y of high courage.
But not until after Kara's accident was Miss Fenton convinced that
courage was the characteristic that lay behind her other attributes.

In the twenty-four hours the young girl had been her guest with the
prospect of such a test of patience and fortitude before her, Miss
Victoria had surrendered completely.

Silently Tory Drew had been aware of Miss Victoria's state of mind.
She had observed a new tenderness in the older woman's manner and
voice whenever she spoke or looked at her guest that she never had
seen her display.

This afternoon on the day before Kara's departure, when Miss Victoria
entered Kara's bedroom, with a hurried excuse Tory withdrew.

Kara, who was lying on a couch in a dark corner of the square old
room, struggled to sit up as the older woman entered.

With hands that were large and kind the older woman pushed her gently
back upon the pile of soft cushions.

Then, untying a parcel and flushing as if she were embarrassed, Miss
Victoria laid a dressing gown over the reclining figure.

The gown was a beautiful one, with nothing of the plainness or
severity one might have imagined Miss Victoria would choose. It was of
blue silk, the shade known as old blue, indescribably deep and soft in
tone. The lining was of pale gray. A little hood hung at the back and
a cord was knotted about the waist.

Kara might wear it for a number of occasions. She could receive guests
in it, as it would doubtless be difficult for her at all times to be
formally dressed.

Kara's voice shook a little as she touched the silk with one hand and
caught Miss Victoria's hand with the other.

"Everybody is being too good to me. I wonder if it is going to make it
harder or easier for me this winter. I shall miss my friends the more
and at the same time want to show them how deeply I appreciate what is
being done. May I write to you now and then, Miss Victoria?"

Miss Fenton showed and expressed pleasure, although she had written
her niece only a single letter in more than a month's absence from the
village.

"I have something else for you, Kara, something I want you to prize,
not because of its great value but because it means a great deal to
me.

"It was given me by the bravest person I have known. I will not tell
you about him now. Perhaps I will some day. If ever life seems to be
too difficult for you, my dear, you must tell me and then perhaps my
story may help you find new courage. Please don't s