ernesses' Home
disappeared from sight, and there appeared in her place an absolutely
different woman, with a sweet smiling face, out of which the lines
seemed to have been miraculously smoothed away, while a delicate colour
in her cheeks gave to the once grey face something of the fragile beauty
of an old pastel.

For fifteen years she had fought a hand-to-hand battle with want; a
lonely battle, with no one to care or to comfort, and now it was meat,
and drink, and health, and sunshine, to find herself of a sudden the
most precious object on earth to one faithful heart! Although the
General had given a promise not to be too precipitate in his wooing, it
was easy to prophesy how things would end; but before the "two or three
weeks" had come to an end, another event happened of such supreme
importance to the Trevor household as to put in the background every
other subject, interesting and romantic though it might be.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

TRYING DAYS.

One May afternoon Miles came home with the news that, through the
influence of an engineering friend, he had been offered a post in
connection with a new railway which the ever-increasing mining industry
in Mexico had rendered necessary. The salary proposed was a handsome
one for so young a man. He owed the offer entirely to Mr Owen's good
offices, and would be required to sail as soon as his outfit could be
got together.

Dr Trevor rejoiced in his son's success, and warmly congratulated him
on having had so short a time to wait for an opening. He took a man's
view of life, and felt that it was time that Miles faced the world on
his own account; but the youth faded out of the mother's face as she sat
in her corner and listened to the conversation.

"Luck!" They called it luck that Miles, her darling, should be sent to
the other side of the world, to a wild, dare-devil country, the very
name of which conjured up a dozen thrilling tales of adventure. "A five
years' appointment!" The words rang like a knell in her ears!

Of course, she had known all along that a separation must come, but she
had hoped against hope that an opening might be found somewhere within
the borders of the United Kingdom, when she would still be able to feel
within reach in case of need. Now it was indeed good-bye, since it must
at best be a matter of years before she could hope for another meeting.
Oh, this stirring up of the nest, how it tears the mother's heart!

Mrs Trevor look