Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the 
Marshall-LeSourd Family, L.L.C. We are in no way seeking profit or credit for 
her story. We are continuing the story of Christy for our own amusement only. 
Any additions in story line and characters were invented by the writers of 
the alt.tv.christy Round Robin and the Christy Mailing List. The content of 
each story is the responsibility of the individual writer. The fanfic here is 
being posted as a service to the Christy mailing list, Pax Christy Forum and 
Alt.tv.christy News Group.

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 1 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    Christy Huddleston awoke abruptly. She had had that dream again. She 
opened her eyes to the darkness and lay quite still, breathing slowly to calm 
her racing heart. Her eyes slowly picked out the lay of the furniture and the 
pictures on the wall. She knew where she was. Her own room at the Cutter Gap 
Mission. But her dream had seemed so real.

    Christy snuggled back into the warmth and comfort of her bed and felt the 
surrender of sleep engulf her once again.  She was back in Asheville. Oh, how 
wonderful it felt! She was going to surprise her family. It had been so long 
that she had been away. 

    She pictured her homecoming and smiled in eagerness. She could see her 
father sitting in his favorite chair by the fireplace. The rosy glow of the 
fire casting shadows on his handsome face. His reading glasses sliding down 
his nose, eyes closed but still pretending to read the newspaper spread 
careless and crumpled in his lap.

    Her mother would be sitting at the desk, her corner brightly lit by the 
light of a lamp. She would be checking household accounts with her back 
ramrod straight, every hair in its place. Occasionally, she would stop and 
check off something or add to her notes in her victorian handwriting which no 
one but herself could read.

    George, of course would be running down the stairs on his way out, 
wearing his knickers and his favorite cap hanging askew over his short brown 
curly hair.  Christy could not count the times that she had teasingly grabbed 
that cap and with her brother flying after, went scrambling up and down the 
house, screaming and laughing.

    Amelia would be on the carpet in front of the fireplace playing with her 
toy blocks and wooden animals.  Chattering a mile a minute. Never saying 
anything in particular just talking because she loved to hear herself talk.

    Christy hesitated at the front door and caught the perfume of the big 
magnolia tree that stood outside her bedroom window. Her hand touched the 
doorknob and she swung the door open wide.  She stepped over the threshold, 
holding her breath, afraid her giggles would give her away.  Christy faltered 
as her eyes grew accustomed to the dim, dusty light.  Her eyes darted around 
the room.  A bare room. No furniture. No pictures. No fire. No family.
    
    Her footfalls echoed loudly as she took the first faltering steps 
forward.  "Daddy?" Christy called. "Mother? George? Amelia---!"

    Christy woke with a start, and scrambled out of bed in the dim morning 
light of cobwebs and mistiness.  "Amelia!" She cried.  She crossed the room 
to the bureau, fumbling with the matches.  "Daddy?"  Christy finally 
succeeded in lighting the lamp. As she straightened the glass chimney, she 
realized where she was.  In her room at the mission.  She then realized that 
not only was Amelia gone, but that Amelia was gone forever and had been for 
many years.

    Quick tears stung her eyes as she pulled out a drawer from the bureau. 
She pulled out her treasure box hidden behind her nightgowns.  She shut the 
drawer softly and clasping the box tightly to her breast climbed back into 
bed. She settled herself cross-legged and opened the top of the box and 
peered in. The box still giving off a faint scent of lavender. 

    She poked around, fingering a piece of cloth from her coming out dress 
which her mother had the local seamstress make and fitted for Christy when 
she was 16. A rock, all glittery and sparkling that George had given to her 
one summer while they were on vacation at Montreat.  Her pearl necklace that 
her daddy had given to her, some loose, some still attached to the string on 
which they hung, remembering still others lost forever, never to be found.  
Of course she knew they weren't real pearls, but she had so often pretended 
they were, that they seemed real enough for her.

    She picked up a broach which had been her grandmother's and held it in 
her hands. They trembled as she remembered the time she had dropped it down 
the stairs. She had been running to ask her mother if she could pin it on and 
play pretend. It had broken, but Christy had fit the pieces back together and 
no one knew it was broken except for herself and she never told another soul. 
 Her mother had given it to her right before she had come to Cutter Gap. She 
removed the 'broken' piece and tucked inside was the small lock of braided 
brown hair. Amelia's...

    Christy closed her eyes and the aroma of lavender and licorice carried 
her homeward.  She took a deep calming breath, held it for as long as she 
could and then finally let it go.  She opened her eyes, 'fixed' the broach 
and closed the box.  She set the box on her bedside table. Christy climbed 
underneath the covers and with her hand curled under her cheek with the 
broach clasped tightly within, fell asleep to leave the light burning until 
morning.

**********
Cobwebs and dust, cobwebs and dust
I hate to leave you but leave you I must
Float through the sky, float through the sky
Unlock the gate, unlock  the gate
Lower the drawbridge the hour is  late
Tear down the walls, tear down the walls
Gather my treasure and scatter it all.
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, Cobwebs and Dust
**********

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 2 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    Christy awoke groggily to the sound of someone's persistent knocking on 
her bedroom door. "Miss Huddleston," It was Miss Alice. "Is thee all right, 
child?"

    Christy jumped out of bed and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "Miss 
Alice," She greeted as she opened the door. "I'm sorry I must have overslept. 
Is something the matter?"
    
    Miss Alice took in the dark smudges under the young teacher's eyes. "I 
beg thee pardon, Christy, but thee doesn't look like thee has slept at all." 
She laid her hand on the school teacher's shoulder. "Why don't thee let the 
Reverend take over thy classes today?"

    "Oh no, I couldn't. I'll be fine in a moment, as soon as I wake up." 
Christy protested. She raised her hand to rub at her temples, feeling a 
headache coming on. "Miss Alice, I was having the strangest dream..." She 
trailed off remembering.

    Miss Alice gave her a quick hug. "Perhaps thee can tell me about it 
later, Hmmm?" She paused to look down into Christy's face. "Thee will be late 
for school. Come down for breakfast, a good strong cup of coffee will help 
thee wake up."

    Christy gave a small smile. "Thank you, Miss Alice." She closed the door 
softly behind the missionary. She opened her hand to find the broach had made 
an imprint on it. Christy tucked the broach back into her treasure box and 
stuffed it back into the bureau drawer. She turned back to her wardrobe and 
grabbed the nearest outfit. "Lavender and licorice." She said softly as she 
hurriedly washed and dressed.  Lavender for her mother, it being her favorite 
scent and licorice for Amelia.

    Amelia loved licorice, loved it so much that she was constantly begging 
someone to take her to the candy shop. She ate it so often that she started 
smelling like licorice and Christy often teased her, saying she would soon 
turn into a large piece of licorice if she didn't stop. Amelia would just 
stick out her tongue often with bits of licorice still stuck to it. Christy 
would have to admonish her not to do that in mother's sight, but Amelia would 
just giggle and keep right on eating. Christy couldn't believe how spoil that 
child was. How she missed her!
    
    Christy sighed and pinned up her hair as best she could, still in a 
hurry. She leaned toward the mirror, studying her own face closely.  Her 
hair, not in it's neat bun today, but it was the best she could do at the 
moment. Her forehead furrowed in puzzlement, the tired eyes with the dark 
smudges underneath. She tried to see some small part of Amelia in her face 
but couldn't.  She rummaged around on her bureau top and opened a bottle of 
lavender perfume and inhaled deeply, she closed her eyes for a moment giving 
in to the homesickness. Before she could squeeze out a single tear, she 
dabbed a small scent on her handkerchief and stuffed it back into her pocket, 
then gave her hair a final pat and ran down the stairs to breakfast.

    "Ah, there she is!" David jumped up from his place at the breakfast table 
and drew out a chair for Christy. "Good morning, teacher," He smiled 
mischievously. "And who punishes the teacher when she is late for school, eh 
Christy? For once Ruby Mae has beaten you to school."

    "Am I that late?" Christy asked guiltily, she glanced at Miss Alice 
standing at the stove, who had just poured herself another cup of coffee and 
was gingerly taking a sip.  She saw Miss Alice nod briefly and announced. 
"I'll just grab a piece of bread and take it with me." While she spoke she 
cut off a wide slice of bread and buttered it liberally. She grabbed the 
strong cup of coffee Miss Alice must have just poured for her and took a 
quick sip. It was too hot, but she forced down as much of the bitter stuff as 
possible. She grabbed her books in one hand and holding the bread in the 
other, she took a big bite. Christy glanced back and with a full mouth 
muttered, "Miss Alice, have a good day. David, don't work too hard." And 
before they had a chance to move she was gone.

    David sat back down and applied himself to his breakfast once more.

    "Miss Huddleston..." Miss Alice called but Christy was already out the 
door.  She crossed to the table and sat down. There was a period of silence 
and then she said, "She forgot her lunch." Miss Alice told David to the 
question in his eyes. "And that was not a proper breakfast."

    David leaned over and put the last forkful of breakfast in his mouth. "I 
will take it to her." He mumbled as he wiped his hand across his mouth, 
grabbed Christy's lunch pail and ran out of the mission, leaving Miss Alice 
to shake her head helplessly. 

    Miss Alice finished her cup of coffee reveling in the peace and quiet. 
She had just gotten back from a visit at Low Gap and was still somewhat 
tired.  She cleaned up the breakfast dishes and when everything was as clean 
as clean could be, she went to her saddlebags and drew out a new book of 
poetry. She would indulge herself this morning. She settled on the sofa in 
the sitting room, occasionally turning a page, smiling to herself. When she 
found a poem she liked she would repeat the lines out loud savoring the sound 
of the beautiful words and the visions they inspired.  One poem made her 
remember the time when her friend Jacob had come to the Gap, the poem he 
recited to her and the dance afterward that they shared. She sat there until 
the sound of the telephone brought her back to reality.  She laid down her 
book and went to answer the repeated ringing.

**********
In the evening when the rain begins to fall
That's when I wonder if you think of me all
But you sound so sad, in your special way
Ain't it funny, life feels different with each new passing day
    ~~~ Gordon Lightfoot, All I'm After
**********

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 3 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    Christy hurriedly chewed and swallowed the last of her bread and butter 
and wiped her hand across her mouth brushing off crumbs before mounting the 
stairs to the schoolhouse. It was amazingly quiet and her heart skipped a 
beat, hoping the children had not thought there would be no school since she 
was not there on time.  But as she climbed the stairs she heard a voice 
reading and recognized 'Treasure Island.'  She crossed the porch to the 
doorway and saw Rob Allen standing in front of the class reading to them. The 
children were listening, sitting in their seats quietly, fascinated and 
interested.

    Rob glanced up and blushed guiltily. "Sorry, teacher. I was jest tryin' 
to keep 'em all quiet, like. I knew ye wouldn't be a bit long."

    Teacher smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you Rob, that was very 
thoughtful of you." She walked down the aisle between the two sections of 
school desks. "Children, thank you for behaving without me having to be here. 
I appreciate that very much. Rob, why don't you finish that chapter?" Christy 
wanted time to settle in and review her lessons for the day. She dropped her 
things on her desk and went around to her chair. She glanced up and saw David 
beckoning from the doorway.

    David handed her the lunch pail when she came near and whispered. "You 
forgot this, teacher."

    Christy sheepishly took the lunch Miss Alice had thoughtfully packed her. 
"Thank you David, I wonder what else I've forgotten?" She glanced down at her 
shoes making sure they were on and tied.

    David smiled mischievously and remarked. "Why teacher, were are your 
stockings?" His eyes wide and innocent.

    Christy gasped and leaned forward to take a look hoping none of the 
children had noticed and then looked back at David. "Oh, how could you, 
David?" Christy asked indignantly.

    David smiled. "I was just teasing you.  Aren't I allowed to tease the 
teacher?"

    "Not about something like that!" She answered, eyes flashing. "Good bye, 
David." She said pointedly.

    David brushed his hand across the teacher's cheek. "Have a good day, 
teacher," He said softly as he turned away. "I'm off to the Allen's." He 
raised his arm in farewell.

    Christy face softened and she watched him cross the meadow, and then 
realized how quiet it was behind her. She turned quickly and saw all the 
student's eyes on her and wondered how much they had seen and heard.  She 
cleared her throat and saw Rob standing uncertain in front of the classroom. 
"Thank you Rob, you may take your seat."

    "Yes'm, Miss Christy." Rob set the book on her desk and walked back to 
his seat and teacher heard whispers as she crossed to her desk.

    "She's sweet on the Preacher."
    "Naw, I reckon he's sweet on her."
    "Why's teacher late?"
    "I feared somethin' made teacher sad."
    "I wanna hear the back part of the story."
    "She looks uncommon pretty today."
    "Ah, yer sweet on teacher."

    "All right, children," Teacher shushed them. Christy crossed to the 
blackboard and proceeded to jot down some math problems.  "Please write these 
problems down and the first person with all sums done first and correctly 
will win a prize."  There were squeals of excitement as she heard the 
children getting out paper or using chalk on slates.

    Christy smiled and then wildly thought what would she use for a prize?  
She watched the children and was satisfied to see them bent over their task.  
She wandered to the door of the schoolhouse and peered out. She wished she 
could have been somewhere else other than in the stuffy classroom.  She was 
feeling restless. David was no where in sight and Christy sighed in resigned 
acceptance of her situation.

    Christy started when a grubby hand hesitantly touched her. She turned 
towards her student. "Mountie, you gave me quite a scare." Christy told the 
little girl. She had an uneasy feeling that Mountie had been trying to get 
her attention for some time.

    "Yes'm" The little girl answered shyly and then thrust the slate she held 
in her grimy hand towards her teacher. "Help?" She said shortly. Mountie was 
never very big on words.

    Christy glanced briefly at the problem in question and knelt down to the 
little girl and explained where Mountie had gotten off track. "Can you figure 
out the next one, sweeting?"

    Mountie smiled shyly, she loved when teacher called her pet names. 
"Yes'm, teacher." But she stayed standing there uncertainly.

    Teacher looked questioningly at her student, who seemed to remind her 
more of Amelia today than at any other time. "Is there something else, 
Mountie?"

    "I- I wish I had somethin' to give ye to make ye feel some better." That 
was the most she ever heard the little girl say all at once.

    "Why so there is!" Teacher said gratefully. "You know, a hug from you 
would make me feel so much better."

    Mountie nodded her head and allowed herself to be drawn into a hug. She 
fingered a wisp of teacher's good smelling hair which had come loose from the 
pin. Mountie smoothed teacher's hair back into place and wished she should 
wipe the sadness from her beautiful teacher's face the same way.

**********
Somebody with nothing to live up to
Who will mend my broken dreams
Given me a wave I can ride upon
Come and show your strength to me
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, Someone To Believe In
**********

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 4 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    Doctor MacNeill had been standing at the school house door for a few 
minutes and noticed Christy out of sorts.  He waited until Mountie settled 
back into her seat and watched as Christy turned back around to the door.  
His heart beat strangely as he saw her eyes brighten as they fell on him.  
"What seems ta be the trouble, Miss Huddleston?" He asked gently. 

    Christy's eyes opened wide with an innocent look. "Why nothing, Doctor 
MacNeill. Why do you ask?" Neil eyes narrowed and Christy felt his eyes go 
from the top of her flyaway hair to the tips of her silly pointed toed shoes 
as he seemed to examine her more closely than usual. Again Christy 
experienced the feeling that she had forgotten to dress properly that 
morning. But she would not give Neil the satisfaction of glancing around her 
person to check. She felt her face redden and stiffened her back. Why did the 
doctor always make her feel this way? Like a child. It was ridiculous! "If 
you've got something to say doctor, please say it so I can continue teaching."

    "You can fool Grantland and Alice and the children, except for Mountie," 
He conceded. "But this is me you are talking ta, Christy. I can read it in 
your eyes and on your face. You are like an open book, Miss Huddleston and so 
I ask you again, what 'tis wrong?"

    Christy dropped her eyes and she glanced out the door, looking anywhere 
but at him. She felt a sudden compelling urge to confine in him but then the 
very next moment it felt foolish to admit to him that she had been homesick. 
The vision of her parents sitting in the living room came to her again. That 
homey, safe, warm feeling. She thought of Amelia, the aroma of licorice came 
to mind and absentmindedly she whispered, "Licorice." 

    "I beg your pardon, Miss Huddleston?  I dinna' quite catch that." Neil 
MacNeill leaned towards her to hear better. His hazel eyes caring and daring 
at the same time.

     "I was just thinking about licorice," Christy replied petulantly. But 
she realized that that sounded even more ridiculous than saying she was 
homesick and wished she hadn't said anything at all. "Oh never mind. You 
wouldn't understand."

    "But I would like ta understand, if you would give me the chance." Neil 
caught a stray curl off Christy's forehead and tucked where he thought it 
should belong.  "A new hairstyle, Christy? I like your hair this way.  But 
don't wear it too often, you couldn't be stern if you tried, the children 
won't take you seriously." A smile broke over his tanned, rugged face like a 
light in the darkness.

    Christy's heart skipped a beat, and she made a move to shut the door. How 
did she get herself into this situation? "Please excuse me doctor, I have a 
class to teach." She said sternly, hoping to hide her emotions.

    Neil put a hand on the door to stop the forward motion. "Are you feeling 
bad, Christy?" The doctor asked concerned. "I do have some licorice root back 
at the cabin. I could go and bring some back for you." 

     "You do? You would?"  She asked eagerly and then she flushed feeling 
like an infatuated school girl. What must Neil be thinking of her?

    "Aye, of course I would. I use it in ma practice, comes in handy for 
making cough syrup and other ... ah ... remedies." Neil glanced around the 
schoolroom to be sure that the children were doing their lessons then he 
watched the young teacher's face closely. "Are you needing it for medicinal 
purposes then, Christy?"

    Christy's mind flew to the other possible uses for licorice as medicine 
and she blushed again. "Umm no. I- I'm fine. Really I am." Christy saw Neil's 
hazel eyes crinkle in amusement enjoying her discomfort. "Shouldn't you be 
somewhere else?" She asked.  

    "Trying ta get rid of me, I see." Neil asked as if hurt.
    
    "Yes, doctor, I am." She placed her hand on his shirt front as if to push 
him out the door.  Neil placed his hand over hers and she glanced into his 
face.  The warmth over her hand seem to intensify the color of his eyes.  She 
caught her breath as she felt a shock of electricity jolt through her and 
said gently. "Good bye, doctor." She shut the door behind him and then heard 
his roguish laughter. She fought to bring her temper under control. Why did 
she let that man make her so angry? But a small smile curved at the corner of 
her mouth. Oh, that man!

**********
I have no gold to give her, nor gowns of soft crimson hue
Nor poems of love no rhymes to bring her
Into my heart so strong so true
When will you love me, as I love you
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, A Minor Ballad
**********

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 5 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    "Neil?" Miss Alice called to the doctor. Neil turned Charlie around and 
waited for Miss Alice as she crossed the clearing. She had apparently just 
come from the mission. "There's been a telephone call, Neil." She said as she 
drew near him. "They need thee at the MacDougall farm, in Lofty Branch.  It's 
Jim. He's cut himself very badly."

    "I'm on ma way, Alice." Neil gave her a brief salute as he dug his heels 
into the horse's sides and pulled on the reins. 

    "Be careful, Doctor." Miss Alice called after him.

    "I always am!" He called back to her as he encouraged Charlie to break 
into a gallop. He found himself thinking of Miss Christy Huddleston, the 
Cutter Gap school teacher. What a feisty little thing she was. The more 
argumentative she was the more interested he became.  He enjoyed his 
conversations with her, she was always asking questions with enough interest 
to show that she was really listening to what he said and how he said things. 
 He would have to be more careful, he wouldn't want her to catch on to just 
how much and how well he thought of her.

*****

    Christy brought her mind back to the children. "Okay, who's done?" 
Several hands shot in the air.  Christy stopped at each desk and checked the 
answers. "Well," She said finally. "Since I don't know who was done first, 
and since they were all correct, let me see what I can find." Christy crossed 
to her desk, there were several paper tablets in one drawer, several sticks 
of chalk, several books including the copy of 'Treasure Island.' Teacher laid 
the prizes on top of her desk and called. "Rob Allen, please come forward and 
claim your prize."

    Rob bounded up to the front of the classroom and eagerly looked over the 
selection. His hand hesitated over the copy of 'Treasure Island.' 
"Teacher?..."

    Christy smiled and picked up the book he coveted and placed it in his 
hand. "Congratulations, Rob."

    Rob had to swallow before he said gratefully. "Thank you, Miss Christy. 
But are ye sure?"

    "I know you will take good care of it, Rob."

    "Yes'm, teacher, I will." Rob walked slowly to his seat while the boys 
gathered around to touch and admire Rob's good fortune. The girl's side of 
the room watched, interested and envious at the same time.

    Teacher looked around the room. "Zady Spencer, come get your prize."

    Zady shyly came to the front of the room and picked up a paper tablet. 
"Such pretty snow white paper, Miss Christy. Thank ye."

    "You are very welcome, Zady, well done." Her eyes followed the young girl 
as she settled back into her seat.  "Becky O'Teale."
    
    Becky gasped and scrambled to her feet. She approached the teacher's 
desk, picked out a piece of chalk and clasped it to her breast.

    Christy smiled at Becky and picked up another stick of chalk and placed 
it in the child's hand. "I'm very proud of you, Becky." 

    Becky smiled her thanks and crept back down the aisle to her seat.

    The children were gathered around Rob, Zady, and Becky all talking a mile 
a minute. When teacher finally quieted them down, she went on. "You children 
have been so wonderful today. Let's all have a treat. I don't know about you, 
but it's too hot and stuffy in here today for me, shall we do the rest of our 
lessons outside?" She smiled again at the squeals and cheers this 
announcement had on them. "Okay then, gather up your things and let's go.  
Becky Holt and John Spencer, will you scoot ahead and scout out a place for 
all of us?"

**********
It doesn't matter if the sun don't shine
It doesn't matter if the rain don't fall
I could think about you all the time
Do you ever think of me at all
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, Keepin' On Yearnin'
**********

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 6 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    Miss Alice was seated on the schoolhouse steps. All the children had 
headed home long ago. She waited for the young teacher as she came out onto 
the porch to lock up the school for the night. 
    Christy saw Miss Alice and sat down beside her. "Miss Alice!" She 
exclaimed. "Why didn't you come inside. I was just grading papers. I wouldn't 
have minded the company."

    Miss Alice waved her arm gesturing at everything and nothing in 
particular.  "Look there, Miss Huddleston. I was just admiring the view. It 
does my heart good to see everything in it's rightful and proper place. "

    Christy looked where Miss Alice had gestured. The emerald green grass. 
The browns, yellows and greens of the trees. The blues, grays and blacks of 
the surrounding mountains, towering over the Gap. Like a protector or a 
guardian. Peaceful and serene, yet strong and sturdy.  "It is beautiful here, 
Miss Alice. I love it so."

    "I know thee does, child. So do I." Miss Alice stared away into the 
distant mountains. "And yet these mountains are very cruel. It's a hard life 
for the highlanders here, Christy. They see God as a hard taskmaster, very 
strict and unyielding.  They do not see the joy, the happiness, the loving 
that we see.  That's part of the work we have set before us."

    Christy smiled uncertainly and wondered if Miss Alice wanted her to start 
right away.  "All right, Miss Alice, I'm ready. I'm not sure what to do or 
how to do it, but I'm ready."

    Miss Alice smiled back at her young friend. "Thee has started already, 
Miss Huddleston." She reached out and held Christy's hand in hers and patted 
it affectionately. "But let's change the subject, shall we? Let's talk about 
last night. Thy dreams have been very troubling lately, haven't they?"

    "Yes, but...Miss Alice..." Christy trailed off, not knowing where to 
begin. "It's not important, really."

    "Christy," Miss Alice told her gently but sternly. "If thy dreams make 
thee lose sleep, then it is very important. Perhaps talking about them, 
bringing them out in the open will help dispel the mystery and uncertainty."

    "I don't know..."
    
    "Dreams are very important, Christy. Could it be that thy subconscious 
mind is telling thee
something ."

    Christy shrugged and hoped to distract the missionary. "But, Miss Alice, 
if dreams are so important, why do we forget most of them?"

    "Thee doesn't really forget them, they remain in your experience, the 
same as does every tree thee sees every day, every bird thee hears singing, 
every breeze thy body feels, and every child thee comes in contact with.  All 
these things influences thy character, and so do dreams."

    "Maybe so, but I feel so silly." Christy made the excuse but realized 
that Miss Alice would not let her go until she said something, anything. 
"Miss Alice, you know that my little sister, Amelia died of scarlet fever." 
Christy waited for Miss Alice's nod of acknowledgment before she continued. 
"She's the one that's been in my dreams and on my mind so often lately. I 
don't know what it means."  There was a brief silence as Christy waited for 
Miss Alice to say something, when she didn't she went on. "I don't know ... 
sometimes I feel that there is something she wants me to know, like she is 
trying to tell me something."

    "Warning thee, perhaps?" Miss Alice suggested.

    "No, not like that." Christy said slowly. "Something ... something good. 
That's what I feel."

    Miss Alice smiled at her and let go of her hand.  "I'm sure thee will 
know when the time is right, child."

    "But I still miss her so, Miss Alice."

    "And yet, thee wouldn't want to forget her even if thy could, would thee?"

    Christy shook her head slowly and then noticed the sad look in Miss 
Alice's eyes. Christy's voice choked understandingly. "Margaret?" She asked 
in a small voice.

    Miss Alice was watching the mountains, hidden in shadow as the sun sank 
lower in the sky. "Yes, Margaret." She said quietly.

    Christy drew herself nearer to her mentor and friend. She reached out her 
arm and hugged Miss Alice to her.  Perhaps, she wasn't the only one needing 
comfort.

    "And isn't this a cozy picture!" A voice boomed out at them.

**********
Softly she comes
Whispers the breeze with her passing,
In secret love she is laughing
Softly she comes in the night
Then softly she goes
Her shining lips in the shadows
Whisper good-bye at my window
Softly she goes in the dawn
    ~Gordon Lightfoot, Softly
**********

Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 7 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    Both Christy and Miss Alice were startled by the disembodied voice coming 
from the darkness. As a lantern appeared, Christy exclaimed, "David 
Grantland! What a scare you gave us."

    David raised the lantern so they could see his face clearly. "I'm sorry, 
ladies. Truly I am. I didn't mean to startle you.  I was coming to escort the 
teacher home, but I see I get to take two beautiful ladies home instead."

    "Thank thee, David, I did not relish walking to my dinner in the 
darkness." Miss Alice got to her feet and stepped the rest of the way down 
the stairs.

    David offered his hand to Christy as she also stood up. "Did you keep her 
after school, Miss Alice?" He asked the Quaker woman and then turned to the 
teacher. "Or were you keeping yourself after, Christy, for punishment for 
being late this morning?"

    "Neither." Christy laughingly protested. "Miss Alice and I just got to 
talking and forgot about the time."

    "Well, ladies, shall we?" David draped an arm around each of the women.  
Christy knew his arm around Miss Alice was just an excuse so he could keep 
the arm around her without drawing protests. Christy smiled to herself and 
let herself be drawn along to the mission. "Besides, Ruby Mae's got a 
surprise for you."

    Christy grimaced and said reluctantly. "Not possum surprise, is it?" She 
didn't think she could stomach that tonight.

    "Oh, no." David said assuredly. "Not possum surprise." He drew the ladies 
up the porch and into the mission house. Lights shone bright and cheery for 
their homecoming.

    The three friends climbed the stairs. Miss Alice and David drew back as 
Christy walked through the front door.  "Surprise, Miss Christy!" Ruby Mae 
shouted. Christy's eyes went from the excited red haired girl to the 
beautifully set table, candles aglow.  Ruby Mae proudly showed Christy a 
cake, lopsided with the frosting yellowed and runny. "I done made 'hit 
myself, Miss Christy, seein' as how yer been here in these part's fer a good 
year now. This here is yer one year anny-ver-siree." Ruby Mae looked at Miss 
Alice to be sure she got that big fangled word out right. At Miss Alice's nod 
Ruby Mae went on. "Lordy, teacher! One whole year. Ain't 'hit a wonder! I 
jest can't be memorizing on how my life was before ye came. Miss Christy, 
yer's shorely jest like a ray of sunshine, ain't that right, peacher?"

    David looked approvingly at Christy. "Yes, indeed, Ruby Mae." He seemed 
to just enjoy watching Christy's beautiful face as she took it all in.

    "Ruby Mae." Christy said. "Thank you so much, this cake looks delicious. 
Miss Alice, I'm overwhelmed. David, I don't know what to say."

    Miss Alice handed her a sachet. " I know thee has been homesick, Christy. 
I hope this small token brings comfort to thee. Thee has brought joy with 
thee to Cutter Gap whether thou knows it or not, child."

    "Miss Alice, I suspect your coming to the school was a trick to keep me 
occupied, so I didn't walk in on this surprise." Christy buried her nose in 
the sachet and the smell of magnolia transported her home. Christy swallowed 
the lump in her throat. "Thank you all."

    "Congratulations, teacher!" David handed Christy his gift. It was a 
miniature replica of the church/schoolhouse made out of wood.

    "Oh, David!" Christy exclaimed handling it very carefully. "It so 
beautiful and so perfect. Every little detail ... exquisite. Look, even a 
little bell in the steeple. You must have spent so much time on it. I can't 
thank you enough."

    David leaned close to her and whispered. "Shall I show you how?" He made 
sure that Miss Alice and Ruby Mae had not heard him.

    Christy blushed and backed away and then announced. "This had all been 
such fun. Thank you all. I feel so much better."

    "I'm pleased to hear that," Miss Alice smiled at that statement and 
gestured to the table. "Shall we? David, will thee say grace?" She held out 
her hands, clasped Christy's and Ruby Mae's in hers and bowed her head.

**********
Go my way and I'll be good to you
Believe in me and I'll do the best I can
I can't be anything but just what I am
I can't help it if I'm in love with you
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, Go My Way
**********
Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 8 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

(The next day)

    Neil pulled Charlie to a halt as he rode along the road to El Pano. He 
saw a shoe, dirty, dusty and forlorn peeking out from under a bush. Neil 
dismounted his horse and picked up the shoe and examined it, and then looked 
around suspecting some sort of trap. The O' Teale cabin was just around the 
corner and he decided to hand deliver the shoe himself.  He came to the edge 
of the O' Teale property and saw the children scattered around watching 
George.

    "Thanky, doc!" Little George O'Teale grabbed the shoe out of the doctor's 
hand. "I've been lookin' all over tarnation fer that."

    "No fair helpin!" Orter Ball yelled. "Now I git to hide that 'un all over 
ag'in." He chased George around the yard, trying to wrestle the shoe away 
from him.

    "Ya done ruined our game, Doc." Smith cried. "He'd a never a found it 
'thout yer help."

    Doctor MacNeill looked confused.

    "They be playin' hide and seek, Doc." Neil heard Swannie's voice and 
looked over to where she was half hidden by her dried herbs.

    "With their shoes, Swannie?"

    "Keep's 'em out o' mischief, 'sides they ain't be usin' 'em jest now."

    "Aye, I see." Neil said confusedly. "Well, I'd best be on my way then. 
Good bye, Swannie... children." As he mounted his horse, a chorus of good 
byes came from the bushes and trees where the children were playing, he 
raised his hand to Mountie as the child stared back at him. She ignored the 
screams and hollers the other children were making and he idly wondered if 
she had been included in the fun her brothers were having. 

    Further along down the road Neil saw and heard Becky O'Teale crying, 
fiddling with something in her hands. Doctor MacNeill dismounted once again 
and hastened to the child's side. "Becky, are you all right?"

    Becky lifted her tear stained face to peer nearsightedly at him. "No sir, 
I ain't 'zackly."  She gave him her glasses, bent out of shape, one of the 
lens had fallen out and cracked. "Reckon ye can ye fix 'em, doc?" She 
explained how they had gotten broke.  "I'd rather run away from home than 
have Pa find out what happened. He'll skin me alive if'n he finds out."

    Doctor MacNeill gingerly fingered the wire and glass confusion. He shook 
his head in disbelief and helplessness. But his gesture made the tears flow 
afresh. "Aw please, Doc. I didn't mean to break 'em, honest I didn't."
        
    MacNeill brought out his handkerchief and handed it to her and gestured 
to her to dry her eyes. "I know ya dinna', wee one, but we have ourselves 
quite a problem now, don't we?" He glanced tenderly at her.

    Becky held her breath and nodded reluctantly. "Please, Doc MacNeill, 
don't tell anyone. I'll do anythin' for ye, ifn' ye could fix 'em."

    Neil slipped the spectacles into his pocket. "I'll just take them along 
ta El Pano with me, all right Becky?" She nodded her head eagerly in assent, 
hope springing in her eyes. The Doctor placed his hand on her shoulder and 
gave it a quick pat. "No promises, but I'll do the best I can."

    "Thanky doc. I'd shorely be obliged. But what can I do fer ye in return?"

    Neil stood up, gathered the reins in preparation of the climb back on his 
horse. "'Tis quite all right, Becky. Let's wait until I get back, shall we?"
    
    "Reckon, I'm a pure disappointment to ye, doc." Becky said sadly.

    "No, Becky, never that. I assure you." Doctor MacNeill smiled kindly at 
her, knowing the kind of life she had at home and wishing he could change it. 
He drew her into his arms and hugged her briefly and let her go.  He was 
saddened and amazed how some children like the O'Teale's could grow up 
without the love and encouragement other children received at home.  How 
could God allow these things to happen? Neil suddenly heard Christy's voice 
in his head. 'I thought you said you didn't believe in God, Doctor?' and his 
response. 'I dinna' say that, Christy, just that he dinna' have anything ta 
do with me.'

    He was glad that Miss Huddleston had come to Cutter Gap, the children 
needed her so. Mountie O' Teale was a different child since the teacher had 
come. Christy was making a difference and he wished he could have made more 
progress with the mountain people. Maybe he was taking it a bit slow being so 
precautious. Maybe Christy had a point after all.  He had been so busy making 
her see his way of things, that he didn't stop to see hers.

**********
And it shines on and on til all sadness is gone
And if children had wings I would sing them their song
With a smile on my lips and a tear in my eye
Everything will be fine by and by
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, If Children Had Wings
**********
Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 9 of 10            
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

    "I know what to do! But it's a secret. I'll show ye when ye git back, 
Doc." Becky politely waited until the Doctor was on his horse and waved at 
him before she turned and ran back down the road Neil had just ridden.

    Becky slowed down her pace to catch her breath. Seemed like Doctor 
MacNeill's cabin was just to far away to run likety split right there.  She 
paused by the McHone cabin and heard their old hunting dog, Scout, as he 
barked up a storm. She saw someone in the garden, waving at her, she waved 
back, but couldn't quite figure who it was, since she didn't have her glasses 
on. 
    
    "Howdy there, Becky." Isaak went to her as she stood at the edge of the 
garden. "You look plumb tuckered out. Why don'tcha come up ta the house and 
set a spell. Ma's making some gingerbread and I'll git'cha a cup o' my Ma's 
special spiced 'nog."

    Becky smiled gratefully and let the boy lead the way. "It IS hot." She 
agreed. She had always liked Isaak, he had always been nice to her. He never 
teased her the way some of the others did.

    "Ye go on in and set, I'll fetch the 'nog. 'Hit's in the cellar." Isaak 
headed around the house. "Ma," he shouted. "We got us some settin'-in 
company."

    Becky peered hesitantly in the house, unsure of the reception she would 
receive. She knew the O' Teales weren't welcome in some people's houses. The 
aroma of warm gingerbread hit her like a wave, and her mouth watered at the 
smell.

    "Becky!" Opal McHone was standing at the table thumping the dough to get 
out the air bubbles. "Step in, child. My, you look mighty hot."

    As Becky ventured further into the cabin, she saw Mrs. McHone wipe at her 
sweaty face with her sleeve. Flour seemed to be everywhere. "Yes'm." She said 
shyly.

    "Let me jest git this here loaf into the cook-stove and I'll cut ye and 
Isaak a slice of the gingerbread jest comin' out." She gestured toward a 
chair for Becky to sit on.

    Isaak came into the room holding a jug. He crossed the room and brought 3 
tin cups to the table. He poured out the cool liquid, all velvety and creamy, 
equally into the cups, and pushed one towards Becky and one towards his 
mother. "Come on Ma, ye've been workin' too hard. Stop and set with us, 
won'tcha?"

    "Thanky, son." Opal smiled at her boy. "But I've got too much to do." As 
she spoke, she dumped the dough into a pan and placed it in the oven, then 
she grabbed the hot pan of gingerbread and brought it over to the table. She 
took a deep breath of the sweet gingerbread smell and flipped it over until 
it shook loose from the pan.  She laid a clean towel over it, so that she 
could cut the bread without burning herself and cut 2 generous slices. She 
laid them in front of the children and continued on with her work.

    Becky grabbed the piece of bread and brought it to her mouth feeling the 
heat on her fingers and on her lips.  She took a careful bite and closed her 
eyes to savor the taste.  

    Isaak smiled at the smile on her face. "Good, ain't 'hit? My Ma makes the 
best gingerbread." He said proudly. "Try some eggnog."

    "Ummmmm," Came the contented answer. "Miz McHone, It IS the bestest I 
ever did have."

    "I'm right glad ye be enjoyin' it. Where ye be headed, child?"

    "To Doc MacNeill's." Becky said innocently.

    "Onyone ailin' out at yer place?"

    Becky choked on a piece of gingerbread. "Oh no, ma'am!" She assured Mrs. 
McHone when she was able. "I'm... I'm jest vistin' some." She finished 
lamely. She took a drink to clear her throat.

    "Oh, well have some more bread." Opal cut her another slice and then 
wrapped up the rest. "Here ye take this on home to share with your brothers 
and sisters, I got four more loaves to bake ter' night."

    "I'm much obliged to ye, ma'am." Becky was eyeing the wrapped up bread 
and tried to calculate how many slices they would be able to get out of it. 
"Awful good bread, ma'am."

    Becky continued on her way until she came to the Doctor's cabin. She 
climbed the stairs and hesitantly opened the door and peered in. The swatch 
of sunlight followed her in. She glanced around. Well, so much for her great 
idea. "I guess cleanin' the Doc's cabin whilst he's gone wasn't such a grand 
idee after all." She said out loud. Still, she crossed the room and knew to 
clear the dishes from the table and sweep the floor. But her ma had never 
showed her how to clean house. Or least their house was never clean. She 
couldn't remember the last time it WAS clean. Then she thought suddenly, Why 
did I want to clean Doc's cabin, when I've never helped clean our'n's before? 
 She finally decided to speak with Mrs. Spencer and promised herself that she 
would help her ma more at home later.

**********
I live in the shade of a forest of green
In the wildest of woodlands that you've ever seen
There's rabbits and quail and tender young snails
As brown as the seaweed on old rusty nails
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, Sea Of Tranquility
**********
Title: Lavender and Licorice
Part 10 of 10           
Author: Allysen
E-mail: Unistar3@aol.com

(Several days later)

    Miss Christy turned to the class. "Children, I have several pictures in 
my hands." She held them up in front of the children. "These are copies of 
some paintings from the museum in Asheville.  I have split the class into 6 
groups." As she spoke, she turned the easel so the children could see.  "I 
have written everyone's name on the blackboard. Find your group quietly 
please." She pointed to the front of where the boys were sitting. "Group one 
is here." She pointed further back to the middle and then at the back by the 
door. "Group two is here, group three, there." She turned to the girl's side 
of the room and pointed out the last three groups. "Groups four, five, and 
six."  

    She waited until all the students moved to their appointed groups, and 
then handed each group a different picture. "I want you to study the picture 
in your group, and as a group, I want to tell me what this painting tells 
you, how it makes you feel.  You can write a story or make up a play, those 
are just two suggestions. Everyone makes suggestions and takes votes, but let 
everyone take a part in it. We will spend an hour each day on this project. 
These are due by Monday of next week, so you can even get together over the 
weekend and work on it if you feel so inclined. Any questions?" Teacher 
smiled at the children as they got interested in the assignment. "Children, I 
don't need to tell you to be careful of these pictures, do I?" Choruses of 
"No, ma'am," and "We'll be careful, teacher." Assured her that they would 
take good care of them.

    Teacher wandered around the room, watching each animated group and 
listened indiscreetly. She turned towards the door to see herself being 
watched by Doctor MacNeill. She crossed the room to him. "Doctor MacNeill, 
what brings you out here?"

    "Miss Huddleston... " The doctor hesitated and then went on. "Christy, I 
just got back from El Pano."  He thrust some weeds in her hand. "It's 
lavender, I picked it up along side of the road. It reminded me of you, and I 
thought you might like some."

    Christy brought the stems of lavender to her nose and smelled deeply. 
"How did you know?" she asked.

    "Know what?" The doctor asked confused.

    "The smell of lavender reminds me so much of home."
    
    Neil nodded. "Your perfume the other day. Aye, now I understand. You were 
homesick." He then handed her a brown paper package.  "Here, I've got another 
cure."

    She looked at him quizzically and he nodded his head at the package as if 
he dared her to open it.  Christy hesitated. Doctor MacNeill took back the 
paper bag, tore it open, grabbed her hand with the palm upwards, and dumped 
licorice into it.  "A craving never really goes away unless it's quenched 
with the real thing." He gave her a quick wink. "Take it from someone who 
knows."

    Christy was overwhelmed, but not so much that she didn't wonder what that 
last remark meant. "Why Doctor MacNeill, thank you so much." She looked at 
Doctor MacNeill closely. "You shouldn't have done it, you didn't have to, you 
know? But I'm touched, what a nice thing to do. I can't tell you what this 
gesture means to me."

    He leaned forward, knowing that all the children's eyes are upon him and 
teacher.  With his lips close to her ear he softly whispers. "Call me Neil," 
He paused. "And don't make yourself sick by eating it all at once."  

    "Why not?" she asked saucily. "Wouldn't you like the pleasure of treating 
me as your patient?"
    
    "Aye," He said. "An opportunity with you at anytime is a pleasure, but 
not when you are ill." He paused and then went on. "Christy, you want ta know 
something?" He waited for her nod, before he continued. "You're a terrible 
patient." He smiled to let her know that he thought no such thing.

    Christy squeezed his hand with a quick thank you before she turned to the 
classroom. "Look children," She announced. "Doctor MacNeill has brought us 
licorice from El Pano." The children gathered around them, some to get a 
glimpse of the candy which was a rare treat for them, and some to thank the 
Doctor. 

    Doctor Neil walked over to where Becky stood waiting patiently for her 
share of the sweet treat.  He tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention 
and mysteriously wagged his finger at her, motioning to her that he wanted 
her to follow him.  He led her away from the other children and bent down.  
"This is ma price for the fine job you did at cleaning ma cabin t'other day," 
He opened his hand and showed her the glasses nestled inside.  Becky smiled 
her thanks and Doctor MacNeill carefully placed the spectacles on her nose 
and adjusted the wires over the ears.  "New ones, Becky, the others couldn't 
be fixed, now you be careful then."

    "Oh, I will, Doc. I will.  I promise, thank ye." She hugged him 
gratefully. He met the teacher's beautiful blue eyes as she watched them from 
across the room.  Her smile couldn't have made a prettier picture. 

    As Christy stood there among the children, the smell of licorice made her 
think of Amelia.  Her eyes went from the lavender in her hand to the hazel 
eyes of the doctor. His eyes are all crinkly and twinkling, winking at her.  
Christy wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her. She couldn't 
possibly have thought that Doctor Neil MacNeill was winking at her. Neil was 
so good with the children and she wondered briefly if he would be as good 
with "their" children when... Christy guiltily brought her attention back to 
the here and now.  "Thank you, Amelia," She said quietly. " I think I know 
what you were trying to tell me."

    She beamed at the good doctor and wondered what he would have thought had 
she told him about her plans for the future.

**********
If you'd like to spend an afternoon approaching Lavender
You'll feel just fine but one thing sure
You'll never be the same.
You won't need a reason just to be alone with Lavender
For the light so warm and pure will draw you like a flame.
You will find your tongue's on fire
With words you never spoke before and could not speak again.
Your presence means so much to me, much more than life itself.
    ~~~Gordon Lightfoot, Approaching Lavender
**********
THE END