or the asking!"

CHAPTER XXV.

Helen's desire to get back to John made her decide to start on Monday,
instead of waiting until Wednesday, when the fortnight she had planned
for her visit ended.

"I must go," she said, smiling at Dr. Howe's railings. "I cannot stay
away from home any longer. And you'll come soon, Lois, dear!"

Even daily letters from John had not saved her from homesickness. They
were a comfort, even though they were filled with pleadings and prayers
that, for her soul's sake, she would see the error of her belief. Such
tenderness struggled through the pages of argument, Helen would lay her
cheek against them, and say softly, "I'll come home to you soon, dear."

One of these last letters had entreated her to write immediately upon its
receipt, and answer it point by point. She did so, saying at the last,
"Now let us drop the whole subject. I will never, as long as I have
reason, believe this terrible doctrine,--never. So why need we ever speak
of it again? I know it is your fear of eternity which leads you to try to
make me believe it, but, dearest, if eternity depends on this, it is
already settled; let us just be glad together while we can, in this
beautiful time. Oh, I shall soon be home; I can think of nothing else."

And she counted the hours until she could start. When the morning came,
with its clear June sky, and great white clouds lying dreamily behind the
hills, her face was running over with gladness, in spite of her sympathy
for Lois's grief.

"How happy you look!" Lois said wistfully, as she sat watching Helen put
on her bonnet before the swinging mirror in its white and gold frame, on
her dressing-table.

Helen had not known how her eyes were smiling, and she looked with quick
compunction at Lois's white face. "I shall see John so soon," she
answered contritely. "I can't help it."

"I shall miss you awfully," Lois went on, leaning her forehead against
the edge of the bureau, and knotting the long linen fringe of the cover
with nervous little fingers.

"But think how soon I'll have you in Lockhaven, dear; and you will be a
little stronger then, and happier, too," Helen said, brightly.

For Lois was so worn and tired that a less active person would have
called herself ill; as it was, she was not able to bear the long ride to
Mercer and back, and Helen was to go alone, for Dr. Howe had to go out of
Ashurst a little way, to perform a marriage ceremony.

"You'll have rain b