were but two families who had any claim on her, and
his was one. She had put him off with a sarcastic promise of taking her
will into consideration, then her quick wit intervened.

"If I should die without a will you would share equally. I think I will
let it go that way."

That was all the satisfaction he could get. She hoped never to see him
again. But he had found her in Paris, and again importuned her. She had
so much she could surely spare him a little now. She allowed herself the
gratification then of explaining the annuity to him and that she meant
to spend her income in each year. He flew into a passion and called her
some harsh names, when she had left him alone with a very curt
dismissal. She had been more provoked than excited. There were some
special reasons why she wished to attend this reception and she went.
Whether it might have been different or whether she had reached her
allotted span, only God knew.

The next few days Mrs. Aldred took especial pains with Helen. She must
be able to enter the graduating class. Helen was delighted with the
attention, and repaid it with earnest endeavor.

Mr. Castles sent word that Miss Gage had started with the body.

Helen had passed most of her examinations when Mrs. Aldred very tenderly
informed her of the sad news, and how almost incredulous she had been at
first.

"Of course, this changes all the plans," she said, when she had given
Helen time for her first anguish. "But I have been talking with Mrs.
Wiley, who is quite willing to take you for some of the younger classes,
a year or two years, and in that time you can graduate. It is best that
you should have a diploma. You are very young yet, and will be more
capable of facing the world at eighteen. I really have no fear for you,
and am confident you will succeed."

"I cannot thank you sufficiently now," Helen answered. "I am bewildered.
May I be excused from dinner?"

"Yes, and anything you desire to-morrow. You have my warmest sympathy,
and I feel that I do not want to lose sight of you in the years to
come."

It was a sad night for Helen, a sad day following; indeed, it took all
the joy out of the graduation exercises for her. Mrs. Wiley made her
proffer and Helen accepted it.

"So you see we shall not be separated after all," she said to both Daisy
and Miss Craven, and the latter began to weave some plans for the future
that she would keep to herself until the time came. Ah, if she could
repay Hele