r than amused by them.

The contents of her own mail filled her with a quiet joy. One and all,
so far as she had read, her friends breathed undying friendship and deep
devotion to herself. There was a long letter from Eleanor Savelli, who
was summering in Colorado with her father and aunt. It held the glad
tidings that Miss Nevin and herself intended to come to Oakdale for the
winter. Her father's concert tour would soon begin. She did not expect
to travel with him that winter. She was anxious to come back to
"Heartsease" for a long rest. Much in the letter was of a deeply
sympathetic nature, relating to Grace's misfortune. She begged Grace to
inform her at once should matters take a happier turn and hoped before
long to be with her.

There was also a letter from Mabel Allison confiding the news of her
engagement to Arnold Evans. She was very happy, she declared. Formal
announcement of her betrothal to Arnold had not yet been made, but Grace
would soon receive a card to that effect. Mabel Ashe wrote much
sympathy, her letter fairly bristling with her lovable, vivid
personality. She ended with the jubilant news that she had sold the
novel on which she had worked so long and patiently to complete, to a
well-known book publishing firm. She had named it, "the Guardian of the
Flame." She styled it as "the story of a woman's heart," and her
publishers believed it would be very successful.

The Emerson twins sent her a funny little epistle, in which they had
taken turns in the writing of its many paragraphs. It had evidently been
gotten up with a view to cheering her and she read between the lines the
kindliness which had prompted the joint authors to the deed. Jessica and
Anne came next with loving letters that proved how completely one they
were with her in spirit. A colorful account of the doings of the Harlowe
House girls at Overton College as set down by Evelyn Ward brought a
smile of pleasure to Grace's face.

One of the two remaining envelopes bore Arline's mark. Grace's smile
deepened as she opened it and saw:

"DEAREST LOYALHEART:

"You owe me a letter, but never mind. I am of a patient and
forgiving disposition, so I'll overlook it. I have a very funny bit
of news to write. Stanley Forde, the hateful old tyrant, has gone
and engaged himself to be married again. Just like that! Don't
think this is a case of sour grapes. I am de-lighted. I am sorry
for the poor party of the sec