"He has forgotten us, Charon! He has forgotten his two best friends-
-you and I--who love him so well! Oh, Charon, he has forgotten us!"
cried she, almost despairingly. Charon gave a melancholy groan of
assent, and nestled closer to her. Five years had gone since he left
his native land, and, for once, her faith was faint and wavering.
But, after some moments, she looked up at the calm sky arching above
her, and, wiping away her tears, added resignedly: "But he will come! God will bring him home when he sees fit! I can
wait! I can wait!"
Charon's great, gleaming black eyes met hers wistfully; he seemed
dubious of his master's return. Beulah rose, and he obeyed the
signal.
"Come, Charon, it is getting late; but we will come back some day,
and live here."
It was dusk when she entered the library and found Mrs. Asbury
discussing the political questions of the day with her husband. She
had just finished reading aloud one of Reginald's Congressional
speeches, and advocated it warmly, while the doctor reprobated some
portion of his course.
"You have had a long walk," said Mrs. Asbury, looking up as the
orphan entered.
"And look, for the universe, as if you had been ghost-seeing," cried
the doctor, wiping his spectacles.
"I would rather meet an army of ghosts than see what I have seen!"
answered Beulah.
"Good Heavens! In the name of wonder, what have you seen, child? A
rattlesnake or a screech-owl?"
He put his broad palms on his knees, and looked mockingly curious
and startled.
"I have been out to see the old place, sir; found the gate broken
down, the front yard full of cows, and everything going to
destruction, except the trees and hedges. Sir, it makes me feel very
sad. I can't bear to have things go on this way any longer. It must
be rectified."
"Bless my soul, that is easier said than done! The place is a
perfect owl-roost, there is no denying that; but it is no business
of ours. If Farley or his agent suffers the property to go to ruin,
it is his loss."
"But I love the place. I want to save it. Won't you buy it, Dr.
Asbury?"
"Won't I buy it? Why, what on earth do you suppose I should do with
it? I don't want to live in it; and, as for any more investments in
real estate, why, just excuse me, if you please! Insurance and
repairs eat up all the profits, and I am plagued to death with
petitions in the bargain."