smiled to herself, and they turned to watch.

Along the platform he went, peering eagerly into every carriage.
Jessie, in her corner, breathless with excitement, thought he would
never come. The time seemed so long, so very long, she began to fear
that the train would move on and carry her with it. In her
excitement she thrust back the curtain, and leaned forward--and the
next minute she was in his arms!

"Not asleep this time, granp!" she cried excitedly, "not asleep this
time! Oh, granp! granp!" and she hugged and kissed him again and
again.

The guard came in at last, to warn them that the train was about to
move, and then there was a hasty gathering up of Miss Patch's eight
parcels and her rose, and Jessie's three parcels and her geranium,
and at last they all stood together on Springbrook platform, with the
sun shining on them, the breeze blowing, the birds singing--and
granny at home waiting to welcome them to the new happy life which
lay before them.

Miss Grace led Miss Patch out, and they got into a carriage which had
been sent from Norton for the purpose, but Jessie and her grandfather
begged to walk back, as on that first occasion. He did not carry her
now, though he leaned on her instead, and seemed glad of the support.
He leaned heavily, too, she noticed, and she realized vaguely that
there was one more change than she had thought of. In the past she
had leaned all her weight on him, now it was he who would lean on
her; and she hoped, with all the strength of her warm little heart,
that she might be able to prove herself a real prop and staff to him
and the dear granny who loved her so.

"God make my life a little staff,
Whereon the weak may rest."

She repeated to herself.

"Here's granny," said granp joyfully, as they reached the garden
gate. Run on to her, child! and--and remember--one arm is helpless
still. You must be her right arm now, Jessie."

"I will," said Jessie eagerly, and the next moment was at her
granny's side.

THE END.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Story of Jessie, by Mabel Quiller-Couch

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Crea