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At this moment Wardlaw senior returned, to tell Arthur he had been just too late to meet the Rollestons. "Oh, here he is!" said he; and there were fresh greetings. "Well, but," said Arthur, "where is Helen!" "I think it is I who ought to ask that question," said Rolleston, gravely. "I telegraphed you at Elmtrees, thinking of course she would come with you to meet me at the station.
There was hearty shaking of hands, and Arthur Wardlaw was the happiest man in London for a little while. "Got the telegram at Elmtrees, this morning, and came up by the first express," said Wardlaw senior. The telegram was from Sir Edward Rolleston. "Reached Liverpool last night; will be at Euston, two-fifteen." "Not a word from her!"
He felt he had offended Heaven, and had met his punishment in Helen's death. Wardlaw senior retired to Elmtrees, and seldom saw his son. When they did meet, the old man sometimes whispered hope, but the whisper was faint and unheeded. One day Wardlaw senior came up express, to communicate to Arthur a letter from General Rolleston, written at Valparaiso.
It is pleasant to be so welcomed, and the stately soldier returned his grasp in kind. "Is Helen with you, sir?" said Wardlaw, making a movement to go to the door; for he thought she must be outside in the cab. "No, she is not," said General Rolleston. "There, now," said Arthur, "that cruel father of mine has broken his promise and carried her off to Elmtrees!"
Probity is the road to it. Good-day." He wound up the affairs, had his name and Arthur's painted out at his own expense, and directed the painters to paint the Penfolds' in at theirs; went home to Elmtrees, and died in three days. He died lamented and honored, and Robert Penfold was much affected.
"Oh, there was no time to write; and ladies do not use the telegram." He added slyly, "Perhaps she thought coming in person would do as well, or better, eh!" "But why does he telegraph you instead of me?" "I am sure I don't know. What does it matter? Yes, I do know. It was settled months ago that he and Helen should come to me at Elmtrees, so I was the proper person to telegraph.
"But what will she think of me? I ought to be the first to welcome her." "I'll make your excuses." "No, no; say nothing. After all, it was you who received the telegram, so you naturally meet her; but you will bring her here, father. You won't whisk my darling down to Elmtrees till you have blessed me with the sight of her."
Now when it was evening they pitched their camp down in the plain fields amidst tall elmtrees, and had their banners still flying over the tents to warn all comers of what they were. But the next morning the chapmen and their folk were up betimes to rummage their loads, and to array their wares for the market; and they gat not to the road before mid-morning.
He replied that he would do what he could, but feared that would be little. "Will you take me down to Elmtrees, this morning?" "With all my heart." He took her down to Elmtrees. On the way she said: "Papa, you must let me get a word with Mr. Wardlaw alone." "Oh, certainly. But, of course, you will not say a word to hurt his feelings." "Oh, papa!" "Excuse me.
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