me look up all
the others and put them in, and said laughingly it was a treasure trove
and when she was especially pleased she should bring you a gift out of
it. Mr. Castles has it, and will hand it over to you. I cannot tell you
how sorry I am you will not have this delightful time abroad. She was
counting on your enthusiasm to inspire her, to make her over, she used
to say. She had many admirable qualities. Of course, there were ways and
whims and times of depression when she looked to her companion to cheer
her. I think now they were the little advances of age that she
resolutely refused to yield to. She was very just, she abhorred plain
falsehood, though I suppose most elderly women do indulge in some
make-believes," smiling a little sadly.

It was evident from the sound of voices in the adjoining room that Mr.
Fenton was not having an agreeable time. He insisted the heirs had been
grievously wronged by this annuity business.

"As if the money was not hers to do what she chose with it," said Miss
Gage. "And it seems as if the Van Dorn relatives would be the ones to
object since the money came that way. I am glad she had her own
satisfactory life, and she has made others happy as well, even if there
is not much left."

Mr. Fenton found that he could not take the matter in hand himself, and
that he must wait for the due process of law before he could get even
the small sum that would come to him. Mrs. Aldred had to say good-by and
go to the steamer. Helen was to write to her and she still strongly
advised her going back to Aldred House. Would it be possible?

Mr. Castles brought out the pretty box of treasures and delivered it to
Helen. The clerk would put her on the train and see her started on her
journey; Miss Gage had to remain with the lawyer, but her good-by was
very sympathetic and tender, and she, too, begged Helen to write, as she
should always take a deep interest in her.

Helen settled herself for the long journey and the endeavor to
disentangle the events that had so crowded upon her these few days.
Whether she should go back to Aldred House did not altogether depend
upon herself. True, one perplexing question was settled--she took out
her envelope and examined its contents. Five fifty-dollar bills, a ten,
and a five beside. Two hundred and sixty-five dollars. She could go
through another year successfully, and though she would still be young,
she could no doubt find a place to teach.

But what if t