Suddenly there was a rush of tears in the violet eyes, and impulsively leaning her cheek against her pony’s head, Virginia said with a little half sob, “Oh Comrade, I don’t believe after all that I really care for Peyton as much as I should, for I can’t bear the thought of leaving my very own home where Mother and Dad were so happy and where I have been so loved. I can’t think of any other girl I would want there, but just Margaret, and, of course, she would want to go with me.”
Then looking up with a smile that flashed through the tears she held out her arms to the shining sky. “Little Mother,” she said softly, as though she were really addressing someone, “I am forgetting that you told me to let my life blossom as quietly and trustingly as a flower unfolds, knowing that the right thing will come at the right time.” Then again the girl ruminated, “How topsy-turvy would be this universe of ours if the flowers said to themselves, ‘Dear me, I wonder now if I’d better open up my petals to the sun; no telling how soon clouds may come and my bloom spoiled in a storm.’
“Comrade, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to trust, and let my life blossom as it will. What would Brother Malcolm think if he knew that I am trying to marry him to someone whom as yet he doesn’t know?” Then as the canon trail had been reached, Virg turned her pony’s head that way and slowly began the ascent.
CHAPTER XXXII
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
It was Peter Wallace who first saw the approaching visitor. Instantly his joyful shout rang out, “Ma! Ma! Here she is! Here’s Miss Virgie just as you were a-wishing.”
So, after all, Mrs. Wallace had been wanting to see the girl and, with a panicky feeling in her heart, she hoped that nothing was seriously wrong. “What if someone were ill or—” She had no time for further surmizing, for Comrade, having reached the top of the trail, made it possible for her to see the little house overhung with sheltering rocks. What she saw amazed her more than anything she had fancied.
Trunks stood packed and strapped on the small front porch. The house had evidently been closed for an indefinite period as there were wooden blinds at the windows barred across, and the entire family was arrayed as for a journey. Mr. Wallace at the moment was busily boarding up the front door.
Had the water supply ceased? Were they being forced to leave and where could they be going? But it was evident by the shining face of the little mother that the something that had happened must be of a pleasant nature. “Oh, Miss Virginia,” she was hurrying forward with hands outstretched as soon as the girl had dismounted, “how I did want to see you before we left, but I just couldn’t think of a way. I believe I sent you messages all day yesterday to say goodbye. Did you get any of them?”
“I did indeed, Mrs. Wallace. That’s why I came,” the girl replied, glad indeed that she had followed her intuitive guiding. Then, as her roving eyes seemed to be asking a question, the mother hurried on to answer it. “You wonder where we are going. It’s almost like an answer to prayer. In fact, I think it is an answer, and a fulfillment of Dad’s faith. We’re going to Douglas to live where the children can get a schooling.”
“I am going to Yale,” freckled-faced Peter put in excitedly.