by June Venable
Texas is an exciting place, Hannah thought as she got ready for bed that night. Good or bad, things were always changing. But tonight it seemed that the good far overshadowed the bad. Aunt Margaret tucked her in with a kiss. “Sleep well, Hannah. It’s been quite a wonderful day, hasn’t it?”
Sometime deep in the night, Hannah felt a hand on her arm.
“Who is it?” she said trying to shake off the dream of Uncle David and the family driving into a tornado.
“It’s me, Hannah, and I don’t feel so good.”
Hannah pulled herself upright. By the pale moonlight that lay across the floor, she saw Caroline standing by her bed.
“What’s the matter, Caroline?” Hannah whispered. Touching the child’s face, she found it burning with fever. At that moment, Caroline whimpered and slid to the floor. Unable to go for help, Hannah cried out, “Aunt Margaret, Uncle David, please come quickly. Something is terribly wrong with Caroline.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN – THE LONG ROAD BACK
Dr. Layton had been called to Caroline’s bedside and stood talking with her parents.
Hannah and Delia sat quietly in the upstairs hallway waiting for news. “I’m glad you live here, too, Delia. I was so scared until you came upstairs to stay with me.”
“Don’t worry, Hannah. That child’s gonna get well.” Delia said, stroking the long blond hair. “I know how frightened you must have been, but you kept your wits about you and called for help. I know Caroline’s mama and daddy appreciated that.”
The bedroom door opened and the adults walked out. The men had serious looks on their faces, and Aunt Margaret’s face was stained with tears.
“Hannah, Delia, I’m afraid Caroline is a very sick little girl. She has scarlet fever. It’s serious, but she’s strong and will come through it all right,” said Dr. Layton. Turning to Margaret Logan, he said, “Is it possible for Hannah to go somewhere else? We can’t have her sick, too. She has her crutches now, so she won’t need help.”
Aunt Margaret looked at Hannah. “Why, I don’t know. I can’t think right now, but we certainly don’t want to put Hannah at risk.”
“Aunt Margaret, I don’t want to leave, but if I have to, I think Miss Cooper will let me stay with her.”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Hannah. I’ll call her first thing in the morning.”
Hannah went back to bed for the few remaining hours left in the night. Tossing and turning, she finally fell into an exhausted sleep.
As soon as she could the next morning, Margaret had the operator ring Miss Cooper. Margaret explained Caroline’s illness and how Hannah must leave the house as soon as possible.
An hour later, Hannah sat at Sylvia Cooper’s breakfast table relating the events of the night. Sylvia’s aunt, Miss Emily Cooper, made little tsk-tsk sounds and said, “Don’t worry, dear,” and urged Hannah to eat another muffin. Hannah immediately fell in love with the little white haired lady whose wrinkled face always wore a smile.
Swift arrangements had been made for Hannah to stay with the Coopers as long as necessary. Hannah spoke with either Aunt Margaret or Delia every day to check on Caroline. Delia told her that Caroline had called for her and wanted to see her as soon as she could. Meanwhile, she said, “the doctor stops by every day. She’s a mighty sick little girl, Hannah. When you say your prayers at night, you pray for Caroline, you hear?”
“I will, Delia. Give her my love.”
Three weeks passed before the doctor allowed Hannah to go home. During that time, she had made great strides in her piano work. The exercises went well and aside from her concern about Caroline, Hannah loved staying in the small, cozy house.
At last the day came when Dr. Layton announced that Caroline had begun to recover and that Hannah could return home.
When she reached home, Hannah threw her arms around Delia. “I’m so glad to see you,” Hannah exclaimed. “I’ve missed everyone. May I see Caroline?”
“You sure can, honey, and she’s mighty anxious to see you. We moved her to the extra bedroom downstairs so it would be easier to take care of her.” Delia grinned at Hannah. “I believe you’ve put on some weight since you went to stay with Miss Cooper.”
“My aunt loved cooking for Hannah,” Miss Cooper said. “She enjoyed having a child in the house again.”
“I loved her blueberry muffins,” Hannah replied. “The whole house smelled good when they were baking.”
A joyful reunion followed between the girls. Aunt Margaret, who had barely left Caroline’s bedroom during her illness, hugged Hannah.
“I’m so glad to see you, Hannah. It’s good to have both my girls back.”
Aunt Margaret and Miss Cooper looked at one another as the girls hugged and talked excitedly at the same time.
“I missed you, Hannah,” said Caroline, still pale from her illness. “Did you miss me?”
“Very much. If you’d like, instead of reading you a story, I’ll tell you all about what I did at Miss Cooper’s house.”
Caroline nodded and settled back among the pillows to listen while Aunt Margaret and Miss Cooper went downstairs for a cup of tea. In a matter of minutes, the girls fell to chatting away as if there had been no separation.
In the middle of Hannah’s regaling Caroline with stories of Aunt Emily, Miss Cooper and Aunt Margaret returned. All smiles, the two entered the room. “Hannah, Miss Cooper and I had a most interesting conversation. She has something to tell you,” Aunt Margaret said.
Hannah waited, wondering what the two had talked about.
Miss Cooper spoke up. “I’ve just talked to your aunt. I wanted to speak with your family before I mentioned anything to you.”
Hannah stayed quiet, looking from one to the other.
The piano teacher smiled and went on. “I’ve just told Mrs. Logan that you’ve done so well with your piano lessons and advanced so rapidly, that I think it’s time you moved on to another teacher.”
Hannah’s face fell. “Why? I don’t want another teacher. I want you.”
“Oh, I’m always here, Hannah, but your talent needs further help. Why don’t you think about it now and get settled at home again? We’ll talk again in a couple of days when I come for your therapy and lessons.”
Hannah nodded. She remembered her manners and said, “Thank you so much, Miss Cooper for letting me visit with you and your aunt.”
“We loved having you, Hannah. Please come back soon, and do bring Caroline with you.”
This made the little girl beam.
Hannah lay in her own bed that night and thought how rapidly life could change.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN – ON HER OWN
The following week, Caroline was allowed outside and the girls found a shady spot in which to read until Miss Cooper arrived. Hannah had impatiently awaited her visit.
“Hello, girls. Hannah, are you ready for your last therapy session? I spoke to Dr. Layton earlier and he promised to come by and see if you’re ready to try it on your own. Isn’t that wonderful? It’s your big day at last.”
Hannah found it hard to believe. After so many years of the cumbersome brace, then the hindrance of a cast, she couldn’t wait to run free. By six o’clock, Miss Cooper had completed the therapy and she and the family sat down to dinner.
Dr. Layton’s knock came just as the family had gathered in the living room for dessert. The doctor joined them in having some of Delia’s creamy banana pudding.
“What excellent timing,” he said, as he polished off two bowls. Everyone laughed except Caroline who didn’t understand his jest. When they finished and Delia had collected the plates, Dr. Layton turned to Hannah.
“Well, young lady, are you ready to try your wings?”
“Hannah doesn’t have wings,” Caroline said, peering as if she had missed them.
Dr. Layton winked at Hannah and said to Caroline, “I think you’re well on your way to a complete recovery, young lady.” So pleased the doctor had called her a lady, Caroline forgot to ask anymore questions
about wings.
Turning to the excited girl, Dr. Layton said, “Hannah, do you think you can stand? If so, just get up slowly and try to put your weight evenly on both feet.”
Hannah glanced around and saw that Delia had come in from the kitchen and she, as well as the rest of the family, looked at her intently.
Can I do it? Can I stand straight or will I fall? Oh, Papa, please help me.
Hannah rose, setting aside her crutches and pushed herself up. Trembling, she leaned forward, favoring the leg that had once been encased in the metal brace. Then, taking a deep breath, she let go of the chair arms and stood strong and tall, both feet planted firmly on the floor.
The silence in the room was shattered by a cry from Uncle David while Aunt Margaret and Caroline rushed over to throw their arms around Hannah. Delia wiped away a tear with the blue striped dishtowel she held. After hugging Hannah, Uncle David crossed the room and patted the doctor on his back and shook his hand.
“We’re very grateful for what you’ve done, Doctor. I know Hannah’s father would like us to thank you for him too.”
The next few minutes saw tears of joy from everyone. Caroline twirled around until she made everyone dizzy just watching her.
“Save some of that energy for another time, Caroline. You’ve been a very sick girl,” scolded Dr. Layton.
After the excitement had died down, the doctor again asked Hannah a question. “Do you think you could walk to me?”
Hannah nodded and took a hesitant step toward him, then another and another until she reached the other side of the room and grabbed Doctor Layton’s steadying hand.
“I did it, I did it!” Hannah cried. “I walked without my brace.”
This brought more cheers and applause until Aunt Margaret said, “While this is a special evening, I suppose you girls should think about going to bed. We have all day tomorrow to celebrate.”
“Let’s save the stairs until you’re stronger, Hannah.” With that, Uncle David scooped her up and followed by Caroline, carried her up the stairs. “This is probably the last chance you’ll have to be lazy,” he teased. “You’re on your own now.”
Before getting into bed, Hannah knelt and said a prayer of thanks for all the people who’d helped her walk. She wondered what Teddy would think if he could see her now. She hoped her friend was all right and that he remembered his promise to her. She believed Teddy would someday find her father and they would both come for her.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN – A NEAR MISS
Two days later, Sylvia Cooper again came to the Logan home to talk to Hannah. “I’m so happy for you, Hannah, and I know everyone feels the same way. Now, do you recall me saying that you needed to move on with your lessons?”
When Hannah nodded, she continued.
“I took the liberty of contacting Professor Benjamin Webster. He’s an old friend who comes originally from Lafitte, although he’s lived in Houston for a few years. It seems he’s returning to town. He plans to take a few students and I’ve told him about you. What do you think about that? He’s a wonderful man and I’m sure you could learn a lot from him.”
Why did Miss Cooper’s eyes seemed so bright and her face look as flushed as Caroline’s did when she had fever?
The young woman wasn’t finished with her surprises yet. “Hannah, Professor Webster has invited us to Houston so he can hear you play. If he decides to take you as a pupil, then he’ll give me some instructions in order to work with you until he arrives in the fall. Would you like to go? Houston isn’t far, just a few hours away by train. We could stay overnight at a guesthouse near Professor Webster’s studio. Then you could play for him the next morning. Isn’t that exciting?”
Hannah’s head spun. So much had happened recently, she could hardly believe her good fortune.
“I’d love to go, Miss Cooper. Let’s ask Aunt Margaret what she thinks.”
Caroline had been quiet long enough. “Hannah, will you tell me all about the train ride?” she asked, with just a little tremble of her chin.
“Oh, Caroline, yes, I will.”
Caroline was disappointed since the trip to Galveston was delayed. With her illness and school starting soon, plans had been postponed for the time. But when Hannah promised to tell her all about the trip, her good nature bounced back.
When they consulted Aunt Margaret, she agreed. “Hannah, I’m delighted for you. I understand that Professor Webster is a fine teacher. We knew him when he lived in Lafitte.” Looking at Miss Cooper, Aunt Margaret asked, “Since you both were musicians in a small town, you must have known him too, Sylvia.”
Hannah noticed that Miss Cooper’s face looked quite pink again as she replied, “Why, yes, I did. I consider Professor Webster a good friend.”
Miss Cooper changed the subject, talking about the trip and all the fun of a train ride. Uncle David came home just in time to join in the excitement and agreed that Hannah should certainly go to see Professor Webster, and offered to make the train reservations. Hannah and Sylvia Cooper made plans for the trip and agreed on the pieces Hannah would play until Delia interrupted to announce dinner.
At supper the conversation continued about an outfit for Hannah. Aunt Margaret overheard and insisted that Hannah needed a special dress for her tryout. “We’ll go shopping tomorrow and see if we can’t send you off in fine style.”
Caroline tugged at Miss Cooper’s skirt. “Will Hannah be famous?”
Miss Cooper laughed. “We hope that someday she will, Caroline, but this is just the first step. Hannah has an amazing gift, though, so I think we can expect to see her name in lights in the future.”
When Hannah awoke the next morning she thought again how wonderful it felt to step out of bed without first having to put on her leg brace. Before dressing, Hannah took a few happy turns that sent her pink nightgown swirling around her ankles.
Aunt Margaret came downstairs, dressed for shopping, and after breakfast everyone piled into the new automobile and headed for town.
Gently teasing, Uncle David remarked, “Why, Hannah, didn’t we just go shopping? Surely you haven’t outgrown all those pretty frocks already.”
“David,” Aunt Margaret chided, “don’t tease. This is far too happy a day for Hannah.”
She’s right, thought Hannah. She had so many wonderful people caring for her. She’d try her very best to make them proud of her.
The day seemed a repeat of the last shopping trip. Uncle David went to his office, while the ladies headed for the same shop as before. Hannah didn’t know where to look first. She had never seen so many pretty dresses.
After searching the whole store, Aunt Margaret and Hannah decided on a pale blue organdy dress with a darker blue sash embellished with tiny flowers. They dubbed it the “tryout” dress. Hannah already had shoes, stockings and her wide brimmed straw hat.
“I’m sure Delia could change the ribbon on your hat to match your dress,” said Aunt Margaret.
Caroline had explored the shop and found a cunning parasol. The handle curved into the shape of Pooh Bear, a bedtime story she loved. She could not part with it, so into the pile it went. Both girls, tired and happy, were ready for an early lunch.
Uncle David met them “How about a picnic lunch? I’d like you to meet a new friend who can help us.” Leading the little group down the street, Uncle David turned into a shop filled with mouth-watering scents. Greeting the proprietor, he turned to his family and said, “Meet Mr. DeChello. He recently opened this fine store and will gladly pack us a picnic lunch to take to the park. How does that sound?”
“If it is as good as it smells,” Aunt Margaret said, “it will taste heavenly.”
Mr. DeChello thanked her and followed Aunt Margaret around as she selected buttery yellow cheese, pickles, crusty rye bread and thin slices of ham. Mr. DeChello packed their purchases in a woven basket. Covering the food with a white napkin, he slipped in some gumdrops and taffy for the girls.
The day was mild and the family settled at picnic t
ables in the park. “I’m starving,” said Caroline.
“Yes, we can see that you’re fading away,” Uncle David said, smiling at his daughter.
“You’re in a very good mood, David.” Aunt Margaret smiled. “That’s very much like you but something seems special today.”
“You’re right. I have some news, and it’s especially important to Hannah, I believe.”
Hannah looked at Uncle David and wondered how his news involved her.
“I’ve been investigating something ever since that unfortunate happening at school with Rosie Williams.”
Hannah lifted her eyebrows. “Investigating, Uncle David? I don’t understand. It sounds like a mystery.”
“Yes, it does in a way. Mr. Dobbs, your principal, told me of his conversation with Rosie when she falsely accused you. She insisted on her father’s innocence.” Hannah’s shoulders slumped at the memory of that day.
“Mr. Dobbs believed Rosie and asked if I could help. My firm has been working on this and just yesterday we got word that a man in the same jail as Rosie’s father boasted to his cellmate that he had committed the crime for which Rosie’s father was accused. The man had been arrested on yet another charge.”
“David, what does all this mean?” Aunt Margaret asked.
“It means, dear, that our firm has proof that the man told the truth about committing the crime. Rosie’s father was only a bystander. He tried to tell that to the judge, but sometimes things go awry and an innocent person pays the price. Mr. Williams
will go free next week.”
This news surprised Hannah and Aunt Margaret.
“Oh, Uncle David, do Rosie and her mother know?”
“No, I just got the final word this morning. I think we should make a visit to the William’s home tonight, don’t you? They’ve had a difficult time because of this terrible thing happening to Mr. Williams, then Rosie’s injuries. I think we can make them very happy tonight. We’ll go over after supper.”
The sun had set as the Logans arrived at Rosie’s home. Still limping a little from her injuries, Rosie answered the door, her eyes growing wide at the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Logan and Hannah standing on the porch.
