DOROTHEA’S RETURN

New Zealand Tablet, 4 May 1911, Page 837

DOROTHEA’S RETURN

All morning the woman had gone about with a smile on her lips, performing her homely tasks with unusual alacrity. She cared not that the late autumnal day was dark and gloomy, with lowering clouds that threatened a snowstorm. Within the home all, was bright and cheerful. Flowers bloomed in the windows. The canary bird poured out his tiny soul in ecstatic song. The old Maltese cat lying on a rug before the glowing open fire purred during intervals of sleepy wakefulness. The woman watched the old clock that had ticked the hours away for more than a ouarter of a century. . Its mellow chime fell on her ears like a paean whose refrain was ‘ Dollie is coming home.’ ‘lsn’t it worth it all now, father?’ she asked a man who entered the shining kitchen, the worry and the struggle to make ends meet?' “ ‘ I think so, if you do, mother,’ the man replied fondly. 1 You made the sacrifices. No hired help, no new dresses or hats, no visits, no anything but the hard work that falls to the lot of a struggling farmer’s wife.’ The woman smiled.' ‘Well, it’s all nast and gone, and no regrets on my part. Our girl arrives at Camden at noon. She will take the electric car and reach home by 3 o’clock. Think of it, father! What a credit she will ,be to us, and I can see the look of surprise and pleasure on her sweet face when she sees the new piano and the parlor carpet. When she was home a year ago last summer, I had the carpet in mind, and found out her favorite colors, pale blue and fawn. I rather inclined to red and green, but Dollie knows. She has splendid taste.’ The woman bustled about the table, and soon it was spread with a substantial lunch. . ( Come, father, I’ll take a cup of tea with you. I've quite a little yet to do.’ The two sat down, the woman still chatting cheerfully. ‘ I’ll have supper about 4 o’clock. The chicken is ready to roast, the dough is raising for light biscuits, ami the cream is chilled for whipping. Do you remember how Dollie always loved whipped cream cake?’ Thee/ both smiled innocently. ‘How long was Dollie in Europe?’' asked the man. .‘Over four months. Miss Thornlev’s health failed n June, but she kept up until after her graduation When the doctor advised the trip across the ocean, her father was so pleased to think that we would allow Dollie as her companion- and friend. Being a rich man, the expense was nothing to him, and the girls had grown attached during the four years at college. Miss Thornier overstudied, and Dollie says she is quite delicate vet, although greatly improved. Do you remember, father, how badly we felt because we could not go to see our girl on her graduation day? Of course we couldn’t afford it, and then came the letter asking if she could go home with Mies Thornley, and from there go to Europe with her and her mother.' Those were lonely days, but now I can see it was for the best. She will be so happy here at home with us. How I have looked forward to this day!’ The woman drew her apron across her eyes, hut her lips were smiling. ‘No one knows how I’ve missed her,’ said the man, his voice breaking a little. ‘ She is all we have left—our little Dollie I’ . ‘ How thoughtful and unselfish she always was,’ said the woman tenderly, ‘Do you remember her first vacation when I was sick? She did all the work and hardly went

anywhere, When I spoke of getting a girl she said; “ ton don't neea to hire anyone as long as you have me.” ‘ ‘ She would do the same again, mother, if you needed it,’ said the man. ‘ What a help she will be to you. Now you can pay those visits you’ve owed for so long, and rest when you feel like it. Dollie is young and strong and better than all, she is willing and glad to do for those who have done for her.’ The man rose slowly, as if reluctant to leave the pleasant kitchen and the dear presence that brightened it Well, mother, I must go and finish my husking. Then I’ll clean up a little before Dollie conies.’ ° The woman hurried with her work. She carried a large cluster of chrysanthemums to Dollie’s room and arranged them in a bowl on the dressing table, filer toilworn hand glided over the snowy_oounterpane, and patted the downy pillows where Dollie’s brown head would rest in peaceful slumber. The old clock ticked away the hours’. At half-past two the man entered the kitchen. A savory smell came rrom the oven. The golden sponge cake ‘heaped with snowy cream, and flaky biscuits, delicately browned, stood on the table. ihe man and woman sat down too-ether and just, as the clock struck three, the electric car that was to bring Dollie whistled at the curve a quarter of a mile away. They rose to their feet, their faces pale with expectancy and unconsciously they drew closer too-ether. A moment later, the car thundered by the crossinits whistle again shrieking like a knell of doom. The two stood looking into each other’s eyes. An ominous hush fell on the room, disturbed only by the loud ticking of the clock. The silence was broken by another whistle, short and ‘shrill twice repeated. ’ 4 The mail carrier,’ said the man, and hurried awn* file came back with a letter and put it in his wife’s hand’ I rom Dollie, he said. Still standing, she opened the envelope with trembling fingers. > ‘Dear, darling motner/ the letter read, £ I want you to share my joy. Although lam disappointed at not being able to go home for a few weeks, probably three 1 am sure that you will agree that my happiness offsets it. i have > often told you of Charlotte’s brother George. For some time I have suspected that he was growing ‘"fond of me, and yesterday he asked me to marry him. He says he cannot wait very long for me, but I would promise nothing until I had seen you and dear father, and obtained your consent and blessing. I know you will like him and as he has decided to accompany me home, I shall not trv to describe him to you. To me he is the embodiment of everything good and noble. Your little daughter’s hapniness now lies in your dear hands. 1 Believe me ever lovingly your The letter slipped from the woman’s fingers and fiuttored to the ground. filer eyes were dry and bright, but the light had died out of them. Her lips drooped at the corners and the weight of years seemed to have fallen on her Don t look so, mother cried the man. file seated her tenderly in a rocking-chair, dropped on his knees beside her, and caressed her cold hands. ‘ After all, mother, it’s only .natural.’ c lt s only natural,’ she repeated mechanically. Y n , d . m 9ther,’ be bent his head to conceal the twitching of his lips; ' even if Dollie goes away, you will still have me. A wintry smile flittered over her lips, and she laid her hand on his bead with a gesture almost maternal. 4 Yes father, I still have you. Thank God for that.’