and brought him into the lives of these simple honest people
for a purpose not understood.

When he reached his room it was fragrant with the flowers Mona had given
him that morning, and beside them lay the letter of Ethel Sherman.

CHAPTER XIII

WILD ROSES

It has been said of the modern young lady that the more of her home life
a gentleman saw, the less likely he was to fall in love with her; but as
the days sped by and Winn saw more of Mona's, he felt that that truism
was likely to be reversed.

Then another natural result was attained, for finding his mission there
a practical one and the money he distributed each Saturday night a
powerful argument in his favor, the islanders, from Rev. Jason Bush
downward, began to show their cordial interest in his presence. On
Sundays when he with Jess, Mrs. Hutton, and Mrs. Moore and Mona usually
formed a little group that walked together to church, in that modest
sanctuary he was the one most observed. All to whom he had been
introduced seemed to seek an opportunity to bow, and many of the men,
whose names he had not learned, showed the same courtesy. When he walked
out after the service, old and young would stand aside for him to pass.
The Rev. Jason Bush perhaps showed the most interest, and in a purely
business way, for when he had opportunities (and he found many) it was
the quarry and its management and prospects which he was desirous of
discussing, instead of the spiritual welfare of Winn, as might be
expected. In fact, the latter was never mentioned, and although Mr. Bush
lamented that Rockhaven was divided into two sects, and that neither
church had a following sufficient to support it, it was here again the
business side of the matter which seemed uppermost in that worthy
parson's mind.

But it was the cordiality shown by Mrs. Hutton on all possible occasions
that interested Winn most, because it appealed to the domestic and
home-loving side of his nature. He had never known much of home life
since maturity, for his aunt was not a home-maker, leaving that to her
servants and scolding because they failed, and to see what thought and
care could do in that direction, even though in a modest way, attracted
him. And since her door appeared always open to him and an unfailing
welcome waiting, he would have been less than human had he not availed
himself of the opportunity. Hardly an evening passed that he did not see
or speak with either mother or daughter, an