da Markham realized that they gave her
strength and purpose as they had poor Sandy before her.

"Oh! my dear, my dear!" was all she could say, but she freed one of her
cool hands from Cynthia's hot one, and laid it like a benediction on
the girlish head.

"I am waiting, dear lady, for the thing I am to do, and Lans is mighty
kind. He is my big brother and I am his little sister--until I can
read my way plain. You did not know he was so good?"

"I thank God that he is!" breathed Matilda Markham devoutly.

"I wish I could make--Mrs. Treadwell understand. She--laughs!"

Matilda felt her ire rise. The laugh of Olive Treadwell could be
brutal and cruel in its sweetest ripple!

"It seems right long and wearying waiting, waiting for the meaning."

Cynthia's slow words flowed on. She had ceased crying and was looking
up now with brave, clear eyes, "and part of me is there--in Lost
Hollow. That part of me comes to comfort _this_ part of me--can you
understand, dear lady?"

Matilda nodded. She did, indeed, understand.

"And that part of me makes this part of me--stay here! After that
mighty hurry and trouble when Lans and I came away alone I was right
frightened. There was just once--while we stayed a few hours in New
York that I--that something happened. I was in a room, Lans had gone
out to order luncheon and I felt I had to run away! I stood with my
back against the wall when he came in and I reckon I was wild, for he
came close and took my hands this-er-way----" Cynthia was acting the
vivid scene standing now before Matilda Markham and holding her
hands--"and he said slow and firm, 'lil' girl, I'm not going to hurt
you. You and Sandy Morley are not going to see me fail!' And then
that part of me that lives always in Lost Hollow went back mighty safe
and strong. I haven't been afraid, dear lady, since."

Then it was that Miss Markham arose and realized her strength to its
full extent.

"Child," she said, "I've changed my mind about going back to Lost
Hollow to-morrow. I'm going to Bretherton and that is only a half hour
by rail from here. I want you to come to me, there. I must see you
again. I'll explain to Mrs. Treadwell and Lans. I declare I haven't
felt so like my old self for years and years."

"Oh! dear lady!" Cynthia's shining eyes were large and happy; "dear
lady! you mean you will let me see you in your own home?"

"I mean--just that."

"Oh! Oh! why sometimes I think that soon God