t it to be for
that,' And I didn't say as I should or shouldn't tell," said Grandma,
smilingly unconscious of the two large tears that were stealing down her
cheeks; "but I knowed pretty well what I had on my mind!"

Grandma ceased speaking, and began to busy herself about the room,
humming softly her favorite refrain:--

"The Light of the World is Jesus."

I lay very still, thinking--

"Once I was blind but now I can see!"

That low, glad, tremulous murmur brought no peace to my troubled heart.

When Grandma Keeler looked at me again, I fancied she met a helpless,
appealing, almost an aggrieved expression in my eyes.

"I want to see her," I said. "I want to see Becky, of course."

"Yis, yis," said Grandma, "to-morrer. You'd want to talk, and you've had
enough for one day. I'll tell her, and she'll understand."

"But I want to see her now," I persisted.

"They's some folks just come in to inquire," continued Grandma, giving an
easeful touch to the pillows. "They's been a good many in to inquire. May
be, she's amongst 'em. I'll go down and see."

Soon I heard the old, girlish, familiar step on the stairs. Rebecca
hesitated, standing an instant on the threshold. In spite of the new and
loftier soul looking out of her eyes, in spite of the new and womanly
dignity which she bore so reposefully, she read my face with that quick,
intuitive glance I had learned to know so well.

Then coming towards me, she put her arm gently around my neck, kissed me,
understanding all, hushing all, forgiving all; and smiling a tender
prohibition in her eyes, put her finger on my lips.

Sobbing inwardly, I accepted this divine retaliation in silence, and
rested a while in that loving, warm embrace.

CHAPTER XVIII.

LUTE CRADLEBOW GIVES THE TEACHER A NEW CHAIR.

One morning, early in my convalescence, I was startled by a mighty
rumbling and scraping sound on the narrow stairway, as of some unwieldy
object pushed steadily upward. The summit reached, I heard the retreat of
manly feet, and this leviathan presented itself with Grandma Keeler as an
animating force, breathless and smiling, in the rear.

"He didn't have time to paint it, teacher," she began joyfully; "but
it'll be jest as comf'table to set in. He's been explainin' of it to
me--Lute has--ye see, it's a cheer. He made it for ye, himself. And all
you've got to do is to turn this 'ere crank, here--" Grandma's
countenance was radiant with wonder and appr