Chapter 15 Miss Lavender Lewis's Lost Love.
It was a cool morning in October when Marilla received a letter.
It was from British Columbia, but it was not from Davy and Dora's uncle.
It was from one of his friends.
What does the letter say?
Anne asked.
It mustn't be good news.
You look so serious.
I'm afraid the news isn't good, Marilla said.
She laid the letter down on the table.
Apparently their uncle has died of scarlet fever.
Now there is no one to take the twins.
Does that mean they can stay here, Anne said.
Please say yes, Marilla.
They belong here at Green Gables.
This is their home now.
Of course they stay here, Marilla said.
Do you think I'd turn them out?
Marilla stood up from the table and went back to making bread.
Even though she was trying to appear stern, Anne noticed that Marilla was smiling to herself.
The twins were also pleased to hear that they were staying at Green Gables.
They too considered it their home.
It was proving to be a lovely autumn.
Anne continued with her schoolwork and extra studies.
She spent her free time with Diana, visiting with Paul or stopping by Echo Lodge.
Anne and Miss Lewis enjoyed spending time together.
It was on one of their afternoons together in early December that Miss Lewis told her the story of her broken engagement.
The sky was gray and the snow around Echo Lodge was piled high.
Miss Lewis's mood was also gray.
Anne noticed that her friend seemed a bit down.
"'I guess I'm feeling sad today,' Miss Lewis said.
"'It's not something that you would understand.'
You are young and beautiful and full of life.
It's a wonderful thing to be seventeen.
But you are seventeen at heart, Anne said.
She wanted to cheer her friend up.
Miss Lewis chuckled.
No, Anne, I'm quite old.
At least I feel quite old today.
Seems like only yesterday that I was seventeen and had the world before me.
Anything was possible.
Now I am alone in this cottage and wonder where all the time went.
Don't look so sad, Anne.
Having you here cheers me up.
I think we should make some candy and forget all about grey things.
Anne laughed.
Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea.
So the two friends made candy all evening.
They had a fine time.
The tiny kitchen of Echo Lodge was filled with laughter.
When they were done, Anne and Miss Lewis sat down in the parlor.
They lit the small stove and relaxed.
Anne, Miss Lewis said, did anyone ever tell you about Stephen Irving and me?
Yes, Anne said.
I've heard some talk.
I know that you were engaged once.
It was twenty-five years ago, Miss Lewis said.
We were going to be married in the spring.
I even had my wedding dress made.
Stephen and I knew each other from a very young age.
When I was six years old, Stephen told me he intended to marry me.
I was so relieved that I wouldn't have to grow old alone.
What happened?
Anne asked.
She was so eager to hear the story that she was almost out of breath, had some silly fight, Miss Lewis said with a sigh.
I'm sure you won't believe me, but I don't even remember why we fought.
It was such a trivial thing.
I was young, though, and full of pride.
I thought he would come back to me.
I thought I could be rude and mean, and he would just forgive me.
And he just left Avonlea, said Anne.
Was that all it took?
No.
He did try to patch things up, but I was still mad.
I was still too proud.
Miss Lewis stared into the fire.
He asked for forgiveness, and I turned him down.
That's when he left Avonlea.
I should have ridden him.
I should have asked him to come back.
When I realized that it was too late, my heart broke into a thousand pieces.
I'm so sorry, Miss Lewis, Anne said and put her hand on her friend's knee.
That is a terrible story.
I haven't mentioned Stephen Irving in years, she said.
It was only when you mentioned his son that I felt a strong urge to talk about him.
Paul is a delightful boy, Anne said.
You would adore him.
He has a truly wonderful imagination.
I would like to meet him some day, Miss Lewis said.
Would you bring him around?
Anne's gray eyes shone.
Yes, of course, she said.
I will bring him as soon as I can.
It was not until a month later that Anne was able to bring Paul to Echo Lodge.
As soon as Miss Lewis saw him, her face went pale.
You do look just like your father, she said.
Paul shook her hand wholeheartedly.
Everyone says that I'm a chip off the old block, he said.
And everyone is right, Miss Lewis said.
You know, I knew your father when he was your age.
Really, Paul said.
Do you have stories?
I would love to hear about his childhood.
Father doesn't always like to tell those stories.
He often gets a bit sad when he talks about Avonlea.
Why don't we go inside, Miss Lewis said.
She took Paul's hand.
We can have some cake and get to know each other.
Anne followed them down the lane and into Echo Lodge.
She was smiling.
She knew that Paul and Miss Lewis would be fast friends.
