he had not the heart to bring her efforts before the public, although she did write in secret. It is a long and hard

sm of thinking aloud or rather in tones under her breath,

cused from classes on account

n a sprain. It sounds all right. I'll let it be that.

hinking aloud?" asked Helen after this

er. What I am saying is not private and it

, and decided. "Has it not come to you that I might wis

crimson. "I beg pardon

le roommate. If it were Aunt Debby you would not take it so to heart. Then why should it hurt from me? Boarding-school

ow. I am so glad I have you for a roommate. W

" said Helen. She w

approaching and her gifts were barely in preparation. She was embroidering a set of linen collar

ssing up and down the dormitory halls. It was not always possible to distinguish Helen's step. Then she had to resort to subterfuge to get the

rday morning, after a few minutes' study, Hel

f them. Bob would not be permitted to come to the dormitory. Perhaps, Aunt Harriet is waiting with him in the reception hall. Marshall may have been sent

rupted, Hester hurried to the wardrobe which they had in common and taking down a waist began to measure the collar. She had just completed this when she heard the click of Helen's heels. Quick a

e trouble?"

curtness. "What should make you think there was a

dent embarrassment did not pass unobserved. Helen gave h

s all. I did not find it necessary to go to the guests' entrance. Marshall was com

yet we have not met! She always came when I was home with Aunt Debb

tes, or I am not a reliable

t Vail alone awaited them in the reception

e-looking and attractive but she was not startled at that. He was the young man who had accoste

e thought I was rude, but I was confident that yo

aively. Then observing his look of surprise, she added, "She would not believ

Helen with a show of

member that I was a stranger to Miss Alden and her aunt.

I saw you and I knew that y

ink of such a thing? Didn't s

how such a spirit," laughed He

, but not when they touch

de a compact this very morning and promised

t Vail. "If I am a good prophet, you'll be tea

?" asked Helen, abruptly chang

, "We tried to persuade her not to go, but she said this might be a real clue and she could not be satisfied to remain home. Fa

e, I see, Miss

r merely the same old stor

ad been West. There she made the acquaintance of a southern woman who talked much of a Rosa Williams, who did some work for her. Mrs. Mader was interested and asked all sorts of questions. This Rosa Willi

f only she would give up hope. She

of this one cousin who took the place of brother to her. He was in his last year in medical college, and had led his class for three full years. Yet he was not a bookish man. He was of a social nature, fond of company, and outdoor life, taking as much interest in cross-country walks and athletics as he did

u with my rudeness. The first time I met you I mistook you for He

id Helen, "if the hall is just a little dark,

if I were to mistake you now

y at her now. I've seen my mother sitting that way many a tim

beautiful," said Hester, s

for compliments?" asked Helen, pretend

compliments are floating on the surface with

been accustomed to receiving such compliments or

He had a queer feeling that somehow his mother had made a mistake in not calling at the seminary that morning, and that he stood nearer

him. She wondered as she did so why he had as

ple? Have you alw

herself to think of it, lest she should grow depressed and unhappy. And to think that now this Robert Vail whom she had liked so much, had presumed to question her. Like a flash, it came to her that pe

nt Debby's precious training was flung to the winds. She raised her head proudly and looked directly

presume my people also were of that name. My father and mother died wh

once more, I shall promise not to annoy you again. I fancy my question was personal. I asked it because of the resemblance to my mother and cousin. It

Everyone knows that it keeps all the other

behooves them to take care of me, lest I be lost or stolen." Tu

was Aunt Debby's brother.' It was a lie-nothing less than a lie," she kept saying to herself and the thought spoiled the entire day for her. It spoiled more than that, too. Perhaps, had she told the truth, she would never a

o his cousin. "Mother said I was to play es

The preceptress gave me permission to go with the

er. Better care, I fancy, for she would b

u and Hester will excuse me, I will explain to Miss Burkham. Perhaps, she

few moments returned with that lady herself,

by," said Hester. "I wrote her a note

ain at her home until you are ready to return to school. Under any circumstances you must be here before five o'clock. Be kind enough to set your timepieces with th

he most sensitive of the girls. Her manner was gracious and her smile kindly. She would put herself to no end of trouble to add to the happiness of the pupils; on the other hand, she would go t

enerally hers and the power of enjoying the most trifling affairs had deserted her. She sat silent until Helen rallied her. Then she made an effort to be her usual bright

Debby. How Aunt Debby despised anything of that kind! Hester felt that her clear gray e

ster was more than quiet. Sh

her table service. She had given it the right touch of daintiness and refinement. There had come to her, the remembrance of certain co

ore for me than it did before-a great deal more than I ever hoped to have it hold. I wonde

ple. You would have been the same Debby-only with the narrower view of life. You would h

had blushed

does not think of, the other does. It was only last week that Hester wrote me some very silly nonsense about not on

what we say and you like to hear us say it. Why not express ourselves? There is nothing in the world that is as great as love. The greatest thing in the world! Why then should we go through life

ing beautiful were not flattering. She was beautiful with the beauty which comes from fine principle, high ideals, and a warm, love-filled heart. People had turned in the s

. She took Hester in her arms. In an instant h

ing my little g

home!" She threw her arms about Debby Alden's neck and hugged

girl. Then she turned to Robert Vail and holding out her hand, said merrily, "I shall forgive and believe now, since I know you have a cousin Helen and sh

low myself to be forgiven under such circumstances. You would not have faith in me until I pr

hand tight in his own while they move

ve faith in you, though evi

easantly impressed by a young man as she had been

f making his smile and voice put his words at fault. Yet, while he entertained her she was not wholly unconscious of two things-that Hester was

isters? Did you

, I am an only chi

or sister is able to 'comb one' thoroughly smooth. They trim the plant of self-esteem; they nip the bud of se

e been-" Helen left the sentence unfinished, implying

re worth a dozen brothers and sisters when it comes to 'combing one down.'" They laughed at t