a sc.r.a.p, my dear. Have you?"

"None whatever. But now really, Henry, what do you think of the matter?"

"'Pon my word, my dear, I don't know what to think."

"Don't say you believe they have had a boat accident, dear. I cannot bear to think it possible."

"No, my dear, I don't, and I cannot believe it," he replied. "Here is the case: For there to have been a boat accident, Helen, Arthur, Hilton, and Chumbley must have taken a boat, and they must have all gone in together."

"Or Hilton may have been trying to carry Helen away, and Chumbley and Arthur, who is as brave as a lion in such matters, may have been trying to stop them, or pursued them in a second boat."

"And a struggle ensued, and the boats upset, eh?"

"Yes, dear," said Mrs Bolter, with a shudder. "Oh, why did you bring us out here, Henry, for such horrors to happen?"

"I did not know that these horrors had happened, my dear," said the doctor, drily. "Let's see first if the boat theory holds water. I don't believe it does."

"Then you think Murad is at the bottom of it?" she said, sharply.

"I'm for and against," he replied. "Let's wait and see. I don't believe, however, that they are dead."

"Oh, no--oh, no!" said Mrs Bolter, shuddering. "I cannot believe that.

I'm afraid it's all due, in some way, to Helen's folly."

"Yes, my dear," said the doctor, "and it has quite upset my intended journey in search of the true Ophir."

"And that's your folly. Oh, Henry, how much happier I should be if you would give up that weakness of yours."

"Sorry I can't, Mary. It's an old weakness that increases with age.

Don't be angry with me, my dear."

"I am not angry, Henry; only you do worry me when you will keep talking about Solomon's ships coming here for gold."

"If they'd come here for gold, and you had been living at the time, they would have carried you off, for you are richer than refined--"

"Now, Henry, I will not sit here and listen to such outrageous flattery of a very ordinary little woman," said the lady, looking angry, but feeling pleased. "You must be a very weak man to have taken a fancy to me."

"Let me be weak then, my dear," said the little doctor.

"Hush!" exclaimed the lady. "Here is Grey Stuart at the gate;" and they listened to the click of the Chinese-made bamboo latch, and directly after, looking thin and pale, Helen's schoolfellow was admitted.

She did not speak, but looked at Mrs Bolter in a weary, dejected manner, that made the little lady take her in her arms, kiss her tenderly, and then place her beside her upon the couch.

"Never despair, my dear," she said, cheerily. "There's always room for hope."

"That is what I have been trying to think for days past," sighed Grey; "but the trouble only seems to grow darker."

"Don't say that, my dear," exclaimed Mrs Bolter. "For my part, I will not believe the story of the boat accident; and I have always this consolation--that wherever that foolish girl may be, she has my brother by her side."

Mrs Bolter felt her cheeks burn a little as she said this; for in her heart of hearts she had not the faith in her brother's prudence and ability to protect a lady that she professed.

She glanced at the doctor, and her face became a little hotter, for he too was watching her, and she felt that he was reading her thoughts.

"I will try and be as hopeful as you are, dear Mrs Bolter; but it is very hard!"

"Bless the child! I did not think she felt so warm an affection for Helen Perowne," thought Mrs Bolter; "but it shows how good a heart she has."

Then aloud:

"Oh, how tiresome! Here is that dreadful Mrs Barlow coming!"

"Say I'm out, my dear," whispered the doctor, hurriedly. "I'll slip round through the surgery."

"I cannot say you are out, Henry," said the little lady, reprovingly; "but I will say that you are particularly engaged."

"Yes, my dear--an operation," whispered the doctor.

"I shall say nothing of the kind, Harry!" exclaimed Mrs Bolter, sternly.

"But she will want to see me, and describe her symptoms."

"Then she cannot see you," replied the little lady, with dignity. "I will take care of that."

Dr Bolter stepped out by one door, and he had hardly closed it after him, when Mrs Barlow entered by the other.

"Ah, my dear Mrs Bolter," she sobbed, kissing her in spite of a strong objection evinced by the little lady. "Ah, my dear Miss Stuart, these are terrible times."

She paused, as if expecting one of those she addressed to speak; but save for acknowledging her salutation, they remained silent. "Have you heard the last news?"

"No," replied Mrs Bolter, quickly. "Quick! what is it?"

"A couple of boatmen have come in just now with some more relics of our missing party."

"What relics?" cried Mrs Bolter, as Grey turned deadly pale.

"They have found some sc.r.a.ps of clothing, I believe, and a hat," said the lady.

"Where? Where are they?" cried Dr Bolter, coming in hurriedly, for he had been waiting by the door in the not very creditable position of an eavesdropper.

"Oh, doctor, how you startled me! I wanted to see you?" exclaimed Mrs Barlow. "I fear I am going to have a bad attack of illness!"

Dr Bolter was saved from a bad attack of Mrs Barlow's symptoms, described to him at full length, by the opportune arrival of Harley.

"Here, Bolter, I want you," he said, hastily; and making his excuses for having to leave, the doctor hurried out and joined Mr Harley in the garden.