to excuse herself. Then, looking up,
something made her change her mind and decide to be a martyr. But
before she could speak Mrs. Middleton herself had a happy inspiration.

"Oh, Elsie, I know what I'd just love to hear," she cried, "and what my
poor head could take in as it couldn't Thackeray to-day, though when
I'm strong I dote on him--I always took naturally to the classics. But
now I feel like one of Miss Alcott's books. I suppose you have read
them over and over?" she asked rather wistfully.

Elsie confessed that she had never done so, but would be glad to make
their acquaintance.

Mrs. Middleton was truly amazed--as was the minister, indeed; for his
sister had known them almost by heart. They had the whole set in the
house, and Elsie began with "Little Women" that afternoon.

For the first time she was reluctant to go to the library when the hour
approached. It was hard to stop reading. And they laughed together in
an easy, natural way that was quite new to their intercourse as each
exacted a promise from the other not to look at the story again until
they should go on with it together.

They went through the whole set that winter and sighed when they had
come to the last volume. Perhaps no single thing had influenced Elsie
Marley more than the reading those sweet, wholesome stories at that
time and in that manner. She had already changed much, and was perhaps
just ready for the influence. Reading them with Mrs. Middleton, she
was drawn to her as she would never have believed it to be possible, as
they laughed and cried together over the pranks and trials, joys and
sorrows of those New England boys and girls of a singularly happy
generation. And, unawares, she was strengthened for the hour of trial
that was to come to her as it comes to every one that tampers with the
laws that are inherent in the structure of the universe.

Meantime, circumstances were leading on toward that hour.

CHAPTER XXIII

Late one afternoon early in December, Miss Pritchard telephoned to
Elsie to say that she would not be home to dinner as she was going
directly from the office to see a friend who had been taken suddenly to
a hospital. She was to dine in town on her way back and would be late
home. Mr. Graham, whom Elsie would remember, had spoken of calling in
the evening, and Miss Pritchard asked her to explain the circumstance
to him and keep him until her return.

As she turned away from the telephone, E