The Quest of Happy Hearts Part 7

Older of course, and careworn, because of those years of imprisonment among a savage tribe, yet the same! There was not time just then for the story of those years--how he alone survived in the shipwreck where all had been thought lost; of the struggle in the dark waters, but cast up at last unconscious on sh.o.r.e in the most uncivilized part of Africa where he had been a captive through the years. Then came the almost miraculous escape to a pa.s.sing ship homeward bound!

Later, there would be time a plenty for all of the details or as much as he saw fit to tell.

Just a few low spoken words to Aunt Janice, and then he was off to find his mother--and who would draw the curtain aside on that scene?--The years seemed to roll back and link quickly with the present, while the tension broke. Gwendolyn, forgetting in the joy of the moment, the sorrow she had endured, came back to herself completely, and was even as she had been before!

Mr. Meredith, with his family and Aunt Janice, were discussing the wonderful happenings of the day, when into the picture stepped Gwen and her son, adding their happiness to the hearts overflowing for them.

Little Alice stood holding her father's hand, while Don, Nora, Harry and Beth, looked wide-eyed at the turn of events.

"I wish," Alice broke into the silence, "that we might all stay here forever!"

The tiny bright-eyed old lady, her loving heart ashine in her face, looked into the eyes of all of the happy group.

"I'm sure that will be the most joyful way for us to spend the years; there is room and love in abundance for all; let's share them in the old castle together."

The Merediths joined hands in delight at the suggestion. "A home with dear Aunt Janice! How delightful!" Nora voiced in words the thoughts they all would utter--"Tomorrow we must go into the forest and tell Marty and Jerry the wonderful news."

"And bring back the ferns and vines for the party!"

Alice and Beth were skipping around in excitement, that the grown-ups felt, but expressed in a quieter way.

"Isn't it fine that you will be here for the party?" Janey was looking into her father's face as she spoke, softly--"Aunt Janice will be glad for us to show you around."

The old lady smiled her a.s.sent; but just then did not remind Janey of the years he had spent around the old place.

"Even Aunt Janice hasn't met Jerry and Marty," Beth said--"but you will both love them."

"I'm sure we shall."

Then Nora, thoughtful as usual, motioned the others into the next room.

"Let's leave them to talk together," she whispered--"they have been separated so long."

"The mystery of the tower room is gone forever!" Harry exclaimed.

"I _did_ see a handkerchief waving from the window, that day, Nora;" Janey's tone was triumphant. "Wasn't Aunt Janice good to tell us the story?"

"Alice--" Harry paused; for just then, no one felt like reminding her of the broken promise.

"All's well that ends well--" Don remarked, with a wise shake of his head.

CHAPTER IX

ADDING TO THE QUEST

"Aunt Janice--Dad--we're off for the forest again!"

Don stood in the doorway, watching the two deeply engrossed in conversation, as he came up to announce their intentions.

"Don't forget the lunch basket--and remember the wild ferns and greenery for the decorations." Aunt Janice reminded.

"We surely will bring back some beautiful decorations this time; for tomorrow will be the party day!"

Aunt Janice was as happy in her preparations as any of the younger Merediths, and had been busy already giving orders for the bountiful feast, for the whole day and evening was to be one of an entire "gala" occasion.

Gwendolyn and her son, were as merry as two children, helping Aunt Janice with the plans wherever they could.

"How very merciful G.o.d has been!" the old lady said softly, her gaze resting lovingly on the group waiting outside, in the sunlight of another beautiful day.

"Oh, Donald--" she continued, "it seems almost too good to think of you and the dear children, coming to live here always, to gladden the years."

"We should be truly grateful," Mr. Meredith replied, "and it shall be the greatest pleasure to take care of you and your affairs."

Don had waited, not wanting to interrupt, and Aunt Janice seeing him, motioned that he come up to her side. In the happiness that had come to them all, she had not forgotten a plan that she had made for Marty and Jerry's grandfather and themselves.

"I want you to take a message to Mr. Greyson for me, Don--tell him that the manager is returning to his home in the city, and that I shall be glad if he will consider the vacancy, and accept at once if he will. The house of course goes with the position."

Don fairly exploded with the good news, as he rushed on out to catch up with the others, who had gone ahead. Nor did it take them long to find their new friends.

Marty and Jerry with their grandfather, were coming down the trail that led out from the cabin. They saw the Meredith's approaching and hurried forward to greet them.

Nora, Janey, Don, Harry, Beth and Alice, needed no introduction to Mr.

Greyson, for much to their joy, they found him one and the same as the friend who had piloted them from the station, on the evening of their arrival at Land's End.

After the warm greetings were over, Don couldn't wait another moment to break the news.

"The mystery of the castle is over, for our cousin Harry has returned; he wasn't drowned at all, but kidnapped somewhere off the coast of Africa, in the most uncivilized region."

"And--" Janey interrupted, "his mother, who shut herself up in the tower room, is perfectly well again."

"We left them gathering flowers for the party!" Alice began, quickly joining in to have a part in the affair.

"Wait--" Don spoke up again--"I want to give Aunt Janice's message first."

Then, in a rush, it all came out--the words fairly running over one another for utterance, and ending with a glowing picture of the pretty house, nestled at the foot of the blue misty hills, "Please say you'll accept and move right in, Mr. Greyson; Aunt Janice really needs your help at once."

Marty and Jerry stood waiting, their faces pictures of eager expectancy.

The house that Jerry described and of which they had only seen the outside, seemed like a real palace to them.

When their grandfather, without losing time, accepted the offer, their cup of joy seemed to overflow!

He laid a kindly hand on Don's shoulder.

"You may tell your aunt that I gladly accept, and will come to her for instructions at once."