defies me."

"No, Mamma," cried Ethel, coming down stairs and putting her arm
around her mother, "I only object to sailing under false colors.
All of our life has been sham--sham--and make believe, and I can
not see Papa growing older and more bent every day, when he should
be young looking and happy. And I know that it's worry over getting
the money for me that I may make a show for people to think me
wealthy. And when Aunt Susan came here you told everyone that I was
to be her heiress. Why, Mamma, she is poorer than we are. Every
penny of her money was lost four years ago, and Tom Harper--her
adopted son--supports her. Then there's dear Uncle John. He's
nearly five years older than Papa and he looks ten years younger.
Why? Because he has nothing to worry him. And when I see the lines
and wrinkles coming into your pretty face I think it's all for me,
and I've decided to give it up. I shall still go out with the
friends who care for me, but they must know me as I am; and next
summer I want you to come with me to Camp. You are so clever and
can teach the girls so much about sewing and dressmaking.

"Mamma dear, let's turn over a new leaf. Let's give up all sham and
be happy. Then we can tell who are our true friends and they'll be
all we need."

Here Ethel put her arms around her mother who at once burst into tears,
sobbing:

"And I wanted you to make a g-good m-match."

"Never mind," laughed Ethel. "Who knows? I may marry better than ever.
Cheer up, Mamma dear," and from that hour the mother and daughter
changed places.

And Grandmother Hollister whispered to her son:

"Behold! a miracle."

* * * * * *

[Transcriber's Note: The following nine pages were bound with "How Ethel
Hollister Became a Campfire Girl." They constitute a separate story.]

THE FLOWERS' WORK

"See, mother! I've finished my bouquet. Isn't it beautiful? More so, I
think, than those made by the florist which he asked two dollars for,
and this has cost me but seventy-five cents."

"Yes, yes, it is very pretty. But, dear me, child, I cannot help
thinking how illy we can spare so much for such a very useless thing.
Almost as much as you can make in a day it has cost."

"Don't say _useless_, mother. It will express to Edward our appreciation
of his exertions and their result, and our regards. How he has struggled
to obtain a profession! I only wish I could cover the platform with
bouquets, ba