She heard Arthur's voice as he came up the steps, speaking to Frank, and
asking why he had been sent for; and the next moment she saw him
entering the hall, tall and erect, but with the wild look in his eyes
which she knew so well, but which changed at once to a softer expression
as they fell upon her.
'Cherry, you here!' he cried, with a joyful ring in his voice as he
sprang to her side and kissed her forehead and lips.
Then Jerrie grew calm instantly, although she could scarcely restrain
herself from falling on his neck and sobbing out, 'Oh, my father! I am
your daughter Jerrie!' But the time for this had not come, and when he
questioned her eagerly as to why she had sent for him, she only
replied:
'Maude is very sick. But come with me to your rooms, and I will tell you
everything.'
'Then there is the deuce to pay; I thought so,' he said, as he followed
her upstairs into the Gretchen room, where he stood for a moment, amazed
at the effect produced by the flowers and vines which Jerrie had
arranged so skilfully, 'It is like Eden,' he said, 'and Gretchen is here
with me. Darling Gretchen!' he continued, as he walked up to the picture
and kissed the lovely face which, it seemed to Jerrie, smiled in
benediction upon them both, the husband and the daughter, as they stood
there side by side, Jerrie's hands resting on his shoulder, which she
pressed hard, as if to steady herself, while he talked to the inanimate
face before him.
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