in detecting the note of bitterness an his voice as
he uttered these words. She was aggrieved that he should think that
his rough appearance would make any difference to her. And yet she
understood his feelings. His sensitiveness would make him most
unwilling to go to a place where he would be looked upon with ridicule,
and at the same time embarrass the ones he happened to visit.

"You need not worry about your appearance when you visit me, Mr.
Randall," and her eyes met his as she spoke. "I shall think all the
more of you if your hands are rough and your face weather-beaten. I
shall never be ashamed of the marks of honest toil. I must go now, but
I shall expect to see you before spring."

To Jasper that was one of the happiest times of his whole life. He
believed that she was interested in him, while the look in her eyes and
the words she uttered were to him an inspiration during the following
days and weeks of weary work in the woods.

CHAPTER XIV

SUBTLE INFLUENCE

Although Lois preferred to remain in the country, yet she did not waste
her days in repining over her life in the city. She at once looked
about for opportunities of usefulness. These she found in St.
Saviour's, the church she attended. Her musical abilities made her a
welcomed member of the choir. But she was not satisfied with merely
singing. She wished to do more, and she soon found an outlet in
assisting the unfortunate ones in the parish. It was through "The
Helping Hand Society" that she found she could do the most effective
work, and she never tired of going from house to house where her
services were most needed.

Dick often upbraided her for giving so much of her time to Church work,
and said that she should go with him to dances and whist parties.

"I have no interest in such things," she told him over and over again.
"There is too much to be done around us in helping others, to spend all
of one's time upon such gaieties."

"But think what people are saying," her brother protested. "They call
you unsociable and stuck-up, and it is hard for me to listen to such
things."

Lois laughed at Dick's fears and told him not to worry. She said that
she was quite able to look after herself, and did not mind what people
were saying so long as she was doing what was right.

When Christmas season came around Lois found herself more busy than
ever. There were so many baskets to be provided for the needy, and
this year they we