ver were such delightful weeks
as those that followed. Patty came rapidly back to health and
strength. As for Marcella, Miss Draper's prophecy was also fulfilled;
she soon looked and felt like another girl. The dismal years of
drudgery behind her were forgotten like a dream, and she lived wholly
in the beautiful present, in the walks and drives, the flowers and
grass slopes, and in the pleasant household duties which she shared
with Miss Draper.

"I love housework," she exclaimed one September day. "I don't like the
thought of going back to the store a bit."

"Well, you're not going back," calmly said Miss Draper, who had a
habit of arranging other people's business for them that might have
been disconcerting had it not been for her keen insight and hearty
good sense. "You're going to stay here with me--you and Patty. I don't
propose to die of lonesomeness losing you, and I need somebody to help
me about the house. I've thought it all out. You are to call me Aunt
Josephine, and Patty is to go to school. I had this scheme in mind
from the first, but I thought I'd wait to see how we got along living
in the same house, and how you liked it here, before I spoke out. No,
you needn't thank me this time either. I'm doing this every bit as
much for my sake as yours. Well, that's all settled. Patty won't
object, bless her rosy cheeks!"

"Oh!" said Marcella, with eyes shining through her tears. "I'm so
happy, dear Miss Draper--I mean Aunt Josephine. I'll love to stay
here--and I _will_ thank you."

"Fudge!" remarked Miss Draper, who felt uncomfortably near crying
herself. "You might go out and pick a basket of Golden Gems. I want to
make some jelly for Patty."

Margaret's Patient

[Illustration: "DID DR. FORBES THINK SHE OUGHT TO GIVE UP HER TRIP?"]

Margaret paused a moment at the gate and looked back at the quaint old
house under its snowy firs with a thrill of proprietary affection. It
was her home; for the first time in her life she had a real home, and
the long, weary years of poorly paid drudgery were all behind her.
Before her was a prospect of independence and many of the delights she
had always craved; in the immediate future was a trip to Vancouver
with Mrs. Boyd.

For I shall go, of course, thought Margaret, as she walked briskly
down the snowy road. I've always wanted to see the Rockies, and to go
there with Mrs. Boyd will double the pleasure. She is such a
delightful companion.

Margaret Campbell