e had never found in her search. Now at last, in a golden
middle age, she told herself that she would build her happiness not on
perfection, but on the second best of experience. She would accept the
milder joys, the daily miracles, the fulfilled adventures. And so,
partly because she liked the girl, and partly because of a generous
whim, she said presently:

"You shall have a friend--a real friend--from this day."

Patty who had been gazing into the fire turned on her a face that was as
sparkling as a sunbeam. "I would rather have you for a friend than
anybody in the world," she responded in a voice so caressing that
Stephen would not have believed it belonged to her.

"I am sure that I can be useful to you," said Corinna, for the gratitude
in the girl's voice touched and embarrassed her, "and I know that you
can be to me. How would you like to come every morning and help me for
an hour or two in my shop? There isn't anything to do, but we may get to
know each other better." After all, she might as well show a fighting
spirit and see the adventure through to the end.

Patty's eyes shone, but all she said was, "Oh, I'd love to! It is so
beautiful here."

"Do you like it?" asked Corinna, and wondered how much the girl really
saw. Did she have the eyes and the soul to see and feel beauty? "I have
some good things at home. You must come out there."

"If you'll only let me sit and watch you!" exclaimed Patty fervently.

"As long as you like." A smile crossed Corinna's lips, as she imagined
those large bright eyes, like stars in a spring twilight, shining on her
hour after hour. How could she possibly endure their unfaltering
candour? How could she adjust her life to their adoring regard? "How
long has your mother been dead, Patty?" she asked suddenly. "Do you
know--of course you don't--scarcely anybody has ever heard it--that I
had a child once, a little girl, and she lived only one day."

"And she might have been like you," was all Patty said, but Corinna
understood.

"Do you remember your mother, dear?"

"Only a little," answered Patty, and then she told of the spangled skirt
and the silver wand with the star on the end of it. "That is all I can
remember."

She rose with a shy movement and held out her hand. "Then I may come
to-morrow?"

"Every day if you will, and most of all on the days when you need a
friend." Bending her head, she kissed the girl lightly on the cheek. "Do
you like my cousin Stephen?" sh