y, you have indeed cut your way through your enemies. Oh!
my love; my dear, dear love."

How long she stood rapt in her vision Cynthia never knew. Her day of
wonders enchanted and held her oblivious of weariness, hunger, or
physical pain, but she must get to Trouble Neck; she must throw herself
into the safe arms of the little doctor and--find peace and guidance.
Later they--the Cup-o'-Cold-Water Lady and she--would go to Sandy's
cabin as they had that night when Lans had claimed her and then--well,
beyond that Cynthia could not see!

At Trouble Neck another disappointment met her. The trim cabin was
empty! The unlocked door gave way to the eager pressure; the sunny
room was full of generous welcome, and a gleam of fire on the hearth
showed that the little mistress had not been gone long.

Some people leave a room more vacant than others. Like the breath of
perfume, after the flower has been removed, their personality and
dearness linger, making one miss them more, and long for them more
keenly. As a child might suffer at not finding its mother awaiting it
at the close of day Cynthia suffered then. She wandered to the table
on which lay the little doctor's work--a child's dress! Beside it was
a medical book opened at a chapter on the diseases of--children. And
on the widespread book lay an unsealed note addressed to--Tod Greeley!

A smile, a wan, understanding smile touched Cynthia's lips, but
presently it softened into the dear, old, slow smile, and the girl bent
and kissed the penciled name of the postmaster, for the dear, absent
hand had rested there last!

There were bread and milk and bacon in the pantry, and with happy
familiarity Cynthia made a meal for herself, and ate heartily. After
this she went into the lean-to chamber and taking off her hat and
wraps, lay down upon the couch, for she began to realize how weary she
was. She slept several hours and was awakened by a step in the outer
room. Thinking it was Marcia Lowe she raised herself and looked
through the half-opened door. It was Tod Greeley! He had lighted the
oil lamp and stood by the table with Marcia's note in his hand. Over
and again he read it, then folded it slowly and put it in his breast
pocket.

A change had been wrought upon Greeley. He stood straight and firm; he
was shaven and shorn and neatly dressed; his face was happier, too,
than Cynthia had ever seen it. The lazy good humour was merged into
purpose and dignity.