第15章 JEWEL'S ARRIVAL(1)

When her grandfather had disappeared,Jewel placed Anna Belle on the seat beside her,where she toed in,in a state of the utmost complacence.

"I have my work to do,Anna Belle,"she said,"and this will be a good time,so don't disturb me till the train starts."She put her hand over her eyes,and sat motionless as the people met and jostled in the aisle.

Minutes passed,and then some one brushed the child's arm in taking the seat beside her."Oh,please don't sit on Anna Belle!"she cried suddenly,and looked up into a pair of clear eyes that were regarding her with curiosity.

They belonged to a man with a brown mustache and dark,short,pointed beard,who carried a small square black case and had altogether a very clean,fresh,agreeable appearance.

"Do I look like a person who would sit on Anna Belle?"he asked gravely.

The doll was enthroned upon his knee as he set down his case,and the train started.

"If she annoys you I'll take her,"said Jewel,with a little air of motherliness not lost upon her companion.

"Thank you,"he replied,"but I'm used to children.She looks like a fine,healthy little girl,"keeping his eyes fixed on the doll's rosy cheeks.

"Yes indeed.She's very healthy."

"Not had measles,or chicken pox,or mumps,or any of those things yet?"pursued the pleasant voice.

"Oh dear!"gasped Jewel."Please let me take Anna Belle."She caught her doll into her arms and met her companion's surprised gaze.

"I haven't any of them,"he returned,amused."Don't be afraid.""I'm not afraid,"answered the child promptly."There is nothing to be afraid of.""I was only going to say,"said the young man,"that if she was ailing I could prescribe for her.I have my case right here."Jewel's startled look fell to the black case."What's that!Medicine?"she asked softly.

"It certainly is.So you see you have a doctor handy if anything ails the baby."The child gazed at him with grave scrutiny."Do you believe in materia medica?"she asked.

The young doctor threw back his head and laughed heartily."Well,yes,"he answered at last."I am supposed to."To his surprise his neighbor returned to the attitude in which he had found her,with one hand over her eyes.

He ceased laughing and looked at her in some discomfiture.Her mouth was set seriously.There was no quiver of the rosy lips.

To his relief,in a minute she dropped her hand and began to hum and arrange her doll's hat.

The conductor approached,and as the doctor presented his ticket,he said,"This little girl's fare is paid,I believe."The conductor nodded and passed on.

"I'm to get off at Bel-Air,"said Jewel."I hope he doesn't forget.""If he does,I shan't,"said the doctor,"for I'm going to get off there myself."The child's eyes brightened."Isn't that nice!"she returned.Then she lifted Anna Belle and whispered something into her ear.

"No secrets,"said the doctor.

"I was just reminding Anna belle how we are always taken care of,"returned Jewel.

The young man regarded her with increasing interest and curiosity.

"Don't you wonder how I knew that your fare was paid?"he asked.

"How did you?"

"I met Mr.Evringham hurrying through the station.He said his granddaughter was on this train and asked me to look out for a little girl with a doll.""Oh,"returned the child,pleased,"then you know grandpa.""I've known him ever since I was no bigger than you are.But even then,"added the doctor mentally,"I hadn't supposed him capable of sending this baby out from the city alone."Jewel watched the kind eyes attentively."So you see,"he went on,"all I had to do was to look for Anna Belle.""And you nearly sat on her,"declared the child.

"I deny it,"returned the doctor gravely."I deny it.You weren't looking.For one second I was afraid you were crying.""Crying!What would I be crying for,coming to have a lovely visit at grandpa's!""I suppose you are in a hurry to see your aunt and cousin?"remarked the doctor.

"Yes,but I don't know them.You see,"explanatorily,"they aren't my real relations.""Indeed?"

"No,aunt Madge is my uncle's wife and cousin Eloise is her little girl,but not uncle Lawrence's."The doctor thought a minute.

"Really?She is a very charming little girl,is your cousin Eloise.

Aren't you going to tell me your name?"

"My name is Jewel."

"And I am Dr.Ballard,so now we are properly introduced."He smiled upon her with merry eyes,and she responded politely:--"I'm very glad you found us."

Arrived at Bel-Air,the doctor picked up his case and Jewel followed him from the train.He looked about expectantly for Mrs.Evringham or her daughter.They were not there.

The little girl's quick eyes discerned a light-haired driver and a brown horse coming around a curve of the pretty landscape gardening which beautified the station.At the same moment Dr.Ballard recognized the equipage with relief.

"They've sent for you.That is all right,"he said,and 'Zekiel,with one side glance at the little stranger,drew up by the platform.

"Good-morning,Zeke.Here is your passenger."He lifted Jewel to her place beside the driver,whose smooth,stolid face did not change expression.

"Do I wait for Mr.Evringham?"he asked,without turning his head in its stiff collar.

"No,Mr.Evringham remained in town."

"Is there a trunk?"pursued Zeke immovably.

"How about your trunk,little one?"asked the doctor.

Jewel produced a paper check."A man gave grandpa this for it at the boat place.""I'll see to having it sent up then."The doctor looked along the platform."It didn't come this trip."He took the child's hand in his.

"I shall see you again before long.Good-by."Jewel looked after his retreating figure with some regret.Her present companion seemed carved out of wood.His plum-colored livery fitted without a wrinkle.His smooth,solemn face appeared incapable of speech.

The swift horse trotted through the village street at a great pace,and the visitor enjoyed the novel experience so intensely that she could not forbear stealing a look up at the driver's face.