It was a beautiful town with old
trees and old substantially-built houses. It was the county town also,
and twice a year presented quite a stirring aspect. The inhabitants were
refined and intelligent. Four different denominations had churches. A
lovely winding river ran on one side, full of suggestive nooks, dividing
it from a neighboring State. A smaller one ran nearly through the
center, crossed by several rustic bridges. Toward the east there was a
rather high bluff going up, a woody sort of crest, and on this stood
Aldred House, though it fronted on Elm Avenue. There were two terraces,
and two short flights of steps to reach it, and a great wide veranda
where a Virginia creeper and honeysuckle were burnishing their leaves in
the sun.

"Oh," sighed Helen with a long indrawn breath and luminous eyes, "tell
Mrs. Van Dorn that I shall be perfectly happy here, I know I shall."

And Mrs. Van Dorn wondered when the message was repeated. Youth was
easily caught by newness. What if Helen should be weaned away by other
friends? And there were girls born students who could not be satisfied
unless with some profession or business. What if she should be one of
these? The jealous old heart wanted all of her, all of the Babylon she
meant to build with its pleasant gardens and fascinating nooks of
variety. Well, Helen had cared for her old uncle, and she, Mrs. Van Dorn
would be a hundred times better to her.

The reception room was cozy, with one open bookcase, some pictures, a
great oriental jar full of trailing clematis and blazing sumac branches.
Mrs. Aldred came in, a rather tall, sweet-faced woman with a voice that
won at once, and a manner that had a welcome in it.

"I am very glad to have you come, and glad that I could oblige Mrs. Van
Dorn in any way. I hope you will soon feel at home," she exclaimed.

"Oh, it is so lovely everywhere! And the journey for the last mile or
two where you caught glimpses of the river, and in one place a great
pile of rocks big enough to shelter some of the old Norse gods was
enchanting. We have only one poor little river at home and there is but
one really beautiful place in it. And I am sure I shall like to live
here."

An enthusiastic girl, thought Mrs. Aldred. A fine, intelligent face
also, perhaps too romantic.

Miss Gage gave her few charges and said good-by, as she was to catch a
return train. It was early afternoon. Several of the scholars had
arrived and were settling their ro