d point.

Madge was beginning to make victims also, but she made them by being
simply what she was, and those who suffered most had to admit to
themselves that she was almost as elusive as a spirit of the air.

In the spring visitors to the health resort, returning to the East,
brought to the Muirs rumors of Madge's beauty, fascination, and
accomplishments. They were a little puzzled, but concluded that
Madge had appeared well in a rendezvous of invalids, and were glad to
believe that she was much better. Prudent Mrs. Muir wrote, however,
"Do not think of returning till the last of May. Then we shall soon
go to the mountains. This will be another change, and change in your
case, you know, has proved so beneficial! We expect Graydon soon. He
is tired of residence abroad, and has so arranged the business that a
confidential clerk can take his place."

Madge smiled and sighed. The test of her patient endeavor was about to
come.

CHAPTER VI

THE SECRET OF BEAUTY

Mr. and Mrs. Wayland had become so attached to Madge that they
were the more ready to listen to her solicitation that they should
accompany her East and visit their old haunts. "Very likely I shall
return with you," said the young girl, "and make Santa Barbara my
home."

This indeed was her plan should defeat await her. She had become
attached to the seaside town, as we do to all places that witness
the soul's deepest experiences and best achievements. She had learned
there to hope for the highest of earth's gifts; she believed that she
could live there a serene, quiet, unselfish life, her secret still
unknown, should that be her fate.

The old German professor was almost heartbroken at her departure. "It
vas alvays so," he said; "ven mine heart vas settled on someding,
den I lose it;" but she reassured him by saying that there was no
certainty that she would not return.

Mary Muir was so overwhelmed with astonishment that at first she
scarcely returned Madge's warm embrace. She expected to find her
sister much stronger and better; but this radiant, beautiful girl,
half a head taller than herself--was she the shadowy creature who
had gone away with what seemed a forlorn hope? She held Madge off and
looked at her, she drew her to a mirror and looked at her again, then
exclaimed, "This is a miracle! Why did you not tell me?"

"I wished to surprise you. I did write that I was better."

"This is not better; it is best Oh, Madge, you have grown so