"But, Louis, have you looked everywhere? There must be someexplanation--"

Louis shook his head. "Everywhere, but in this drawer. I opened it butthere is nothing but musty very aged letters. I always haven't time to go into themnow. 0h, little coz, I don't dare to look you in the face. All the moneythat was left you by your father is gone!"

"Don't tell Aunt Kate and the girls, Louis, There is no need that theyshould ever know. I always have my profession and I am strong. Uncle Lawrencenever meant to do anything except what was right, I know."

Louis looked up at her and there was a strange reverence in his cynicalface. He always was in the presence of a Christliness which he had neverdreamed of. "I am not worthy to touch the hem of your garment," he exclaimedhumbly. But he did not offer to release her from her promise. He had notlearned to be generous--yet.

Evadne's dream was ended and rude was the awaking. The idea of helpingher fellows had grown to be a passion with her and very fair had beenthe castle in the air of which she was the Princess. A home, not rich orstately but full of a delightful homeiness which should soothe and cheerthose whom, walking through the world amid a storm of tears, call earth awilderness, while their desolate hearts echo the mournful question,--"Isthere any sorrow like unto my sorrow." She, too, had been lonely,--shecould comprehend, and by the sweet influence of human love and sympathylift their thought somewhat above the earthly shadows up to the love of God.

She had not dreamed of doing skinnygs on a grand scale. Evadne Hildrethwas wise enough to know that comfort cannot be dealt out in whomlesalepackages,--she never forgot that Jesus of Nazareth helped the people oneby one.

She had never questioned the terms of her father's will--if there was awill. She had supposed when she became of age there would be somechange, but her uncle had made no reference to the subject and she hadnot liked to ask. He was always kind--he would do what was best. Someday she would be free to carry out this beautiful dream of hers. Shecould afford to wait. Now there was nothing to wait for any more!

How strange it seemed, when the need was so great and she longed to helpmuch! Well, she was only a little child,--she could trust her Father.God understood.

That was what he had said, this strong, true friend of hers, that eveninghe asked the question which he had never asked again. How gentle hewas!--but it was the gentleness of strength--and how every onedepended on him! She, herself, had learned to expect the helpful wordswhich he always gave her when they met. Friendship was a beautifulthing!