Jewels Story Book | Page 3

and knelt before the doll, explaining the situation to her with a joyous incoherence mingled with hugs and kisses from which the even-tempered Anna Belle emerged apparently dazed but docile.
"Come here and get your shoes on, Jewel."
"My best ones," returned the child.
"Oh, yes, the best of everything," said Mrs. Forbes good-humoredly; and indeed, when Jewel was arrayed, she viewed herself in the mirror with satisfaction.
Zeke presented himself soon, fine in a new summer suit and hat, and Mrs. Forbes watched the pair as they walked down the driveway.
"Now, I can't let the grass grow under my feet," she muttered. "I expected to have till to-morrow night to get all the things done that Mr. Evringham told me to, but I guess I can get through."
Jewel and Zeke had ample time for the train. Indeed, the little girl's patience was somewhat tried before the big headlight came in view. She could not do such injustice to her silk dress and daisy-wreathed leghorn hat as to hop and skip, so she stood demurely with Zeke on the station platform, and as they waited he regarded her happy expectant face.
"Remember the day you got here, kid?" he asked.
"Yes. Isn't it a long time since you came and met me with Dick, and he just whirled us home!"
"Sure it is. And now you're glad to be leaving us."
"I am not, Zeke!"
"Well, you look in the glass and see for yourself."
Just then the train came along and Zeke swung the child up to the high step. The fact that she found a seat by the window added a ray to her shining eyes. Her companion took the place beside her.
"Yes," he went on, as the train started, "it's kind of hard on the rest of us to have you so tickled over the prospect."
"I'm only happy over father and mother," returned Jewel.
"Pretty nice folks, are they?"
Jewel shook her head significantly. "You just wait and see," she replied with zest.
"Which one do you look like?"
"Like father. Mother's much prettier than father."
"A beauty, is she?"
"N--o, I don't believe so. She isn't so pretty as cousin Eloise, but then she's pretty."
"That's probably the reason your grandfather likes to see you around--because you look like his side of the house."
"Well," Jewel sighed, "I hope grandpa likes my nose. I don't."
Zeke laughed. "He seems able to put up with it. I expect there's going to be ructions around here the next week."
"What's ructions?"
"Well, some folks might call it error. I don't know. Mr. Evringham's going to be pretty busy with his own nose. It's going to be put out of joint to-night. The green-eyed monster's going to get on the rampage, or I miss my guess."
Jewel looked up doubtfully. Zeke was a joker, of course, being a man, but what was he driving at now?
"What green-eyed monster?" she asked.
"Oh, the one that lives in folks' hearts and lays low part of the time," replied Zeke.
"Do you mean jealousy; envy, hatred, or malice?" asked Jewel so glibly that her companion stared.
"Great Scott! What do you know about that outfit?" he asked.
The child nodded wisely. "I know people believe in them sometimes; but you needn't think grandpa does, because he doesn't."
"Mr. Evringham's all right," agreed Zeke, "but he isn't going to be the only pebble any longer. Your father and mother will be the whole thing now."
The child was thoughtful a moment, then she began earnestly: "Oh, I'm sure grandpa knows how it is about loving. The more people you love, the more you can love. I can love father and mother more because I've learned to love grandpa, and he can love them more too, because he has learned to love me."
"Humph! We'll see," remarked the other, smiling.
"Is error talking to you, Zeke? Are you laying laws on grandpa?"
"Well, if I am, I'll stop it mighty quick. You don't catch me taking any such liberties. Whoa!" drawing on imaginary reins as the engine slackened at a station.
Jewel laughed, and from that time until they reached New York they chatted about her pony Star, and other less important horses, and of the child's anticipation of showing her mother the joys of Bel-Air Park.
Chapter II
THE BROKER'S OFFICE
It was the first time Jewel had visited her grandfather's office and she was impressed anew with his importance as she entered the stone building and ascended in the elevator to mysterious heights.
Arrived in an electric-lighted anteroom, Zeke's request to see Mr. Evringham was met by a sharp-eyed young man who denied it with a cold, inquiring stare. Then the glance of this factotum fell to Jewel's uplifted, rose-tinted face and her trustful gaze fixed on his own.
Zeke twirled his hat slowly between his hands.
"You just step into Mr. Evringham's office," he said quietly, "and tell him the young lady he invited has arrived."
Jewel wondered how this