eerful fire of hickory logs and outlined her
career. This was in the parlor of her old house, which she now
determined to use as an office or business-room. She could afford the
warmest fire of the best seasoned wood; her chimney was in perfect
order, and she was but fifty-five years old and in excellent
health;--why should she not enjoy the exhilarating blaze, and plan for
years of exhilarating occupation.

Soon after Mr. Burke left Plainton Mrs. Cliff began work upon the new
park. This she could do without his assistance, and it was work the mere
contemplation of which delighted her. She had legal assistance in regard
to the purchase of the grounds and buildings of the opposite block, and
while this was in the hands of her lawyers, she was in daily
consultation with an eminent landscape-constructor who had come to
Plainton for the purpose. He lodged at the hotel, and drew most
beautiful plans of the proposed park.

In the happy morning hours during which Mrs. Cliff's mind wandered over
the beautiful drives, or stood upon the rustic bridges which crossed the
stream dashing among its rocks and spreading itself out into placid
pools; or when, mentally, she sat in the shade of the great trees and
looked out upon the wide stretches of verdant lawn, relieved by the
brilliant colors of the flower-beds, she often felt it was almost the
same thing as if it were actually summer, and that she really saw the
beautiful grass and flowers, heard the babbling of the stream, and felt
the refreshing breezes which rustled the great limbs of the trees.

She did not selfishly keep these pleasures to herself, but often on the
stormy evenings, she and Willy and the Misses Thorpedyke would go over
the brilliantly colored plans of the Incas' Grove, admire what had been
proposed, and suggest things which they thought would be desirable. Miss
Thorpedyke, who had a vivid recollection of the gardens of Luxemburg,
spoke of many of their beautiful and classic features which she would
recommend for the new park if it were not that they would cost so much
money. All these were noted down with great care by Mrs. Cliff, and
mentioned to the landscape-constructor the next day.

Thus at home, in church circles, in the society of the town, and in the
mental contemplation of the charming landscape which in consequence of
her own will and command would soon spread itself out before her
windows, Mrs. Cliff was very happy. But among all her sources of
enj