treet with
Helen, notwithstanding that she had more than once requested it.

"You are right," she said. "It was thoughtless in me not to think of
this myself. Helen shall have the furs, and whatever else is necessary.
I am so glad you reminded me of it. You are kind as my own mother," and
Katy kissed her friend fondly as she bade her good-by, charging her a
dozen times not to let Helen know the surprise in store for her.

There was little need of this caution, for Mrs. Banker understood human
nature too well to divulge a matter which might wound one as sensitive
as Helen. Between the latter and herself there was a strong bond of
friendship, and to the kind patronage of this lady Helen owed most of
the attentions she had as yet received from her sister's friends; while
Mark Ray did much toward lifting her to the place she held in spite of
the common country dress, which Juno unsparingly criticised, and which,
in fact, kept Wilford from taking her out, as his wife so often asked
him to do. And Helen, too, keenly felt the difference between herself
and those with whom she came in contact, crying over it more than once,
but never dreaming of the surprise in store for her, when on Christmas
morning she went as usual to Katy's room, finding her alone, her face
all aglow with excitement, and her bed a perfect showcase of dry goods,
which she bade Helen examine and say how she liked them.

Wilford was no niggard with his money, and when Katy had asked for more,
it had been given unsparingly, even though he knew the purpose to which
it was to be applied.

"Oh, Katy, Katy, why did you do it?" Helen cried, her tears falling
like rain through the fingers she clasped over her eyes.

"You are not angry?" Katy said, in some dismay, as Helen continued to
sob without looking at the handsome furs, the stylish hat, the pretty
cloak, and rich patterns of blue and black silk, which Mrs. Banker had
selected.

"No, oh, no!" Helen replied. "I know it was all meant well; but there is
something in me which rebels against taking this from Wilford. He had
better have sent to Silverton for that trunk. Its contents have never
been disturbed, and surely there might be something found good enough
for me."

It was the first time Helen had alluded to that trunk; but Katy did not
think that anything ill-natured was meant by the remark. She only felt
that Helen shrank from receiving so much from Wilford, as it was natural
she should, and she haste