t with
loving care by her own hands, touching them tenderly as she spoke and
patting the sailor's knot of blue ribbon on one fat parcel with a smile
that told how unshakable her faith in someone was. "But these," she
said, pulling open another drawer and tossing over its gay contents with
an air half sad, half scornful, "these I bought and give because they
are expected. These people care only for a rich gift, not one bit for
the giver, whom they will secretly abuse if she is not as generous as
they expect. How can I enjoy that sort of thing, Uncle?"

"You cannot, but perhaps you do some of them injustice, my dear. Don't
let the envy or selfishness of a few poison your faith in all. Are you
sure that none of these girls care for you?" he asked, reading a name
here and there on the parcels scattered about.

"I'm afraid I am. You see I heard several talking together the other
evening at Annabel's, only a few words, but it hurt me very much, for
nearly everyone was speculating on what I would give them and hoping it
would be something fine. 'She's so rich she ought to be generous,' said
one. 'I've been perfectly devoted to her for weeks and hope she won't
forget it,' said another. 'If she doesn't give me some of her gloves, I
shall think she's very mean, for she has heaps, and I tried on a pair in
fun so she could see they fitted and take a hint,' added a third. I did
take the hint, you see." And Rose opened a handsome box in which lay
several pairs of her best gloves, with buttons enough to satisfy the
heart of the most covetous.

"Plenty of silver paper and perfume, but not much love went into that
bundle, I fancy?" And Dr. Alec could not help smiling at the disdainful
little gesture with which Rose pushed away the box.

"Not a particle, nor in most of these. I have given them what they
wanted and taken back the confidence and respect they didn't care for.
It is wrong, I know, but I can't bear to think all the seeming goodwill
and friendliness I've been enjoying was insincere and for a purpose.
That's not the way I treat people."

"I am sure of it. Take things for what they are worth, dear, and try to
find the wheat among the tares, for there is plenty if one knows how to
look. Is that all the trouble?"

"No, sir, that is the lightest part of it. I shall soon get over my
disappointment in those girls and take them for what they are worth as
you advise, but being deceived in them makes me suspicious of others,
and