hind her, glad that her new cape was finished,
wondering if _he_ noticed it, eager to be seen yet wanting to hide, and
foolishly aglow and wishing devoutly that she had eyes in the back of her
head. Henceforth Elizabeth lived in the thought of seeing _him_. She
dubbed him "The Unknown," and if she looked out of the window at home, it
was in the hope of seeing him pass; on the way to school she was alert and
watchful for a glimpse of him in the distance; if she went to church it
was to look for him as soon as seated, though he was rarely there. If she
saw him in the morning her day was made glad; if she failed to see him she
looked forward with anticipation to the next day.

The winter spent itself. January passed, and February. The glad days ran
on in kaleidoscopic readjustment of joy, work, wonder, and unfoldment, as
far as Elizabeth's own life was concerned. After the manner of youth, her
own affairs absorbed her. In fact the young girl was so filled with the
delights of her own little world that it was only gradually that she began
to understand that the life in Topeka was not as fortunate with the dear
couple who had shared with her their home. The first signs of trouble were
made manifest to her by the increasing tenderness with which Susan Hornby
hovered around her mate, and her evident and growing solicitude.

Elizabeth was startled when she did at last comprehend the gloom and
anxiety about her. The manner of the pair prevented questions, but, as she
watched covertly, Aunt Susan's distress was transferred to her. Elizabeth
was not curious, but she was intensely sympathetic, and from disinterested
motives she became keenly observant of all that took place about her. No
opportunity to help offered. With a sharp realization that her best
friends were in trouble, she was obliged to conceal any trace of that
knowledge. Nathan and his wife talked apart and in low tones, avoiding the
young girl's presence, and were evidently puzzled and uneasy. It was
Elizabeth's way to make the troubles of those about her her own. Longing
to help, it was impossible to be indifferent. Gradually she got bits of
indirect light upon the subject. From little things dropped accidentally,
and often from explanations which circumstances forced upon them,
Elizabeth learned that money was scarce. This came as a shock, and with
all the hurt and heartsick worry which the mention of finances always
brought to the girl. Why must people have money? s