The nurse came in with a cup of strong tea for his mother, and Paul arose as he said, “Take good care of my mother and I will repay you well.”
He kissed his mother again and went off to bed but not to sleep. Try as he might no sleep came to his eyes. Early the next morning he arose, took his shot gun and went out to see if he could kill a pheasant, to make some broth for his mother.
The next morning after the party Mr. Hilton said to his niece as she came down to breakfast: “You did not receive much pleasure by the party I fear, Nettie. Warren has been telling me you wish to start for home this morning. I hope my children have not done anything to mar your pleasure here.”
“Uncle, they have done nothing to mar my happiness,” answered Nettie, with a dreary laugh that touched her uncle’s heart.
“Will you promise me if you and your mother ever come to want that you will come and live with us? Our house is large and you are both welcome to its shelter.”
Nettie went gently to him, planted a kiss on his fair, honest forehead and said, “I promise. Never can I forget the kindness I have received at this new home, or forget the inmates that dwell here.”
The eyes of all of her friends were filled with tears to see the sweet young girl, who, standing smoothing her uncle’s silvery hair, was outwardly calm, but a deep trouble was raging in her breast, as she wished to stay but could not and did not wish to let any of her friends know the real cause.
Her aunt said, “My dear, something has transpired to make you decide so quickly to go home. We expected you were going to remain two or three weeks with us.”
“Nothing, auntie, only my conception to go home and surprise mamma. She will be very delighted to hear from you all. Of course I shall tell her what a pleasant time I have had with my cousins. It is getting late and we should be going soon or we will not be in time to take the stage, as it leaves at ten.” So saying she began putting on her mantle and cap. As her cousin Warren drove up to the door with a splendid span of iron grays, he called out lightly, “All aboard for town.”
“Auntie, are you and cousin Minnie not going to see me off for home?”