sensitive by love and clung to her resolve all the more tenaciously,
though grateful for the motherly words that would have been so
sweet if genuine happiness had prompted them.
Aunt Jane called it romantic nonsense and advised strong
measures “kind, but firm, Jessie.” Aunt Clara was sadly distressed
about “what people would say” if one of “our boys” married a
nobody’s daughter. And Aunt Myra not only seconded her views by
painting portraits of Phebe’s unknown relations in the darkest
colors but uttered direful prophecies regarding the disreputable
beings who would start up in swarms the moment the girl made a
good match.
These suggestions so wrought upon Aunt Plenty that she turned a
deaf ear to the benevolent emotions native to her breast and, taking
refuge behind “our blessed ancestress, Lady Marget,” refused to
sanction any engagement which could bring discredit upon the
stainless name which was her pride.
So it all ended where it began, for Archie steadily refused to listen
to anyone but Phebe, and she as steadily reiterated her bitter “No!”
fortifying herself half unconsciously with the hope that, by and by,
when she had won a name, fate might be kinder.
While the rest talked, she had been working, for every hour
showed her that her instinct had been a true one and pride would
not let her stay, though love pleaded eloquently. So, after a
Christmas anything but merry, Phebe packed her trunks, rich in
gifts from those who generously gave her all but the one thing she
desired, and, with a pocketful of letters to people who could
further her plans, she went away to seek her fortune, with a brave
face and a very heavy heart.
“Write often, and let me know all you do, my Phebe, and
remember I shall never be contented till you come back again,”
whispered Rose, clinging to her till the last.
“She will come back, for in a year I’m going to bring her home,
please God,” said Archie, pale with the pain of parting but as
resolute as she.
“I’ll earn my welcome then perhaps it will be easier for them to
give and me to receive it,” answered Phebe, with a backward
glance at the group of caps in the hall as she went down the steps
on Dr. Alec’s arm.
“You earned it long ago, and it is always waiting for you while I
am here. Remember that, and God bless you, my good girl,” he
said, with a paternal kiss that warmed her heart.
“I never shall forget it!” And Phebe never did.
Chapter 9 NEW YEAR’S CALLS
“Now I’m going to turn over a new leaf, as I promised. I wonder
what I shall find on the next page?” said Rose, coming down on
New Year’s morning with a serious face and a thick letter in her
hand.
“Tired of frivolity, my dear?” asked her uncle, pausing in his walk
up and down the hall to glance at her with a quick, bright look she
liked to bring into his eyes.
“No, sir, and that’s the sad part of it, but I’ve made up my mind to
stop while I can because I’m sure it is not good for me. I’ve had
some very sober thoughts lately, for since my Phebe went away
I’ve had no heart for gaiety, so it is a good place to stop and make a
fresh start,” answered Rose, taking his arm and walking on with
him.
“An excellent time! Now, how are you going to fill the aching
void?” he asked, well pleased.
“By trying to be as unselfish, brave, and good as she is.” And Rose
held the letter against her bosom with a tender touch, for Phebe’s
strength had inspired her with a desire to be as self-reliant. “I’m
going to set about living in earnest, as she has; though I think it
will be harder for me than for her, because she stands alone and
has a career marked out for her. I’m nothing but a commonplace
sort of girl, with no end of relations to be consulted every time I
wink and a dreadful fortune hanging like a millstone round my