small city and the county seat. Its situation made it a pleasant place to spend t

s were the summer homes of the city folk. There were acres of lawn and grove with natural ravines through which ran little streams and over whose banks the laurels grew in wild profusion. Back of these hills, t

y-disciplined schools of the State. The campus and grove beyond were extensive. Beech Creek lay to the south and was used for bathing and boat

seminary folk were pleased than otherwise at this, for on the river-soaked campus edge the willows and water birches thrived, and made a beautiful protection for the

ld not be light, and Debby knew that she would be compelled eventually to use the little money which her father had put by for a rainy day; the interest of which had met her living expenses. The woman looked forward and saw the time when her money would be gone. But, s

y-. She smiled grimly when she thought of coming to a place where she could not ta

chards in search of a flat suited to their needs. In her look into the fut

he worst, I can sell the timber la

words. "Does that mean that you

are gone, and Hester is through with schoo

happen that you know nothing of now. I have learned to antici

emselves. Hester's schooling will cost me almost every cent of my rea

Debby. You are placing it where it will draw the greatest intere

nt is to have Hester prepared for some work-to take car

ce. I think, Debby, you and I will never be content to shu

soil. I'm not one who likes the click of my own heels on the pavement. There's s

he brow of a hill. It was a simple little place, weather-beaten and faded; but a strip of sod ran about the front and side. The little low p

own from the seminary was to Debb

uld slip in each day. The pupils are a

her childish burdens just as you have always done. If you live where Hester can talk

re right," sai

g porches and vines. I'm satisfied with it if you

fact settled matters for Debby Alden. If it were good for Hester, then it sh

he opening of school. There were papering and painting to be done. Had it been within her own home, Debby Alden would have done the work herself

furnished bedrooms which Debby and Hester never entered except at cleaning time; below there were the old-fashioned parlor, the living-room with its air of comfort, the dining-room, kitchen and what in that locality was ter

have been unbounded had it been possible for Debby to be with her within the school. That could not be. Hester was wise enough to know that. There was one other course that could be followed, however. She could live in town with Aunt Debby and Miss Richards and be but a parlor student at the seminary. To Hester's mind, this would be a very satisfactory arrangement, and she meant to bring it to pass. Having been successful in persuading her Aunt Debby to live in

ck" in the ways of her household. Every cupboard and closet was gone over. Bed clothes were aired and laid away where neither mice, rust, nor mildew could touch them. China and silver were sorted and again sorted before

of the garden. "I always do pot that for a house-plant. I suppose it will grow as well at Loc

m a race who had for generations looked upon the expression of love and sentiment as a weakness. Whenever Debby felt her emotions conquering her, s

ul pulling one. I think I'll ask Kate Bowerman to see to them. She might pack up a few and send to me. I'm curious to see h

ard-proper from the garden and wood-yards beyond. Debby was proud of her co

," she repeated as she ben

Debby? To me, they look

as the same number of legs and hoofs and its eyes are in the right place, but it isn't a thoroughbred. Anyone can see that at a glance. It is just the same with plants. There's a wide difference. Though I suppose it is

dge of Hester's parentage, it was as though she had thrown a taunt in the child's face. When Hester returned, bearing in her arms the two, large flower-pots, Debby ma

a pleasant one, yet she did not mean to shirk it; but she did put it off to the very last morning whe

ld. But now you are leaving and Providence alone knows what may be in store for us. I may not come back. Now, don't begin to cry. I expect to live a

s. Just let your packing go this morning. We'll have time to finish this afternoon and not be

titch she wore when the accident befell her. Somewhere or sometime, some o

he narrow dark stairway which lead from the ki

Aldens, for generations, had kept their heirlooms. So far as money value was considered, there was nothing here worth while. A surveyor's compass and staff, a spinning wheel;

reme end of the attic. It was to

I put a card inside so that you might know that they were your mother's

iss Debby's wishes, sat down on the floor near the window while

e way of speaking. She looked like a woman who had never worked hard and was used to having things comfortable. That's why

, the newspaper accounts of the death of the French woman, had been misleading. This was one act of her life that gave her no

hat hour at dinner when she sat in the kitchen. She had dark eyes and hair and a plump, round figure. You look like her, only there is a

moved by the sight of these things. She was sixteen, and had come to the

ve a little child in the world without ever making an effort to find her? They could not have been fine people. Hester was

of Aunt Debby's training," she concluded as the la

e that they neve

pride was in arms. If her own people cared so

ng to you. I'd rather be your girl than anyone's else and I c

iment was not at all proper. One shou

se, you and I are very near to each other; but you

he articles of clothing which had been in her lap. "Why, Aunt Debby, I'd treasure an old s

d in "the speak-when-spoken-to" child. But there are some arguments that cannot be questioned. She wanted Hest

vingly; but she looked up at the girl with such a t

ow you do." She was down beside Debby Alden wi

ester,

be foolish. You know

ely do

unt Debby was blushing

," cried Hester. "You turn the question

inder. "Your little baby-clothes are here. Your mother must have been

guishing mark about them. They were of fine sheer linen, and exquisitely ma

nued Debby. "This is it. It was pinned down in front with an odd

shape and about the size of a dime. Inside the outer gold edge was woven a

ined it eagerly. It was the first interest she had evinced in anyt

way when I unpinned it from your bib. I tried to brighten it a little, but I couldn't. It looks now just as

r saw a bit of glass look so. When I hold it one way, it looks like a spark

y. "All cut glass refl

aled to Hester. Turning it about in

ice that before. It has been an old fashioned earring made into a pin. Earrings used to be fashionable. No lady ever dressed without them, I've hear

ep this and wear

, Hester. Someone might

, and that I wore it when I was a little

lose it-" D

'd dearly love to have it, Aunt Debby.

silent. Hester, pleased with the bauble, pinned it on her dres

it would bring to Hester loss of friends and-but neither the girl or woman could anticipate that. At pre