第54章 JEWEL'S CORRESPONDENCE(3)

Grandpa is the kindest man and he has the most Beautiful horse,her name is Essecks made.He let me sit on her back and give her Sugar.Cosin Elloees is the prettiest one of all.She has things that make her sorry but she is very kind to me.She washed my hare today and she helps me get the lesson.There is a docter here he is lovly.He tried to cure me when I had a claim but Mrs.Lewis did.Cosin Elloees reads S.and H when we get throo the lesson and I think she will be glad Pretty soon and not afrade Grandpa doesn't want her and Ant maj.She won't let me tell grandpa she is kind to me,but I can Explane beter when you come home.

Grandpa's kindness is inside,and he Looks sorry but noboddy cood help loving him.I love you both every minnit and the leters in my pocket help me so much.

Your dear JEWEL.

Mr.Evringham had scarcely finished reading this epistle when Jewel's head slipped on the polished woodwork against which she was leaning and bumped against the side of the chair with a jar which awoke her.

Seeing her grandfather standing near she smiled drowsily."I fell asleep,didn't I?"she said,and rubbed her eyes;then noting the sheet of paper in Mr.Evringham's hand,memory returned to her.She sat up with a start.

"Oh,grandpa,you haven't read my letter!"she exclaimed,with an accent of dismay which brought the blood to the broker's face.He felt a culprit before the shocked blue eyes.

"To--to see if it was spelled right,you know,"he said."You had me do it before.""Yes,I wanted you to then,"returned the child;"but it is error to read people's letters unless they ask you to,isn't it?""Yes,it's confoundedly bad form,Jewel.I beg your pardon.You didn't mean me to see those sweet things you said about me,eh?""That was no matter.It was cousin Eloise's secret.She trusted me."The child's eyes filled with tears.

The broker cleared his throat."No harm done,I'm sure.No harm done,"he returned brusquely,to cover his discomfiture.For the first time he made an advance toward his granddaughter."Come here a minute,Jewel."He took her hand and led her to his chair,and seating himself,lifted her into his lap.The corners of her lips were drawing down involuntarily,and as her head fell against his broad shoulder,he took out his handkerchief and dried her eyes."I hope you'll forgive me,he said."After this I will always wait for your permission.Now what is this about cousin Eloise?"Jewel shook her head,not trusting herself to speak.

"You can't tell me?"

"No."

"Then don't you think perhaps it was a good thing I read your letter after all,if it is something I ought to know?"The speaker was not so interested to discover the secrets of his beautiful guest as to set himself right with this admirer.He did not relish falling from his pedestal.

"Do you think perhaps Divine Love made you do it,grandpa?"asked the child tremulously,with returning hope.

Mr.Evringham was quite certain that it had been curiosity,but he was willing to accept a higher sounding hypothesis.

"Mother explained to me about God making 'the wrath of man to praise Him,'"added Jewel after the moment's pause."If it makes you kind to cousin Eloise,perhaps we can be glad you read it.""What is the matter with Eloise?"asked Mr.Evringham.

Jewel sat up,fixed him with her eyes,pressed her lips together,and shook her head.

"You won't tell me?"

The head went on firmly shaking.

"Then let me read the letter again."

"No,grandpa,"decidedly.

He kept one arm around her as he smoothed his mustache."Is there something you think I ought to do?"A light seemed to illumine the eyes that the little girl kept fixed on his,but she did not speak.

"Do you think it discourteous for me to spend my evenings away from those two?They don't want me,child."Still she did not speak.Mr.Evringham was divided between a desire to shake her and the wish to see the familiar fondness return to her face.

"You wrote that Eloise thinks I do not want her and her mother here.

Her intelligence is of a higher order than I feared.Well,what can be done about it?I've been asking myself that for some time.How would it do to settle some money upon them and then say good-by?""If you did it with love,"suggested Jewel.

"It's my impression that they could dispense with the love under those circumstances."The broker gave a slight smile.

The child put an impulsive little hand on his shoulder."No indeed,grandpa.Nobody can do without love.It hurts cousin Eloise because she isn't your real relation.She doesn't know how kind you are inside."The child's lips closed suddenly.

"She fixed your hair very nicely,"Mr.Evringham viewed the flaxen head critically."That's one thing in her favor.""She's full of things in her favor,"returned Jewel warmly."Error's using you,grandpa,not to love her.If we don't love people we can't be sure anything we do to them is right."Mr.Evringham raised one hand and scratched his head slowly,regarding Jewel with what she felt was intended to be a humorous air.

"Couldn't you give me an easier one?"he asked.

"Oh grandpa,"the flaxen head nestled against his breast and the child sighed."I wish everybody knew how kind you are,"and the broker patted her shoulder and enjoyed the clinging pressure of her cheek,for it assured him that again he stood firmly on the pedestal.