re. I know all
about her and her grandparents. My dear child, her grandmother used to
be a waitress way out West where her grandfather owned mines, and he
boarded at the house where she worked, fell in love and married her.
Probably there's where she gets her rudeness."

"Why, Grandmother, how did you know that?" asked Ethel.

"There's little I don't know about the fine old New York families, my
dear. Remember I married into one and I heard a great deal."

After that Ethel felt comforted.

CHAPTER VII

AUNT SUSAN MAKES FRIENDS

In less than a week Mrs. Hollister had circulated the report that Aunt
Susan was an immensely wealthy but eccentric old maid, and that Ethel
was to be her heiress. The report spread like wildfire. Then Mrs.
Hollister took the girl and told her that she must begin and make
herself invaluable to Aunt Susan, so that she alone would inherit her
immense fortune.

"Of course," she said, "she'll leave your Cousin Kate some if it, but
why should that adopted son get the lion's share? You might just as well
have it."

Ethel had to go everywhere with Aunt Susan,--she who so disliked
anything savoring of the conspicuous. She could hear the sneers and
laughter of Estelle Mason's set of girls and could see their looks of
amusement. At first she rebelled, but the dislike of offending her
grandmother and fear of disobeying her mother made her meekly submit,
and like a martyr she went.

Aunt Susan was such a lovely character that Ethel was ashamed of
herself, for everything seemed to please her so, and she kept dwelling
upon the fact that the family (especially Ethel) was so kind that she
should never forget it. But although she bought expensive gifts for the
three women, they dared not suggest her spending anything on herself.
Something kept them from it and told them that she might become offended
and leave the house.

Gradually the friends of the Hollisters' came and fell in love with Aunt
Susan. She was such a lady and had such charming manners. Besides,
knowing her to be a wealthy woman, they accepted her with her peculiar
gowns, even inviting her to teas, etc. Never did an old lady have such a
fine visit. Harvey Bigelow was most attentive to her, Aunt Susan
declaring him to be a likely fellow, and wondering why her niece Kate
didn't fancy him.

She spoke often of Thomas Harper--her adopted son and protege. He was a
fine lawyer and was devoted to her. She received letters from him twi