d her mother. His
success in New Zealand was partly owing to his charming personality,
which caused him to win the love of his first employer, who adopted him
as his son and heir some six years before he died, leaving all his money
to him. Ethel had pleasant memories of her uncle's kindness to her when
a child.

When hearty greetings had been exchanged between the uncle and niece,
Margaret Forrest said to her daughter: "I have been telling your uncle
about your friend Mary Oliver's giving up that appointment for you, and
he wants to know where she is now, and what she is doing."

"Ah, poor Mary!" said Ethel ruefully. "I am really very troubled about
her. Her sister and brother-in-law lost all their money through that
recent bank failure, and Dr. Croft took it badly. His losses seemed to
harden him. Declaring that he could not carry on his practice in the
country without capital, he sold it and arranged to go to New Zealand,
though his wife had fallen into ill-health and could not possibly
accompany him. He went abroad, leaving her in London in wretched
lodgings. Then Mary gave up her good situation as teacher of physical
culture in a private school, and took a less remunerative appointment so
that she might live with her poor sister, and look after her, especially
at nights. I believe there is a lot of night nursing. It's awfully hard
and wearing for Mary, but she does it all so willingly, I believe she
positively enjoys it, though I cannot help being anxious lest her health
should break down."

"She must not be allowed to do double work like that," said the
colonial. "No one can work by day and night as well without breaking
down."

"But what is she to do?" queried Ethel. "She is obliged to earn money
for their maintenance."

"We might put a little in her way," suggested Vernon.

Ethel shook her head. "She is very sweet," she said, "but I fancy she
would not like to accept money as a gift."

Max Vernon assented. "Exactly," he said, "I know the sort. But she could
not object to take it if it were her right."

Margaret Forrest smiled, scenting a romance. "I will have her here to
tea on her next half-holiday," she said; "then you will see her."

But Vernon could not wait till then. He and Ethel made up a plan that
they would go to Mrs. Croft's rooms that very evening, in order that he
might personally thank Mary for her goodness to his niece.

Mary thought she had never seen such a kind, strong face as his, wh