Clasping her in his arms with a bear-like hug, he kissed her with a boy’s earnest though boisterous affection, his whole face thrilled with love for his new-found sister.
“This is our father, Jennie—yours and mine,” said Will, pushing her into the old man’s arms. “Don’t be doubting that. There ain’t such another nice old father in Philadelphia!”
She yielded to the old man’s embrace, tears springing to her eyes as she felt his gentle kiss upon her lips.
The warmest congratulations followed. Mr. Leonard was quite forgiven in the joy of this moment, and she turned to him with all her old impulsive affection.
“You only want John Elkton to make you perfectly happy,” he said, smiling. “He is out of prison now, and I suppose is hunting this town over for his betrothed.”
CHAPTER XXV.
CONCLUSION.
A long and confidential interview ensued between the father and his two newly-discovered children. It was not easy for Jennie to take in the fact of her new relations. Such a sudden and surprising revelation naturally troubled her, and it was only by degrees that the last lingering doubts faded from her mind.
There was something very gentle and lovable about the old man, and she felt herself strongly drawn toward him. To Will, also, she had felt from the first a sense of attraction, which had caused her to like him despite his rudeness.
Gradually the belief strengthened upon her that this was indeed her father and her brother, and she grew very happy as she sat listening to the old man’s story of her past life, and remembrances of their dead mother.