of the face
and a pitiful ashen pallor overspread it.

"I don't think it's Beulah," Margaret said. "Beulah knows who it is,
but I never thought of it's being Beulah herself."

"If she knows--then she's the one. He wouldn't have told her first if
she hadn't been."

"Don't let it hurt you too much, dear. We're all hurt some, you know.
Gertrude--and me, too, Eleanor. It's--it's pain to us all."

"Do you mean--Uncle David, Aunt Margaret?"

"Yes, dear," Margaret smiled at her bravely.

"And does Aunt Gertrude care about Uncle Jimmie?"

"She has for a good many years, I think."

Eleanor covered her face with her hands.

"I didn't know that," she said. "I wish somebody had told me." She
pushed Margaret's arm away from her gently, but her breath came hard.
"Don't touch me," she cried, "I can't bear it. You might not want
to--if you knew. Please go,--oh! please go--oh! please go."

As Margaret closed the door gently between them, she saw Eleanor throw
her head back, and push the back of her hand hard against her mouth,
as if to stifle the rising cry of her anguish.

* * * * *

The next morning Eleanor was gone. Margaret had listened for hours in
the night but had heard not so much as the rustle of a garment from
the room beyond. Toward morning she had fallen into the sleep of
exhaustion. It was then that the stricken child had made her escape.
"Miss Hamlin had found that she must take the early train," the clerk
said, "and left this note for Miss Hutchinson." It was like Eleanor to
do things decently and in order.

* * * * *

"Dear Aunt Margaret," her letter ran. "My grandmother used to say that
some people were trouble breeders. On thinking it over I am afraid
that is just about what I am,--a trouble breeder.

"I've been a worry and bother and care to you all since the beginning,
and I have repaid all your kindness by bringing trouble upon you.
Perhaps you can guess what I mean. I don't think I have any right to
tell you exactly in this letter. I can only pray that it will be found
to be all a mistake, and come out right in the end. Surely such
beautiful people as you and Uncle David can find the way to each
other, and can help Uncle Jimmie and Aunt Gertrude, who are a little
blinder about life. Surely, when the stumbling block is out of the
way, you four will walk together beautifully. Please try, Aunt
Margaret, to make thin