Hill Grace Brooks - The Corner House Girls' Odd Find стр 23.

But this evening, for the first time, Tess shrill little Ee-yow! ee-yow! ee-yow! was heard by the boy inside, and recognized. Mrs. Pinkney came running to the door.

I do wish I dared run out and kiss you, Tessie Kenway! she cried, and there were tears of thankfulness in her eyes. Sammy heard you. Hes better. Bless you, dear! He is better. Yodle for him again.

So Tess did, and right away there was an unexpected answer. Somebody repeated Ee-yow! ee-yow! ee-yow! behind her in Willow Street.

Goodness gracious! squealed Tess, running wildly out of the gate, is that you, Neale ONeil?

Thats who it is, honey, said the white-haired boy, cheerfully.

Oh, Neale! so much has happened since youve been gone. Sammys got scarlet fever; but hes better. And Almiras got four kittens. And weve got visitors, and one of ems a girl and she can turn on the trapeze so easy! And youve got a whole heap of Christmas presents in the sitting room that youve never seen yet.

All right. Ill go in and see em right now, Neale said, and took her hand in his free one. When they mounted the porch steps and Agnes and Ruth and Dot came running to the door to meet him, he dropped his heavy bag in a corner and did not take it into the house. He had just come from the railroad station.

You see, Neale said, when he was hustled into the warm sitting room by the four Corner House girls, and even before he took off his coat and cap and gloves, I got a letter about Uncle Bill Sorber from one of the other Sorbers. He was hurt two months ago badly burned, poor old fellow! when the circus arrived at winter quarters.

They always give a last performance there at Tiverton, and another when they start out in the spring. There was an accident this time. A tank of gasoline fell from aloft, and got afire, and Uncle Bill was hurt badly. The doctors gave him up at last, and so they sent for me.

I know about it, said Agnes, nodding.

Howd you know? Must have seen it in the paper, I spose, said Neale. Well, I missed it. I didnt know a thing about his being hurt till I found that letter at home Christmas Eve.

But why did you go away without telling us? Ruth asked earnestly.

I didnt want to bother you girls, then. And you expected me to help you at that Christmas tree business, too. So I only left the note with Unc Rufus and told him not to give it to you till just before dinner. I fixed it with Con Murphy to take my place. He did, didnt he?

Yes, the eager Agnes said.

The little girls had danced off to the kitchen on some errand. The boy continued:

Well! I got up there to the winter quarters and found Uncle Bill better. But the poor old fellow had been asking for me. I dont suppose we ever will understand each other, sighed Neale. He cant see why I want to be something different from a circus performer; and an education doesnt mean a thing to him but foolishness.

But I guess he really does have some interest in me

Of course he does, Neale, interposed Ruth, admonishingly. I could tell that the time he was here and I talked with him.

Just the same, I wish I had

excitement. It was the result of the repressed anxiety she had so long endured regarding this strange and wonderful find of Agnes in the old Corner House garret.

Neale was very pale now. He was usually slow to anger, and his friends, the Corner House girls, had never seen him moved so deeply before.

I did think the bonds might be worth something, Neale said, at last, and hoarsely. I told Aggie so.

But the money? cried Ruth.

You say its good, the boy returned. You can believe thats so if you want to. I didnt think it was when I took the book.

I tell you Mr. Crouch, at the bank, said it was perfectly good. See here! cried Ruth, desperately.

She ran for her purse that lay on the sewing-machine table. She opened it and drew forth the folded ten dollar bill. With it came the other bill she had put away.

I showed him this! Ruth began, when Agnes stooped to pick up the other.

Whats this? the second sister asked.

Why why thats the one Mr. Howbridge gave me. I havent needed to break it.

And you had em both together? demanded Agnes, shrewdly.

Yes.

Which one did you show Mr. Crouch then?

The question stunned Ruth for the moment. She unfolded the bill she had taken out of the purse. It was quite a new silver certificate. Agnes unfolded the other. It was an old-style United States banknote, dated long before the girls parents were born.

Neale, as well as the Kenway sisters, saw the significance of the discovery. The boy turned his face aside quickly and so hid the smile that automatically wreathed his lips.

Why why! gasped Agnes, if you showed Mr. Crouch that bill, of course he said it was a good one. But how about this?

Ruth turned like a flash on Neale again. What do you know about the money in the book? Isnt it good? she demanded. I believe youve found out.

Well! what if I have? and one would hardly recognize Neale ONeils pleasant voice in the snarling tone that now answered the oldest Corner House girl.