glected the fire; poor
mother, and she will be so tired and cold." And Fern drove back her
rebellious thoughts, bravely, and seized the bellows and manipulated
the fire, while Crystal drew up the old easy-chair, and placed a
footstool. Mrs. Trafford smiled as she saw these preparations for her
comfort; her pale face relaxed from its gravity as Fern waited upon
her, taking off her bonnet, and smoothing the beautiful gray hair with
eager loving fingers.

"Thank you, dearest," she said, drawing down the girl's face to hers;
"and now tell me what you have both been doing."

"Percy and Mr. Erle have been here," was Fern's answer, as she took
her place at her mother's feet; "and Percy left his love for you, and
was so sorry to miss you."

Mrs. Trafford made no comment on this piece of information, but she
glanced quickly at Crystal; perhaps something in the girl's face
warned her, for she at once changed the subject, to her daughter's
surprise, and, without asking any questions, began telling them about
the invalid.

But after they had chatted for a few minutes, Crystal rose, and,
saying that she was very tired, bade them both good-night.

Mrs. Trafford looked after the girl anxiously, and then her glance
fell on her daughter. Fern was looking into the fire, dreamily, and
there was a sort of wistfulness in her eyes; when her mother touched
her gently she started.

"My little sunbeam does not look quite so bright tonight," she said,
tenderly. "I am afraid you have been tiring yourself, Fern, trying to
finish Florence's frock."

"Oh, no," returned the girl, quickly, and then a frank blush came to
her face as she met her mother's clear searching look. "Well, I will
confess, as Fluff says"--laughing a little unsteadily; "I am afraid I
was just a little bit discontented."

"You discontented, my pet?" in an incredulous voice, for Fern's sweet
unselfishness and bright content made the sunshine of their humble
home. There seemed no chord of fretfulness in the girl's nature; her
pure health and buoyant spirits found no cause for complaint. Nea
lived her youth again in her child, and she often thanked Heaven even
in her desolate moments for this one blessing that had never
disappointed her.

Fern pressed a little closer to her mother, and wrapped her arms round
her. "But it is true, mother, I had quite a naughty fit. Crystal
talked about Percy and Mr. Erle; it was not so much what she said as
what she implied that troubled