le, kindly advice and the gentle love that had been showered
upon her. She wondered, as she lay half dozing in the morning with the
faint odour of coffee and muffins penetrating the atmosphere, why it was
that she could love this beautiful mother of her hero so much more
tenderly than she had ever loved any other woman. Was it because she had
never known her own mother and had longed for one all her life, or was
it just because she was _his_ dear mother? She gave up trying to answer
the question and went smiling down to breakfast, and then across the
road to face her unwelcome lover, strong in the courage that friendly
counsel had given her.

Milton Hamar left before dinner, having been convinced at last of the
uselessness of his visit. He hired a man with a horse and cutter to
drive him across country to catch the New York evening express, and
Hazel drew a breath of relief and began to find new pleasure in life.
Her father was off on a business trip for some weeks; her brother had
gone abroad for the winter with a party of college friends. There was no
real reason why she should return to New York for some time, and she
decided to stay and learn of this saintly woman how to look wisely on
the things of life. To her own heart she openly acknowledged that there
was a deep pleasure in being near one who talked of the man she loved.

So the winter settled down to business, and Hazel spent happy days with
her new friends, for Amelia Ellen had become a true friend in the best
sense of the word.

The maid had found the country winter too lonely and Hazel had found her
useless and sent her back to town. She was learning by association with
Amelia Ellen to do a few things for herself. The elderly cousin, whose
years had been a long strain of scrimping to present a respectable
exterior, was only too happy to have leisure and quiet to read and
embroider to her heart's content. So Hazel was free to spend much time
with Mrs. Brownleigh.

They read together, at least Hazel did the reading, for the older eyes
were growing dim, and had to be guarded to prevent the terrible
headaches which came at the slightest provocation and made the days a
blank of suffering for the lovely soul where patience was having its
perfect work.

The world of literature opened through a new door to the eager young
mind now. Books of which she had never heard were at her hand. New
thoughts and feelings were stirred by them. A few friends who knew Mrs.