Haphazaed

I wish you could have seen Hap Hayard and her cousin Ted as they oame homo from a ramble in the lielt's togethcr that June day. They were vcry spirited, the girl a little niore so than the boy, if anything. VVliich wa. the ;ir), you ask? Whv Hap, of courso. Aud I ruay as well stop rignt here and explain about that ñamo, for if I don't, you won'L listen to my story. - Hap al ways liad to be explained before amone could understand her. You see, when Hap was born her grandmother - Grandma Hazard - insisted that the first offspring of her íavorite son should bear lier name, which was nothing less than Heppalonia. Oí courso Grandma must be humored, so the baby was named as i&e desired, though it cost an cffort on the part of the young mother to givo up the "Graoo May" slie had plannod for hor first girl. The name was snorueneuio neppy ociore long, ami linally whcn cousin Ted was adopted into the family, the name "Hap" camo as naturally as though it waa a part of the giil herself. By the time anotlier little girl came, soine cars later, to take the Waiting Dame- Grace May - Hap's name was no longer discussed as a curiosity. Now if yon are satislied as to tuy girls narne I will proceed to teil you how these t o cousins looked as tbey walkcd home with arms f uil of ferns and moss. Tcd was not so (all as his cousin, and was a little quieter witli pleasant grey oves shaded with long black eye-la hes. As for Hap- the dear girl! I f onder if you would have loved to look at her as I always did ' She had a tall. willowy figure, and i air thathad "caughtasunset in it, ' as Grace always said. This "red hair" (so called "by Tedj had been a source of much annoyance to Hap, al though her artistic sense tol) her it was not unlovely. When she was a baby, Aunt Hannah Simpson had said: "She's good "an fat, but shc's as hunably a chimas I ever set eyes on. That red liair shows what a temper shc'll hev." And ever in after years when this checrful dame saw ïlap's graoeful ways and góod-natured kindness, she would say: "Well, Hippy, y ou ain't so ugly-minded as I thought you'd be, but it may erop out yit. There's the red hair, sarac as ever " it had come to be a standing joke in the family; but while the hair kept growing long and lustrons, the "uglymindedness, contrary to Aunt Ilannah's expectations, didn't seera to "erop out " Bap's eyes were reddish-brown, like her hair, and to describe them in the words of her friend Mande Shumann, "yon could look right through them into a somevvhere that was a nowhere and yet a very somewhere at the same time." They were dark witta gold and red lights, and a merry gleam that made you fo:el good humored whether y ou wantod to or not. As the co -isins walked gaily along the rough fields of tbe Hazard farm, had you been listening you might have hcard some very lively conversation with no.v and tiien a peal of Hap's morry láugitter. She was talking the most, and seemed to be the more positivo of the tvvo in every way, but her easj sympathetic manner always made the lonely, awkward boy of eighteen feel at easo in her presenoe. They Rnmi'timp; hiid littlo. íÜsmitrví. hnt on the whole they got along nieelv together and were fast friends. Just now Hap was giv'.ng Ted a lccturc. "Now mylad," she was saying "you must polisli up a little bcforo you go to college. You "re a.sgood as -as a crow" (Hap's símiles always would getcrook ed, somehow) "but jou don't seem to t-hink much of polisli. Now" - "Olí stop that. Hap Harard" put in Ted, -'I don't eat with my knife anywa}', and you know you don't like a dandy." "But I do like a dandy" answercd Happy ("Happy" was Grace's name for lier sister, and 1 like it rather botter than the nlunt nickname.) "That is, I like him if he has brains and usesthem The tio.tbie isnowadays, if aboyknows anything, he generally neglects hts toilet, and if he does manage to keep his collar straight, he forgots to be sensible Now a girl - " "Yes a girl," interrupted Teddie with an oratorical air, "a girl, my hearers, is different. Look at this delightful as bright as a sixpence, and yet iiotiee how neatly her back hair has tumbled down, how tidil this collar has come unpinned, and with what majestic care this hat is set on hind side before indeed, as the poet mtly remar B 'We are feaifully aml wonderfully made.'" Ted invari ably onded his fine speeches with this quohition, wliether appropriate or not "Edward Hazard Remers," said Happy impressively, paying not the slightest attention to Ted's oratorical outburst "My son, 'there are more things in lieaven and earth' for you to learn 'than are dreamed of in your philo.sophy' as, wcll as Hap Hazard says. One thing is not to interrupt when your elders are talking. Now don't remind me that I am not your eider- I ought to be, and really, a girl is older at sixteen than a boy at eighteen, - I've heard Orandma say so. You must learn to- Oh, Ted ! I want that butterfly for my collection, can't you get him?" "V eally, cousin deah" said the lad with a simper, "I would be most delighted to oblige you, but wunning is not oonside'd genteel, and besides, 1 miflht S'iil mv shoes " Happy gave him a withering glance, and then, with one graceful leap, throw down her large hat over the butterfly. Sh'e busied herself from then until they reached home with endeavors to keep the golden wings fro m lircaking as the insect fluttered boldly in her hand. "Here's a pin," said repentant Ted, by wav of conciliatlon, "that'll settle h'ini."" Happy paid no attention to him whatever, and oB'ered not a word dur ing the remaindor of the walk. Among her family, Hap Hazard was as oddly bright-humored as wc liave seen her to bo witli Ted. She liad her queer little nioods, but nonc of the:Jwero globmy ones. Grace and sin; veré charming in their closo Bis o fi Umdship, and there was a S .uchil tendcrnes8 in it, for Grace was not strong. Her nature was calmer Ihan her sisler's, but just as bright, and rich with patiënt sweetness. Her ilark and lustrous, were blue, and calmer than Hap's, while her goldenbrowu braids were as soft as silk. The relation 1 ctwcen Hap and the grandmother was jicculiarly piquant. While the best of friends, and c'oseconfidants. they never made many demonstrations of affectioD. Grandma bad promised Ilaj a larve sum of money whensheshouldbeofage and was confnua ly helping the girl in herown 1 1 Way, Happy had at least a dozen pairs of wollen tockiugs laid away for fnturc uso, wliich te good old fingers had made, to say nothing of the stocks of niittens and wristers, which she liever could begin to wear out. Every Christmas she received a pair of mittens with a half a dollar in cach, from (irandma, and as regularly Grandma received a black lace cap from Hap. The quaint humor of this traasaatLon never seemed to te notieed by either; but Ted and Grace had their frequent jokes about it. Hap paidbut little notice to these, but once she said: "WeH Grace. you needn't laugli; I sliould think you'd be glad there's ono thing l'm not haphazard about. i'm certainly regular about Grandma' s taps." At the time of which 1 am writing, Happy had just graduated from the litlle academy of Madrid, - the village where she lived, and Ted was prepaviinr for college. Hap's est ambition now was lo study art, for she was renaarkably skillful in sketchiiig and in her soul yearned to be an artist Shc had been a close cornpanion of nature all herlife, ■ind slic wantod lo pat soine of the delijthts of river( liill and forest, nto piclures that woüld live longw than she did. She talked nauQhofheriiopes. but did aot ask for money to carry out her desires. She knew the Hazard pursc was all too lean to give out niuch for her. So the summer paásed, and Happy saw her hope growing iess; but she was ahvavs the samo brave, cheery creature, likc a sun eam everywlurc With keen enoyment she took (ïraee to ïide over the green hills, rowed on the lake with Ted for water lilies, or roamcd in the woods for the treasures no one could tind so well as she. '1 he place was a very Eden with the wild, vet artistic growth of vines and fowers with which Hap y tilled it Ferns, sweetbrier, cardinal flowers, water lillies and maiden-hair peeped from every possible nook in the house in the early sutnmcr; and in the later months, golden rod and purple asters addcd their glow to the briglit home. During August, Happy's unele, "Dr. Phil" (or Pliiletus, as Grandma always called him) and his pretty wife came from their Boston home to yisit the Hazards. Aimt Kdith was an artistic little creatnre, and noticed iramediately Happy's talent in deeoration. Before they left there was a long tak between Dr. and Mis. Phil, then a talk with Grandina. more talks with papa and mamma Hazard, and linally a "strietly confidential"' betweeu Grandma and Happy in which our girl luarncd that she was to study art next winter in Hoston. Grandma, said: "I'm agoin' to aavance some o tne inoney jl proaiiseu you when yon was of age and you are agoin1 to live at Philetuees'. Philetuses wifehez planned it all for yc." Rappy 8 heart was too f uil of rapture for expression. She just said "Oh, Qrandmal ' in an awed sort of voice and Uien ran into the woods to talk it over with the trees, resolving that (irandma Hazard should have two black hice caps next Chrislmas. All tlirough yellow September and red October, Happy was busy with preparations to go away. Ted luid gone to college, but she didn't miss him so much as she had expected, slic was so busy and cnltant over her plans for winter work. But wheu the October red died áway and the first shadows of November's gray carne, a shadow feil over the thtzard home, too. Little Grace grew ill, and soon was not able to leave her bed. Happy left her work of preparation to be with her sister, and brave ly put off all thoughts of going away. unül Graée should be better. Sfoward Christmas the household pet grew stronger, and was soon able lo bc aboul the house a little, but the doctor said she would notbe welluntil spring cune, anyway. Happy began a letter to Boston, sayng she" COUld not leave ürace unlil after Christmas, but would come as soon as poasible after. She did not iinishthis letter. butstoppeJ and looked at herself in the ghiss. "Ha]) Hazard, for shame! Tnere's adiilerencebetueen what you want to do and what you oaght to do. Let's sec what you're made of!" Then she put on hor wraps and went to wa k over the blcak hills. She stood at last, looking toward the ■ ■ n i . . . 1 L ■ fc 4' i x I fiiuittil i mi n urn _"■ c s t1 WU5L WllVriU lll: JL DUCUlUQl ."5 W 1 1 V tin OUL ting. I he sky was overhung with clouds, vet tinged with gold, as though undeoided whether to be ray or gloomy. Hap's face was like tho sunsot as she stood there so still and ihonglitful - disa pointment and j-et a half brightnesa in her look. At last a biïlliant gleam came out in the west and covered il.; -;ky with glory; at the same momcn , tin; eadnesa in our girl's face disappeared, and the sunsct glow ii. the sky joined with a look of triu nph and hap piness there she turned and walked ho i e, sat down and wrotc to Dr. Phil like this: Deak Unclb: I eau never thank you enough for tlic interest you and Auntio have shown in me; but'deai (irace neods me more tltVtn Boston does, so 1 wfll stay at home thi winter. You may teil the mayor to conntermand any orders ho has m;nlo for brasa bands uncl military companiea (or my reception. Your grateful and loving niece, Ulil'M.nMA HAZABD. P. S.- Later - The news that I urn not to leave hoiue is spread abroad. -und the oitizens o( Madrid have appointed a meeting for mutual congratulation. Hai. This letter was posted bef ore Hap went to bed, and when she did shc thanked the Father that he had given her strength to conquer. There was a feeble opposition fn the family the next morning when they heard whnt Happy liad writteh; but it was soon sil(;n ed by that enorgetic niaid. To teil tho tni'tli, they were all too thankful with tlioughts of having Happy all winter, lo urge her to go Happy was as gay as though she never thought of Boston, and only her pillow could teil tales of smothered hopes As Chrístinas drew noar, even the tears of regret ceased to come in the exeitenient of presents and general good cheer. ïed was not tuere to make his usual joke about knowing 'twas ear Christmas because Hap was brinü-a out the black, lace, but ChrUt mas carne, and the cap was made the same as usual. Grace grew strong enough to endure the exeitement, and all was nearly as merry as usual, except for Teddie's absence. But he was to spend New Years wiek with them, so the girls saved their presents for him nut il tlien. New Years Day carne, but Ted did not, and the girls began to worry for fear the boy was ill - ho had not been well for a few weeks. The next day a hurriedly written postal carne, saying he had been staying over at Krank Day's,-"I3oys were to have a little jubilee, and he couldn't miss it. Would be at Madrid a day or two later, etc." "Oh " l'ra so glad the dear boy isn't si.k. 'Twas nice of him to writo and letus know, wasn't it, Happy?" "Nico!" burst out llap. "íes, i should think it was Bice of hiai to let us know he didn't care to spend the holidays at home, but preferred a i ellege chum. Nary a white silk handkérchief will you get from o:e, Mr. ïed Remers " "Why Happy!" began Grace, "I don't believe" "Of course you don't, you dear little forgiving thing ! " brok in her sister, "bul 1 do I just knew In; would go aad get co'loge-y. I nevcr saw a boy ci tnal dldñ I when he went to a big Bohool "Why, it's quite natural for a boy to get college-y at a college isn't it ? I presume you'd have gotten art-y if you had goneto Boston Uris winter." "Oh l'in "earty enough now, I thiink you. Just wait till dinner-time and sec if I'ra not," said Happy, gaily. Grace shook ber hoad gravely at this, bul put asido the tirade against Ted os another oí I Inpjiy's jokes. She didn't think of it again n fact until afternoon, wien è noté carne frora Mand Shuniann, inviting HBfov to a little "musical conclave :iml general frolic of the Five' Frit-ndly Fluiter budgets" (a band of merry girls of whoin Hap was a uiemlicr). A lia-ty pOSt-SOript said: "Vtinraiist cometo stay all night; all theeitls wil!. Vun must e e; 'twould be .1 terrible misa Hap if you ililn't. W ritten ut 2:W speed,- MaudS." As Hap read this note her face shone with aëlight: '-Just the thing!" she exclaimed "Wn been longinefOT B irolic. and this is a capital v;iv to snob Tii i too, for li o'll be at home tliat evening.' "Why Happy!" said Grace repfóach fully "when Ted isn't j.oing to be home bu( twodays!" Happy almost relented as she looked into (irace's sad, loving eyes but she ilidn't clninge her plans. "Don't l'eel bad Mousie,' she said. "Ted won't care, and the girls will be furious if 1 don't come " All repenlant. feelings wcre fqjrgotten the next daj when ' Muud S." is her friends cáUed the dasliins;, naturea uruneue. (amo in a preiij cutter to take Happy to lier home. 'I wanted yon lo bome oarlv. dear, for I'vc a spíeudid irt-icle (a troaf se on art, Maud moant) in a new magazine, and I saved it so jou could ïvad it with me." So Happy put on her things and went, leaving word for Ted that she would be back in the morning to sec him. The "art iele" was line, and the f rolïi; all that could be wished, so it was not Tintil Hap was in bed that she fel slu; had been a little hard on Teddie. " It"s my besetting sin," she thought ruefully '1'ta always going and feeling myself slighted when there is no canse fot it, and then aeting ugly as a whale I gusss Aunt Hannali was right about my ngly-mindedness. Yes, its my liair. [']] ïye it green to rnorrow. Hut I'll bu a piírfeet angel to Ted after tliis." With this resolation she feil aslcep, to be awakened in the moruing by Maud pulling her hair. "Oh, excuse me dear," said Maud, who was nearly dressed. "I wanted the scarlet ribbon to tie onmy hair, and I thought that was it lying over the pillow. ' Hap's only answer was to throw the. pillow at her friend, and then leap out of bed to uard oflf :inv missilcs which should ff y toward her This was enough for a signal and n auinute the"Fie Frlendj Flfitterbi dg ts"' were furious foes in p:tch d tatt e. TO BE COXTIXUBD.