Part 13 (1/2)
”Was he?” Douglas asked in surprise. ”At what college?”
”Pa.s.sdale; and it was such a lovely place. My dear mother died when we were there. I was only a little girl when we left, but I remember it well. Nell was at college when father became blind, and she felt so badly about coming away before she could graduate.”
”And have you lived here ever since?”
”Oh, yes. There is no other place for us to go.”
”Do you like it?”
”Sure. I am happy wherever daddy and Nell are. We have such great times together. But here we are right at the house. It wasn't far, was it?”
Douglas did not reply for he was held spell-bound by the beautiful and interesting scene before him. In a comfortable arm-chair sat the blind musician listening intently to what his daughter was reading. She was seated upon the ground by his side, with a book lying in her lap. It was only for an instant, however, that Douglas was privileged to watch her un.o.bserved, but it was sufficient for him to note the rare charm of her face and form.
”Oh, daddy! Nell!” the girl cried as she rushed forward. ”You can't guess who is here?”
At these words the fair reader lifted her head and her eyes rested upon the stranger.
”It's the man who played for us in the city,” the girl explained.
”Isn't it wonderful that I have found him!”
An expression of pleasure swept over the young woman's face, as she at once rose to her feet and held out her hand.
”Any one who has befriended my father and sister is welcome here,” she quietly remarked. ”Father,” and she turned partly around, ”this is the man you have told us so much about. Nan has brought him to see you.”
”I am delighted to meet you, sir,” the old man replied, as he took Douglas' hand. ”I have wanted to thank you ever since that night you helped us in the city. Get Mr.----”
”Handyman,” Douglas a.s.sisted.
”Handyman, that's a good name. Nan, get him a chair and make him comfortable.”
”I am sorry that I have interrupted the reading, sir,” Douglas apologised. ”It was your daughter who brought me here. I do not need a chair, as I prefer to sit upon the ground.”
”I am so pleased that you have come,” the old man replied. ”You must have supper with us. We have it out here on the gra.s.s when the afternoon is fine and warm. Come, Nell, get it ready.”
”Please do not go to any trouble on my account,” Douglas protested.
”It is no trouble,” Nell a.s.sured him. ”It is father's supper time, anyway. He always like to have it early, especially on Sunday. You two can have a nice chat together. Come, Nan, I want you.”
As Douglas looked around he was surprised to find what a beautiful spot it really was. The house nestled in the midst of fine elm and maple trees. Surrounding the house was a garden, consisting of vegetables and berries of several kinds. Part of the land was in gra.s.s, not yet cut. About the place was a strong page wire fence which extended almost to the river.
”You have a beautiful place here, sir,” Douglas remarked.
”Indeed it is. A happy home and a perfect day; what more could one desire? 'The Lord hath done great things for us already, whereof we rejoice'.”
Douglas gave a slight start of surprise as the old man slowly uttered these words. Surely, if he were an unbeliever he would not quote Scripture in such a reverent manner.
”It is good that you can view it that way, sir. Few people ever think of being thankful for what they receive.”
”That is where they make a sad mistake. I have learned through long years that Ezra of old was right when he told the people to turn from weeping and to 'drink the sweet.' Before this blindness came upon me I was something like Saul of Tarsus, always kicking against the p.r.i.c.ks, or in other words, the dictates of conscience! 'Before I was afflicted, I went astray,' as the psalmist sang. But I have viewed things in a different light since then, and though the Father's hand has been heavy upon me, it was for my good, and for which I am most thankful. The great Master's warning to Simon is most applicable to me. 'When thou wast young,' He said, 'thou girdest thyself, and walkest whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.'”