Virginia's Ranch Neighbors by Grace May North - HTML preview

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.

“Ssh! Sonny, you mustn’t be telling that around, or folks will think you’re a bit queer. Little boys don’t go to Yale, and you’ll have to study powerfully hard and be extra smart to ever get there, won’t he, Miss Virginia?”

“I believe he’ll make it.” The girl had placed a loving hand on the hair that was sunburnt, for the boy’s expression had been suddenly crestfallen. “Keep it always as your goal, Peter, and before many years you’ll be writing me a letter telling me that you’re on your way to that great Eastern college.” Then to the mother, “Now, please begin at the beginning and tell me what has happened? Did the water give out?”

It was Mr. Wallace who replied as he advanced with a hand outstretched. “Indeed it did not and it’s the water that has brought us our wonderful good luck, or rather, the instrument, I suppose.”

Virginia’s expressive face encouraged the speaker to continue, which he did. “You recall that fine lad who camped down at the entrance to the canon, the one who came up here with you?”

“Yes, indeed, the Traylors. I have been hoping we’d hear more about both of them. Have you seen them again?”

“Well, not exactly seen them, but Mr. Traylor sent a legal representative to see me. He said that, because of his son’s glowing descriptions of my invention, he wanted to back me financially in having it patented. He also offered me a splendid position in connection with his smelting founderies in Douglas and Bisbee. It seems that for some time he has been trying to perfect some labor-saving devices and he believes, and so do I, that it can be done.”

“And it isn’t something we’re taking on chance either,” Mrs. Wallace hastened to explain. “Dad, of course, is pretty much of a dreamer but this is a sure income for five years with a signed contract backing it.”

At this point, Peter, who had evidently been watching from a peak higher up, flew down to the group crying excitedly, “It’s coming, Ma! Mr. Slater’s truck that’s to take us to town.”

“Well, I don’t know when I have heard more wonderful news,” the visiting girl declared. “I won’t say goodbye, for, after all, you are still to remain one of my neighbors. Douglas, being only twenty miles away, with a good road between it and V. M., is almost nearer via our auto, then it is to Hog Canon on horseback.”

Then she shook hands with the grown-ups, kissed the children, who clung to her, left a bundle with Sari and another with Jane, telling Peter that his would come later, and rode away.

“Don’t open them yet,” the mother said. “I know what’s in them. Miss Virgie told me. They are pretty dresses that she and her friend have made for you girlies. They’ll be just what you need for starting in school. Goodness, where is your Dad?”

“There he is, high up where the spring is. Now, he’s coming. Hurry Pop! Mr. Slater’s cowboys are coming up the trail to pack our trunks down.”

The man’s eyes glowed, but he spoke no word. Silently he reached out his hand and clasped that of his faithful little wife, and she understood.

The End.