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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40525 ***
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustration.
+      See 40525-h.htm or 40525-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/40525/40525-h/40525-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/40525/40525-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+KATHIE'S SOLDIERS
+
+by
+
+AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+BOOKS BY AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+THE HELEN GRANT BOOKS
+
+    New Popular Edition. Nine volumes. ILLUSTRATED
+    Price per volume, $.60
+
+    HELEN GRANT'S SCHOOL-DAYS
+    HELEN GRANT'S FRIENDS
+    HELEN GRANT AT ALDRED HOUSE
+    HELEN GRANT IN COLLEGE
+    HELEN GRANT, SENIOR
+    HELEN GRANT, GRADUATE
+    HELEN GRANT, TEACHER
+    HELEN GRANT'S DECISION
+    HELEN GRANT'S HARVEST YEAR
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LITTLE RED HOUSE SERIES
+
+    ILLUSTRATED. Price per volume, Net $1.00; Postpaid $1.10
+
+    THE CHILDREN IN THE LITTLE OLD RED HOUSE
+    THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN AT GRAFTON
+    THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN'S VACATION
+    THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN'S YEAR
+    THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN GROWING UP
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  ALMOST AS GOOD AS A BOY. Illustrated   _Net_ $1.25
+  HEROES OF THE CRUSADES. Fifty
+      full-page Illustrations from
+     GUSTAVE DORE                          _Net_  1.35
+  LARRY (THE $2000 PRIZE
+      STORY)                               _Net_  1.00
+  THE KATHIE STORIES. Six Volumes.
+      Illustrated. Per volume                      .50
+  THE DOUGLAS NOVELS. Twenty-four
+      Volumes. Per volume                          .60
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+[Illustration: "I WISH YOU AND I COULD GO OUT WITH THE GIFTS."--_Page
+99._]
+
+
+KATHIE'S SOLDIERS
+
+by
+
+AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
+
+Author of "Helen Grant Books," "Little Red
+House Series," etc.
+
+Frontispiece by C. Howard
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Boston
+Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.
+
+Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,
+by Lee and Shepard,
+In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
+
+Copyright, 1899, by Amanda M. Douglas.
+
+All Rights Reserved.
+
+
+
+
+KATHIE'S SOLDIERS.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    CHAPTER I.
+                                              PAGE
+    ENLISTING IN THE GRAND ARMY                  9
+
+    CHAPTER II.
+    DRAFTED                                     27
+
+    CHAPTER III.
+    TRUE TO ONE'S COLORS                        42
+
+    CHAPTER IV.
+    LITTLE STEPS BY THE WAY                     60
+
+    CHAPTER V.
+    ONE OF THE SMALL DEEDS                      80
+
+    CHAPTER VI.
+    GIVING AND RECEIVING                        98
+
+    CHAPTER VII.
+    A VISIT                                    116
+
+    CHAPTER VIII.
+    COMFORT IN NEED                            135
+
+    CHAPTER IX.
+    THORNS IN THE PATH                         151
+
+    CHAPTER X.
+    UNDER FIRE                                 172
+
+    CHAPTER XI.
+    IN ANOTHER'S STEAD                         192
+
+    CHAPTER XII.
+    HOME AGAIN                                 208
+
+    CHAPTER XIII.
+    GOOD NEWS                                  223
+
+    CHAPTER XIV.
+    PUT TO THE TEST                            241
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ENLISTING IN THE GRAND ARMY.
+
+
+"HURRAH!" exclaimed Robert Alston, swinging his hat in the air, as he
+came up the path; "hurrah! there's going to be a draft at Brookside!
+Won't it be jolly?"
+
+The group assembled glanced up at him,--a fair, fresh, rosy boy, without
+any cowardly blood in his veins, as you could easily tell, but given, as
+such natures often are, to underrating the silent bravery of others.
+
+"What will there be so jolly about it, Rob?" asked his uncle, with a
+peculiar light in his eye.
+
+"Why,--the whole thing,"--and Rob made a little pause to think, though
+it did not seem half so funny now as out on the street with a crowd of
+boys, who had been singing at the top of their lungs, "John Brown's
+Body," and "My Johnny has gone for a Soldier,"--"the surprise, Uncle
+Robert, when some of the fellows who have been skulking back and afraid
+to go find themselves compelled."
+
+"So you think it rather funny to be forced to do what you would not
+choose of your free-will?" and Uncle Robert gave a queer little smile.
+
+"But--" and Rob looked around considerably perplexed at not finding his
+argument at hand, and overwhelming. "O, you know what I mean!" throwing
+himself down upon the grass. "If men haven't patriotism enough to
+volunteer when their country needs them, why, I think they ought--I just
+wish I was old enough! I'd go in a moment. I'd like the fun of 'marching
+on'!"
+
+"There is something beside marching," said Kathie, in her soft voice,
+thinking in a vague way of General Mackenzie.
+
+"Well, I'd like all of it!"
+
+"The being drafted as well?"
+
+It was Uncle Robert who spoke.
+
+"No, I'd never be drafted!" and Rob's fair face flushed with a boy's
+impulsive indignation; "I'd go at once,--at the first call."
+
+"But if you were a man and had a wife, as well as bairnies, three or
+four, or half a dozen, and were compelled to leave them to poverty?"
+
+"There is the bounty, and the pay."
+
+"Neither of which would be as much as a man could earn in a year at
+home. And if he never came back--"
+
+"But, Uncle Robert, don't you think it right for a man to be patriotic?"
+asked his nephew, in a little amaze.
+
+"Yes. One can never approve of cowardice in any act of life. Still, I
+fancy there may be a great many brave and good men who have not
+volunteered, and who, if they are drafted, will do their country loyal
+service. It may not look quite so heroic, but God, who can see all sides
+of the question, will judge differently."
+
+"The soldiers don't feel so, Uncle Robert. It seems to me that the men
+who volunteer _do_ deserve a good deal of credit."
+
+"A great many of them do; but still numbers go for the novelty, or, as
+you say, the fun. They like a rambling, restless life, and care little
+for danger, little for death; but is it an intelligent courage,--the
+highest and noblest kind? Does not the man who says, 'If my country in
+her sorest strait needs me, I will go and do my duty to the utmost,'
+deserve some credit, especially if he gives up what most men hold most
+dear?"
+
+"I believe I didn't look at it in that light altogether. It seemed to me
+that it was only the cowards and the selfish men who waited to be
+drafted."
+
+"Then you think I ought to volunteer?" said Uncle Robert, with a dry but
+good-natured smile.
+
+There was a very general exclamation.
+
+"You!" exclaimed Rob, aghast at the unlooked-for application.
+
+"I have neither wife nor children. I am young, strong, in good health,
+and though I do not fancy a military life above all others, I still
+think I could endure the hardships like a good soldier, and if I stood
+in the front ranks to face the enemy I do not believe that I should run
+away."
+
+He rose as he said this, and, folding his arms across his chest, leaned
+against the vine-covered column of the porch, looking every inch a
+soldier without the uniform.
+
+It would break his mother's heart to have Uncle Robert go, and there
+was Aunt Ruth, and Kathie, and Freddy; but--what a handsome soldier he
+would make! Major Alston, or Colonel Alston,--how grand it would sound!
+So you see Rob was quite taken with military glory.
+
+Kathie came and slipped her hand within Uncle Robert's. "We could not
+spare you," she whispered, softly.
+
+"But if I were drafted?"
+
+"Well," exclaimed Rob, stubbornly clinging to his point, "the boys over
+in the village think it will make some fun. There's a queer little
+recruiting shanty on the green, and a fifer and a drummer. If our quota
+isn't filled by next Wednesday,--and they all say it won't be,--the
+draft is to commence. I'm glad I'm not going away until the first of
+October. I only wish--"
+
+"I wish you were, if that will do you any good," answered Mr. Meredith,
+glancing up from his book which he had been pretending to read.
+
+"I'd rather enlist than go to school."
+
+"Maybe enlisting in the home-guard will prove a wise step for the first
+one."
+
+"Home-guard?" and Rob looked a bit perplexed.
+
+"Yes. We all do considerable soldiering in our lives unconsciously; and
+if it comes hard to obey our captains here, I am not sure that we should
+always find it so easy out on the field. There are some things that take
+more courage than to march down to the valley of death as did the 'Six
+Hundred.'"
+
+"O," said Rob, fired again with a boy's enthusiasm, "that's just the
+grandest thing that ever was written! I don't like poetry as a general
+thing, it always sounds so girlish to me; but Marco Bozzaris and that
+are so fine, especially the lines,--
+
+    'Theirs not to reason why,
+     Theirs but to do and die.'"
+
+"After all, dying is not the grandest thing," said Aunt Ruth, quietly;
+"and the detached instances of heroism in one's life have not always
+required the most courage."
+
+"No, indeed," answered Mr. Meredith, warmly. "I know men who have
+acquitted themselves bravely under fire, who at home possessed so small
+an amount of moral courage that they really could not resist temptations
+which were to their mental and physical detriment."
+
+"But it is the fighting that interests me," said Robert.
+
+"One may be a brave soldier with purely physical courage, but to be a
+good soldier one needs moral courage as well."
+
+Just then Ada Meredith came down on the porch. She was Kathie's little
+New York friend, and her uncle had brought her to Cedarwood for a few
+days. She was growing tall rapidly, and considered herself quite a young
+lady, especially as she had been to Saratoga with her mother.
+
+So this made a little break in the conversation. Rob somehow didn't get
+on very well with her; but then he admitted that he didn't like girls
+anyhow, except Miss Jessie. He was rather glad, therefore, to see Dick
+Grayson coming up the path, taking it for an excuse to get away.
+
+Ada looked after them with secret mortification. Dick was quite a young
+man in her estimation, and only that morning he had been very gallant.
+She hated to have Rob take him off to the lake or any other haunt, so
+she bethought herself of a little stratagem.
+
+"You promised me a game of croquet," she said to Kathie, with great
+earnestness.
+
+Kathie glanced up in surprise. When she had proposed it that morning Ada
+declared it stupid, and said she had grown tired of it. Uncle Robert,
+knowing nothing of this, answered for her. "Of course," he said; "there
+are the boys. Rob, don't go away, you are wanted."
+
+Rob made an impatient gesture with his hand, as if he would wave them
+all out of sight. Uncle Robert walked down to the boys. "Ada would like
+to play croquet," he remarked, pleasantly.
+
+"I'm just in the humor for a game myself," answered Dick; but Rob's brow
+knit itself into a little frown.
+
+"Come, girls!"
+
+Mr. Meredith accompanied them. "We will be umpires," he declared.
+
+Ada chose Dick for a partner. Rob thought it wasn't much fun playing
+with Kathie. He was rather careless, and in the first game they were
+badly beaten, which made Rob altogether out of humor. Why couldn't the
+girls have stayed on the balcony and talked?
+
+"I can't play!" he said, throwing down his mallet.
+
+Uncle Edward picked it up. "Now, Kathie, let us beat them all to ribbons
+and fragments!" he exclaimed, gayly, taking her brother's place.
+
+Rob fell out of the ranks to where his uncle stood in the shade of a
+great tulip-tree.
+
+"Soldiers!" he said, in a low, half-laughing tone.
+
+Rob colored. "I didn't want to play a bit! I wish girls--"
+
+"But a brave soldier goes off of the field after a defeat in good order.
+If he has done his best, that is all that is required of him."
+
+Rob knew that he had not done his best at all, although he was angry
+with the mortification of losing the game.
+
+    "Theirs not to reason why,
+     Theirs but to do and die,"
+
+said Uncle Robert, using his quotation against him.
+
+"But that doesn't mean paltry little matters like this!"--with all a
+boy's disdain in his voice.
+
+"It means everything when one is right. As Mr. Meredith said a few
+moments ago, there is a good deal of soldiering in life which must be
+all voluntary. That ought to suit your ideas. And I think the great
+Captain is often very patient with us, Rob. He bought us all with a
+price, you know, whether we serve him or not."
+
+"But it is so hard for me to be"--Rob made a great effort and said,
+frankly--"good-tempered."
+
+"I do not think that is it altogether."
+
+"What then?" and Rob looked up in a little astonishment.
+
+"We will put it on a military basis,--shirking one's duty because it is
+not pleasant."
+
+"There was no particular duty about playing croquet!"--in the same
+surprised tone.
+
+"Why did you do it at all then?"
+
+"Because--"
+
+"Courtesy to a guest becomes a duty in a host."
+
+"But there was Kathie. Dick and I were going down to take a row."
+
+"I have a fancy Dick likes the croqueting as well as he would have liked
+the rowing."
+
+Dick Grayson's pleasant laugh floated over to them as he said, "Not so
+bad a beat, after all, Mr. Meredith."
+
+"The life soldiering is not quite so arbitrary. A good deal of it is
+left to conscience. But if a sentinel at some outpost followed his own
+devices and let a spy pass the line--"
+
+"He would be shot, of course."
+
+"It seems hard, doesn't it, just for one little thing? Yet if one or two
+men escaped punishment the army would soon be in a state of
+insubordination. Then when a captain came to lead them in battle each
+man might consider his way and opinion best. Would it answer?"
+
+"No, it wouldn't," replied the boy. "But, Uncle Robert, if God had made
+us--stronger."
+
+"He offers us his strength daily."
+
+"But it is so--I mean you never can think of it at the right moment."
+
+"That is the secret of our duty to him,--to think of his wishes at the
+right time. He means, in this life, that we shall not seek to please
+ourselves altogether; but there is no guard-house, no bread-and-water
+rations, only a still, small voice to remind us."
+
+Rob was silent for some moments, watching the players, and wondering why
+everything fretted him so easily. Were all the rest of the world to have
+their own way and pleasures, and he never? "Uncle Robert," he began,
+presently, "don't you think it fair that I should follow out my own
+wishes _sometimes_? Is it not unjust to ask me to give up always?"
+
+"Are you asked to give up always?"--and the elder smiled.
+
+"Well--" Rob grew rather red and confused.
+
+"Which would give you the most satisfaction,--to know that you had made
+two or three people happy, or to enjoy some pleasure alone by yourself?
+This is the chief thing the Captain asks of us voluntary soldiers; and
+did not a wise man say that 'he who ruleth his own spirit is greater
+than he who taketh a city'?"
+
+"There is more in volunteering than I thought," Rob said, gravely, after
+a long pause; "I am afraid, after all, that I am one of the kind waiting
+for a draft."
+
+"And, if you wait for that, you may be left out altogether. Rob, it is
+not very easy work to march and countermarch, to dig trenches, throw up
+earthworks, keep your eyes open and your senses keen through dreary
+night-watches and the many other duties that fill up a soldier's life.
+It is harder for some men to keep faithful to these than to go into
+battle and die covered with glory. But on the other side there will be a
+few questions asked. What was the man's life? I often think of what the
+Saviour said,--not be faithful _in_ death, but be 'faithful _unto_
+death.' There, we have had quite a sermon. Next month you will be a new
+recruit, you know."
+
+"Two games!" exclaimed Dick, as they advanced. "Each party has won one."
+
+"And I am tired," said Ada, languidly.
+
+"Just one more," pleaded Dick; "I know that I shall have better luck."
+
+"I can't," Ada replied.
+
+Rob's first impulse was to say, "I'll take her place"; but he felt that
+would leave Ada to her own resources again. He did not care anything
+about Ada's noticing him,--indeed, she rather ignored him when Dick was
+around; but he had a fancy that Dick was _his_ friend, and did not
+belong so exclusively to the girls.
+
+"Rob, I'll try you," Mr. Meredith exclaimed, remarking the wistful face.
+
+So Ada and Dick had a ramble about the grounds, as Kathie, feeling she
+was not very earnestly desired, lingered to watch the players. It was a
+pretty sharp game, but Robert beat.
+
+"Though I do not think you played your best at the last," the boy said.
+
+Uncle Edward gave a queer little smile that set Rob to musing. What if
+people sometimes acted a little differently, for the sake of sparing his
+unlucky temper!
+
+"I shall have to fight giants," he confessed to himself, understanding,
+as he never had before, how serious a warfare life really is.
+
+Dick could not be persuaded to remain to supper, though Ada made herself
+very charming. But they passed a pleasant evening without him. Indeed,
+it seemed to Rob that there was some new element in their enjoyment. Was
+it because Ada was more gracious than usual?
+
+Uncle Robert could have told the secret easily.
+
+"Don't you get dreadfully dull sometimes?" Ada asked as they were alone
+in their room, for Ada had chosen to share Kathie's.
+
+"Dull!" and Kathie gave her pleasant little laugh.
+
+"When there is no company? For it is not quite like the city, where one
+can have calls and evening amusements."
+
+"I hardly ever think of it. You know I was not here last winter, and the
+summer has been so very delightful!" Kathie's cheeks glowed at the
+remembrance.
+
+"But your brother will be away this coming winter."
+
+"Yes." It would make some difference, to be sure, but Kathie fancied
+that she should not be entirely miserable.
+
+"If I were you, I should want to go to boarding-school. Where there is a
+crowd of girls they always manage to have a nice time."
+
+"But I have nice times at home. I do not want to go away."
+
+"What a queer girl you are, Kathie!"
+
+It was not the first time she had been called queer. But she said,
+rather gayly, "In what respect?"
+
+"I shouldn't like to do as you have to. Why, there are five servants in
+our house, and only one in this great place! And we have only four
+children, while your mother has three. It is hardly fair for you to be
+compelled to do so much work when there is no necessity."
+
+"Mamma thinks it best," Kathie answered.
+
+"If you expected to be very poor--or would have to do housework--"
+
+"I might," returned Kathie, pleasantly. "People are sick sometimes, and
+servants go away."
+
+"Isn't your uncle willing that you should have a chambermaid?"
+
+"I suppose he would be if mamma desired it."
+
+"So you have to keep your own room in order, and dust the parlor, and do
+all manner of little odds and ends. I believe I saw you wiping some
+dishes in the kitchen this morning."
+
+"And it did not injure me," returned Kathie, laughingly.
+
+"But all this work makes your hands hard and red. Mine are as soft as
+satin. I believe no money would tempt me to sweep a room!"
+
+Ada uttered this in a very lofty fashion.
+
+"Mamma thinks it best for me to learn to do everything. She was brought
+up in a good deal of luxury, but met with reverses afterward."
+
+Kathie smiled inwardly at the picture she remembered of the little room
+where her mother used to sit and sew, and how _she_ did errands, swept,
+washed dishes, and sometimes even scrubbed floors. Her hands were not
+large or coarse, for all the work they had done.
+
+"I think it would be hard enough if one was compelled to do it. I am
+thankful that I have no taste for such menial employments. I do not
+believe that I could even toast a piece of bread"; and Ada leaned back
+in the low rocker, the very picture of complacency.
+
+Kathie was silent, revolving several matters in her mind "all in a
+jumble," as she would have said. She knew it would be useless to
+undertake to explain to Ada the great difference between their lives.
+Mamma, Aunt Ruth, and Uncle Robert believed in the great responsibility
+of existence. Weeks, months, and years were not given to be squandered
+away in frivolous amusement. To do for each other was one of the first
+conditions, not merely the small family circle, but all the wide world
+outside who needed help or sympathy. And if one did not know how to do
+anything--
+
+"But when you go to school you cannot do so much," pursued Ada. "There
+will be all your lessons. I suppose you will study French and Italian.
+You cannot think how I was complimented on my singing while I was at
+Saratoga. Several gentlemen said my pronunciation was wonderful in one
+so young. I hope I shall be able to come out next summer."
+
+"Come out!" repeated Kathie, bewildered.
+
+"Yes, be regularly introduced to society. I am past fifteen, and growing
+tall rapidly. I hope I shall have an elegant figure. I want to be a
+belle. Don't you suppose you shall ever go to Saratoga?"
+
+"I don't know,"--dubiously.
+
+"It would be a shame for you to grow up here where there is no society.
+You would surely be an old maid, like your Aunt Ruth."
+
+"She isn't so very old," returned Kathie, warmly.
+
+"But every woman over twenty-five is an old maid. I mean to be married
+when I am eighteen."
+
+Kathie brushed out her hair, hung up her clothes, and waited for Ada to
+get into bed so that she might say her prayers in peace. Ada had
+outgrown "Our Father which art in heaven," and "had no knack of making
+up prayers," she said.
+
+But it seemed to Kathie that there were always so many things for which
+to give thanks, so many fresh blessings to ask. She almost wondered a
+little, sometimes, if God didn't get tired of listening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+DRAFTED.
+
+
+MISS JESSIE smiled a little at Ada's assumption of womanhood when the
+two girls came over to drink tea.
+
+"Ah," said Grandmother Darrell, wiping her glasses, "she's no such a
+girl as Kathie! The child's worth half a dozen of her. After all,
+there's no place like the country to bring up boys and girls."
+
+For Grandmother Darrell, like a good many other people, fancied
+everything that came from the city must be more or less contaminated.
+
+"I think Miss Darrell _would_ make your uncle a very nice wife," Ada
+said, graciously. "Do you suppose there is anything in it?"
+
+Kathie flushed scarlet, remembering the pain and trouble of last winter.
+"I don't want to talk about it," she answered, in a low tone.
+
+Ada nodded her head sagaciously. It was quite evident that she had hit
+upon the truth.
+
+Some of the Brookside girls thought Ada "so splendid," Lottie Thorne
+among them, who now treated Kathie in a very amiable manner, and always
+took pains to speak with her as they came out of church. Of course,
+Lottie was growing older and a little more sensible, as well as worldly
+wise.
+
+They took Ada to all the pleasant haunts, rowed over the lake, made two
+or three visits, and Mrs. Alston invited some girls, or rather young
+ladies, to tea; but Ada showed a decided preference for the young
+gentlemen. Even unsuspicious Kathie remarked how soon her headaches
+disappeared, and how ready she was to sing if some of the boys would
+stand at the piano and turn her music.
+
+"A budding coquette," said Aunt Ruth, with a quiet smile.
+
+"What a pity that girls should be reared to such idle, frivolous lives,
+and have their minds so filled with vanity and selfishness!" Mrs. Alston
+replied. "Can such blossoming bring forth good, wholesome fruit?"
+
+Mr. Meredith felt a little annoyed. The visit was not quite the success
+he had hoped, and he saw more clearly than ever the difference between
+the two girls; but ah, how unlike their mothers were!
+
+Was he growing more serious, clearer-eyed? What was there about this
+family that charmed so insensibly? The higher motives, the worthier
+lives, with a more generous outlook for neighbor and friend!
+
+Kathie was ashamed to confess it even to herself, but she said good by
+at the station with a sense of relief. For days a horrible thought had
+been haunting her,--suppose Uncle Robert _should_ be drafted! The
+abruptly terminated conversation had not been renewed; indeed, there had
+been so many pleasures at Cedarwood that one hardly wanted to bring in
+such a subject. But if it did happen, Kathie felt she should want no
+stranger eyes to witness her grief.
+
+For when the question came directly home, she felt that she could not
+give him up; yet how brave she had been last winter! If General
+Mackenzie could look into her heart, he would find that she hardly
+deserved all his praise.
+
+But all Brookside was much excited over the prospect. Business was very
+dull and bounties tempting; so numbers enlisted.
+
+"Uncle Robert," Kathie said, as they were riding homeward, "could a
+drafted man offer a substitute just the same?"
+
+"Why, yes, to be sure."
+
+He uttered the words in such a light-hearted manner that she felt quite
+relieved, but lacked courage to pursue the subject further. A little
+quiver would keep rising from her heart to her throat, interfering with
+the steadiness of her voice.
+
+By Monday night seventy men were still needed to complete the quota.
+That gave Brookside about forty.
+
+Kathie wondered how they could all go on with their usual routine. Aunt
+Ruth, even, sat by the window and sang "Bonnie Doon," as she sewed upon
+Rob's outfit. His uncle had decided upon a school about sixty miles
+distant, a flourishing collegiate institution, in a healthy locality,--a
+quaint, quiet, old-fashioned town, with a river where the boys could
+have boating and swimming.
+
+"It is so far!" Mrs. Alston had said at first.
+
+"Not too far, though. Of course we do not expect him to come home every
+few weeks. That always unsettles a boy."
+
+So she made no further demur. The principal, Dr. Goldthwaite, was a
+truly religious man, and the place was held in high esteem. Perhaps this
+took their thoughts a little from the subject that was so absorbing to
+Kathie.
+
+Rob went over to the hall and hung about all the morning. He did find a
+good deal of amusement in it. The crowd was disposed to be rather jolly,
+and several of the men took their luck with great good-humor. It was as
+his uncle had said. While they would not willingly leave their homes and
+families, still, if the country had need of them in her imminent peril,
+they would go. Others, sure of a substitute, took the news with
+unconcern. Only a few exhibited any anger, or declared loudly what they
+would and what they would not do.
+
+At three o'clock the printed list was complete, and the notices were
+being made up.
+
+"So your uncle's in for it, Rob!" exclaimed a voice at his side.
+
+"No, you're mistaken. I listened to every name."
+
+"Here it is,--Robert Conover!"
+
+Rob followed the grimy finger down the list. Sure enough! His heart
+stood still for a moment.
+
+"He will get a sub, though! He'd be a fool to go when he's rich enough
+to stay at home!"
+
+"Yes, that's it!" and a burly fellow turned, facing them with a savage
+frown. "It's the poor man this 'ere thing comes hard on! Rich men are
+all cowards! They kin stay to hum and nuss themselves in the
+chimbly-corner. I say they're cowards!"
+
+Rob's heart swelled within him for a twofold reason. First, the shock.
+He had not been able to believe that the draft would touch them, and the
+surprise was very great. Then to have his uncle called a coward! All the
+boy's hot, unreasoning indignation was ablaze.
+
+"He is not!" he answered, fiercely.
+
+"Say that agin and I'll knock you over!"
+
+Rob was not to be dared or to be bullied into silence. He stood his
+ground manfully.
+
+"I say that my uncle is no coward, whether he gets a substitute or not!"
+
+The fellow squared off. It was Kit Kent, as he was commonly called, a
+blacksmith of notoriously unsteady habits.
+
+"None of that!" and a form was interposed between Bob and his
+assailant. "Hit a fellow of your size, Kent, not a boy like that."
+
+"Let the youngster hold his tongue then! Much he knows!"
+
+Rob did not stir, but his lips turned blue and almost cold with the
+pressure. If he had been a little larger, it seemed to him that he could
+not have let Kent alone.
+
+"There's a chance for you to make some money," exclaimed a voice in the
+crowd. "Six or seven hundred dollars, and you're grumbling about being
+out of work! It's a golden opportunity, and you'll never find another
+like it."
+
+That turned the laugh upon Kent. Rob walked off presently. Turning into
+a quiet street, he nearly ran over two men who stood talking.
+
+"The trouble is that you can hardly find a substitute. Most of the
+able-bodied men who will go have enlisted or been drafted. The look is
+mighty poor!"
+
+That startled Rob again. He began to feel pretty sober now. What if--
+
+Kathie and Aunt Ruth had gone out into the garden, and were taking up
+some flowers for winter.
+
+"O Rob!" exclaimed Kathie, with a cry, "is there any news? It's the
+worst, I know," answering her own question, her breath almost strangling
+her.
+
+"Yes, it is the worst!"
+
+"Uncle Robert has been drafted!" Kathie dropped her trowel and flew to
+her mother. "But he won't go," she sobbed; "do you think he will? How
+can we spare him?"
+
+"It would be no worse for us than for hundreds of others," replied her
+mother. "Kathie, my darling, be brave until we know, at least."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"He went to Connor's Point with Mr. Langdon. Hush, dear, don't cry."
+
+Kathie wiped away her tears. "It is very hard," she said. "I never
+realized before how hard it was."
+
+But the flowers lost their charm. Kathie put away her implements, laid
+off her garden-dress, as she called it,--a warm woollen sack and
+skirt,--and sat down, disconsolately enough, to practise her music. Next
+week she was going to school.
+
+She heard Uncle Robert's voice on the porch at the side entrance. Rob
+was talking in great earnest; but somehow she couldn't have gone out, or
+trusted the voice still so full of tears.
+
+He came in at length. "You have heard the news, Kitty?"
+
+She rose and went to his arms, hid her face upon his shoulder. "O Uncle
+Robert!"
+
+"What ought I to do, little one?"
+
+It was such a solemn question that she could not answer it readily,
+selfishly.
+
+"Rob came very near getting into a row on my behalf. It was rather
+funny. Poor boy! I believe he would go willingly in my stead."
+
+The story interested Kathie a good deal, and turned the current of her
+feelings somewhat. Then one or two of the neighbors came in, and they
+had no more quiet until they gathered round the supper-table. Freddy
+thought it a great honor to be drafted.
+
+"Is it true that there is a scarcity of substitutes?" asked Rob of his
+uncle.
+
+"I believe it is. Mr. Langdon put in one about a month ago, and paid a
+thousand dollars."
+
+"But you could afford that," said Rob, decisively.
+
+"What about the cowardice of the proceeding?"
+
+Rob colored. The matter appeared so different to him now.
+
+"O Uncle Robert!"--in a most deprecating tone.
+
+"I will not perplex you, nor keep you in suspense," he said, gravely.
+"If your father was alive I think I should not hesitate a moment. The
+country is at her sorest need, and calls upon her loyal children for
+assistance. It is the duty of every man who can be spared to answer the
+call, to swell the list so that the struggle may be brief. It seems to
+me that another year will certainly see our war ended, now that we have
+such brave and able generals in the field, but if the stress should be
+any greater, I _must_ respond. Now, however, I shall do my best to
+procure a substitute."
+
+They all drew a relieved breath. Kathie looked up with a tender light in
+her eyes.
+
+"I am so glad!" she said afterward, nestling beside him upon the sofa.
+"Did it surprise you when you heard that you were drafted?"
+
+"I must confess that it did. I had a presentiment that I should escape,
+so it seems such things are not always to be depended upon."
+
+Kathie was silent for some time, her eyes engrossed with a figure in the
+carpet.
+
+"Well, Miss Thoughtful, what is it now? Are you not satisfied to have me
+stay, or am I less of a hero in your eyes?"
+
+"No, Uncle Robert. I was only thinking of the men who were compelled to
+go and did not want to, who had families to leave--"
+
+"My darling, it is not necessary to lay the cares of others so deeply to
+heart. Instead, we must do all we can for those who are left behind."
+
+"I don't think a draft quite a fair thing, after all," declared Rob,
+coming out of a brown study.
+
+Mrs. Alston entered the room. "Mr. Morrison is over here and wishes to
+see you,--Ethel's father."
+
+Uncle Robert rose and went out.
+
+In the mean while Aunt Ruth and Rob had quite a warm discussion
+concerning the draft. Kathie somehow felt very tender-hearted, and was
+silent.
+
+Presently they heard steps in the hall and the door opened.
+
+"I have brought Mr. Morrison in to see you all," Mr. Conover said, "and
+to explain to you that he desires to go in my stead, a willing
+substitute."
+
+There was something very solemn and withal sweet in Uncle Robert's
+voice. Rob winked away a tear, Kathie walked over to Mr. Morrison and
+laid her hand in his,--a pretty white hand if she did dust the rooms and
+do gardening with it.
+
+"It is so very kind and generous in you," she began, falteringly,
+thinking of another love and another substitute.
+
+"No, Miss Kathie, it isn't all pure generosity, so don't praise me too
+soon. If I'd been real lucky about getting work, maybe I shouldn't have
+taken the idea so strongly into my mind, or if poor Ethel's mother had
+lived. But times are unsettled, and business of all kinds is so very
+dull that I'd half made up my mind to 'list and get the bounty. That
+would be something for my little girl in case she didn't have me. Then
+when I heard talk of the draft I thought to myself, 'If Mr. Conover gets
+taken I'll offer to go in his place'; and so I waited. Being an
+Englishman, I am not liable, you know."
+
+"And that makes it the more noble," returned Kathie, softly. "It was so
+good to--to think of him"; and her voice sank to a whisper.
+
+"You have all been so kind to my poor old mother, and to me, for that
+matter, as well. I seem to owe some sort of duty to you first."
+
+"Did you mean to enlist any way?" asked Kathie.
+
+"Yes, miss, it would have come to that; for, said I, 'Here is a country
+and a government battling in a good cause, begging for men, and willing
+to provide for the little ones they may leave behind.' Though I should
+be no skulk, nor eye-server, Miss Kathie, if I did go for the money."
+
+"We should never think that of you," returned Uncle Robert, warmly.
+
+"So I'll be glad to go in your place, sir, if it's any favor; and if
+you'll look after Ethel a little, if anything should happen to me. If
+I'm too bold in asking--"
+
+"No," said Aunt Ruth; "it will be a sacred duty, and a pleasure as well;
+but we shall count upon your return."
+
+"Life is uncertain with us all," was the grave reply. With that he rose
+and bowed. Uncle Robert left the room with him, for he had much more to
+say.
+
+"I couldn't have uttered a word," exclaimed Rob, his voice still a
+little tremulous. "Why, it's just like a dream! There are noble and
+heroic men who may go to war even for the money, though I think they are
+a good deal sneered at,--subs, as the boys call them; but I shall never
+ridicule them again,--never, although bad men may do the same thing."
+
+"It is not quite the same," subjoined Kathie.
+
+"No, the motive makes a great difference."
+
+Uncle Robert returned and took his seat between the children. He
+appeared to be invested with a new virtue in their eyes, as if he had
+just escaped an imminent and deadly peril. And there is something in the
+simplest act of chivalry that touches one's soul.
+
+"It was so good in Mr. Morrison to think of you," Rob said, after a
+while.
+
+"Yes; going farther back, I don't know but we owe it all to Kathie. If
+she had not thought of our trusty and efficient gardener, we should
+never have known his brother. The lodge has made a charming home for
+them, and they feel deeply grateful."
+
+"It is worse to go away to war than I imagined," Rob continued, gravely
+following out his own musings.
+
+"You have been looking at the glory and listening to the music, my boy;
+but there is quite another side to it. It is one thing to go out as a
+mounted officer, in glittering uniform, with a servant to wait upon you,
+and if you fall in battle to have whole cities weep your loss, and quite
+another to tramp as a common soldier, often weary and footsore, to be
+subject to the caprice of those in authority, to work night and day
+sometimes, to stand in the front rank and be swept down by a terrific
+charge, be trampled under foot and thrown into a nameless grave, perhaps
+forever lost to your kindred. It is no light matter, Rob, and requires a
+good deal of courage when a man does it intelligently."
+
+"You wouldn't have gone out as a private, though!"
+
+A grave smile crossed Uncle Robert's face "I should not have gone for
+the glory, but the duty. Yes, Rob, I should have taken my place in the
+ranks, and if the great Captain of all had said, 'Friend, come up
+higher,' I should have trusted through his grace to be ready for the
+promotion. But one goes in my stead."
+
+Kathie thought of the One who had gone in the place of us all, been
+mocked, derided, spit upon, and put to a cruel death. Maybe the rest
+remembered it too, for there was no more talking. Their hearts were too
+full.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+TRUE TO ONE'S COLORS.
+
+
+THERE was a week of great excitement at Brookside. Head-quarters were
+established on the confines of the town to render it accessible to
+Taunton and the adjacent places. Hundreds thronged the camp daily;
+uniforms were sent down, and drilling commenced in good earnest.
+
+Kathie began school on Monday morning. A large, pleasant room had been
+obtained, and Mrs. Wilder opened with ten young ladies, though nearly as
+many more had been enrolled.
+
+"I feel as if I were drafted," she declared to Uncle Robert. "I know it
+is my duty to go and do the best that I can, but I would so much rather
+have remained at home."
+
+"You find, then, that no one is quite exempt from the warfare?" and he
+smiled. "Still, I think I can trust you to be a good soldier."
+
+"I am second in the regiment," she said. "Mr. Morrison must always stand
+first."
+
+It seemed very quiet and lonesome in that large room, where you were put
+upon your honor not to speak, and the silence was broken only by the
+recitations, or some remark of Mrs. Wilder. A long, dull day, though the
+session closed at two, there being no intermission.
+
+Lottie Thorne was the only girl Kathie was well acquainted with. That
+ambitious young lady had pleaded very hard for boarding-school, and,
+being disappointed, was rather captious and critical. Emma Lauriston sat
+next to her, and Kathie fancied she might like her very much. She had
+met her in the summer at the rowing-matches.
+
+But she was glad enough to get home. Rob had his head full of Camp
+Schuyler, and Freddy had arrayed himself in gorgeous regimentals and sat
+out on a post drumming fearfully.
+
+"I want a little more talk about this substitute business," said Uncle
+Robert, at the table. "Mr. Morrison offered to go for seven hundred
+dollars. He has three hundred of his own. Now what do you think we ought
+to give him?"
+
+He addressed the question more particularly to Rob and Kathie.
+
+Rob considered. In his boy's way of thinking he supposed what any one
+asked was enough.
+
+"Would a thousand dollars be too much?" Kathie ventured, timidly. "It
+doesn't seem to me that any money could make up to Ethel for--"
+
+There Kathie stopped.
+
+"He will come back," exclaimed Rob.
+
+"We were talking over Ethel's future this morning. Mr. Morrison would
+like to have her educated for a teacher. I am to be appointed her
+guardian in case of any misfortune."
+
+"It ought not to be less than a thousand," said Aunt Ruth.
+
+"I thought so myself. And I believe I shall pledge my word to provide a
+home for Ethel in case of any change at her uncle's."
+
+Kathie's deep, soft eyes thanked him.
+
+The next day the bargain was concluded. Mr. Morrison handed his small
+sum over to Mr. Conover for safe-keeping, and the whole amount, thirteen
+hundred dollars, was placed at interest. Then he reported himself at
+Camp Schuyler for duty.
+
+Kathie tried bravely to like her school, but home was so much dearer and
+sweeter. It was quite hard after her desultory life, and spasmodic
+studying made so very entertaining by Uncle Robert's explanations, to
+come down to methodical habits and details. She meant to be a good
+soldier, even if it did prove difficult in the early marches.
+
+But this week was one of events. On Thursday afternoon Mr. Meredith
+surprised them all again. It seemed to Kathie that there was something
+unusual in his face. Uncle Robert was absent on important business, and
+at first he appeared rather disappointed.
+
+"It is such a glorious afternoon, Kitty, that I think you will have to
+invite me out to drive, by way of comfort. Are the ponies in good
+order?"
+
+"Yes, and at home. How fortunate that Rob did not take them!"
+
+Kathie ordered them at once.
+
+"You have had great doings here. So you came near losing your dear
+uncle, my child?"
+
+Kathie winked away a tear. There would always be a tender little spot in
+her heart concerning the matter.
+
+"It is best under the circumstances," was Mr. Meredith's grave comment.
+"I should not want him to go."
+
+They took their seats in the phaeton. "Where shall we drive?" Kathie
+asked. "To--" breaking off her sentence with a little blush.
+
+"Miss Darrell is away from home. It is owing to that circumstance that
+you are called upon to entertain me"; and he laughed a little, but less
+gayly than usual.
+
+It was a soft, lovely autumn day, full of whisperings of oaks and pines
+and cedars, fragmentary chirps of birds, and distant river music, Kathie
+drew a few long breaths of perfect content, then with her usual
+consideration for others she stole a shy glance to see if Mr. Meredith
+was enjoying it as well, he was so very quiet.
+
+"I am afraid something troubles you," she said, softly; and her voice
+sounded as if it might have been a rustle of maple branches close at
+hand. "Is it about Uncle Robert?"
+
+"No, child," in a grave, reflective tone; "it is--about myself."
+
+She did not like to question him as she would have done with Uncle
+Robert.
+
+"Kitten," he began, presently, "I have been thinking this good while,
+and thinking slowly. A great many things puzzle me, and all my
+perplexities have culminated at last in one grand step; but whether I am
+quite prepared for it--"
+
+The sentence was a labyrinth to Kathie, and she was not quite sure that
+she held the clew.
+
+"I am going to enlist--at least, I am going out for three months--with
+my regiment. They have volunteered, most of them."
+
+"And what troubles you?" in her sweet, tender voice, and glancing up
+with an expression that no other eyes save Kathie Alston's could have
+had.
+
+"Child," he asked, "how did you stand fire last winter when you were so
+suddenly brought to the front? About the singing, I mean."
+
+She understood. He referred to the Sunday evening at Mrs. Meredith's
+when she had refused to join Ada in singing songs. The remembered pain
+still made her shiver.
+
+"There _is_ something about you, Kathie, just a little different from
+other children,--other girls. You often carry it in your face; and for
+the life of me I cannot help thinking how the wise virgins must have
+been illuminated with their tiny lamps while the others stood in
+darkness. Is it a natural gift or grace?"
+
+She knew now what he meant. She was called upon to give testimony here,
+and it was almost as hard as in Mrs. Meredith's grand drawing-room. She
+felt the warm blood throbbing through every pulse.
+
+"You did a brave thing that night, little girl. I shall never forget
+it--never. _Can_ you answer my question? What _is_ it?"
+
+She could only think of one thing, one sentence, amid the whirl and
+confusion of ideas and the girlish shrinking back,--"The love of Christ
+constraineth us."
+
+"It wasn't merely your regard for your mother or Uncle Robert?"
+
+"It was _all_,"--in her simple, earnest fashion.
+
+"I'm going out there, Kathie," nodding his head southward, "to stand
+some pretty hard fire, doubtless. I am not afraid of physical pain, nor
+the dropping out of life, though existence never was sweeter than now;
+but if, in the other country, the record of my useless years rises sharp
+against me, what shall I answer? I have never tried to do anything for
+the glory of God! Child, you shame all our paltry lives!"
+
+"O, don't!" with a suggestion of pain in her voice; "what I can do is
+such a very little."
+
+She would never know how the simple acts of her life, springing from the
+hidden centre that was deeper even than her every-day thought, was to
+bear fruit on wide-spread branches.
+
+"And yet we--I--do nothing. I should have to go empty-handed."
+
+She cast about for some words of comfort. As girl or woman Kathie Alston
+would never be able to realize all the frivolousness, to say nothing of
+vanity, selfishness, and deeper sins, crowded into this man's life,
+which still looked so fair by outward comparison with others.
+
+"Ever since Mr. Morrison offered to go in Uncle Robert's place this
+verse has been lingering in my mind: 'Greater love hath no man than
+this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' It seems to me that
+it doesn't mean physical life altogether, but all the times and places
+when we take something precious out of our own lives and put it into
+that of others. And every man who goes now may be called upon to suffer
+in some other's stead. If he do it bravely, is it not a little of the
+good fruit? I can't explain all I mean, only just as the Saviour loved
+us we ought to love every one else."
+
+Edward Meredith had listened to many an eloquent sermon, and dissected
+it in a purely intellectual fashion, his heart never warming with any
+inward grace, or hungering after the true bread. But he understood now
+the secret of this little girl's life. Not doctrine, not so much creed,
+or form, or rule, "but the taking something precious out of her daily
+existence and noiselessly placing it in that of others." And the same
+love which enabled her to do this rendered her brave, pure, and sweet. A
+child's religion, that a year or two ago he would have sneered at, and
+now he had come to learn of her because he was too proud to ask others,
+and perhaps ashamed.
+
+"But you had a substitute!" she said, presently, bethinking herself.
+
+"Yes. He has served his time out honorably, has had the good fortune to
+come home without harm of any kind. You remember how Mackenzie bantered
+me last winter, though he was in dead earnest. But the country is at her
+extremest need now; if Grant, Sherman, and our other generals, are
+strengthened by good reinforcements, it seems to me that in six months
+we might have peace. I have done a good deal of holiday soldiering in my
+life, but this is to be sober earnest."
+
+He looked as if it might be.
+
+"When will you go?"
+
+"We start for Washington on Saturday morning."
+
+"So soon! Does--Miss Jessie know?" Kathie could not help but ask it,
+though the lids trembled over her shy, downcast eyes.
+
+"She should have received my note this morning. I suppose she did not,
+or she would have been at home. Kathie, I ought to thank you for your
+rare delicacy in keeping our secret. There are some matters that one
+does not like to have talked about."
+
+What would Miss Jessie say? Of course she loved Mr. Meredith very much.
+Kathie's heart ached a little in silence, but this was one of the
+burdens that could not be borne by another.
+
+On they went through lovely scenery, now and then catching a glimpse of
+the river that wound around like a silver cord through its bed of green.
+Here in the stillness they heard the chatter of squirrels and the sound
+of dropping nuts, or an autumn-tinted leaf went floating on the air like
+some gorgeous bird with his wings all aflame. Golden-rod and great
+clumps of purple Michaelmas daisies starred the roadside, with frequent
+clusters of scarlet sumach, pendent bitter-sweet berries with the still
+glossy green leaves, and the dark tint of spruce and fir.
+
+Kathie began to realize how her heart and intellect had expanded. She
+was no longer a little girl. How she had grown within and without was a
+great mystery, as well as how her soul had enriched itself with drawing
+near to others, and going forth again with the sweet, half-comprehending
+sympathies of girlhood.
+
+"I have been a dull companion," Mr. Meredith said, at length. "But,
+Kathie, I shall never forget the happy days I have spent at Cedarwood.
+To have known you is one of the bright events in my life."
+
+They were coming up the avenue, and saw Uncle Robert standing on the
+broad porch. She might never have another opportunity to speak, and he
+had been so peculiarly serious this afternoon.
+
+"O Mr. Meredith, you won't forget--when you are out there--that there is
+another service, and another Captain--"
+
+"Pray for me, Kathie, that I may be one of His faithful soldiers to my
+life's end."
+
+She ran up stairs afterward, and the two gentlemen had a long talk in
+the library. After supper Mr. Meredith said good by, as he expected to
+leave the Darrells' to take the early morning train.
+
+"I do believe everybody is going to war!" exclaimed Rob, rather
+ruefully. "I wonder if we shall ever have such good times again."
+
+Rob spent the next forenoon in packing.
+
+"How all these things are to be gotten into one trunk I cannot imagine!"
+he exclaimed, in despair.
+
+"I fancy that you had better put the clothes in first, and leave the
+'things,' as you call them, until the last," said Aunt Ruth, with a
+quiet smile.
+
+"But I shall want them all, I'm sure."
+
+"Not your whole tool-chest!"
+
+"Some of the articles would come in so handy."
+
+"To assist you in learning your lessons?" asked his mother.
+
+"O, you know what I mean. Now, mother, you won't let Freddy meddle with
+them while I am gone,--will you? He always does manage to get into
+everything."
+
+"The best way will be to put all that you can in the closet of your
+play-room, and give Uncle Robert the key. Lock all your drawers as
+well."
+
+One would have fancied that Rob was going to Europe, to say the very
+least. After he had tumbled the articles in and out about twenty times,
+he concluded that he would go down to the stable to see about some
+trifle.
+
+So his mother soon had the trunk in order, though she quietly restored
+half the "traps" to their place in the play-room, and I doubt if Rob
+ever missed them.
+
+Saturday was another very busy time with him. He had to take a farewell
+glimpse of Camp Schuyler, to visit hosts of the boys, to take a last
+row, a last ride, a last game of ball, and one might have imagined from
+all these preparations that he was about to enter a dungeon and leave
+the cheerful ways of life behind.
+
+But Rob was beginning to have quite serious moods occasionally; and the
+last Sunday at home was one of them. He did not feel nor understand the
+transition state as keenly as Kathie, he was such a thorough, careless,
+rollicking boy. He would play until the last gasp,--"until whiskers
+began to sprout," he said,--and he would make one of the men to whom
+recollections of boyish fun would always be sweet.
+
+The sermon in the morning touched him a little, and then the talk with
+Charlie Darrell. The Darrells felt very badly over the present loss of
+their dear friend; and Kathie just pressed Miss Jessie's fingers, but
+spoke no word.
+
+"I do mean to _try_," Rob said, that evening, to Kathie. "It seems
+almost as if I were really going to war, as well as the rest of them."
+
+"Yes," she answered, gravely; "you will find enough fighting to
+do,--foes without and within."
+
+"I have learned some things, though,"--with a confident nod,--"and I
+shall never forget about the giants. What odd times we have had, Kathie,
+from first to last!"
+
+"I wonder if you will be homesick?"
+
+"Pshaw! No. A great boy like me! No doubt there'll be lots of fun."
+
+"But I hope you will not get into any troubles or scrapes. O Rob! it is
+real difficult to always do just what is right, when oftentimes wrong
+things seem so much pleasanter."
+
+"I wonder why it is, Kathie? It always looked rather hard to me. Why
+didn't God make the wrong so that you could see it plainly?"
+
+"If we see it, that is sufficient. Maybe if we kept looking at it
+steadily it would grow larger; but you know we often turn to the
+pleasant side when we should be watching the danger."
+
+"I don't believe that I can ever be real good; but I'll never tell a
+lie, nor be mean, nor shirk, nor cheat! I want to be a real splendid man
+like Mr. Meredith!"
+
+Rob would never outgrow that boyish admiration. Edward Meredith would
+have felt a good deal humbled if he had known how this boy magnified
+some of his easy-going ways into virtues.
+
+They had a sweet, sad time singing in the evening. Kathie had begun to
+play very nicely, with a great deal of expression and tenderness; and
+to-night all the breaks, all the farewells, and the loneliness to come,
+seemed to be struggling in her soul. She was glad that no one saw her
+face, for now and then a tear dropped unbidden.
+
+Rob and his mother had their last talk at bed-time. Her heart was sad
+enough at the thought of the nine months' absence, for at Westbury there
+were no short vacations. True, she would have the privilege of visiting
+him, but such interviews must, of necessity, be brief.
+
+He lay awake a long while, thinking and resolving. How many times he had
+"tried to be good." Why couldn't he remember? What was it that helped
+his mother, and Uncle Robert, and Kathie? The grace of God; but then how
+was one to get this grace?
+
+Wandering off into the fields of theology, Rob fell asleep, and never
+had another thought until the breakfast-bell rang. Then, as he recalled
+his perplexity, he said slowly to himself, "I don't believe religion
+comes natural to boys."
+
+The parting was sad, after all. A thousand thoughts rushed into his
+mind. What if he should be homesick? Here was the roomy playhouse, with
+its store of tools, books in abundance, the ponies, the lake, the
+boys,--O, everything! and Rob's fast-coming breath was one great sob.
+
+"A good soldier," Kathie whispered, as his arms were round her neck.
+
+Uncle Robert did not return until the next day. The accounts were very
+encouraging. Clifton Hall had taken Rob's fancy at once. The boys were
+coming in on Monday; so there was little done beside fraternizing and
+being classified and shown to their dormitories. He had written a little
+scrap of a note stating that "everything was lovely."
+
+They missed him very much. Kathie began to wonder if _her_ winter
+wouldn't be lonesome. No gay Mr. Meredith to drop in upon them now and
+then; no noisy, merry boys such as had haunted the grounds all summer.
+She began to feel sadly disconsolate.
+
+But she rallied presently. "I must fight as well as my soldiers," she
+said to herself.
+
+The next event was Mr. Morrison's departure. Uncle Robert took both
+families over the day they "broke camp."
+
+Mr. Morrison wrung Uncle Robert's hand warmly. "It will be all right,
+whatever comes," he said. "If I had not gone for you I should have done
+it for some one else, so never give yourself an anxious thought about
+it. I know my little lass is in good hands."
+
+He kissed Ethel many, many times, and she clung to him with an almost
+breaking heart. Kathie's quick eyes saw a duty here.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+LITTLE STEPS BY THE WAY.
+
+
+BUT Kathie found that the regiment's marching off to Virginia had not
+taken all the interest of life. They had left the woods behind, glowing
+with rich autumnal coloring, the glorious blue heavens, the ripening
+fruits, and the changeful scenes, that opened afresh every day.
+
+Her afternoons were quite a delight. Uncle Robert always held himself in
+readiness, and they had either a ride or a ramble. There were new
+collections of ferns to make, and with these she often had an
+entertaining lesson in botany.
+
+October was very pleasant indeed. There was no frost to mention until
+the middle of the month, and by that time the flowers were safely
+housed. Hugh Morrison had built a conservatory against the south side of
+the barn, and promised Kathie bouquets all winter.
+
+Kathie began to look up her old friends as well, and she joined the
+girls in several nutting expeditions, at which they had rare fun.
+
+Withal she had a brief note from Ada, who wondered if she approved the
+foolish step Uncle Edward had taken. Papa was positively angry about it!
+And then the idea of going out as a private, even if it was in a "crack"
+regiment. However, they really didn't mean to fight, and that was some
+comfort. He would be at home by the first of January.
+
+But General Grant evinced no desire to go into winter quarters, while at
+the South and West there was unusual activity.
+
+"It looks as if there might be considerable fighting before Christmas!"
+declared Uncle Robert.
+
+For the few who chose to find them there were duties enough. Brookside,
+as well as other places, began to feel the effects of the war. There
+were soldiers' widows and orphans, the sick and the wounded who were
+sent home to make room for newer cases. Then the churches at Brookside
+decided to give a grand Fair and Festival for this benevolent object, to
+be held Thanksgiving week.
+
+Kathie found her hands quite full. Still she found time to dust the
+parlor every morning and take care of her own room, and often managed
+to get half an hour for her music practice. To be sure, she did not
+dawdle over her dressing, neither was there a waterfall wonderfully
+constructed, and adorned with puffs and braids.
+
+"I mean to keep my little girl simple in her tastes as long as I can,"
+Mrs. Alston replied to the dressmaker. "Nothing can be prettier than her
+hair as it is, and I do not feel justified in dressing her expensively
+when there are so many children suffering with cold and hunger."
+
+"But young girls feel so sensitive on these matters," was the reply.
+"They all want to look like their companions."
+
+"I hope there are some sensible mothers left," returned Mrs. Alston with
+a smile.
+
+Kathie was very much interested in getting contributions and making
+fancy articles, though hers tended rather to the useful. And Aunt Ruth,
+to her great amusement, made up a dozen stout gingham kitchen aprons
+with bibs, a stack of kettle-holders, and knitted some dishcloths out of
+soft cotton.
+
+In the mean while Kathie was delighted with a letter from Mr. Meredith.
+He was in the gayest spirits and related a host of comical episodes. He
+had been in several skirmishes, but no regular battle, was well and
+hearty, and brown as a berry already. Just at the last he said, "I have
+not forgotten our pleasant ride, and the other fighting we talked
+about."
+
+Mr. Morrison was doing very well also. Kathie began to think that it was
+not such a terrible thing to go to war, after all.
+
+As for Rob, his record was pretty fair. He did confess to being a little
+homesick at first. The Latin was "awful tough work," and some of the
+rules "rather hard on a fellow who was new to them." But they had a
+"jolly set of boys," and he liked it first-rate.
+
+So Kathie had no need to worry about her soldiers. She said a little
+prayer for them night and morning, and thought of them often. But she
+was so busy and so happy that she was little inclined to look upon the
+dark side.
+
+The Fair was a decided success. It was held at Mason's Hall and opened
+on Monday evening. Emma Lauriston, and a number of the larger girls,
+were in attendance upon the tables. The band came up from Connor's Point
+and discoursed patriotic music. The hall was large, well lighted, and
+presented a very gay appearance.
+
+But the most amusement was created by a "Dutch kitchen." Several ladies
+had transformed a small ante-room into a very attractive place of
+resort. There were great brown rafters overhead, from which depended
+hams, flitches of bacon, strings of onions, bunches of herbs, and at the
+edge were stowed away miscellaneous articles. A great eight-day clock,
+chairs, and an old brass-handled dresser that might have come over in
+the Mayflower, while four pretty young girls, in the quaint old costume
+of their grand-mothers, waited upon the table with all grace and ease.
+This was crowned with an immense dish of beans and pork, and a stout,
+rosy Dutch woman was baking waffles. Altogether this was the place for
+fun.
+
+Kathie had been in and out half a dozen times. Her Fortunatus's purse
+was full to repletion, and every time she passed the door she saw some
+children standing there with wistful eyes. It was such a delightful
+thing to make any one happy.
+
+Sauntering round, she came to a rather oddly arranged table,--Miss
+Weston's. She was the primmest and queerest of old maids,--a little
+body with weak eyes and flaxen hair, who always looked at you sharply
+through gold-bowed spectacles.
+
+"O dear!" she exclaimed, "how you young things do go flyin' round! As
+for me, I'm that tired I'm just ready to drop. I've been here ever sence
+two o'clock and never set down a minnit. I fixed all my table myself,
+and I made nigh onto all the things. Cousin Hitty, she sent me them
+there child's aperns; but land! what a sight of folly it is to do all
+that braidin' and nonsense! I never had no sech thing when I was little!
+Been in the Dutch kitchen?"
+
+"O yes, time and again."
+
+"I'd like to go, I'm sure. I've been standin' stiddy on my feet sence
+two o'clock. If some one would come along and take my table!"
+
+"Couldn't I?" asked Kathie.
+
+"O, you're so flighty! All gals are nowadays. Why, when I was no older
+'n you I had seven bed-quilts pieced, and had begun to lay by sheets and
+pillow-slips, and had a dozen pairs of as han'some hum-knit stockings as
+you'd find in a day's walk!"
+
+Miss Weston really did look tired. Kathie was debating whether she
+should not insist, though this was an out-of-the-way corner, and rather
+dull.
+
+"Well, I guess I'll go. You won't be likely to sell anything; nothing
+much sells the first night, and I hain't no nonsense and flummery. Good
+useful articles, but nobody can see their virtue nowadays. It's the way
+of the world!"--a little spitefully. "All the prices are marked in plain
+figgers, and I won't have a thing undersold. O dear, I am a'most beat
+out."
+
+"I'll do my best," said Kathie, sweetly.
+
+After giving about a dozen more orders Miss Weston moved slowly away,
+though, truth to tell, she was more anxious to go than she appeared; and
+whom should she meet just at the entrance but Mr. Denslow, who paid the
+ten cents' admittance fee. Mr. Denslow, moreover, was a widower, and
+Miss Weston had not quite given up the hope that the bed-quilts and the
+stores of linen might some day be called into use.
+
+Kathie took her place behind the table, and, when the moments began to
+hang heavy, ventured upon a few improvements. The passers-by just gave
+the place a glance, and preferred to go where there were some pretty
+girls or some fun. Kathie found it exceedingly dull.
+
+At last Mary Cox spied her out. Charlie Darrell was escorting her round.
+
+"Why, Miss Weston," he said, softly, "where's your specs? And why isn't
+your hair done up in queer little puffs?"
+
+"What an ugly table!" exclaimed Mary. "How did you come to take it?"
+
+"Miss Weston was so tired."
+
+"She is in the Dutch kitchen, desperately sweet upon Mr. Denslow. It's
+so seldom that she gets a beau that you needn't expect her for the next
+hour. What a lovely time you will have waiting!"
+
+Charlie would have been very well satisfied to stay and talk to Kathie,
+but Mary wanted the amusement of rambling round and laughing with every
+one; and though Kathie said, beseechingly, "Don't go!" Mary replied, "O,
+we must!" and the child was left alone again.
+
+Down at the end of the hall they were having a merry time. She saw grave
+Emma Lauriston laughing, and Aunt Ruth was talking and smiling. Why
+didn't some one think of her?
+
+"How much fur these caliker aperns?" asked a country woman.
+
+Kathie roused a little at the question, and took her eyes from the
+entertaining circle.
+
+"Half a dollar!"
+
+"Half a dollar!"--in the utmost surprise. "Why, they ain't wuth it!
+Ain't more 'n two yards of caliker in 'em, and I kin buy jest sich for
+fifteen cents a yard."
+
+"But the making," suggested Kathie.
+
+"O, that was throwed in! Always is in char'table objects. Tell you what
+I'll do,--give three shillin's apiece for two of 'em. It's a good
+object."
+
+Now Kathie knew that the calico could not be bought for less than
+eighteen cents a yard, which would give just one cent profit; besides,
+Miss Weston had charged her particularly not to undersell. "The table is
+not mine," she answered; "I am keeping it for a friend."
+
+Perhaps the woman considered there was a better chance of
+bargain-making; at all events she lingered and haggled until Kathie grew
+nervous, and wished Miss Weston would come.
+
+"Well, you're dreadful dear,--that's all I've got to say"; and the
+woman flounced off angrily. "It's just the way at these fairs and
+things; but you can't cheat me out of my eyes, char'ty or not." Then
+Kathie was left alone again.
+
+Presently Harry Cox ran over. "We're having such fun, and Charlie sent
+me for you. There's no one here, so why can't you shut up shop?"
+
+Kathie longed to very much. She might keep an eye on the table and have
+a little fun besides; but it would be deserting her post. No true
+soldier would do that. "I'm obliged to you, but I think I had better
+stay; Miss Weston will soon be here."
+
+"She's an old humbug!"
+
+The sights and sounds were so tantalizing! What _was_ Miss Weston doing
+in the Dutch kitchen all this while?
+
+At last a bit of good-fortune befell Kathie. Mr. and Mrs. Adams and Mr.
+Langdon came along. Mr. Langdon had been away from Brookside for several
+weeks, and had a host of questions to ask.
+
+"But what are you doing over here? You look as if you had quarrelled
+with your neighbors, and gone off in disdain."
+
+Kathie explained that it was not her table.
+
+"Have you sold anything?"
+
+"Not a penny's worth!"
+
+"Then I must patronize you a little," declared Mrs. Adams.
+
+She found a number of useful articles, and some that she could give away
+to her poor parishioners. Kathie was quite proud of the four dollars in
+the small cash-box.
+
+At last she was relieved, and gave a great breath of thankfulness.
+
+"Is that _all_ you've taken in?" asked Miss Weston, rather sharply. "Are
+you sure you've been here all the time? But you never can find any one
+who will do for you as you do yourself."
+
+"I did not have but one customer," returned Kathie, in justification;
+and she felt that Mrs. Adams had made her purchases from a sense of
+personal friendship.
+
+"I might better 'a' stayed with my table," was the ungracious answer;
+and that was all the thanks Kathie received for her kind deed and the
+discomfort. But she solaced herself with the consciousness that a great
+many good deeds meet with no reward in this world. Miss Weston must
+certainly have had some pleasure, or she would not have stayed so long.
+
+Kathie was glad to get back to her mother and Aunt Ruth. The great
+source of amusement over here was the confectionery table with packages
+of "gift" candy, each parcel of which contained a present, and some of
+them were exceedingly comical.
+
+"We have had such fun!" exclaimed Mary. "You don't know what you have
+missed!"
+
+But Charlie glanced up and met Kathie's eyes with a look that seemed to
+understand it all; and Miss Jessie said afterward, "I think you were
+very good to keep Miss Weston's table such a long while. I didn't know
+but she meant to spend the whole evening in the kitchen."
+
+At ten o'clock they began to put everything in order for closing up. The
+evening had been a wonderful success, considering that it was the first.
+Kathie was full of delight and excitement, and declared that she did not
+feel a bit sleepy, though it was after eleven when she went to her room.
+
+The sleepiness came the next morning. Lessons were rather dull work, and
+she counted the moments eagerly until school closed. At first she had
+half a mind to run over to the hall to see how matters were progressing.
+
+"But then it will be so much gayer this evening," she thought to
+herself, "and I must study my lessons a little."
+
+She had sufficient courage to refuse all entreaties, and walked home by
+herself, trying to recall several subjects on which she had not been
+very perfect to-day. Mrs. Wilder was a little indulgent, for she knew
+how much the Fair had engrossed their attention.
+
+The house was very quiet, so Kathie studied and had a good long music
+practice before mamma and Aunt Ruth returned. But as they were planning
+at the supper-table Mrs. Alston said, "I would rather not have you go
+to-night, Kathie."
+
+"O mamma, why?"--with a touch of entreaty in her voice.
+
+"You were up late last night, and you will want to be there again on
+Wednesday evening. You certainly need a little rest between."
+
+"But last evening was like--lost time to me, or pretty nearly. I stayed
+at Miss Weston's table in that dull corner for more than an hour, while
+the other girls were enjoying themselves."
+
+"Was it really lost time?" and a half-smile crossed Mrs. Alston's face.
+
+Kathie bethought herself. "I suppose it ought not to have been, but it
+was very dull."
+
+"Are you sorry that you did it?"
+
+"Why, no,"--in a tone of faint surprise. "And yet she did not seem very
+much obliged to me. Not that I cared so much for the thanks,"--rather
+hastily.
+
+"I was glad to see you willing to give up that much of your pleasure.
+Miss Weston is peculiar, but she was very ready to help everybody all
+the afternoon, and had her pins, scissors, strings, tacks, and hammer
+always ready. She did a great deal of work."
+
+"But what a pity she cannot be--"
+
+"Well," said Uncle Robert, filling the long pause.
+
+"A little more gracious, I believe I was going to say, or not quite so
+'queer.'"
+
+"It is unfortunate, when Miss Weston is so good-hearted in the main. But
+then she always talks about the trouble she has taken, the hard work she
+has done, and really dims the grace of her kind deeds."
+
+"I came very near doing it myself," admitted Kathie, quite soberly.
+
+"I do not believe Kathie desired any extra indulgence to-night because
+she gave up hers last evening," exclaimed Uncle Robert, with that
+namelessly appreciative light in his eyes.
+
+"O no, do not think that of me, mamma, only I should like to go
+to-night. All the girls are to be there."
+
+"Three nights' dissipation in succession is rather too much for a little
+girl, unless there was an urgent necessity. You will enjoy Wednesday
+evening all the better for having had a rest."
+
+Kathie entreated no further, but it was a great disappointment, the more
+so because it had come so unexpectedly. And it seemed to her that she
+felt rested and bright enough to keep awake until midnight. She had
+studied all her lessons too.
+
+However, she kissed her mother cheerfully. Aunt Ruth was tired, and did
+not mean to go either.
+
+"You might put me to bed," exclaimed Freddy, lingering in the
+sitting-room.
+
+Kathie somehow could not feel generous all at once. The idea of nursing
+her disappointment awhile looked rather tempting.
+
+"Why, I never do it now," she answered.
+
+"No, you don't,"--considerably aggrieved. "Nor ever tell me stories,
+either! And it's so lonesome since Rob went to school."
+
+Kathie had a faint consciousness that _not_ to think of herself would be
+the best thing she could do.
+
+"And you never told me about the Fair, either!"
+
+"Well, run up to bed, and I will come presently," she said, in her
+bright, pleasant way.
+
+Freddy kissed Aunt Ruth and went off in high feather. It was quite like
+old times to sit beside him and talk, and Kathie was not a little amused
+by his questions, some of which were very wise for a little head, and
+others utterly absurd. Then came some very slow, wandering sentences,
+and Kathie knew then that dusky-robed Sleep was hovering about the
+wondering brain until it could wonder no more.
+
+"Good night,"--with a soft kiss.
+
+Aunt Ruth was lying on the lounge, so she ran down to the drawing-room
+and had half an hour's study over some "accidentals," that had tried her
+patience sorely in the afternoon. Delightful and all as music was, how
+much hard labor and persistence it required!
+
+But by and by she could play the troublesome part with her eyes shut,
+counting the time to every note.
+
+"Mr. Lawrence cannot find any fault with that!" she commented inwardly.
+
+So she went back to Aunt Ruth in a very sweet humor, and, drawing an
+ottoman to the side of the lounge, sat down with Aunt Ruth's arm around
+her neck.
+
+The room looked so lovely in its soft light. The shadowy flowers and
+baskets of trailing vines in the great bay-window, the dusky pictures on
+the wall, and the crimson tint given by the furniture. It was so sweet
+and restful that Kathie felt like having a good talk, so she drew a long
+breath by way of inspiration.
+
+"Aunt Ruth," she said, in a little perplexity, "why is it that a person
+is not always willing to try to do right first of all? One wishes to and
+does not in the same breath."
+
+"I suppose that is the result of our imperfect natures; but it is good
+to have the desire even."
+
+"Yet when one means to try--is trying--will it never come easy?"
+
+"Do you not find it easier than you did two years ago?"
+
+"But I am older, and have more judgment."
+
+"And a stronger will on the wrong side as well as on the right, beside
+many more temptations."
+
+"You conquer some of them, though."
+
+"Yet with every new state of life others spring up. Life is a continual
+warfare."
+
+"And you never get perfect!"
+
+"Never in this life."
+
+"It is discouraging,--isn't it, Aunt Ruth?"
+
+"Is it discouraging to eat when you are hungry?"
+
+"Why, no!"--with a little laugh.
+
+"It seems to me the conditions of spiritual life are not so very unlike
+the conditions of physical life. It is step by step in both. The food
+and the grace are sufficient for the day, but they will not last
+to-morrow, or for a month to come."
+
+"Yet the grace was to be sufficient always," Kathie said, with some
+hesitation.
+
+"And have you proved it otherwise?" The voice was very sweet, and Aunt
+Ruth's tone almost insensibly lured to confidence.
+
+"But what troubles me is--that little things--" and Kathie's voice
+seemed to get tangled up with emotion, "should be such a trial
+sometimes. Now I can understand how any great sacrifice may call for a
+great effort; but after we have been used to doing these little things
+over and over again--"
+
+"One becomes rather tired of making the effort; and it is just here
+where so many people who mean to be good go astray. They leave the small
+matters to take care of themselves, and aspire to something greater; so,
+without being really aware of it, they are impatient, selfish,
+thoughtless for others, and fall into many careless ways. Would one
+really grand action make amends for all?"
+
+"No, it would not," Kathie answered, reflectively.
+
+"So we have to keep a watch every moment, be fed every day and hour, or
+we shall hunger."
+
+Kathie sighed a little. Why had it not been as easy to be good and
+pleasant to-night as some other times when mamma did not think a coveted
+indulgence necessary? Yet her perplexity appeared so trivial that she
+hardly had the courage to confess it even to this kind listener.
+
+"You took the right step to-night, Kathie," said Aunt Ruth, presently.
+"I was glad to see you do it. Brooding over any real or fancied burden
+never lightens it. And though it seems a rather sharp remedy in the
+midst of one's pain to think of or help some other person, it works the
+speediest cure."
+
+She saw that. So little a thing as entertaining Freddy had soothed her
+own disappointment.
+
+"But I ought not--" and Kathie's voice trembled.
+
+"Stoicism is not the highest courage, little one. And God doesn't take
+away our natural feelings when he forgives sin. There is a good deal of
+sifting and winnowing left for us to do. And I believe God is better
+pleased with us when we have seen the danger, and struggled against it,
+than if it had not touched us at all. The rustle of the leaves seems to
+give promise of fruit."
+
+"I think I see," Kathie answered, slowly. "There is some marching as
+well as all battle."
+
+"Yes"; and Aunt Ruth kissed the tremulous scarlet lips.
+
+Kathie was so soundly asleep that she did not hear mamma and Uncle
+Robert come home. But she was bright and winsome as a bird the next
+morning.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ONE OF THE SMALL DEEDS.
+
+
+KATHIE'S lessons, even to her music, were perfect the next day. Indeed,
+Mr. Lawrence quite complimented her.
+
+Mrs. Alston said, "Kathie, if you would like to come over after school
+and relieve me a little while, I should be very glad."
+
+So Kathie went straight from school There was quite a crowd already.
+Whole families had come in from the country, farmers with their wives
+and little ones.
+
+"What taste you do see displayed!" Lottie remarked, sauntering to
+Kathie's vicinity. "Look at that woman's shawl with a yellow centre.
+Isn't it hideously ugly? And that purple bonnet with red flowers! Why
+didn't she put blue, by way of contrast?"
+
+The wearer of the purple bonnet glanced at the two girls with a flushed
+and rather indignant face,--a hard-featured countrywoman, neither young
+nor pretty.
+
+"O don't," whispered Kathie. "She heard you."
+
+"As if I cared! Any person who outrages taste in that manner is a fit
+subject for criticism. How horridly that gored skirt hangs! Home-made to
+the last thread. If I couldn't have a dressmaker I would not have any
+new dresses."
+
+Kathie was feeling quite distressed. She disliked to have Lottie to
+stand here and make remarks on every one who passed by.
+
+"How do you make them 'ere things?" inquired a coarse but fresh young
+voice at her side.
+
+Lottie tittered, and put her handkerchief to her face.
+
+"What?" asked Kathie, in great confusion.
+
+"These 'ere," pointing to some very pretty moss and lichen brackets.
+
+"The moss is fastened to a piece of wood just the right shape,--like
+this"; and she turned the bracket round.
+
+"Pasted on?"
+
+"You could use paste or glue,--anything that adheres quickly."
+
+"Adheres?"--with a kind of wondering stare.
+
+"Sticks!" exclaimed Lottie, in a peculiar tone.
+
+"I wasn't talking to you," said the girl, rather gruffly.
+
+Lottie tossed her head with a world of scorn, and moved a little lower
+down to speak to some stylish friends that she saw coming.
+
+"Thinks she's dre'dful fine!" continued the girl. "You find them things
+in the woods. I have lots of 'em, but I never thought o' puttin' them up
+anywheres. I've some a good deal bigger 'n any you have here."
+
+She was referring to the lichens now.
+
+"They must be very fine," said Kathie.
+
+"Some of 'em are pinky, and all streaked, in rows like this. Don't you
+s'pose I could put 'em up? And I know Jim'd make me some fine things to
+stick the moss on. He's powerful handy with tools. Means to be a
+carpenter."
+
+She was a nice, wholesome-looking girl of fifteen or thereabout. Kathie
+wished that she dared to correct her words and sentences a little.
+
+"You might make your parlor or your own room look very pretty with some
+of these adornments," she remarked, with quiet interest.
+
+"The youngsters would soon smash 'em up in my room," she said, with
+rough good-nature; "but ma'am will let me fix up the parlor, I know. And
+if you'd only tell me--" The girl wriggled around with painful
+hesitation.
+
+"Well?" Kathie went on, encouragingly.
+
+"About them 'ere frames that look like straw."
+
+"They are straw."
+
+"There, I was sure of it! Ain't they han'some! Do you know how to make
+'em?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"S'pose you wouldn't like to tell me?"--bashfully.
+
+"Why, yes," answered Kathie, smiling. "First, you find some nice, long
+pieces of straw that are smooth and round, and, holding them together
+this way,--four or five or six, as wide as you want your frame,--sew
+them backwards and forwards with a fine needle and cotton. When you have
+made your four pieces cross them so, and fasten them through on the
+pictures at the corner. Then you tie a little bow over the sewing."
+
+"Well, now, it isn't hard, after all! I mean to make some. What's the
+price of that?"
+
+"Fifty cents."
+
+"I mean to have one of 'em. I'll hunt up mother and come back." With
+that the girl dashed into the crowd.
+
+"Profitable customer!" sneered Lottie.
+
+Just then there was a rush to the table, and Kathie was kept very busy
+for ten minutes or so, while Lottie went over to Mrs. Wilder's table and
+began to "take off" Kathie's young woman, as she called her. It sounded
+very funny to the group of girls, exaggerated a little by Lottie's love
+of a good story.
+
+Half an hour afterwards, when Kathie had almost forgotten, the girl came
+dragging her mother rather unwillingly up to the table.
+
+"Here she is! I've made her come, though she said fust she wouldn't. But
+you was so real sweet to me that I couldn't give it up."
+
+Kathie recognized the identical purple bonnet and dull red roses, and
+she flushed a little at the woman's sharp scrutiny.
+
+"You ain't the one that laughed awhile ago," she said, the features
+relaxing a little. "City gals may think themselves a heap finer than
+country folk, but I can see bad manners as quick as the next one."
+
+"I was very sorry for it," exclaimed Kathie, in a low tone.
+
+"Then my gal wouldn't give me any peace till I come back"--apparently
+much mollified. "Now, Sary Ann, where's the picter you want?"
+
+"O, they're all so _bew_-tiful!" exclaimed the girl. "And I know I can
+make the frames after I go home. Look at this 'ere cross and this basket
+of flowers, and these roses! O dear!"--in despair.
+
+"She's so fond o' flowers,--is Sary Ann. She's had the beautifullest
+garden this summer that you ever see. Well, Sary Ann? I'd take the
+basket of flowers."
+
+"But the cross!" exclaimed the girl, longingly.
+
+They looked them over while Kathie went to wait upon another customer.
+
+"I've concluded to get 'em both for her," announced the woman. "Sary
+Ann's a real good girl, and a powerful sight o' help to me. There's six
+younger 'n she, and Jim older; but boys can't do much about a house."
+
+Kathie did up the pictures with a little sensation of triumph.
+
+"O mother, look what a pretty baby's cap! Wouldn't it be sweet for
+Lily, and you promised to buy her one the fust time you went to town."
+
+"She would have the baby called Lily," said the woman, as if in apology.
+"What's the price of this?"
+
+"Two dollars and a half."
+
+"O, that's too dear."
+
+"We have cheaper ones."
+
+"But this is such a beauty," said Sary Ann.
+
+"I crocheted it myself," Kathie returned, quietly.
+
+"O mother, I'd like to have something she's done her own very self! Did
+you make the frames?"
+
+"No, my aunt did those, but I know how,"--with a sweet smile.
+
+After a good deal of talking they concluded to take the cap; then Sary
+Ann wanted a pretty white apron for the "patron" of it, she declared.
+
+"Nonsense!" said her mother.
+
+But Sary Ann carried the day, and afterward she found something else.
+
+Altogether the bill amounted to seven dollars and sixty-four cents. Not
+so bad, after all. The woman paid it without a bit of grumbling.
+
+"It's a good cause," she said. "I often think of the poor fellows out
+there," nodding her head; "and sence the Lord gives 'em strength and
+courage to go, we ought to do something besides prayin' for 'em. My old
+man he put up a lot of turkeys an' chickens, an' apples and onions, an'
+sez he, 'Though we ain't any children out there, we've neighbors and
+friends, and every chap among the lot deserves a Thanksgiving dinner.'"
+
+Kathie forgot all about the red and purple, thinking of the red, white,
+and blue, and of the tender place in this woman's heart.
+
+"I want to give you a little picture to frame," she said to "Sary Ann";
+"it will help you to remember me, as well as the cause."
+
+It was a pretty colored photograph of two children,--"The
+Reconciliation."
+
+The girl was so delighted that the quick tears sprang to her eyes.
+"There's no fear of my forgetting you," she declared, warmly. "I've had
+a splendid time!"
+
+Kathie opened her portmonnaie and dropped the quarter in the drawer. Her
+mother had taught her to be scrupulously honest about such matters, and
+she wanted the gift to be altogether hers.
+
+It was getting quite dusky now. Uncle Robert had brought Mrs. Alston
+over in the pony-carriage, and was to take Kathie back, "to smooth her
+ruffled plumes," the child said; for the knot of girls around Emma
+Lauriston had been discussing what they would wear.
+
+"There'll be a great jam here to-night," said one. "Everybody will turn
+out, and I want to look as pretty as possible."
+
+Kathie had begun to have some rather troublesome thoughts on the subject
+of dress. The larger girls at school talked considerably of the
+fashions. She realized her own position much better than she had a year
+ago, and knew that a certain style was expected of her. She hated to be
+considered mean or shabby, or, worst of all, deficient in taste; yet how
+much of it was right? Need it occupy all one's time and one's desires?
+
+She felt very strongly inclined to make herself "gorgeous" to-night, as
+Rob would have phrased it; yet the only ornament she indulged in was a
+little cluster of flowers at her throat.
+
+A jam it was, sure enough. Everybody had to look half a dozen ways at
+once. The hum of the laughing and talking almost drowned the music. By
+nine o'clock some of the tables began to wear a rather forlorn aspect,
+and two or three "shut up shop," having been entirely sold out.
+
+Miss Weston's luck appeared less brilliant than that of many others.
+
+"I wish you could take some one there who would buy ever so many
+things," Kathie said to Uncle Robert; "I am afraid she is feeling a good
+deal discouraged."
+
+He smiled at the thoughtfulness, but made no immediate reply. Only
+Kathie noticed his standing there a considerable length of time.
+
+When he came back to her he said, softly, "Kathie, will you not come and
+keep her table for a little while? I want to take her to the supper-room
+for some refreshments."
+
+Kathie gave him a rather beseeching look.
+
+"I'll be sure and not let her spend more than fifteen minutes. After
+that we will have a gay promenade."
+
+Was it selfish not to want to stay here? Yet Kathie put on her most
+attractive smiles and actually sold several articles while Miss Weston
+was gone.
+
+Then, hunting up Emma Lauriston, they set out on a tour, Uncle Robert
+said. They went to the Dutch kitchen, where Miss Jessie was one of the
+"young ladies" to-night; and very pretty she looked, though Uncle Robert
+insisted that she could not talk a word of Dutch. They had cream
+afterward, candy, nuts, and fruit, until it appeared to Kathie that she
+had eaten enough to last a week.
+
+There had been a discussion at first about continuing the Fair on
+Thanksgiving day, but, as the articles were so nearly sold out, it was
+decided to have an auction. That made great fun indeed. By eleven
+o'clock the tables were emptied, and the refreshments reduced to a
+rather fragmentary state. The crowd, too, began to thin out.
+
+Such a hunting for baskets and hampers and boxes of every description,
+such a hurrying and scurrying and confusion of voices, was seldom
+witnessed in quiet Brookside. In the crowd Kathie ran over Lottie.
+
+"O dear!" the latter exclaimed, fretfully, "aren't you half tired to
+death, Kathie Alston? I've ruined my dress too,--this lovely blue silk!
+I am sure I don't know what ma will say. Some one trod on it, as I was
+sitting down, and tore off the trimming, and that clumsy Harry Cox
+spilled lemonade on me. Children ought not to be allowed in such places,
+especially boys who do not know how to behave!" and she uttered this
+with a great deal of emphasis. "And I've lost one of my new kid gloves.
+They were such a lovely shade. There is nothing in Brookside like them!
+
+"She ought to have known better than to dress in such state, as if she
+was going to a party," whispered Emma Lauriston. "I am cream and pie and
+cake-crumbs, and goodness only knows what, and devoutly thankful that I
+shall not have to go to school to-morrow. But it _has_ been a success.
+Mrs. Wilder made one hundred and forty dollars at her table,--our
+table," with a laugh.
+
+"And mamma has made nearly two hundred."
+
+"I long to hear the aggregate."
+
+"It will not be less than two thousand," exclaimed Uncle Robert, trying
+to open a path for the girls.
+
+Kathie was very tired when she reached home, and with a good-night kiss
+ran off to her own room, where she fell asleep with a strange jumble of
+ideas in her head.
+
+Two thousand three hundred and twenty dollars for the widows and orphans
+when all expenses were paid. Everybody felt very well satisfied, and,
+after a good Thanksgiving dinner, affairs at Brookside rolled on as
+calmly as before.
+
+Except, perhaps, that there were more anxious hearts. General Sherman
+was sweeping on to the sea, and brave Sheridan was carrying
+consternation to the heart of the enemy by his daring raids. Grant was
+drawing nearer and nearer to Richmond, but there would be some pretty
+hard work at the last, every one thought.
+
+Some days afterward Kathie finished a letter to Mr. Meredith, giving him
+a glowing account of their labors at home.
+
+"If he could come back to keep Christmas with us!" Kathie said,
+longingly. "And dear Rob--and O, the hundreds more who are away from
+pleasant firesides!"
+
+Uncle Robert decided to pay Rob a Christmas visit, and they concluded to
+pack a small box to send. He was so fond of "goodies" that Kathie tried
+her hand at some of the Fair recipes and had excellent success. A few
+new articles were needed for every-day use, but these comprised only a
+very small share.
+
+"He will have quite a feast," Kathie said, delightedly. "And there is
+not much fear of Rob being like Harry in the story."
+
+Uncle Robert would be back by Christmas. They had planned to have a tree
+again, but Kathie declared that she could not think of a single thing
+she needed. She was quite busy with various other little matters,
+however, that required strict seclusion in her own room.
+
+How different it was from last year! She and Aunt Ruth talked it
+over,--the waiting, the disappointment, and the sacrifice that after all
+had ended so happily.
+
+"It seemed as if everything must have happened then, and that there
+would be nothing left for this year," she said.
+
+Uncle Robert brought most satisfactory accounts from his nephew. Rob was
+well, contented and happy, and growing tall in an astonishing manner. He
+sent oceans of love and thanks to everybody, and wished that he could
+come home and see them.
+
+"And here is a letter for you," said Kathie, taking it from the rack on
+his desk. "It is from Mr. Meredith. See if he is not going to surprise
+us. The ninety days will soon be ended."
+
+Uncle Robert sat before the grate fire, sunning himself in the cheerful
+glow, but Kathie remarked that his face grew very grave.
+
+"What is it?" she asked, anxiously. "He is not sick, or--"
+
+"He is well. You may read this."
+
+He folded down a little slip at the top and handed the letter to the
+child, who read:--
+
+"Tell Kathie that I have seen General Mackenzie, her hero of last
+winter, and that he was delighted to have some tidings of her. And that
+during the last fortnight my ideas and sphere of duty seem to have
+enlarged. I think she will approve of my decision,--my brave little
+Captain who stood by her colors so nobly last winter, and preferred to
+minister to her suffering aunt rather than share the most tempting
+pleasures. So I shall give up my own comfort and idleness awhile longer,
+and stand by the dear country that needs every man in this last great
+struggle."
+
+"Oh!" with a tender little cry. "He is not coming home!"
+
+"No. He has resolved to stay and see the war through," was the grave
+reply.
+
+Kathie looked into the glowing fire. It was very brave and noble in him
+for he did _not_ like military life under the auspices in which he was
+seeing it.
+
+"There is a little more," Uncle Robert said.
+
+The "little more" brought the tears to her eyes. She stooped and laid
+her head on Uncle Robert's shoulder, nestling her face in the corner by
+his curly beard.
+
+"He thinks--it will be--all right with him," she whispered, tremulously,
+a little sob quivering in her voice.
+
+"Living or dying," returned Uncle Robert, solemnly. "My darling, I am
+very grateful for your share in the work. It seems to me that Mr.
+Meredith is capable of something really grand if he can once be roused
+to a sense of the responsibility and preciousness of life. There is so
+much for every one to do."
+
+"But it doesn't seem as if I did anything."
+
+"No act is without some result, my dear child, when we think that it
+must all bear fruit, and that we shall see the result in the other
+country, whether it be brambles or leaves or fruit; and we cannot bear
+fruit except we abide in the Master."
+
+It seemed to Kathie, child as she was, that she had a blessed glimpse of
+the light and the work, the interest and sympathy, the prayers and
+earnest endeavor, which were to go side by side with the Master's. A
+warm, vivifying glow sped through every pulse. Was this the love of
+God,--the grace which was promised to well-doing? She hardly dared
+believe, it was so solemnly sweet and comforting,--too good for her, she
+almost thought.
+
+"You see, little one, that _He_ puts work for us everywhere, that his
+love and presence is beside it always. We may wait a long while for the
+result, yet it is sure. And we need not be sparing of our seed; the
+heavenly storehouse is forever open to us. He is always more ready to
+give than we to receive."
+
+"O Uncle Robert! I am so glad for--for Mr. Meredith. It seems as if I
+couldn't take it all in at once!" and both of Kathie's arms were around
+his neck, her soft, rosy cheek, wet with tears, pressed against his.
+
+"It is something to think of for all time, my darling."
+
+"Uncle Robert," she said, after a long, thoughtful pause, in which she
+appeared to have glimpses of the life stretching out before her, and
+leading to the gate of the other country, "I used to wish that I could
+have--religion--myself, like mamma and Aunt Ruth--"
+
+"My little Kathie, the 'kingdom of heaven' is within you. We have only
+to do _His_ will, and we shall know of the doctrine. That is the grand
+secret of it all."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+GIVING AND RECEIVING.
+
+
+KATHIE had begged, instead of having anything grand herself, that she
+might be allowed to play Santa Claus. To be sure, there were gifts to
+the Morrisons, to Lucy and Annie Gardiner, and several of her olden
+schoolmates, but that was not quite it.
+
+"I mean the highways and byways," she said to her mother; "some of the
+poor people who really have no Christmas."
+
+They made out quite a list,--three or four widows with little children,
+some old women, and several homes in which there was sickness. Aunt Ruth
+fashioned some garments,--Kathie buying the material out of her
+Fortunatus's purse; two or three good warm shawls had been provided, and
+different packages of provisions, some positive luxuries. They stood in
+a great pile at the lower end of the hall, all ready for distribution.
+
+"If you were not too tired--" Kathie said, after supper.
+
+"I am not utterly worn out," and Uncle Robert smiled a little. "What is
+it?"
+
+"I wish you and I could go out with the gifts, instead of Mr. Morrison."
+
+"Why not, to be sure?" reading the wistful glance in the soft eyes.
+
+"It would be so delightful. And as we are not to have our Christmas
+until to-morrow--"
+
+"Bundle up then, for it is pretty sharp out. I will go and order the
+horses."
+
+It was so easy to ride around and dispense benefits that Kathie almost
+wondered if there was any real merit in it.
+
+"My little girl," Uncle Robert said, "you must not begin to think that
+there can be no religion without sacrifice. God gives us all things
+richly to enjoy, and it would be ungrateful if we did not accept the
+good, the joy."
+
+All things. As they hurried softly on, the roads being covered with a
+light fall of snow, she drank in the beauty around her,--a glimmer of
+silvery moonlight flooding the open spaces, the shadowy thickets of
+evergreens, whose crisp clustering spines were stirred dreamily with the
+slow wind, making a dim and heavenly music, as if even now it might lead
+kings and shepherds to the place where the Christ Child had been born,
+the myriad of stars overhead in that blue, spacious vault, and the
+heaven above it all. And thinking of the distant plains of Judæa brought
+her to the plains nearer home,--the broad fields of Virginia dotted with
+its camps and tents, and bristling with forts. Thousands of men were
+there, keeping Christmas eve, and among them Mr. Meredith. How many
+beside him saw the star and came to worship the Saviour!
+
+She felt the living Presence in the awe of this hush and beauty. Her
+child's soul was hovering on the point of girlhood, to open into
+something rare and precious, perhaps, having greater opportunities than
+many others. She was not so fearful or doubting as she had been an hour
+ago, for it seemed to her now that she had only to go forward.
+
+They paused first at a little tumble-down cottage. There were seven
+people housed in it,--the old folks, Mrs. Maybin, whose husband had gone
+to the war, and four children. Mrs. Maybin went out washing and
+house-cleaning. Jane, the eldest daughter, thirteen, worked in the
+paper-mill.
+
+Uncle Robert looked at the label by moonlight. "I'll just put it down on
+the door-step and knock," he said. "You hold the ponies."
+
+The knock made Kathie's own heart beat. Uncle Robert ran back to the
+carriage, which stood in the shade of a great black-walnut tree.
+
+Kathie leaned over. Jane Maybin came to the door, lamp in hand, and
+looked around wonderingly. Then, spying the great bundle, she cried,
+loudly, "O mother, come here, quick!"
+
+The ponies wore no bells to-night, so they drove off noiselessly, a
+peculiar smile illuminating Kathie's face. If the Maybins thought their
+good fortune rained down from heaven, so much the better. The child was
+always a little shy of her good deeds, a rare and exquisite humility
+being one of her virtues. And though any little act of ingratitude
+touched her to the quick, she never went about seeking praise.
+
+A dozen homes made glad by unexpected gifts, and three times that number
+of hearts. In several instances they had difficult work to escape
+detection, but that added to the fun and interest of it, Kathie
+declared; and she came home in a bright, beautiful glow, her cheeks
+glowing with a winter-rose tint, and her pretty mouth smiling in a more
+regal scarlet than the holly berries nodding their wise little heads
+above picture-frames.
+
+Aunt Ruth kissed her quietly. It seemed as if she understood the steps
+in the new life which the child was taking, and knew by experience that
+silent ways were sometimes the most pleasant.
+
+Of all Kathie's Christmas remembrances--and even Dr. Markham sent her a
+beautiful gift--there was one so unexpected and so touching that it
+brought the tears to her eyes. She was running through the hall just
+before church-time, when the door-bell rang; the Alstons did not
+consider it necessary that Hannah should always be summoned from her
+duties to attend the call, so Kathie opened the door.
+
+A stout, country-looking lad, just merging into awkward young-manhood,
+with a great shock of curly, chestnut-colored hair, and a very wide
+mouth, stood with a parcel in his hand.
+
+"I want to see Miss Kathie Alston," he said, blushing as red as a
+peony.
+
+"I am the person," she answered, simply.
+
+He stared in surprise, opening his mouth until there seemed nothing but
+two rows of white, strong teeth.
+
+"Miss--Kathie--Alston?" in a kind of astonished deliberation.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I was to give this to you. She," nodding to some imaginary person,
+"told me to be sure to put it into your hands for fear. She thought
+you'd like it."
+
+"Who is _she_?" and Kathie could not forbear smiling.
+
+"She writ a letter so's you'd know. That's all she said, only to ask if
+you were well; but you look jest like--a picter."
+
+The compliment was so honest and so involuntary that Kathie bowed, her
+bright face flushing.
+
+He ran down the steps and sprang into a common country sleigh, driving
+off in a great hurry.
+
+There was a letter attached to the parcel. She tore off the wrapping of
+the package first, however, and found that it had been done up with
+great care. Inside of all, the largest and most beautiful lichen she
+had ever seen,--a perfect bracket in itself. The rings of coloring were
+exquisite. The soft woody browns, the bright sienna, the silvery drab
+and pink, like the inside of a sea-shell. The vegetation was so rank
+that it resembled the pile of velvet.
+
+Like a flash a consciousness came over her, and although she heard Aunt
+Ruth's voice, she could not resist the desire to look at her letter.
+
+A coarse, irregular hand, with several erasures and blotted words, but
+the name at the bottom--Sarah Ann Strong--made it all plain. The Sary
+Ann of the Soldiers' Fair. Kathie's heart gave a great bound.
+
+"Come!" exclaimed Uncle Robert; "are you ready?"
+
+There was no time for explanations. She laid the letter and parcel in
+her drawer in the great bookcase, thrust her ungloved hands into her
+muff, and ran out to Aunt Ruth, who stood on the step, waiting to be
+assisted into the carriage.
+
+"Was it some more Christmas?" asked Uncle Robert, "or is it a secret?"
+
+"It is no secret, but a very odd circumstance, and has quite a story
+connected with it. I think I will wait until we get home," she
+continued, slowly, remembering how short the distance was to church, and
+that a break in the narrative would spoil it.
+
+But she had very hard work to keep her mind from wandering during the
+service, she wondered so what Sarah had to say, and how she came to
+remember the simple talk about the brackets. And was Sarah having a
+bright Christmas?
+
+Afterward she told her small audience, beginning with the unlucky
+remarks about the purple bonnet. Uncle Robert admired the lichen very
+much, and Aunt Ruth declared that she had never seen its equal.
+
+Then came Sarah's letter. What pains and trouble and copying it had cost
+the poor girl Kathie would never know.
+
+"To Miss Kathie Alston," it began. "I take my pen in hand to let you
+know that"--here were two or three words crossed out--"I want to send
+you a cristmas present. I haint forgot about the fair, and how good you
+was to me, I made some straw frames and they're real hansum, and I put
+the picture you give me in one and it hangs up in the parlor, and I've
+got some brackets, but Jim found this splendid one, and I want to send
+it to you for cristmas, for I don't think you have forgotten all about
+me. I've been going to school a little this winter again, for Martha is
+big enough to help mother and i only stay home to wash. I always
+remember how beautiful you talked and my teacher says its grammar which
+I'm studying, but I cant make head nor tail of it, but he told me never
+to say this ere, and I don't any more, but I never could be such a lady
+as you are. I spose you've got beautiful long curls yet. I do love curls
+so and my hair's straight as a stick. Mother says i must tell you if you
+ever come to Middleville to stop and see us, we live on the back road,
+Jotham Strong, and we'll all be glad to see you. I hope you'll like the
+bracket, and I wish you merry cristmas a thousand times. Jim went to
+town one day and found out who you was--he seen you the night of the
+fair too. Excuse all mistakes. I aint had much chance for schooling, but
+I'm going to try now. I spose you are a lady and very rich, and don't
+have to do housework, but you're real sweet and not stuck up, and so
+you'll forgive the boldness of my writing this poor letter.
+
+                                "Yours respectfully,
+                                           "SARAH ANN STRONG."
+
+Kathie had been leaning her arm on Uncle Robert's knee as she read
+aloud.
+
+"Not such a bad letter," he said. "I have known some quite stylish
+ladies 'who didn't have to do housework' to make worse mistakes than
+this girl, who evidently has had very little chance. And then country
+people do not always understand the advantages of education."
+
+"I wanted to ask her that evening not to say 'this 'ere,' or 'that 'ere'
+so much, but I was afraid of wounding her feelings. I thought there was
+something nice about her, and her mother was very generous in buying.
+But to think that she should have remembered me all this while--"
+
+"'A cup of cold water,'" repeated Aunt Ruth, softly.
+
+"It was such a very little thing."
+
+"One of the steps."
+
+Yes. It was the little things, the steps, that filled the long, long
+path. A warm glow suffused Kathie's face. She was thinking far back,--an
+age ago it appeared, yet it was only two years,--that her mother had
+said the fairies were not all dead. If Puck and Peas-blossom and Cobweb
+and Titania no longer danced in cool, green hollows, to the music of
+lily bells, there were Faith and Love and Earnest Endeavor, and many
+another, to run to and fro with sweet messages and pleasant deeds.
+
+"I am very glad and thankful that you were polite and entertaining,"
+Uncle Robert remarked, presently. "We never know what a kind word or a
+little pains, rightly taken, may do. It is the grand secret of a useful
+life,--sowing the seed."
+
+"I must answer her letter, and express my thanks. But O, isn't it funny
+that she thinks me such a great lady!"
+
+"Suppose we should drive out to see her on some Saturday? Where is
+Middleville?"
+
+"North of here," returned Aunt Ruth, "in a little sort of hollow between
+the mountains, about seven or eight miles, I should think."
+
+"How delightful it would be!" exclaimed Kathie.
+
+"We will try it some day. I am very fond of plain, social country
+people, whose manners may be unpolished, but whose lives are earnest and
+honest nevertheless. We cannot all be moss-roses, with a fine enclosing
+grace," said Uncle Robert.
+
+Kathie read her letter over again to herself, feeling quite sure that
+Sarah had made some improvement since the evening of the Fair.
+
+"Do you want to put the lichen up in your room?" asked Uncle Robert.
+
+"Not particularly,--why?"
+
+"It is such a rare and beautiful specimen that I feel inclined to
+confiscate it for the library."
+
+"I will give it up with pleasure," answered Kathie, readily, "since it
+remains mine all the same."
+
+The Alstons had a quiet Christmas dinner by themselves. Uncle Robert
+gave the last touches to the tree, and just at dusk the small people who
+had been invited began to flock thither. Kathie had not asked any of her
+new friends or the older girls. She possessed by nature that simple
+tact, so essential to fine and true womanhood, of observing the
+distinctions of society without appearing to notice the different
+position of individuals.
+
+Ethel Morrison came with the rest. She was beginning to feel quite at
+home in the great house, and yielded to Kathie's peculiar influence,
+which was becoming a kind of fascination, a power that might have proved
+a dangerous gift but for her exceeding truth and simplicity.
+
+The tree was very brilliant and beautiful. If the gifts were not so
+expensive, they appeared to be just what every one wanted. Kathie was
+delighted with the compliment to her discernment.
+
+Charlie Darrell made his appearance quite late in the evening, with Dick
+Grayson. The tapers were just burning their last.
+
+"Farewell to thee, O Christmas tree!" sang Dick. "Was Santa Claus good
+to you, Miss Kathie?"
+
+"Very generous indeed."
+
+"But O, didn't you miss Rob?"
+
+Kathie had to tell them about Uncle Robert's visit. "And then, you know,
+I wasn't home last year"--in answer to their question.
+
+"True. There was a gay time here at Cedarwood. When Rob sets out, he is
+about as funny as any boy I know. Don't you suppose he is just aching to
+be at home?"
+
+"I expect to get off next year," said Dick, "to Yale. But I shall be
+dreadfully homesick at first."
+
+"So should I," responded Charlie; "but Rob is such a jolly,
+happy-go-lucky fellow."
+
+"Has he been in any scrapes yet, Miss Kathie?"
+
+"Not that I have heard," said Kathie, laughing.
+
+A group around the piano were clamoring for Kathie to play. She had
+promised them some carols.
+
+Dick and Charlie joined. A happy time they had, singing everything they
+knew. Kathie had become a very fair musician already.
+
+While the little ones were hunting up their wraps, Kathie lingered a
+moment beside Charlie.
+
+"How is Miss Jessie to-night?" she asked.
+
+"Quite well." Then, looking into her eyes, "You have heard--"
+
+"About Mr. Meredith? yes."
+
+"It is too bad,--isn't it? And he has had a substitute in the war. I
+think he ought to have come back."
+
+Kathie was silent. How much duty did a man or a woman owe to these great
+life questions? And was there not something grander and finer in this
+last act of heroism than many people were capable of? If she could have
+chosen for him, like Charlie, she would have desired his return; but if
+every wife and every mother felt so about their soldiers?
+
+She kissed Ethel with a peculiar sympathy when she bade her good night.
+Mr. Morrison was well and satisfied with the new life,--liked it,
+indeed.
+
+For the next fortnight it seemed to Kathie that nothing
+happened,--school life and home life, and she a little pendulum
+vibrating between the two, waiting for some hour to strike.
+
+She answered Sarah's letter, and promised that she and her uncle would
+drive up when there came a pleasant Saturday with the roads in
+comfortable order.
+
+There had been quite an accession to the school on the first of January.
+Mrs. Wilder had twenty-one pupils now. Mr. Lawrence came in to give them
+lessons in music, French, and penmanship. Kathie felt quite small, there
+were so many young ladies.
+
+Several new families had moved into Brookside the preceding summer, and
+the Alstons' acquaintance had slowly widened among the better class.
+Kathie remembered how grand she had once considered Miss Jessie, and now
+she was really beyond that herself.
+
+At twelve the girls had fifteen minutes' intermission. Sometimes they
+took a little run through the long covered walk, but oftener gathered
+around the stove or visited at one another's desks. There was always a
+vein of school-girlish gossip on dress, or amusements, or parties, or
+perhaps the books they were reading. This generally took in the circle
+just above Kathie, yet she used occasionally to listen, and it always
+brought a thought of Ada to her mind.
+
+She sat puzzling over some French verbs one rainy day, while Emma
+brought out her cathedral that she was doing in India-ink. The talk from
+the group before them floated to their hearing. It was styles and
+trimming, velvet and laces that were "real," and gloves with two
+buttons.
+
+Emma glanced up with an odd smile. Kathie, seeing it, smiled too.
+
+"Let us take a turn in the walk," Emma said.
+
+She was so much taller that she put her arm around Kathie with an odd,
+elder-sisterly feeling.
+
+"They seem never to get tired of it," she began. "I wonder if there
+isn't something better to this life than the clothes one wears?"
+
+"Yes," Kathie answered, in a slow, clear tone, though she shrank a
+little from giving her opinion. She had a shy desire to escape these
+small responsibilities, yet the consciousness of "bearing witness"
+always brought her back.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+The blunt question startled her, and a faint color stole into her face.
+
+"I watch you sometimes when I suppose you are not dreaming of it. We
+have been sitting here together for three months, we were at the
+Fair,--and there is something different about you from what I find in
+most girls. I wonder if it is your taste or your nature."
+
+"We are none of us alike," said Kathie, with a peculiar half-smile.
+
+"It is not that specific difference which we all have. You appear to be
+thinking of others, you never answer crossly, you often give up your own
+ease and comfort, and there is a little light in your eyes as if
+something out of your soul was shining through them. And all this talk
+about dressing and what one is going to do by and by never touches you
+at all. I suppose you could have everything you want! Lottie Thorne says
+your uncle idolizes you, and--he is rich, I know."
+
+"I have all that is necessary, and many luxuries," Kathie answered,
+slowly.
+
+"But what makes you--what keeps you in such a heaven of content? O, I
+can't explain what I mean! I wonder if you have religion, Kathie
+Alston."
+
+Do her best, Kathie could not keep the tears out of her eyes. What was
+there to cry about? But somehow she felt so strange and shy, and full of
+tender pain.
+
+"I think we ought all to try," she answered, with a sweet seriousness in
+her voice. "Even if we cannot take but one step--"
+
+"I wish I knew _what_ it was!"
+
+Kathie's heart was in her throat. She only understood part of the steps
+herself. How could she direct another? So they took two or three turns
+in silence, then the bell rang.
+
+"There! I had so much to say, and maybe I shall never feel in the mood
+again. About dress, too. Some of it troubles me sadly."
+
+She stooped suddenly and kissed Kathie on the forehead, gave her hand a
+sudden, earnest pressure, and then was her olden grave self.
+
+And Kathie wondered a little if she had not shirked a duty! It seemed
+now as if it would be very easy to say, "I have enlisted in that greater
+army of the Lord, and will do what service I can." Why had it been so
+hard a moment ago? Had she been challenged at the outpost and found
+without a countersign?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+A VISIT.
+
+
+"DO you think we could go to Middleville to-day?" Kathie asked, one
+bright Saturday morning.
+
+It was a sharp, keen winter's day, but the roads had been worn tolerably
+smooth with the sleighing, and it was by far too cold for alternate
+freezing and thawing; but the sky was of a clear, steely blue, and the
+sun as brilliant as a midwinter's sun could be.
+
+"If you did not mind the cold. What is your opinion, Dora?"--turning to
+Mrs. Alston.
+
+"I suppose you could stand it if you were wrapped up good and warm."
+
+"Would you take the buggy?" asked Aunt Ruth.
+
+"O yes!" answered Kathie, eagerly; "I cannot bear to be shut up in a
+close prison, as if I was being taken off somewhere for my misdeeds."
+
+"It will be a good deal colder."
+
+Uncle Robert laughed as he met Kathie's mirthful eyes.
+
+"I shall not freeze, auntie. I like the sensation of this strong, fresh
+wind blowing square into my face; it takes the cobwebs out of my
+brains."
+
+So the ponies had orders, and pricked up their ears as if they were
+rather interested in trying the bracing wind as well.
+
+Kathie bundled herself up quite to mamma's liking. She slipped a little
+parcel under the seat,--two books that she had read time and again, and
+which she fancied might interest Sarah, and a few other little matters,
+the giving of which depended upon circumstances.
+
+They said good by, and were off. "Up in the mountains" was always spoken
+of rather sneeringly by the Brookside community. They really were not
+mountains, but a succession of rough, rocky hills, where the vegetation
+was neither lovely nor abundant. Several different species of cedar,
+scrubby oaks, and stunted hemlocks, were the principal variety, with a
+matted growth of underbrush; and as there were many finer "woods" around
+Brookside, these were seldom haunted by pleasure-lovers or
+wonder-seekers.
+
+The dwellers therein were of the oldest-fashioned kind. You could
+always tell them when they came to shop at Brookside by their queer
+bonnets and out-of-date garments, as well as by the wonderful contrast
+of colors. But the small settlements enjoyed their own manner of living
+and their own social pleasures as thoroughly as their more refined
+neighbors.
+
+For quite a stretch the road was level and good, then the ascent began,
+the houses were wider apart, and with an air of indifference as to paint
+and repairs, while fences seemed to be vainly trying to hold each other
+up.
+
+The ponies were fresh and frisky, and did not mind the tug. Kathie was
+silent for the most part, her brain in a kind of floating confusion, not
+at all unpleasant, but rather restful.
+
+"Now, which is the back road, I wonder?" said Uncle Robert, slowly,
+checking the horses a trifle.
+
+Both roads were exceedingly dreary-looking, but they decided to take the
+one farther north, and before they had gone a quarter of a mile they met
+a team, driven by a young lad.
+
+"Is this Middleville?" asked Uncle Robert.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Which is the back road?"
+
+"Keep straight along. You're right."
+
+"Where does Mr. Jotham Strong live?"
+
+"Over there in that yaller house," the boy answered, nodding his head.
+
+The place began to take on quite a village look. There was a brown,
+weather-beaten meeting-house, a small country store, and houses
+scattered around at intervals. Some were quite tidy-looking, but the
+most had a kind of dilapidated air.
+
+Mr. Strong's was large and roomy on the ground-floor, as numerous
+additions had been made on three sides of the building. There was a
+door-yard in front, where in summer they must have an abundance of
+roses, and two wide flower-beds down the path. Such signs went to
+Kathie's heart at once.
+
+Uncle Robert sprang out and knocked at the door. The hard-featured face
+that Kathie remembered so well in connection with the purple bonnet
+peered through the kitchen window.
+
+The child would have laughed at the commotion inside, if she could have
+seen it,--how Sary Ann dragged the floating ends of her hair into a
+knot, caught up a towel and wiped her face, making it redder than
+before, jerked down her sleeves, which, having neither hooks nor
+buttons, hung round her wrists.
+
+She stared as she opened the door to a strange man, but glanced past him
+to the carriage.
+
+"I have brought Miss Kathie Alston up to see you," Mr. Conover
+announced, in his warm, cheerful voice, for he recognized Sarah from
+Kathie's graphic description.
+
+"O my! and I'm all in a heap; but I'm so glad!" and she ran out to the
+wagon, but stopped at the gate with a sudden sensation of bashfulness,
+and a wonder if she ought not to have said something more to the
+gentleman.
+
+"How do you do, Sarah?" Kathie's voice was like the softest of silver
+bells pealing on the frosty air.
+
+"O, I'm so glad! I didn't hardly believe you'd come. I looked last
+Sat'day. Your letter was so nice. I'm glad you liked the lichen. Jim and
+me hunted over hundreds of 'em, and found the very biggest. Do get out
+and come in the house; you must be perished! Is that the uncle you wrote
+about in your letter?"
+
+"Yes." Uncle Robert had come down the path by this time. "My uncle, Mr.
+Conover," Kathie said, gracefully, "and Miss Sarah Strong."
+
+Sarah made a dash at her hair again as if she was afraid of its tumbling
+down, and courtesied to Uncle Robert so in the style of a country
+school-girl that he smiled inwardly. "O, coax her to get out!" she
+exclaimed, appealingly. "I've got a fire all ready to light in the best
+room, and I want you to see my pictures,"--with a very long emphasis on
+the last syllable. "Mother 'xpects you to stay to dinner, and my
+Sat'day's work is 'most done. Come in,--do."
+
+By this time Mrs. Strong had made herself tidy and appeared at the hall
+door.
+
+"Come in," she exclaimed, cordially,--"come in. Sary Ann, show the
+gentleman how to drive right down to the barn. Jim's there thrashin' and
+he'll see to the hosses!"
+
+Kathie was handed out. Sarah turned the horses to face the path to the
+barn.
+
+"Down there," she said. "Steve, come here!"
+
+Steve, thirteen or thereabout, sheepishly obeyed, and took the rest of
+his sister's order in silence.
+
+"Don't you go," said Mrs. Strong to Mr. Conover. "There's boys enough to
+the barn, and they know all about hosses. Come in an' get warm. You must
+be about froze! I'm right glad to see you, child."
+
+Kathie introduced Uncle Robert again. They were marshalled into a large,
+uncarpeted kitchen, full of youngsters, with a great red-hot stove in
+their midst.
+
+"Get out of the way, childern! Sary Ann, run light the fire in the
+parlor while they're gettin' warm."
+
+"It is not worth while to take that trouble," returned Uncle Robert. "We
+came up for a call, but judged it best to take the pleasantest part of
+such a cold day. So do not let us interfere with your usual
+arrangements."
+
+"You ain't a goin' to stir a step until after dinner. Sary'll be awful
+disapp'inted. We've plenty of everything, and you won't put us out a
+bit. We've been looking for you, like, ever sence Sary Ann had her
+letter. Take off your things, child! Ain't your feet half froze?"
+
+"O no."
+
+There was no resisting, however. Mrs. Strong talked and worked, tumbled
+over the children, picked them up and set them on chairs, bidding them
+keep out of the way, insisted that Kathie should sit beside the roasting
+stove, and presently Sarah returned. She had brushed her hair into a
+more respectable shape, and tied a most unnecessary scarlet ribbon in
+it, seeing that the hair was of a sandy reddish color.
+
+But her clean calico dress certainly did improve her. Yet as she entered
+the room she was seized with a fit of awkward bashfulness.
+
+"I believe I will go out and look at the ponies," remarked Mr. Conover.
+
+"Mind they're put out. You're not going to stir a step till you've had
+your dinner. Marthy, you peel them taters; quick now." This to a rather
+pretty girl of ten, who had been writing with a pin on the steamed
+window-pane.
+
+"Come in the other room," said Sarah to Kathie.
+
+The child followed. It was not very warm yet, but there was a great
+crackling, blazing fire upon the hearth, which was a delightful picture
+in itself.
+
+Sarah stood and viewed her guest wonderingly. The long golden curls, the
+clear, fine complexion, the neat-fitting dress, the small white hands,
+and the dainty kid boots, were all marvels to her.
+
+"You're very rich," she said, presently, in a peculiar manner, as if she
+could almost find it in her heart to envy Kathie and grow discontented
+with herself. Kathie's fine sense and tact detected it.
+
+She stretched out her hand and took Sarah's,--a little rough, but soft
+and plump. "My uncle is," she answered; "he is very good to us children.
+My father died when I was a tiny little girl."
+
+"Did he?" Sarah knelt down, and began to wind the silken curls over her
+finger. "But you are so--so different. You don't have to work,--do you?"
+
+"A little," and Kathie smiled.
+
+"What! a lady like you? Don't you keep servants? For Jim said the place
+was like a palace!"
+
+"We keep one servant only, and a gardener. Mamma thinks it right that
+every one should learn to be useful."
+
+"But if I was rich I wouldn't do a thing! I actually wouldn't."
+
+"I am afraid you would soon get tired of idleness."
+
+"O, I'd have books, and read, and paint pictures, and a pianny--"
+
+"Piano," corrected Kathie, gravely, as if she had been a teacher with
+her class.
+
+Sarah turned scarlet, then gave a little embarrassed laugh. "I never can
+get the words all right. They do plague me so; but I haven't been to
+school for two years. Mother wanted me home, for Martha was so little.
+That's why I'd like to be a lady, and know just what was right to do and
+say. I thought you was so elegant that night!"
+
+"There are a great many 'ladies,' as you call them, much poorer than
+you; and some rich people who are coarse and ignorant."
+
+"There ain't only two or three men in Middleville any richer than
+father. He owns sights of land and timber, but he thinks that if you can
+read and write and cipher a little it is enough. I don't suppose I could
+ever be as nice as you are, though,"--with a sadness in her tone and a
+longing in her eyes.
+
+"In what respect?" Kathie smiled encouragingly.
+
+"Well--to talk as you do. I thought that night at the Fair that it was
+just like a story-book or music. I know I'm always makin' mistakes."
+
+"Then you must try to be careful. Does not your teacher correct you?"
+
+"Well, I am learning a little; but it seems to be such hard work. How
+did you do it?"
+
+"I have always been sent to school, and then my mother has taken a good
+deal of pains with me. It seems unfortunate that people should fall into
+such careless habits of pronouncing, and oftentimes of spelling."
+
+"Was my letter all right?" Sarah asked, with quick apprehension. "I
+tried so hard, and wrote it over ever so many times."
+
+"I let my uncle read it, and he said he had seen letters from older
+women that would hardly bear comparison. There were very few mistakes in
+it."
+
+Kathie's honesty impelled her to say this, though under some
+circumstances she would have uttered no comment.
+
+"Tell me what they were. I think I could do better now."
+
+"Do you really wish me to?"
+
+"Yes, I do," with a good deal of rising color.
+
+"Your pronoun I, when you speak of yourself, must always be a
+capital,--never a small i, and dotted."
+
+"But how can you tell?"
+
+"It is a personal pronoun, and is never used in any other way. A single
+I must always be a capital."
+
+"Always! I'll be sure to remember that," Sarah answered, with great
+earnestness; "and what else?"
+
+"Christmas wasn't quite right. That begins with a capital, because it is
+a proper name, and the first syllable is spelled just like Christ."
+
+"Is it? Why, I never thought! and I've seen it so many times too. What
+other mistakes were there?"
+
+"I really cannot remember," said Kathie, laughing; and she spoke the
+truth. "The lichen was so lovely, Uncle Robert put it up in the library.
+Where do you find such beautiful specimens?"
+
+"Over in the swamp, about a mile south of here. There are so many pretty
+things. Do you know Indian pipe?"
+
+"Yes!" exclaimed Kathie, with a touch of enthusiasm.
+
+"Isn't it lovely?--just as if it was cut out of white wax. I like to go
+rambling round to find all manner of odd things; but I never thought of
+putting them up anywhere, or making frames. O, come see mine!"
+
+Both girls rose, and Kathie really took her first survey of the parlor.
+There was a dull-colored ingrain carpet on the floor, the flowers of
+which ran all over it; a square, stiff-backed sofa, studded with brass
+nails; some rush-bottomed chairs, two old family portraits, and a pair
+of high brass candlesticks on the mantelpiece.
+
+But above this Sarah had hung her two pictures, and put up the lichen
+brackets.
+
+"I couldn't make my frame as pretty as yours," she said; "and I broke
+ever so many straws."
+
+"But you succeeded very well, I think."
+
+"And I made this. I took the picture out of a book."
+
+It was a moss frame, very neatly manufactured, but the picture was a
+rather coarsely colored fashion-plate.
+
+"I do love pictures so! I wish I had a whole houseful! And if I could
+only make 'em myself,--them, I mean," coloring, and correcting her
+speech.
+
+"I have brought you two more--O, they were left in the wagon!--and some
+books."
+
+Sarah's eyes sparkled. "Would you mind running out? The boys have some
+rabbits down to the barn, and there's a great swing,--O, and loads of
+nuts! Do you ever go chestnutting?"
+
+"I have been, but there are not a great many trees around Brookside."
+
+"Here's a shawl; just wrap yourself head and ears in it. We're going
+down to the barn, mother."
+
+They found Uncle Robert entertaining Jim and Steve, the latter of whom
+sat in wide-eyed astonishment; but the entrance of the girls broke up
+the conclave.
+
+Sarah took, Kathie all round, showed her Whitefoot and Jenny, both of
+whom whinnied gratefully. Then there was the beautiful little Durham
+heifer that Jim was raising, hens of every variety, the rabbits, the
+loft strewn with corn, nuts, and strings, and packages of seeds.
+
+Then Kathie must swing. Steve pushed her until the dainty kid boots
+touched the beam, and she experienced the sensation of standing upon her
+head.
+
+In the midst of this a shrill blast from a horn reached their ears.
+Kathie started.
+
+"That's for dinner. Father's gone to mill to-day with Mr. Ketcham, and
+he won't be home."
+
+The three younger ones took the lead, while Uncle Robert and Jim
+lingered behind, discussing ways and means of making money at farming.
+
+Such a table full of youngsters looked strange to Kathie's eyes. On the
+whole they behaved very well, a little awed, perhaps, by the presence of
+strangers. Sarah paused now and then to watch Kathie, whose quiet
+manners were "so like a lady." She made no clatter with her knife and
+fork, did not undertake to talk with her mouth full, and said "Thank
+you" to everything that was handed to her.
+
+"I never can be like that!" she thought with a despairing sigh, and yet
+unconsciously her manners took tone from this unobtrusive example.
+
+Uncle Robert and Kathie made themselves at ease with truest politeness.
+Mrs. Strong talked over the Fair, and how much she enjoyed it, and told
+Kathie that the children were delighted with their gifts. Then followed
+some conversation on the war. The Strongs were very patriotic, to say
+the least. Sarah was excused from helping to wash the dishes, so she and
+Kathie went to the parlor again, and the package was opened.
+
+A very pretty story-book, one of Kathie's favorites, and a copy of
+Longfellow's Evangeline, illustrated. She had also brought two colored
+photographs,--the sad-eyed Evangeline, and the "Children," companion
+pictures.
+
+"I don't know whether you like poetry or not, but it always seems to me
+that it is pleasant to know the story of anything that interests you."
+
+"I like--some verses--" Sarah returned, rather hesitatingly, "and the
+book is beautiful. But--I can't say anything at all--"
+
+The tears were so near to her voice that it rendered her almost
+ungracious.
+
+"You will enjoy them better by and by," Kathie went on, softly. "Some
+day you may be able to make pretty frames for the pictures. And I
+brought you a set of crochet-needles. Can you crochet?"
+
+"Only to make a chain. I can do that with my fingers. I wish I did know
+how. And if I could ever knit a cap like the baby's!"
+
+"We will sit down here and talk, and I can show you one or two patterns
+of edgings that are simple and pretty."
+
+"How good you are!"
+
+Sarah was no dullard, after all. Though her fingers appeared rather
+clumsy at first, she soon managed to conquer the intricate loops,
+turnings, and stitches.
+
+"Why, I wouldn't have believed it!"--in great joy. "I've done a whole
+scallop by myself."
+
+Kathie laughed in answer.
+
+"Now, if you'll only tell me something more about grammar, and putting
+the right word in--the place where it belongs. You see all the big girls
+at school know so much more than I do--"
+
+Kathie understood. She explained several matters that had been great
+mountains to her in the beginning.
+
+Now and then a bright light illumined the clear hazel eye, and a pleased
+smile played around the lips. "How good you are to take so much
+trouble!" she exclaimed, gratefully.
+
+By and by Mrs. Strong came in to have a little visit with their guests.
+Sarah displayed the books and pictures, and the three inches of rather
+soiled crocheted edging.
+
+"Sary Ann's a curis girl," explained her mother; "she has a great notion
+of larnin', and all that, but her father hasn't much faith in it. He
+thinks gals and wimmen were a good deal better when they didn't know so
+much; and then you begin to want--everything. There's so much dressin'
+and foolin' goin' on nowadays."
+
+"It is rather the lack of education, I should imagine. True knowledge
+expands one's soul as well as one's mind," said Uncle Robert.
+
+"Well, mebbe, if it's the right sort; but this gettin' their heads so
+full of dress--"
+
+"Which is a sign that something better should be in them," was the
+pleasant response.
+
+"And then they're ashamed of their homes, and their parents as slaved to
+bring them up, and make fun of everything that isn't right according to
+their thinking. I've seen it more'n once."
+
+Kathie blushed, remembering Lottie Thome's criticism. Mrs. Strong
+certainly did look prettier in this clean calico gown and white collar
+than in her purple bonnet with red roses.
+
+"Yes," he answered; "it does happen, I know. But it seems to me that any
+daughter or sister who acquired with her other knowledge true views of
+her duty towards God and those around her could hardly fail to be
+benefited by an enlargement of her narrow sphere of thought. Our first
+duty is at home, but we do not stop there."
+
+"Few people think of duties of any kind nowadays."
+
+"Does not God leave a little to us? We who know them ought to make them
+attractive to others."
+
+"It's so much easier to be bad; and I often wonder at it," whispered
+Sarah, through Kathie's shimmering curls. "But if some one would make
+all that is right and good attractive, as your uncle says--I wish I
+could live with you awhile. I don't believe you ever have anything to
+worry you!"
+
+"Yes, I do," answered Kathie; "I have to try pretty hard sometimes."
+
+Sarah studied her in surprise. "But if I were to try I never could be
+half so good."
+
+"Will you try?" Kathie uttered it with unconscious earnestness, and the
+light that so often shone about her came out in her face.
+
+But Uncle Robert, looking at his watch, declared that it was time for
+them to go. Mrs. Strong was so sorry not to have "Father" see them, and
+begged them to come again.
+
+"It's been such a beautiful visit," exclaimed Sarah, with a tremble in
+her voice. "I'll try to remember everything you have told me!"
+
+Steve brought a bag of nuts to put in the wagon, and Jim shook hands
+rather sadly with Uncle Robert.
+
+"He is one of the right kind"; and with that he went back to the barn,
+whistling thoughtfully.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+COMFORT IN NEED.
+
+
+"WELL, Kathie, was the visit a success?"
+
+They had ridden a long way before Uncle Robert asked this question. He
+had been remarking the changes that passed over Kathie's face like light
+drifts of summer clouds.
+
+"I am very glad that we went."
+
+"What perplexes you then, Kitty?"
+
+"A good many things, Uncle Robert. Some grave questions that I cannot
+understand," in a half-hesitating way.
+
+"Can I help you?" The tone was gravely sweet.
+
+"You always do,"--smiling. "Something Mrs. Strong said troubled me.
+Sarah _is_ ambitious, she has a desire for education, and a longing for
+refinement,"--with deliberation in her slow tones. "But what if--she
+_should_ be ashamed of her home, after all? It is not so very
+attractive,--pretty, I mean. Why, the only lovely thing in that great
+parlor was the bright blazing fire."
+
+"If Sarah takes hold of the right end of life, she will try to make her
+home more pleasant for the others as well as herself."
+
+"But, Uncle Robert, it is so hard to see when you are right in the midst
+of a thing,--a sort of muddle. A person standing on the outside would be
+likely to discover the best paths. And I thought--what if I should be
+the means of making her discontented instead of happy."
+
+"So you are not quite convinced that it is wisest to sow beside all
+waters?"--with his peculiar smile.
+
+"If I was certain I had the right seed."
+
+"The seed is all alike,--love, faith, patience. Yes, I can catch your
+meaning,"--as the little face grew very sober. "You do not want to rouse
+her to a sense of and love for beauty to which she can never attain."
+
+"That is it."
+
+"I do not imagine you need begin to feel anxious immediately. Her crude
+attempts at beautifying will be very good exercise for her awakening
+brain, and she has so much of the practical to learn that she will be
+less likely to run into vanity, at least no more than one would
+naturally expect. If you choose, Kathie, you might help her in a very
+good work."
+
+"I do choose."
+
+"When you find that you have too much on your small hands, you must pass
+the heaviest over to me. Remember that I shall always stand ready. And
+doing these bits of girl-work for girls will make the woman-work plainer
+by and by. It is taking up the little opportunities as they come, not
+waiting for a great deed to be shaped to your hand presently."
+
+"I think I must always do little deeds. They seem so much safer to me
+than the large ones."
+
+"I heard Sarah ask if she might write to you; what did you answer?"
+
+"I said that I should be glad to hear. And I shall want to know how she
+likes her books. You do not think mamma would object?"
+
+"O no. It is the best and wisest act that you could do for her. There
+was something so sweet and grateful in her sending you the lichen that I
+have a good deal of faith in her capabilities. It will be good ground in
+which to sow seed. Sarah's whole life may be the better for the chance
+friendship."
+
+"But if she should become refined and--"
+
+"That is looking to the flavor of the fruit, my dear. God means that we
+shall not see it any faster than it can grow."
+
+She smiled, satisfied.
+
+The air was very keen indeed now. A bitterly cold night it would be. The
+tender heart went out to the thousands on "tented field," and prayed for
+peace, that they might return to warm, pleasant firesides.
+
+Aunt Ruth ran down stairs as she saw them coming.
+
+"Let Freddy take the horses," she said. "A telegram has come for you,
+and it may be important."
+
+Freddy was elated with the permission. He was indulged now and then with
+short drives, but, being rather anxious to display his skill, he was
+sometimes quite venturesome.
+
+Kathie drew a long, anxious breath. As was natural, her first thought
+was for Rob.
+
+An expression serious almost to pain crossed Uncle Robert's face.
+
+"Sad tidings for the close of our happy day," he said. "I am summoned to
+Alexandria immediately. Mr. Meredith--" Then he handed the slip of paper
+to Kathie.
+
+Mr. Meredith had been severely wounded, and sent to the hospital at
+Alexandria, whether fatally or not the message did not state.
+
+"The express train goes through at six," Uncle Robert said, "and in this
+case there is no time to be lost."
+
+They all felt that when Mr. Meredith sent, the summons must be urgent
+indeed. Mr. Conover had more than an hour to make the few preparations
+he would require. But there were two or three letters to answer, so he
+went to the library, while Mrs. Alston hurried the tea.
+
+Kathie stood by the window in a mood of peculiar silence. Somehow,
+though she had known the danger all along, with the confidence of love
+she could hardly believe that any evil would betide her soldiers.
+Numbers of men had served their three years without any serious mishap,
+and it seemed as if God would watch over these two among the many
+thousands.
+
+"Aunt Ruth, do you suppose--"
+
+"My darling, we can suppose nothing, only hope for the best."
+
+"But it is so terrible to think of him--in any great peril."
+
+So gay and laughing always, so full of vivacity with all his gentlemanly
+indolence, so strong and buoyant! In fancy she saw him stretched upon a
+hospital pallet, very white, like Aunt Ruth, last winter, or perhaps
+having undergone some fearful operation.
+
+And then there came to Kathie a remembrance of the last drive together,
+of the few lines in the letter. It was so precious to know that, living
+or dying, all was well with him. Kathie clung to that comfort with all
+her fond, trembling heart. Was it God's love and grace that brought
+human souls so near together and made them one great family?
+
+"I have one request to make," exclaimed Uncle Robert, entering the room;
+"if you should see any of the Darrells do not mention this circumstance,
+unless they may have heard. I will telegraph home as soon as I reach the
+hospital, and write at my earliest convenience. Kathie, will you run
+over to the Lodge and ask Mr. Morrison to drive me to the station by
+six?"
+
+Kathie wrapped up head and ears in a blanket-shawl, and ran down the
+drive. When she came back supper was ready and Uncle Robert's
+portmanteau packed.
+
+They bade him a tender good-by, and Kathie whispered a fond and precious
+message.
+
+Afterward they went to Aunt Ruth's sitting-room. Kathie felt rather
+drowsy and indolent with her ride through the keen air, and took
+possession of Aunt Ruth's lounge; for she was in no mood to read or sew,
+or even to take up her fancy crocheting.
+
+"Did you have a nice visit?" asked her mother, at length.
+
+That roused Kathie. "It was very peculiar, mamma, and I enjoyed it a
+good deal. I like Sarah, although she is not--"
+
+"Not much cultivated, I suppose," said Aunt Ruth.
+
+"Mamma, why did not we, when we were very poor, grow careless? I don't
+know as I can explain just what I mean," Kathie raised her face,
+perplexed and rosy.
+
+"I think I understand. It is not the result of a few years, or even of
+poverty, but the lack of culture. Often a whole village or settlement,
+where there is no particular ambition for education, will fall into
+careless and rough habits of action and speech. Every one does the same,
+and it is hardly remarked."
+
+"But I suppose there has always been a school at Middleville,--and it
+is so near Brookside and other towns."
+
+"Many of these old country settlers are very sensitive. They think their
+way as good as any one's, and, if a few families are particularly
+refined, accuse them of holding themselves in high esteem, and being
+above their neighbors. It often proves difficult to overcome old habits
+of pronunciation and the manners and customs to which one has always
+been used. It was different in our case. Aunt Ruth and I were brought up
+in a city, and had the best advantages. I was not very likely to forget
+what I had learned as a girl."
+
+It _did_ make some difference, then, whether a person was rich or poor;
+and if one could not help his or her position--
+
+"Mamma, wasn't it very hard to lose your fortune?"
+
+"Yes, dear," Mrs. Alston answered, simply.
+
+"But we might have been poorer still. There are all the Maybins--and the
+Allens--and we had a very comfortable home."
+
+"Yes. We owned our cottage, and had an income of just seventy dollars a
+year. It was a great deal better than nothing, though many a stitch had
+to be taken to provide for the rest of our needs."
+
+Kathie remembered,--staying in the house to sew long simple seams for
+mamma, doing errands, washing dishes, sweeping rooms, and wearing
+dresses that were faded, shoes a little shabby, and never having more
+than a few pennies to spend. How great the change was! And it did not
+end with personal comforts merely. Nearly all the rich people in the
+neighborhood came to visit them. Every one nodded to her as she drove
+out in her pony-carriage. Yet, if she lost her fortune, would they let
+her drop out of sight and out of mind? Ah, how very cruel it would be!
+
+"It is a very delightful thing to have an abundance," Mrs. Alston went
+on, as if she held the key to her daughter's thoughts. "Not that it ever
+makes a person better, socially or morally, though the world, society,
+generally gives the precedence to money. It affords you leisure for
+cultivation; it frees you from a great many harassing cares, though it
+may bring others in their stead, for no life is exempt. And it certainly
+does add many new duties."
+
+"It is right to have the cultivation, the pretty houses, the beautiful
+furniture and pictures and--dresses?"
+
+Kathie asked her question with a sort of hurried abruptness, as if a
+definite answer was of the utmost importance to her, as if, indeed, she
+longed for a fuller understanding of the subject.
+
+"Yes," answered her mother, slowly. "All these things were given to us
+to enjoy, to use, yet not abuse. But when we seek them selfishly, when
+we think of nothing beyond our own personal needs, and of ministering to
+our vanity and self-love, they do become a great snare and temptation."
+
+"If one could tell just where the dividing line ought to be," Kathie
+said, shyly.
+
+"It is quite easily found if one searches in earnest: to think of others
+rather than of one's self; to give as well as to receive, not merely
+money or clothes, but sympathy, love, tender thoughts, little acts of
+pleasure; to minister to the poor in spirit as well as the poor in
+purse."
+
+"And that brings me back to Sarah, mamma. Her father may be as rich
+as--we are," rather hesitatingly. "At all events Mrs. Strong spent a
+good deal at our table at the Fair, and never seemed to mind it a bit.
+But their house has such a barren look. They have very few books or
+pictures or pretty articles of any kind, yet I do believe Sarah would be
+very fond of them. She has not been to school for nearly two years, so
+she has had very little chance to improve. Her father is afraid that if
+she should learn a great deal she will be ashamed of her home, and all
+that. I do not see how she could like it very much, because there is so
+little in it to please."
+
+"Some old-fashioned people seem to be afraid of education, but I believe
+it is from a lack of true appreciation of it. Whether rightly or not,
+civilization has made our wants extend beyond the mere necessities of
+life. We need some food for the soul as well as for the body."
+
+"But if education should make Sarah discontented and unhappy?"
+
+"We cannot always see what the result will be, but we are exhorted to
+work, nevertheless."
+
+"She asked me to write to her again, mamma. You do not think it will
+be--" Kathie could hardly get hold of the right word to use.
+
+"Injudicious, I suppose you mean? No, I do not. You may learn something
+as well."
+
+Kathie was glad that her mother looked upon it in that light, and yet
+she smiled a little to herself, not exactly discerning her own lesson in
+the matter.
+
+"Our Saviour said, 'Freely ye have received, freely give'; and, my
+little girl, it seems to me that we have received very generously. When
+I was prosperous before, I am afraid that I did not think much of the
+needs of those around me; but in my poverty I saw so often where a
+little would have been of great assistance to me. I feel now as if God
+had placed a great treasure in my hands to be accounted for to the
+uttermost farthing at the last day. It will be good then to have other
+lips speak for us."
+
+Kathie understood. "Yes, it will, mamma." Then she lapsed into silence.
+How all these things crowded upon one as the years went by! Fourteen
+now; in three years she would be quite a young lady. Looking at it
+caused her to shrink back to the cloisters of girlhood.
+
+Afterward her heart wandered out with Uncle Robert on his lonesome
+night-journey, and to the other face pictured still and white before
+her. All she could do in this case was to pray.
+
+They went to church on Sunday, and saw Miss Jessie, bright and smiling
+as usual. Then she did not know! It actually startled Kathie a little.
+
+"Where is your uncle?" Charlie asked, as they were standing together.
+
+"He was called away upon some business," Mrs. Alston answered for
+Kathie.
+
+The telegram came on Monday. "Arrived safely," it said. "No change in
+Mr. Meredith. Look for a letter to-morrow."
+
+So they could still tell nothing about him. Kathie had grown so very
+anxious that it appeared as if she could not wait. The day was a little
+cloudy, and she made that an excuse for not driving out. Even her music
+failed to interest. She just wanted to sit and wonder, never coming to
+any definite conclusion.
+
+The Tuesday letter was long, written at intervals, and contained the
+whole story. Mr. Meredith was out with a scouting-party early in the
+week before, when they were surprised by the enemy and made a desperate
+resistance. But for his coolness and bravery none of them would have
+escaped. Two or three were killed and several wounded,--he very
+seriously indeed; and he had been sent immediately to Alexandria. The
+journey had doubtless aggravated the injury. He was in a high fever
+now; and though he had recognized Mr. Conover at first, he soon lapsed
+into forgetfulness again. Mr. George Meredith had been on, and was
+unable to remain; but Uncle Robert had decided that this was his post of
+duty for the present. He had also written to Miss Jessie, he said.
+
+"We must give him up willingly, therefore," Mrs. Alston remarked.
+
+Yes; Kathie least of all felt inclined to grudge another the cheerful,
+comforting presence.
+
+"But it is terrible!" she said; "it did not seem to me as if Mr.
+Meredith _could_ die."
+
+"He may not. If they can succeed in keeping the fever under control
+there will be hope. The wound itself is quite manageable, Uncle Robert
+believes."
+
+But by the end of the week Miss Jessie and her father had been summoned.
+There was very little if any hope.
+
+One of Ada's occasional letters reached Kathie about this time. "Isn't
+it dreadful?" she wrote. "Mamma says that she can hardly forgive Uncle
+Edward for going in the first place, when there really was no need, and
+he was crazy to enlist afterward; and it puts everything out so! I must
+tell you that mamma intended to give a grand party. The cards had been
+printed, and some of the arrangements made, but when papa came home he
+would not hear a word about it. I have been out quite a good deal this
+winter, and have several elegant party dresses. I was to have a
+beautiful new pink silk for this, but mamma wouldn't buy it when she
+heard the worst news. It's _too_ bad; and if Uncle Edward should be lame
+or crippled-- O, I cannot bear to think of it! If he had been an officer
+there would have been a great fuss made about it. I really felt ashamed
+to see just 'Edward Meredith, wounded,' as if he were John Jones, or any
+common fellow! But I hope he will not die. Death is always so gloomy,
+and mamma would have to wear black; so there would be an end to gayeties
+all the rest of the winter."
+
+Kathie felt rather shocked over this, it sounded so heartless. Was death
+only an interruption to pleasure? As for her, she carried the thought in
+her heart day and night, and began to feel what the Saviour meant when
+he said, "Pray without ceasing." How easy it seemed to go to him in any
+great sorrow!
+
+"But O, isn't it lonely?" she said to her mother. "If Uncle Robert had
+been compelled to go, how could we have endured it?--and Rob away
+too,--dear Rob!"
+
+That reminded her that she owed him a letter. It was such an effort
+nowadays to rouse herself to any work of choice or duty. "Which is not
+marching steadily onward," she thought to herself. "I can only pray for
+Mr. Meredith, but I may work for others. Rouse thee, little Kathie!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THORNS IN THE PATH.
+
+
+IT appeared to Kathie that she had never known so long a fortnight as
+the first two weeks of Uncle Robert's absence; yet everything had gone
+on just the same, none of the duties were changed, only the absence and
+the dreadful suspense.
+
+Yet something else had happened, or was working itself out slowly day by
+day. Among the new scholars were several quite stylish and fashionable
+girls, who felt inclined to draw a line, or make some kind of a social
+distinction.
+
+Foremost among these was Isabel Hadden, a tall, showy girl, who prided
+herself upon her figure and style. Her father had made a fortune as an
+army contractor, and was now in Washington. He had purchased a very
+pretty country residence at Brookside, and installed his family there,
+though Mrs. Hadden frequently joined him for weeks at a time.
+
+Belle had been at a second-rate boarding-school for a year before the
+family had attained their present grandeur. Now a distant connection
+filled the position of governess to the host of younger children; but
+Belle considered herself too large to come in with "that crowd," as she
+rather disdainfully termed them.
+
+She was sent to school every morning in the carriage, and it not
+infrequently came for her in the afternoon. Rather distant and haughty
+at first, she had not made friends very easily. Mrs. Thorne happened to
+meet Mrs. Hadden at an evening party, and it was followed by a mutual
+acquaintance. Thereupon Isabel and Lottie became friends, though the
+latter was somewhat younger. Lottie's mother was very ambitious for her,
+and since Mr. Thorne would not consent to the expense of a
+boarding-school, she sent Lottie to Mrs. Wilder, as it was so much more
+genteel.
+
+Belle became the leader of the small clique who discussed fashions
+habitually. She criticised the dresses, cuffs, collars, and laces for
+the edification of her youthful hearers, until Emma Lauriston said one
+day, "Miss Hadden is as good as a fashion-magazine. I don't know but
+she would be invaluable in a fancy goods' store."
+
+Lottie still kept to her old habit of calling upon Kathie for assistance
+when lessons were puzzling. For several days in succession she had
+occupied Kathie's short intermission, and Mrs. Wilder found that she
+began to depend too much upon this kindly help.
+
+"Miss Kathie," her teacher said at length, "I have a request or a
+command in my mind,--you can consider it as which ever is easiest to
+obey," and Mrs. Wilder smiled.
+
+Kathie smiled as well, in her pleasant fashion.
+
+"I am sorry to find fault with any generous deed that school-girls do
+for one another, but I think Lottie Thorne has come to depend altogether
+too much upon you. It is hardly fair to occupy your few moments of
+recreation when by a little closer application she could solve her own
+problems and translations. This is really necessary for her own good."
+
+"I did not like to be disobliging," Kathie answered, by way of excuse.
+
+"Your generosity is carried almost to a fault at times. You must learn
+to say 'No' occasionally."
+
+Kathie's soft eyes were downcast. It _would_ be very hard to refuse.
+
+"Lottie has as much time to study her lessons at home as you have, and I
+am always ready to explain any difficulty. That is one of my duties
+towards my pupils. I am in a measure answerable for her improvement; and
+if she slips through upon the assistance of others she will be the loser
+in the end. You understand what I mean?--that while I do not wish to
+discourage a helpful feeling among the girls, I desire that each one
+should study for herself."
+
+"Yes," Kathie said, in a low tone.
+
+"And, my little friend, it is necessary that one should learn to be just
+as well as generous."
+
+Kathie felt the force of the remark. Uncle Robert had explained this
+occasionally to her in connection with Rob, who was rather fond of
+making her extensively useful. Then she always hated to say no to
+others. It was easier to sacrifice her own pleasures or desires.
+
+To smooth the matter for her, Mrs. Wilder announced that morning that
+she wished each girl's translations to be exclusively her own work, and
+if there was any great difficulty she would be glad to have them apply
+to her.
+
+Kathie left the school-room the instant recess began. Lottie was still
+puzzling over her algebra, and, having finished that, she took up her
+imperfect French, meaning to go in search of her little helper.
+
+Two or three girls were discussing a party.
+
+"I helped Hattie Norman make out her list last night," said Belle
+Hadden. "It is to be very select. Her mother insisted that all the
+Brookside rabble should not be invited."
+
+Hattie Norman was one of the new-comers. Lottie's heart beat a little
+faster as she wondered whether she would be classed among the rabble.
+
+"The Norman boys are elegant," pursued Belle. "They have all been to
+dancing-school; and there will be two of Hattie's cousins from the
+city,--five young gentlemen of one's own."
+
+"You might tell us who the lucky ones are," pleaded a voice.
+
+"That is _my_ secret. The invitations are to be sent out to-day. I
+wouldn't miss it for anything. Mamma brought me an elegant tarlatan
+overskirt the last time she came from New York. It is just a mass of
+fluted ruffling. I shall wear it over my blue silk, I think; blue is so
+becoming to me."
+
+Lottie lingered, talking and listening, and before she imagined the
+moments were half gone the bell on Mrs. Wilder's table rang.
+
+"O Kathie, just stop an instant!" she cried; but the girls were hurrying
+in, and somehow Kathie passed on with them. Fifteen minutes after, the
+French class was summoned.
+
+"You must write your translation over for to-morrow, Miss Thorne; and
+yours, Miss Hadden, is not very perfect; a little revision would improve
+it."
+
+Much as she disdained the patient governess at home, Belle found her
+very useful.
+
+Kathie kept out of Lottie's way. It looked rather mean to her, but it
+was better than an open refusal.
+
+The trial came the next day, however. To Lottie's great delight, she was
+invited to the party, and her head had been so full of it that all the
+lessons suffered. She was casting about in her mind what she could have
+new, or what could be altered to look like new.
+
+"O Kathie!" she exclaimed at recess, "just help me out with these few
+lines. I made so many blunders yesterday, and I was so busy last
+evening."
+
+"You remember what Mrs. Wilder said on Tuesday." Kathie's heart beat
+rapidly with the effort, and she felt quite inclined to run away like a
+little coward.
+
+"What?--O, about asking _her_! but then she never tells one anything.
+You might, I am sure; or if you will just let me read over your
+translation."
+
+"It would not be quite fair." Kathie's tone was rather slow and
+hesitating.
+
+"You needn't be so afraid! I should not copy," was the sharp answer.
+"Just tell me this case."
+
+One answer surely would not be a crime.
+
+"And this line; I can't make beginning nor end of it."
+
+"I am sorry, Lottie; but Mrs. Wilder said the girls were not to help
+each other so much,--that each one was to get her own translation--"
+
+"Well, I mean to get my own; I just asked you a question. You are very
+short and hateful about it!"
+
+"O Lottie, I do not want to disobey Mrs. Wilder! I would help you if I
+could--if it was right." Kathie uttered the words hurriedly, as if after
+a moment she should not have the courage to say them at all.
+
+"You are setting up for a saint, we all know; and it is very convenient
+to talk about right when one means to be cross and disobliging! I would
+do anything _I_ could for a friend, I am sure."
+
+Kathie was silent. She knew by experience that Lottie had a habit of
+teasing until she accomplished her purpose.
+
+"So you really won't do that little favor?"
+
+"Miss Alston!" called one of the girls; and Kathie was glad to go.
+
+Lottie dropped two or three tears of mortification and disappointment.
+She had come to depend a great deal upon Kathie, and it was hard doing
+without the help. "She is a hateful little thing, after all," was her
+internal comment.
+
+Belle Hadden let her look over her translation "just a moment." Lottie
+had a quick eye and a good memory; but the lesson was not so perfect
+that it could escape Mrs. Wilder's attention.
+
+"Please take a little more pains, Miss Thorne," she said; "I shall have
+to mark you for both days."
+
+Coming out of school, they paused, in girl fashion, to say a few last
+words. A rather rusty-looking rockaway wagon passed by, in which were
+two females, one of whom was driving. The other leaned out suddenly,
+with a cry of joy: "O Miss Kathie! Mother, stop,--do!"
+
+Kathie colored a little. There was the identical purple bonnet and red
+roses, and Sarah Ann had two long rooster-feathers stuck in her jockey
+hat, which certainly were waving in the breeze rather ungracefully; but
+the child went straight up to the wagon, thrusting aside the cowardly
+shame.
+
+"I'm so glad to see you! Do you go to school there? O my! what a lot
+of--young ladies!" and Sarah blushed. "There's the one that laughed at
+mother when we were at the Fair! Do you like her?"
+
+"We are all schoolmates, you know," said Kathie, in a peculiar, but
+gentle tone. "Are you well? This is quite a surprise!"
+
+"You are a good, sensible gal," remarked Mrs. Strong, with a meaning
+look, which showed Kathie that she was not so deficient in perception,
+after all.
+
+"O yes! How is your uncle? Jim thinks he's just splendid! We did have
+such a nice time that day! I've commenced a long letter to you, and
+I've read both books aloud. We liked the story so much! and I cried over
+the Evangeline,--I couldn't help it. I'm so glad to have the picture!
+Wasn't it sad?" and the ready tears came into Sarah's eyes.
+
+"It's a real pleasure to meet you"; and Mrs. Strong's face softened to a
+motherly glow. "I've come down to get a cousin whose husband was killed
+in Tennessee fightin', and the poor thing's a'most begged her way back
+with one little child, so I want her to come up and make a good visit
+while she's gettin' over the worst. Sez I to father, 'We ain't suffered
+any from the war, and gettin' good prices all the time for farmin'
+truck, and it's a pity if we can't make it a little easier for them who
+have.' She was such a nice young gal, and used to teach school there at
+Middleville; but she's seen sights o' trouble sence. And then Sary Ann
+begged to come, 'cause her father give her money to buy a new gown."
+
+"And I coaxed mother to go to your house, but she wouldn't," said Sarah,
+shyly. "I wanted to hear something about you so much! I'm so glad!"
+
+"And so am I," returned Kathie, warmly.
+
+Plain and unrefined as Mrs. Strong was, she had a good, generous heart.
+"We must not keep Miss Kathie standin' here in the cold," she said.
+"Which way you goin'?"
+
+"Straight on to Crosby Street."
+
+"I wish you'd jump in and ride."
+
+"O do!" pleaded Sarah.
+
+The girls had pretty well dispersed. Even Emma Lauriston was walking
+slowly down the street. Kathie declined at first, but they urged so
+strongly that finally she acceded; and, driving slowly, they had quite a
+nice talk, though Mrs. Strong insisted upon taking her nearly home, as
+their shopping was all done.
+
+But the episode had not been suffered to pass unremarked.
+
+"What an elegant turnout!" sneered Belle Hadden. "Some of Kathie
+Alston's country relations, I suppose."
+
+"No," answered Lottie, "it is some people she met at the Fair."
+
+"What horrid taste,--and what coarse, uncouth creatures! Who _is_ Kathie
+Alston, anyhow? A decided _parvenu_, to my thinking. Are they really
+rich,--the Alstons?"
+
+"No, it is Kathie's uncle, Mr. Conover. He made a fortune off in
+Australia, I believe. They were poor enough before!" Lottie uttered this
+rather spitefully. Kathie's refusal to assist her that noon still
+rankled in her mind.
+
+"Did they live here then?"
+
+"O yes! in one of a row of little cottages; and Mrs. Alston had to sew
+for a living."
+
+The murder was out. Lottie had a misgiving that this was decidedly mean
+and treacherous; and yet, she said to herself, it was every word true.
+Why should the Alstons be ashamed of it? Only it did seem mortifying.
+
+"This is just about what I thought. Kathie Alston hasn't a bit of style
+or dignity; and how they _do_ dress her! There was some common linen
+edging on that ruffle she wore to-day, and I don't believe she ever has
+more than two dresses at the same time. Plebeian blood will tell. Hattie
+Norman asked me about them, but I told her Kathie was only a little chit
+that she wouldn't care to invite. I don't suppose they let her go to
+parties, or that she knows how to dance. What is the inside of their
+house like?"
+
+"It is very beautiful."
+
+"Tawdry and cheap, I fancy. Such people have no taste. There is a great
+deal in birth. My mother was one of the Van Cortlands, of New
+York,--real old blue blood; and I can always tell commoners. I wish
+there could be some distinction here."
+
+"Mrs. Alston is considered very ladylike," said Lottie, with a touch of
+remorse.
+
+"By people who are no judges, I suppose. And Mrs. Wilder treats Kathie
+as if she were the greatest lady in the land! I think we ought to put
+her down. Where I went to boarding-school we had two parties,--patricians
+and plebeians,--and the plebeians were made to keep their places. There
+ought to be just such a distinction here. The idea of being intimate
+with a girl whose mother has worked for a living! Why, we shouldn't
+think of recognizing our dressmaker in society!"
+
+This sounded quite grand to foolish Lottie. That _she_ was considered
+good enough to go to the Normans' to a party was a great thing. And then
+Lottie remembered about some great-grandmother of hers, who had belonged
+to the French nobility, and escaped during one of the revolutions.
+Didn't that make her blood a little blue? If it would only make the
+French exercises come easy as well!
+
+Lottie scarcely noticed Kathie the next day. It was rainy, and the
+"patricians" lingered about the stove, discussing the Norman party.
+Eight or ten played blind-man's-buff in the walk, and had a gay time,
+bringing the roses to their cheeks.
+
+Two or three of them had bantered Kathie a little about her "friends,"
+but she accepted it in a very good-natured way.
+
+A day or two after, Emma Lauriston took her drawing over to the window
+where it was lighter, and still lingered at the table when school
+closed. Afterward they all fell into a pleasant talk.
+
+"So you have come over to our side," exclaimed Miss Hadden.
+
+"Your side?"--with a look of surprise.
+
+"Yes, the patricians."
+
+Emma Lauriston had always been called proud, and it was well known that
+she was to be quite an heiress by and by, her grandmother having left
+her a considerable fortune.
+
+"I think there can be no question about my tastes or sympathies," she
+said, rather haughtily. "Refinement, truth, and honor make my
+nobility."
+
+"Refinement is absolutely necessary to me," remarked Belle, with an
+elegant air. "Sometimes I am teased about it, but all kinds of
+coarseness and vulgarity are odious to me, whether it is in dress or
+behavior. And loud voices or loud manners are equally my detestation."
+
+Emma did not dissent. One or two thoughts of her own took up her
+attention, and the rest of the talk seemed to float around her like the
+waves of a distant sea.
+
+Kathie remarked the change very quickly, for she was keenly sensitive.
+That Lottie should be vexed with her she did not so much wonder at, but
+why should the other girls shun her? She certainly had done nothing to
+them. And it gave her a pang to see some small circle fall apart when
+she joined it, each girl giving knowing glances to the others. Then,
+too, she was left out of the plays and talks, and though they did
+nothing absolutely rude, she seemed to understand that there was a kind
+of social ostracism, and she was being pushed over to the side she did
+not admire,--to the half-dozen rather coarse girls.
+
+Belle was not slow in spreading abroad the report. The Alstons were
+mushroom aristocracy. Nobody knew _how_ the uncle had made his fortune.
+People did everything in Australia,--robbed, cheated, even murdered. And
+Mrs. Alston had actually sewed for a living!
+
+Yet it must be confessed that these very girls fairly envied her the
+pony phaeton and the elegant house.
+
+"Uncle Robert is coming home," said her mother, one afternoon. "We have
+received a good long letter from him, and some news that will surprise
+you."
+
+Kathie's face was aglow with interest.
+
+"You may read it all yourself. He had not time to write any more than
+one letter."
+
+Kathie sat down to her treasure.
+
+"O mamma! And Miss Jessie is married to--Mr. Meredith! What will Ada
+say? But O, will he never get well? It would be harder than ever to have
+him die. How strange it seems! Dear Miss Jessie!"
+
+The doctors had conquered the fever, but there were some serious
+complications with his wound, and he was so reduced that it appeared
+almost impossible for him to rally. Kathie could see that Uncle Robert
+had very little hope.
+
+"Still he is very happy and resigned," the letter said. "Since his
+marriage he seems to have not a wish left ungratified. Mr. and Mrs.
+George Meredith were present, and the lady was considerably surprised by
+this unlooked-for termination; still, she was very gracious to Jessie.
+But the best of all is his perfect peace and trust. A precious hope the
+Saviour's love has been, and in his mind his whole brief religious life
+seems connected with our darling little Kathie. Every day he speaks of
+her. It is true that God has ordained praise out of the mouths of
+babes."
+
+The loving messages brought the tears to Kathie's eyes. And most
+delightful of all was the hope of seeing dear Uncle Robert again. So for
+two days satirical school shafts fell harmless.
+
+Rob had a flying visit first of all, but the joy at Cedarwood was
+delightful. Uncle Robert reached home just at dusk, and Kathie could do
+nothing all the evening but watch him and talk. All the story had to be
+told over again, and with it many incidents that could not be
+written,--the heroic bravery, the patient endurance and sweet faith.
+
+"Then he is not sorry that he re-enlisted?" Kathie asked, anxiously.
+
+"No, my darling. He thinks that his country needed him, and his last act
+was to procure some very valuable information. He would like to live if
+it is God's will, but it will be well with him either way."
+
+Uncle Robert held the little hand in his and gave it a fond pressure.
+Kathie knew what it said, but her heart felt very humble.
+
+The next morning she had to tell him about Sarah Strong.
+
+"And how kind it is in Mrs. Strong to take home this poor cousin!"
+Kathie said. "I liked her manner of speaking of it so much. But I
+think--"
+
+Kathie made a long pause.
+
+"A remarkable thought it must be!" said her uncle, smiling.
+
+Fred ran in to have his pencil sharpened, and also to announce that one
+of the cunning little guinea-pigs was dead. So Kathie's school
+discomfort passed out of her mind.
+
+But it met her on the threshold again. She was rather early at school,
+as Uncle Robert wished to drive about the village to do several errands.
+
+Half a dozen girls were discussing tableaux. Kathie joined them with a
+face full of interest.
+
+"O," she exclaimed, "I do love to hear about tableaux! Are you really
+going to have them?"
+
+There was a coolness and silence in the small circle.
+
+"It was a little matter of our own that we were discussing," said Belle
+Hadden, loftily.
+
+Kathie turned. She had been in such a happy mood that she was ready for
+anything. And the two or three experiences in tableaux had left such a
+delightful memory that she was fain to try it again.
+
+She went to her seat quietly. The voices floated dimly over to her.
+
+"It is mean not to ask her!"
+
+"Girls, I know Mrs. Wilder will notice it, and speak of it."
+
+"You can all do as you like, but if you want Tom, Dick, and Harry, and
+everybody in them, I beg leave to be excused," said a rather sharp,
+haughty voice.
+
+"But Kathie Alston isn't--"
+
+"I would as soon have Mary Carson, or any one of that class. They are
+all alike."
+
+Mary Carson's father had made a fortune in buying and selling iron. She
+was as coarse as Sarah Strong, without her ambition or good, tender
+heart.
+
+Somehow Kathie rebelled at being placed in the same category. She took
+up her book and tried to study, but her heart was swelling with a sense
+of injustice. What had she done to these girls? She was not coarse, or
+vulgar, or mean.
+
+"Plebeian and patrician," some one said with a laugh, as they dispersed
+at Mrs. Wilder's entrance.
+
+Kathie heard of the plan through the course of the day. Some of the
+larger girls had proposed that they should give a little entertainment
+for the benefit of the wife and children of a Captain Duncan who had
+been killed in one of the recent battles. Mrs. Duncan was staying at
+Brookside, quite prostrated by her misfortunes.
+
+Thirteen of the school-girls had been asked. Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Duncan's
+warmest friend, had offered her parlor and dining-room. Sue Coleman was
+hand and glove with Belle Hadden.
+
+Now and then Kathie glanced over to Mary Carson. Vulgarity was written
+in every line of her broad, freckled face. Something beside
+plainness,--snub nose, wiry brown hair, and the irregular teeth, which
+looked as if they were never brushed,--an air of self-sufficiency, as if
+she considered herself as good as the best. She was continually talking
+of what they had at home, and made the most absurd blunders, which Mrs.
+Wilder patiently corrected. The small satires of the other girls never
+pierced the armor of her complacency. "And they think me like her!"
+Kathie mused, with a sad, sore heart. "I suppose because our fortune
+came so suddenly; and yet mamma always was a lady. However, I must bear
+it patiently."
+
+Uncle Robert, seeing her so grave, fancied that it was on account of Mr.
+Meredith; and he was so busy that for a few days they had no
+confidential talks.
+
+It was very hard to feel so entirely alone. Even Emma Lauriston was at
+home sick with a sore throat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+UNDER FIRE.
+
+
+EMMA LAURISTON was absent from school three days, and then took her
+place, looking somewhat pale and languid; but several of the girls were
+rather impatient to see her.
+
+"Have you heard bad news?" she asked of Kathie. "My cousin said your
+uncle had returned."
+
+"Yes," in a grave tone, rather unlike the sunshiny Kathie.
+
+"That was quite a romance about your friend Miss Darrell. Do they think
+Mr. Meredith will--never get well?"
+
+"They are afraid."
+
+The little bell sounded to call them to order, and then began the usual
+lessons. Kathie's were always perfect, and yet, oddly enough, it seemed
+to Emma that her whole heart was not in them.
+
+She had fallen into the habit of watching Kathie very narrowly. The
+"something different from other girls" was still a puzzle to her; and
+when the doctor had said, a few days ago, "You just missed having a
+severe attack of diphtheria," it startled Emma a good deal. She knew
+several who had died of diphtheria; and if she were to die--
+
+Of course she wanted to live. She was young, and full of hope; and there
+would be the fortune by and by,--one of those odd bequests of which she
+reaped little benefit now, as it was to go on accumulating until she was
+twenty-one; but then she would be able to do a great many delightful
+things with it. That was not all, however. There was something very
+terrible in the idea of death.
+
+"O Miss Lauriston, we have ever so much to tell you and to talk about!"
+exclaimed Sue Coleman. "We are going to have some tableaux for a
+charitable object, and we want you to stand in several of them. You will
+make such a lovely Sister of Charity in Consolation."
+
+With that the ball was fairly opened. Emma was pleased and interested at
+once.
+
+"You are all to come over to my house after school. Belle Hadden has
+planned everything. She is a host in herself."
+
+Kathie had been walking up and down with two or three girls that she did
+not care much about, only they had joined her, and were, perhaps, better
+company than her lonely thoughts.
+
+"You are going over to Mrs. Coleman's,--are you not?" asked Emma, in
+surprise. "Don't you like tableaux?"
+
+"Very much, but--Good by"; and Kathie made a feint of kissing her hand.
+
+"Girls, haven't you asked Kathie Alston?" exclaimed Emma, in the first
+lull, for the talk had been very energetic; "she would make up lovely in
+ever so many characters."
+
+There was a silence, and the girls glanced at each other with
+determination in their faces.
+
+"What is the matter? Has she offended you? I noticed something a little
+peculiar in school to-day."
+
+"Kathie Alston is well enough--in her place."
+
+Emma colored. "Her place is as good as any of ours, I suppose," she made
+answer, slowly.
+
+"Well, I don't quite think it is"; and Belle took up the glove. "There
+are some social distinctions--" The rest of the sentence was rather
+troublesome.
+
+"I am sure the Alstons are rich, if that is what you mean."
+
+"That is not altogether what I mean"; yet Belle was a trifle embarrassed
+at being forced to meet the issue so squarely, though every girl felt in
+her secret soul that Emma was undeniably aristocratic. "If we are to
+take up everybody who becomes suddenly rich, there is Mary Carson and
+several others; and I've never been used to it. Mamma _is_ particular
+about my associates."
+
+"But the Alstons are educated, refined, and were always wealthy until
+they met with a reverse of fortune when Mr. Alston died."
+
+"And Mrs. Alston used to sew for the whole neighborhood, I've heard.
+Fancy being compelled to meet your seamstress as an--an equal! Mrs.
+Wilder ought to be more exclusive about her scholars. Mamma said so
+herself. And only a few days ago some horrid country clowns stopped
+right in front of the school, and she went off to take a ride in their
+forlorn old wagon. Our cook is actually related to these people! Their
+name is Strong,--a coarse, vulgar set, I know."
+
+Belle talked very rapidly, and her face flushed with excitement. For
+several moments Emma hesitated. The distinction appeared paltry and mean
+to her. Then she really _did_ like Kathie. "Girls," she began, at
+length, "I think you are unjust. I have been at Cedarwood, and met all
+the family. They are refined, intelligent, have a lovely home, and
+are--truly noble and Christian people." Emma uttered the last in spite
+of herself.
+
+"Well, every one can do as she likes"; and Belle gave her head a haughty
+toss. "I don't think because a man digs up a nugget of gold in Australia
+he is entitled to a king's position at once. There are some girls at
+school that I should not associate with under _any_ circumstances."
+
+Emma had a feeling that this was really absurd; yet most of the girls
+had ranged themselves on this side, and it did require a good deal of
+courage to go against the opinions of her mates and friends. Still, when
+she came to think of it, Mrs. Grayson visited the Alstons, the Darrells
+were their firm friends, and that rich and elegant Mr. Meredith! But
+Kathie _was_ rather inclined to be hand and glove with people beneath
+her.
+
+"And Kathie Alston _does_ take up everybody," said one of the girls.
+"Every few days you see her having some common thing in that
+pony-phaeton of hers. She hasn't a bit of pride or good taste, and it
+seems to me that is next of kin to refinement."
+
+"Let us go on with the tableaux."
+
+Emma listened to the arrangements in silence. This made such a beautiful
+scene,--that was so brilliant, or so pathetic, and must not be left out.
+And before they were aware the dusky evening dropped down about them.
+
+"Girls," she said at length, in a soft, low voice, "I have decided that
+I will not take part in the tableaux. Kathie Alston and I have been
+friends, and I shall do nothing that I am quite sure to be ashamed of
+afterward. You have been very kind to ask me, and I am not angry with
+any of the opinions I have heard expressed, though they may not please
+me. Good night."
+
+"Let her go over to the plebeians!" said some one, with a laugh.
+
+At home Kathie had two pleasant surprises. First, a letter from Miss
+Jessie all to herself, in which they hoped, very faintly indeed, that
+Mr. Meredith had taken a turn for the better. If the good news should
+prove true, they meant, as soon as it would be safe, to remove to a
+private house. And then she said, "My darling little Kathie, we often
+feel that we would give half the world to see you."
+
+The other was from Sarah,--a decided improvement upon her Christmas
+epistle,--not a word misspelled, and the sentences very fairly
+constructed. The last part was filled with Cousin Ellen and her little
+boy. Sarah told the whole story in her innocence, without the least
+intention of boasting. Mr. and Mrs. Strong had offered these poor
+wayfarers a home until they could do better.
+
+"It is very good of them,--isn't it?" said Kathie. "If the Strongs are
+not polished, they have generous hearts."
+
+"It certainly is most kind; and I am wonderfully pleased with the
+improvement in Sarah."
+
+"Uncle Robert, would it be rude to send Sarah a pretty blue hair-ribbon,
+and tell her a little about contrasting colors? I wish she would not
+wear so much scarlet. Is it wrong for everybody to look as pretty as he
+or she can?"
+
+"No, my dear; and sometimes a delicate hint proves very useful. Sarah
+has entirely too much color for scarlet; she needs something to tone her
+down."
+
+Kathie had been casting about for some time how to manage this matter
+nicely, and her present idea appeared both delicate and feasible to her.
+Looking over her store, she found a fresh, pretty ribbon, and forgot all
+about the school trouble.
+
+The tableaux progressed rapidly. A number of the Academy boys were
+invited to join. Mr. Coleman had some tickets printed, which sold
+rapidly, and the affair promised to be successful.
+
+But one evening Dick Grayson said, "Emma Lauriston would look prettier
+in Consolation, and make the best Evangeline, of any girl in Brookside.
+Why haven't you asked her and Kathie Alston?"
+
+"Emma declined," was the almost abrupt answer.
+
+"But Kathie is the sweetest little girl I ever saw. She is always ready
+for everything."
+
+There was no response. Belle Hadden had gone quite too far to admit that
+_her_ line of distinction had been wrongly drawn. Lottie Thorne felt
+both sorry and ashamed; but there was no going back without a rather
+humiliating admission. And yet if she only had _not_ spoken that day!
+
+But Emma and Kathie drew nearer together in a quiet way through these
+troubled times. There were some petty slights to endure, and many
+unkindnesses. Friends and companions can wound each other so often in a
+noiseless manner,--pain and sting without the buzzing of a wasp, so
+patent to all the world,--and I often think these unseen hurts are the
+hardest to bear.
+
+The evening at Mrs. Coleman's was both delightful and profitable. The
+Brookside Standard contained quite a glowing account of the
+entertainment, and praised the young ladies for their labor in so good a
+cause. The sum received, with several donations, amounted to
+eighty-seven dollars.
+
+"Why did you not speak of it, Kathie?" asked Uncle Robert. "We would all
+have gone."
+
+Now, there had not been even a ticket offered to Kathie. Indeed, the
+space being limited, Sue and Belle had made out a list of guests
+beforehand.
+
+Kathie colored violently, and Uncle Robert looked quite astonished.
+Seeing that she was expected to answer, she summoned her courage.
+
+"It was a--a party affair of the larger girls in school. They did not
+ask every one."
+
+"But we might have sent a gift, the object was so very worthy."
+
+Kathie made no reply to that. Uncle Robert studied the grave face, and
+decided that something had gone wrong.
+
+Dick Grayson dropped in that evening. "I was so disappointed about your
+not being there," he said. "You would just have fitted in two or three
+of the tableaux."
+
+But Kathie did not appear to be disposed to converse on the subject, so
+they wandered off into a talk about Rob, and then Mr. Meredith claimed
+their attention.
+
+The patricians flourished in grand style. It would have been really
+laughable to sensible people to see how one after another copied Belle
+Hadden's airs and graces, and how the gulf widened in school. Several of
+the girls asked to have their seats changed, until the plebeians were
+left quite to themselves.
+
+And yet the matter worked out a very odd and rather mortifying
+retaliation. One afternoon Dick Grayson overtook Emma Lauriston walking
+homeward. He had that day received a letter from her brother Fred, and
+repeated some of the contents.
+
+"Are you going to Belle Hadden's party?" he asked, presently.
+
+"I have not had any invitation." Emma's tone was rather curt.
+
+"No?" in the utmost surprise. "What has happened among you girls? You
+and Kathie were not at the tableaux. Is there a standing quarrel?"
+
+Dick and Emma were excellent friends in boy-and-girl fashion.
+
+"There is something very mean and foolish. I wish somebody could look at
+it with clear eyes and give Belle Hadden a lesson!"
+
+Emma's usually soft voice was indignant, and her face crimsoned with
+excitement.
+
+"But how did Kathie Alston come to get mixed up with it. It seems to me
+that she is the last one to quarrel."
+
+"There was no quarrel, at least no words. There are some very
+aristocratic girls in school, and Belle is forever talking about her
+mother's family. So they have divided the girls into patricians and
+plebeians."
+
+"But Mr. Conover is a gentleman, and the Alstons are all refined. The
+idea of putting Kathie on the plebeian side is absurd! And you too--"
+
+"I went over there," she said, sharply. "I would not take part in the
+tableaux on that account. Kathie had done nothing to them. It was
+because her mother used to sew, I believe, and then Kathie herself is
+not a bit proud. I suppose if they made a great show and parade like the
+Haddens--"
+
+"I did not think Belle was that small! And you are a splendid champion,
+Emma. But Kathie is worthy of the best friendship in the world. She is
+never mean or envious, or looking out for the best places, and Mr.
+Conover is just royal. The idea of the Haddens setting themselves up!
+Why, Mrs. Alston used to sew for my mother, and mother is one of her
+warmest friends. Isn't there something very unjust about girls,--some
+girls, I mean?" blushing as he corrected himself. "And why does not Mrs.
+Wilder interfere, or is she on the patrician side?"
+
+"Mrs. Wilder really doesn't know anything about it. The little hateful
+acts are done on the sly, just looks and tones, or some sentence that no
+one can take hold of. It would seem silly to complain of not being
+noticed. But it takes away the pleasant feeling that used to exist."
+
+"And how does Kathie bear it?"
+
+"Like a little angel. It hurts her cruelly too. About the time this
+first began, some very common-looking people spoke to Kathie in the
+street, and the girls have laughed and sneered at that. Indeed, nothing
+that she does escapes them. I almost wish that I wasn't a girl!"
+
+"Boys don't badger a fellow that way, if they did there would be some
+thrashing! But I know just how to come up with Belle Hadden, and I'll do
+it!"
+
+With that Dick laughed.
+
+Emma was so much exasperated that the thought rather delighted her.
+
+"What will you do?"
+
+"I can't tell you until afterward. Don't I wish Rob Alston was home,
+though! He would enjoy the fun."
+
+They separated at Emma's gate. She was not altogether sure that she was
+right in her desire, but she determined not to worry herself on that
+score.
+
+Belle's party was to be quite a grand affair. A number of the Academy
+boys were invited, those who were rich and stylish; Belle did not come
+to school the next day, and the girls were rather indiscreet without
+their leader.
+
+The rooms were beautiful, the supper elegant, the music fine, but--there
+were so _few_ young gentlemen! Not Dick Grayson, nor Walter Dorrance,
+nor Charlie Darrell, nor--ever so many others that had been counted upon
+sure.
+
+Emma guessed as she heard the floating talk.
+
+"I do suppose Belle Hadden was as deeply mortified last night as she
+could be," Emma said to Kathie. "If ever I have another cause that I
+want righted I will place it in Dick Grayson's hand. He is equal to
+Arthur's knights."
+
+"What did he do?"
+
+"He said he had a plan. I know now that it must have been to keep the
+nicest boys away from the party. Belle likes Dick so much too. It must
+have been worth seeing,--their disappointment. A host of wall-flowers
+with no one to lead them out to dance!"
+
+"You didn't ask him to do it?" Kathie's face was full of pain and
+regret.
+
+"No, not exactly. Indeed, I did not know what he meant to do, only I was
+telling him about Belle Hadden's meanness, and he thought of a way to
+pay her back."
+
+"I am so sorry it was--that way."
+
+"Kathie!"
+
+"O Emma dear, don't think me ungrateful! You have stood by me of your
+own accord, I know," and Kathie clasped her hand. "I am so much obliged
+to you. They had nothing against you at first, and they were very sorry
+not to have you at the tableaux. But it always troubles me to know that
+other people have suffered--"
+
+"Not when they deserve it, surely!"
+
+"Always--if it can be helped."
+
+"And you would not have done this? You think it was not right for me to
+tell?"
+
+What could Kathie say,--blame her brave comrade?
+
+"No, you do not think it right. I can see that in your face! Kathie, how
+_can_ you bear everything so patiently?"
+
+"God makes it all right at last. He asks us to wait his time. And though
+it is very hard--" Kathie's lip quivered and her voice grew unsteady.
+
+"It seems to me this has been the meanest thing I ever knew. You cannot
+guess what gave it the first start."
+
+"Yes. It was while you were sick that the girls--took a dislike to me. I
+spoke to some people one day, some friends," correcting herself, "and
+Belle laughed at them. Then the girls talked about--mamma."
+
+"It was shameful!"
+
+"We _were_ poor, and we had to work. Mamma could not help all that. And
+then Uncle Robert came, and we have been so very happy ever since.
+Thinking of it all, I don't mind this little trouble much. All that
+Belle says cannot make us coarse and vulgar and ignorant, and I have
+been trying all the time to look on the best and brightest side."
+
+Emma put her arm suddenly around Kathie.
+
+"What is it," she asked, in a husky voice,--"what is it that makes you
+sweet and patient and tender and forgiving, always ready to minister to
+others and to the poor, even if you are laughed at and teased? Maybe
+it's the same grace that takes away the fear of death! O, I wish I knew!
+I wish I had it! I am sometimes so miserable, Kathie. Do you believe
+that your God _could_ love and pity me a little?"
+
+"'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.'"
+
+It was all that Kathie could think of to say as Emma stopped short in
+her walk, trembling, excited, and tearful.
+
+"But how to come?"
+
+Kathie hesitated. It seemed that she knew so little herself, how then
+could she direct another? She remembered the other time when she failed
+to bear witness, and though her shy, delicate nature shrank from
+anything like a parade of her most sacred feelings, strength was given
+her when she asked for it.
+
+"I do not know how it is always--" in her sweet, faltering voice, "but
+when I first wanted to try--to be good,--to follow HIM even a little, it
+was just as if I reached out my hand and prayed him to take it, and kept
+close to him by endeavoring to do what he wishes--"
+
+"And you did not have--any great light--"
+
+"I had only a love and a desire to obey him. And it seemed as if
+everybody helped me,--mamma, Aunt Ruth, and Uncle Robert. But there is
+always something to overcome, some battle to fight."
+
+"And I am a poor, raw recruit. Do you think He will accept me, Kathie?"
+
+"Every one--to the uttermost."
+
+They walked to the corner, where their paths diverged.
+
+"I wish you would come and see me," Kathie said, with her ready grace.
+"Fred was there occasionally last summer, and Uncle Robert liked him so
+much!"
+
+"And you will forgive that--revenge? Perhaps I ought to have waited."
+
+Kathie's look was sufficient, though she could not have spoken.
+
+But the child went home in a gravely sweet frame of mind. She was in a
+mood to tell Uncle Robert the whole story that evening; but there were
+several guests, so there could be no confidences.
+
+The next morning, after school was opened, Mrs. Wilder rose and told
+them she had a few words to say upon a subject that had been a source of
+much disquiet for several days; and then she very kindly but wisely took
+up the matter that had so divided and agitated the girls, and severely
+condemned the folly of which some of them had been guilty. "They would
+find as they grew older," she said, "that with people of culture and
+refinement social distinctions did not depend so much on a little more
+or a little less money, but nobleness of soul, thought, and
+feeling,--deeds that could brave and endure the scrutiny of clear eyes,
+and not those which must always slink away and hide themselves behind
+whispered insinuations."
+
+It seemed, after all, as if, in some mysterious way, Mrs. Wilder had
+learned all the particulars. She mentioned no names, and did not in the
+least seek to exalt Kathie; but the child knew by the kiss and the
+lingering glance bestowed upon her that afternoon that all her silence
+and pain had been appreciated.
+
+If Belle needed anything further to lower her self-esteem, she had it on
+her return home. Mr. Conover, Mrs. Alston, and Mrs. Grayson had met at
+the house of a mutual friend when Mrs. Hadden happened to call.
+
+"Belle," she began, sharply, "how could you have committed such a
+blunder as to omit that pretty little Miss Alston from your party-list?
+Her mother and her uncle are very charming people, and they have a host
+of elegant friends in New York. Mrs. Havens was here last summer to
+visit them, and those aristocratic Merediths are warm friends of theirs.
+I am so sorry it should have happened!"
+
+"Miss Alston is a regular little Methodist,--too good to go to parties,"
+returned Belle, rather crossly.
+
+And so ended the reign of the patricians. Belle somehow lost prestige at
+school. Even Lottie began to be pleasant again with Kathie, secretly
+hoping that Belle would never repeat her unlucky remark.
+
+Dick Grayson and Charlie had to tell Kathie one evening how they spoiled
+a good deal of the fun at Belle Hadden's party.
+
+"I felt so sorry," Kathie said, gravely.
+
+"Well, you are the queerest girl I ever saw," was Charlie's comment; yet
+something inside told him she was a noble one as well.
+
+But the sweetest of all was the talk with Uncle Robert.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+IN ANOTHER'S STEAD.
+
+
+CLOSER pressed the ranks of brave men who were to strike a final blow
+for the good cause, nearer, nearer, marching on with a steady, crushing
+step. The nation rejoiced over victories, but firesides, from palace to
+hovel, missed and mourned some dear, familiar face, some cheerful voice
+that would never speak again.
+
+Kathie used to watch daily. The campaign was growing more exciting as it
+approached the end. Her heart used to beat chokingly as she glanced down
+the lists. And this was what she saw one day: "Missing, William
+Morrison."
+
+"O mamma!" with a quick cry, "did you read this?"
+
+Mrs. Alston looked. "Oh!" she exclaimed, with sudden pain. "Uncle Robert
+and Mr. Morrison have gone to the nursery to select a few more
+fruit-trees. They will doubtless hear of it at the village."
+
+"You do not think--he has been--killed!"
+
+Kathie's face was very pale and her sweet voice faltered.
+
+"Hardly," returned Mrs. Alston. "But one can never be quite certain what
+becomes of the missing."
+
+Kathie put on her shawl and hood presently, and walked slowly down the
+winding drive. She had not sufficient courage to enter the cottage,
+though through the window she saw Ethel and Jamie having a game of
+romps. The child's cheeks were like roses, and now and then a careless
+laugh floated out to Kathie, who shivered with something more than cold.
+
+Presently the wagon approached slowly. When Uncle Robert caught sight of
+his little niece he sprang out and greeted her warmly.
+
+"I have some good news for you, Kitty," he said, in his bright, breezy
+tone. "Mr. Meredith is really better. They hope to bring him home before
+long. Why--isn't it delightful?" seeing that she made no answer.
+
+"Yes, I am very, very thankful."
+
+"But, Kathie--what has happened, little one?"
+
+"Our other soldier--"
+
+"Mr. Morrison--O child, what tidings of him?"
+
+"There has been another battle, and he is--missing."
+
+"The news might be worse then. There is a little hope, so do not despair
+at once."
+
+Kathie grasped his arm tighter, and they walked nearly to the house in
+silence. Then he said, "Of what are you thinking, my darling?"
+
+There were tears in her soft, violet eyes.
+
+"Uncle Robert, what a strange and solemn thing it is to have any one die
+for you,--in your stead."
+
+"Yes. I wonder if we do not sometimes forget the One who died eighteen
+hundred years ago? But this brings it home to you and me in a manner
+that we shall always remember."
+
+"And, looking at that, all our little trials and burdens seem as
+nothing. I thought it quite hard to be treated so unjustly at school,
+but what was it compared with giving up one's life?"
+
+"It is something, my darling, when we bear reviling from that highest of
+all motives,--His sake. Even the little steps are precious in his sight.
+We are not all called upon to walk the sorrowful way he trod."
+
+"But poor little Ethel!"
+
+"We promised, you know, to make all the amends in our power to her."
+
+"But it seems to me that nothing could comfort me if you were gone."
+
+He took the cold little face in his hands, as they were standing on the
+broad porch now, at the very door.
+
+"Do you love me so well, my child? But we must not forget that those who
+stay at home are sometimes called from the earthly ranks. God asks of us
+that his will and pleasure shall be ours as well."
+
+"Yes, I know "; but her voice was quite faint as he kissed her.
+
+It was dusk, and as he opened the door the cheerful light and warmth of
+the hall were most grateful. Kathie gave a shiver as if she were shaking
+off the wintry cold.
+
+"Do not anticipate the worst," he said, pleasantly. "To-morrow's news
+may be different."
+
+She smiled faintly. "I am not a very good soldier, after all," she
+returned, with a little faltering in her tones.
+
+"My darling, when our Captain calls us out to fight, he always gives us
+grace and strength. But we must never look away from him; that is part
+of the promise."
+
+She hung up her hood, smoothed her hair, that had been blown about by
+the wind, and went in to supper. They all talked a little about Mr.
+Morrison, but it appeared to Kathie that they were wonderfully hopeful.
+Indeed, the news from Mr. Meredith was so very encouraging that it
+seemed to dim the force of the other.
+
+Afterward Mr. Conover went down to the cottage. Freddy brought his
+solitaire-board to Kathie.
+
+"I've forgotten how it is done," he said, "and I want you to show me.
+Let me take them out, and you just tell me when I go wrong."
+
+It really seemed that Fred had a marvellous faculty for going wrong.
+Kathie felt very much as if she did not care to be bothered. She was
+restless and nervous, and wanted to curl herself up on Aunt Ruth's
+lounge and think a little.
+
+"Greater love hath no man--" the words kept running through her mind.
+But the love began in little things, even the love which suffered at
+last upon the cross. So she roused herself to patience and interest.
+
+Uncle Robert looked quite grave when he returned. The Morrisons had
+heard the tidings, and were very anxious.
+
+"I must write to Mr. Morrison's captain to-morrow," he said. "We must
+make every effort to find him. He may have been wounded and carried off
+of the field unnoticed."
+
+Kathie prayed fervently for Mr. Morrison's safety. Uncle Robert made
+immediate inquiries, and they waited in half fear, half hope. In the
+mean while events in Virginia had the stirring ring of near victories.
+All was breathless excitement throughout the land. Sorties, surprises,
+battles, Sherman coming up from his march to the sea, Sheridan brave and
+dashing as ever, and Grant going slowly with his men, like some
+ponderous machine that was to crush at last.
+
+And then the telegraph flashed the news far and wide: "Lee has
+surrendered!" "Richmond has been taken!"
+
+It seemed so odd to Kathie to be going on in her quiet, uneventful
+fashion. School lessons, music practices, home duties,--nothing grand
+or heroic. Mrs. Wilder's lecture to the girls had been productive of a
+little good, beside breaking the foolish cabal; for in it she had
+touched upon dress and parties, and tried to set before them the urgency
+of paying some attention to their studies. So there were fewer bows, a
+plainer arrangement of hair, and less talk of fashion.
+
+"I think it was mean to crowd Kathie Alston out," declared Sue Coleman.
+"Mamma says the Alstons are people one might be proud of anywhere; and
+they are extremely well connected. She met them one evening at Mrs.
+Adams's, and that elegant Mr. Langdon thinks Mr. Conover about perfect.
+Mamma is so sorry that we did not have her in the tableaux. Every one
+noticed it. That was your fault, Belle!"
+
+"Of course you are all quite at liberty to choose your own friends,"
+Belle answered, loftily; "I'm sure you agreed to it. You did not want
+Mary Carson and all that rabble."
+
+"Mary and Kathie are not friends in our acceptation of the term. She is
+polite to Mary, and I am not sure but that a ladylike courtesy is more
+effectual in keeping people at a distance than absolute rudeness. I
+believe Kathie and Emma Lauriston are the only two girls in the school
+who have not indulged in rudeness in some form or other."
+
+"If she is not hand and glove with Mary Carson, she has another friend
+who is no better, whom she visits and sends pictures to, and I don't
+know what all. It's a second or third cousin of our cook. Of course
+these Strongs are rich; so it is not the breeding as much as the money.
+But, as I said, you can all do as you like. It seems to me that half of
+the town has gone crazy on the subject of Kathie Alston."
+
+Emma was a little troubled with these talks about Sarah Strong. She had
+a certain delicacy which held her aloof from any such associations.
+"Kathie," she said at length, "I wish you would tell me how you came to
+take a fancy to those people who were at--the Fair, I believe."
+
+Kathie colored a little. "I don't know as you would understand it," she
+answered, slowly.
+
+"I am beginning to comprehend some things," her eyes drooping a little,
+and glancing past Kathie.
+
+"I noticed them at the Fair--because--something was said to hurt their
+feelings--"
+
+"O, I know! Lottie Thorne came over to our table and made fun of the
+woman. But--do you not think--such people always take advantage of a
+little notice?--and then it leads to mortifying embarrassments."
+
+"Maybe that is just one of the things God puts in the daily warfare to
+make us good soldiers. It is like being a private in the army. Sometimes
+people sneer at the hard, rough work the soldiers have to do, and yet it
+often helps the officers to gain the victory."
+
+"And the officers have the credit. That looks rather unjust, doesn't
+it?"
+
+"It would seem hard if God did not remember it all."
+
+"But how did you come to visit the Strongs?"
+
+Kathie told the whole story. "I cannot explain these things to you just
+as Uncle Robert does," she went on, with a rather perplexed smile.
+"Always when I am in any doubt or trouble I go to him. He thinks when
+people are anxious for mental or social improvement a helping hand does
+them so much good. Persons in their own station cannot give it, as a
+general thing. And the Saviour said, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto
+the least of these--'"
+
+"Yes, I see. But it is harder to do your good in that way, Kathie."
+
+"Digging in the trenches"; and Kathie smiled.
+
+"Ah, you have gone out as a private in the ranks; and I am afraid, after
+all, that very few of us like to be privates," Emma returned. "But it
+certainly did show a good deal of delicate feeling and remembrance when
+Sarah Strong sent you the lichen."
+
+"I thought so. And our visit was very pleasant."
+
+"Only, if she had not spoken to you that day in the street, it would
+have saved you a good deal of pain and trouble," returned Emma.
+
+"Maybe it was just what I needed. Life is so pleasant and lovely to me
+that I might forget who gives it all if every once in a while something
+did not bring me back to Him. And it is so good, when others
+misunderstand and blame, to know that God sees all, and never makes a
+mistake in his judgment."
+
+Emma was silent. It was the keeping near to Him that rendered Kathie
+meek, patient, and full of love. And it seemed to Emma as if she strayed
+continually.
+
+Was it because Kathie always had some good work in hand?
+
+But amid all the rejoicing, and the certainty that Mr. Meredith would
+recover, the other shadow seemed to be growing deeper. Three weeks, and
+not a word of Mr. Morrison yet. His captain remembered the man, and
+could only account for the disappearance by supposing that he had been
+buried among the rebel dead. Twice since the battle they had exchanged
+prisoners, and he had not been returned among the well or wounded; and
+now every one was flocking to the Union lines.
+
+"Mr. Darrell went to Washington to-day," Uncle Robert announced to
+Kathie. "He is to bring Jessie and Mr. Meredith home."
+
+"Here,--to Brookside?"
+
+"Yes," with a smile. "He needs the quiet and the country air, and I
+fancy there are two or three people here whom he is longing to see."
+
+Kathie's heart beat with a great bound.
+
+By and by she found herself rambling slowly toward the cottage. Hugh was
+busy with some spring preparations, pruning trees and vines. He nodded
+to her, but did not seem inclined to stop and talk, and Jamie caught
+hold of her dress, begging her to come in.
+
+Grandmother took off her spectacles and wiped them; she often did this
+now, for her eyes grew dim many times a day.
+
+"So you have had good news," she said, after the first greeting. "I am
+glad there is a little joy saved out of the great wreck. Such a handsome
+young man as Mr. Meredith was too; but there's many a bonny lad sleeping
+under the sod, who was fair enough to his mother."
+
+Kathie slipped her hand within the one so wrinkled and trembling.
+
+"It is such a sorrow to us all," she said, in her soft, comforting tone.
+"I keep thinking of it day and night. It was so noble in him to go--to
+suffer--"
+
+"It is the one thing, Miss Kathie, that gives me a little resignation. I
+shall always feel thankful that he went in your dear uncle's stead, not
+for the money merely. And if it has saved him--if it has kept you all
+together; but this is too sad a talk for you, dear child."
+
+The tears were dropping from Kathie's long bronze lashes.
+
+"Dear grandmother, there has not been a morning nor night but that I
+have remembered him and his generous deed. I know his life was as
+precious to you as Uncle Robert's was to us, and now poor little Ethel
+is an orphan--for my sake. How strange that the whole world keeps doing
+for one another, and that, after all, no one really stands alone in it!"
+
+"We are nearer than we think for--rich and poor, when one takes God's
+word aright. We can't any of us do without the other unless there comes
+a sense of loss and something that is not quite right. You and yours see
+further into it than most folk. I'm glad to have the precious comfort of
+knowing that William went safely, and that in the other country he has
+met his dear wife. I shall soon go to them, and I know well that little
+Ethel will never lack for friends. William felt it with great
+certainty."
+
+Another duty was laid upon Kathie. This orphan was to be more to her
+than any chance friend. What could she do of her own self? Only to show
+her now how truly she appreciated the sacrifice and loss, and to put a
+few simple pleasures in her life, to give her tenderness and affection
+that might make some slight amends.
+
+She thought of something else that evening.
+
+"Uncle Robert," she said, "do you believe there is any hope that Mr.
+Morrison may still be alive?"
+
+"It is very slight now," he answered. "And yet I can hardly be
+reconciled to the loss amid this general rejoicing. It seems so much
+harder to have him dead now that the war is over and many of the
+soldiers will soon return home."
+
+"I feel so sorry that he had to die out there alone. If some one could
+have given him only a cup of cold water--"
+
+"Perhaps they did."
+
+"But if it had been you!" Kathie clung closely to him as if there might
+be danger yet.
+
+"It was not, my darling. God seems to hold me in the hollow of his hand,
+and while he takes such care of me I feel more than ever the need of
+doing his work. And now little Ethel has been added to us."
+
+"Uncle Robert, I think I ought to take a special share in it, since God
+has left me the delight of your love."
+
+"As Ethel grows older, there will be many things that you can do."
+
+"But I have thought of this one now. The interest on Ethel's little
+fortune amounts to almost one hundred dollars."
+
+"A little more than that. I put it in bonds."
+
+"And if it could be saved for her,--since she will want but very little.
+She will have her home with her aunt, and need only her clothes. I'd
+like to buy those for her as a kind of thank-offering."
+
+"But, my darling, in a few years more you will be a young lady, and
+there will come parties, journeys, and pleasures of different kinds,
+where it may be necessary for you to be dressed in something besides the
+simple garments of childhood. Perhaps you will want more money
+yourself!"
+
+"I never have to give up anything needful, but I was thinking that I
+should like now and then to make a real sacrifice, relinquish some
+article that I wanted very much, and use it for her instead. It would
+help me to remember what her father had done for me."
+
+Uncle Robert stooped and kissed her, touched to the heart by her simple
+act of self-denial.
+
+"It shall be as you wish," he replied, tenderly. "And, my dear child, I
+am glad to see you willing to take your share in the great work there
+is to be done in the world."
+
+"It is so little, after all, and so many blessings come to me."
+
+Ah, was it not true that God restored fourfold? After many days the
+bread we have cast upon the waters comes floating back to us. Well for
+us then if we are not shamed by niggardly crumbs and crusts flung out
+impatiently to some wayside beggar while we ourselves feasted. For God's
+work and love go together, and there is always something for the willing
+hand.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+HOME AGAIN.
+
+
+THE pony phaeton stood before the school-house. Jasper and Hero nodding
+their heads impatiently in the April sunshine. The prettiest striped
+lap-robe imaginable was thrown over the empty seat, the plating of the
+harness made a silvery glitter, and altogether it was a turnout that one
+might be rather proud of, if one's self-complacency was nurtured upon
+such things.
+
+And the driver thereof was not to be despised. The girls, as they
+trooped down stairs, thought Kathie Alston "so lucky!" No one in
+Brookside had a father or uncle or brother so devoted,--not old, by any
+means, and certainly good-looking, but, best of all, showing his
+affection in a manner that made her envied of others.
+
+Sue Coleman had met him several times through the course of the winter,
+and pronounced him "magnificent," in her enthusiastic fashion. Indeed,
+he was the kind of man to be very attractive to young girls. She bowed
+now in her most gracious manner. Belle bit her lip angrily. If she had
+taken up Kathie instead of that insignificant little gossiping Lottie
+Thorne! Her mother had been to call at Cedarwood, but it wasn't at all
+likely that she would be invited within its charmed precincts. Of course
+she said she did not care; but there was a gnawing jealousy at her
+heart.
+
+Uncle Robert was so in the habit of coming for Kathie that she sprang
+in, nodded a gay farewell to the group, and went on for some distance
+before she thought it anything more than a pleasure drive.
+
+Suddenly her heart gave a quick bound. "You are going to the Darrells'?"
+she said.
+
+"Yes." Disguise it as he might, there was a glow in the half-averted
+eyes.
+
+"O, Mr. Meredith hasn't--come home!"
+
+"Hasn't he? Are you quite sure?"--with a little smile.
+
+"O Uncle Robert!"
+
+"They came at twelve. I was in there half an hour, when he insisted that
+I should drive over for you."
+
+It was very flattering to be remembered first of all; and yet there was
+something connected with it which made Kathie's heart beat in an
+unwonted manner, and a quiver came into her throat almost as if she
+wanted to cry. Six months ago!--how much had happened since then!
+
+He fastened the horses, and entered the hall with Kathie, who seemed
+strangely shy.
+
+"They took him right up to Miss Jessie's room," said her uncle.
+
+Thither they went, though there was a sound of joyous voices in
+grandmother's room, just across the hall. The two halted a moment, then
+Uncle Robert pushed the door a little wider open.
+
+"Have you brought her?"
+
+The dear, well-known voice, sounding a bit husky and tremulous, and with
+something in it which brought the tears to Kathie's eyes. What with the
+flood of sunshine, the white bed and pillows a little tumbled, and a
+gray travelling-wrap thrown partly over somebody, she seemed to see
+nothing but confusion at first; then a thin white hand was stretched
+out.
+
+"I am so tired that I cannot rise. Dear Kathie! Dear child!"
+
+They were both crying then, and neither felt ashamed. Just a miracle
+that he was here at all; and if he had gone to the other country, the
+golden key opening the gates set with jasper and pearl must have been
+Kathie's precious words.
+
+"My dear Kathie, I've lost all the little sense I ever did have. I sent
+Jessie away for fear she might indulge in a scene, and here I am crying
+like a baby! But there are so many things to think of, and it is so
+delightful to see familiar faces once more!"
+
+Then Kathie took a look at him. He was very thin and pale, the hair and
+beard cropped quite close, the eyes sunken, yet with the old bright glow
+she had watched so many times; and, oddest of all, the once plump hands
+looking, as Hannah would have said, like "chickens' claws."
+
+"Well, should you know me?"
+
+"Yes, but you are changed."
+
+"And if you had seen me a month ago! The doctors have cut me open,
+turned me inside out, and run up and down my body with lodestone in
+search of a stray rebel ball. When they had me nearly killed, they would
+leave off a little while; but as soon as they saw signs of coming to
+life they went at it again. It's a kind of gymnastics that a man can't
+get fat on, try his best."
+
+"I should think not"; and Kathie couldn't help laughing.
+
+"But it's through now. I feel like saying, with Joe Gargery, 'And now,
+Pip, old chap,' (Pip, in this instance, standing for country) 'we've
+done our duty by one another.' School is out, and Uncle Sam is sending
+us home as fast as possible. I've nothing to do now but to be gloriously
+lazy, and have every one wait upon me."
+
+"O, I am so glad, so thankful," and Kathie pressed the thin hands in her
+own, so soft and warm, "to have you back here, when we were afraid--"
+
+"It has been a hard struggle, little Kathie. I shall never see a blue
+coat again without thinking of what many a brave fellow has had to
+suffer. I seem to have been feasted upon roses; but hundreds of them had
+no such luck."
+
+"And to come to peace at last,--to know there will be no more calls!"
+
+"It certainly is good tidings of great joy. And though I couldn't be in
+at the last, losing all the triumph and glory, I feel that I did a
+little good work, and shall never regret the rest."
+
+Her soft eyes answered him.
+
+"And there is something else. I want to tell you that your precious
+words bore good fruit after many days. My dear child," drawing her
+closer to him until the silken curls swept his cheek, "I owe you more
+than I can ever express, ever pay. It was your sweet, simple daily life,
+and your unconscious heroism that first led me to think. I have heard
+hundreds of sermons, and had hosts of religious friends, but nothing
+ever touched me like your gentle firmness that night so long ago at my
+brother's, and your rare modesty afterward, and all your straightforward
+course, even when it involved pain and sacrifice. I can't exactly tell
+you how the truth and the peace came to me, enabling me to do my duty to
+God and man; but when I was ill and helpless, and hovering on the verge
+of death, I want you to know that _His_ love was infinitely precious to
+me. It took away all perplexity, all care and trouble, and gave me rest
+in the dreariest of nights. And as He suffered for us, so ought we to be
+willing to suffer for one another. I never realized before what a great
+and grand thing life was when obedience to God crowns it first of all
+And even out there it seemed as if I was always taking lessons of you,
+remembering what you had said and done."
+
+"O no, no!" she cried, with her utmost sweet humility. "I am not worthy
+of so much."
+
+"My darling friend, I think you are one of God's own messengers. Through
+you I have found him, come to see him as he is, a tender, loving
+Father."
+
+She hardly dared to taste the rich ripe fruit gathered here to her hand.
+It was such a sacred work to have guided another soul ever so little,
+and she could scarcely believe that it had come through her.
+
+"Are you going to keep Kathie all the afternoon?" asked a soft, pleading
+voice.
+
+Both started. For many minutes they had been silently thinking of the
+little steps that reached to God, made so much more simple and easy by
+the tender spirit-leading than all the learned philosophy of the world.
+
+"O Miss Jessie!"
+
+"Mrs. Meredith, if you please," he exclaimed with a little laugh in his
+tone. "There, you have kissed enough. Come, sit down and look at me. I
+am afraid you will forget about my being one of our country's noble
+sons."
+
+Jessie might have been a little thinner with all her anxiety and
+watching, but she was the same dear, sweet friend, and Kathie thought
+prettier than ever, with her half shy, tender grace.
+
+"He has grown very exacting," the young wife said, with a smile.
+
+Kathie blushed. "It seems so odd for you to--be--"
+
+"Married," exclaimed Mr. Meredith. "Why, what else could I do? When I
+was a poor, helpless log, unable to stir hand or foot, some one had to
+take pity upon me. She was very good, I assure you."
+
+"As if I had not known it long before!" and a host of old memories
+rushed over Kathie.
+
+"Isn't it odd," Mr. Meredith said, in a lower tone, taking his wife's
+hand, "that it was through Kathie we came to know each other? I can just
+see the picture she made in the great hall of the hotel, like a little
+wild-flower blown astray by a gust of wind."
+
+Jessie thought of something else,--how she and Charlie were sitting by
+the cheerful fire one winter night, when he had expressed a desire to
+make her happy in some way, because she was always studying the pleasure
+of others. But for that she might never have known the Alstons so
+intimately, and of course--
+
+There she had to stop with a dainty blush.
+
+It was very odd, Kathie decided, in her simple child's way.
+
+"And we have to thank Kathie for a good deal of delicacy in keeping our
+secret," Mr. Meredith said. "Circumstances gave it into her hands long
+ago."
+
+She smiled a little. "What did Ada say?" she asked, rather shyly.
+
+"I have not been favored with Ada's opinion, but she and her mother are
+to pay me a short visit presently. George wanted me to come immediately
+to New York, but I fancied Jessie must be a trifle homesick; and, to
+confess the truth, I was longing for a glimpse of Brookside. Have you
+begun gardening yet, Kathie? And tell me the story of the whole winter.
+I'm just famishing for gossip."
+
+Uncle Robert proposed returning presently, but they would not listen to
+his taking Kathie. Mr. Meredith begged her and Jessie to have tea up in
+the room, where he could look at them. His side was still very weak, and
+his journey had fatigued him too much to admit of his sitting up. "But I
+shall soon be about with a crutch," he announced, gayly.
+
+Passing the lodge cottage again that evening, Kathie gave a tender
+thought to its inmates, and the childish longing for fairy power came
+back to her. No wand, nothing but a Fortunatus's purse with one piece of
+gold in it, and that could not do everything.
+
+Kathie was up betimes the next morning. There were lessons to study, an
+exercise to write, and a music practice to be sandwiched in somewhere,
+for Mr. Lawrence was to come that afternoon. And her head was still so
+full of Mr. Meredith and dear Jessie.
+
+"It will not do," she said, presently, to herself, when she found that
+she was listening to every bird, and watching the cloud of motes in the
+sunshine; so with that she set to work in good earnest.
+
+Belle Hadden was loftier than ever on this day, and seemed to hold
+herself quite apart. "A new kink of grandeur," Emma Lauriston said.
+
+Lottie Thorne always had the earliest news. Now she made sundry
+mysterious confidences, prefaced with, "Would you have believed it?"
+
+"What is that, Lottie?" asked one of the girls.
+
+"O, haven't you heard?" the face aglow with a sense of importance. "Papa
+told us last night, though I suppose it is all over. Poor Belle! Why,
+it would kill me!"
+
+"But what _is_ it?"
+
+"About Mr. Hadden. He has been embezzling, or making false returns, or
+something, and charged the government with a great deal more than he
+supplied. Why, I believe it is almost a million! And he is in prison!"
+
+"Not so bad as that," subjoined Sue Coleman, quietly.
+
+"But he _is_ in prison."
+
+"Yes, there is some trouble, but maybe it will not amount to much."
+
+"I should think she would be ashamed to show her face!"
+
+"How can _she_ help it?" said the softest and sweetest of voices. "It is
+very hard to punish her or make her answerable for her father's faults."
+
+"What should you do, Kathie Alston, if you had been intimate with her?"
+It was Sue Coleman who spoke, and there was a husky strand in her voice.
+
+"I should keep on just the same. It will be very painful for her to bear
+anyhow. Suppose it was one of us!"
+
+"You don't know what hateful things she said about your uncle ever so
+long ago," pursued Lottie.
+
+"But if they were false, her merely saying them could not make them
+true, you know."
+
+It was a bit of philosophy quite new to the girls, though each one might
+have thought of it long before, and was one of the things that had been
+a great comfort to Kathie many a time.
+
+"But this _is_ true."
+
+"It will be bitter enough to bear, then, without our adding to the
+burden"; and a tremulous color flitted over Kathie's fair face, not so
+much at what she had been saying as the fact that these girls were
+grouped around listening for her verdict.
+
+"I don't believe she will come to-morrow," two or three voices decided.
+
+They never knew how hard her coming was, how she had begged and
+entreated her mother to let her stay at home, and finally threatened
+_not_ to go, when Mrs. Hadden had taken her in the carriage. There was
+no pride in her soul as she stepped out of it, only a bitter, haughty
+hatred.
+
+"Don't act like a fool!" was her mother's parting advice. "The matter
+will soon blow over."
+
+For Mrs. Hadden felt that she should not be utterly crushed. The deed of
+the house was in her name, and the furniture bills had been made out in
+the same manner, consequently that much was secure. Mr. Hadden had
+probably not done more than hundreds of others, and she felt confident
+that he would get out of it somehow. They had plenty of money, and could
+start afresh in a new place, but the people here should see that she was
+able to hold her head as high as the best of them.
+
+There was a little bouquet on Belle's desk. No one knew who put it
+there. They would have suspected Kathie Alston, of course, if they had
+not seen her come in empty-handed, but no one guessed it was her second
+coming that morning.
+
+The Brookside Standard copied the report, stating also that Mr. Hadden
+had asked a suspension of public opinion for the present.
+
+"Do you suppose it is really true?" inquired Kathie of Uncle Robert.
+
+"I believe Mr. Hadden's reputation does not stand very high, at the
+best. I can forgive a man who is tempted to retrieve himself by some
+desperate step, when on the brink of ruin; but the men who wronged our
+poor brave boys with clothing that was but half made, and food of the
+poorest kind, enriching themselves while the country was at her sorest
+need, do deserve punishment. Still, it would be hardly kind to begin by
+meting it out to his children."
+
+"How terrible it must be, Uncle Robert, to know that some one you held
+dear was guilty of such a crime!"
+
+"Yes, I think it would be worse than taking up poor and uncultivated
+people"; and a peculiar smile crossed his face. "You will have an
+opportunity to show your blue blood, Kathie. I believe I never knew a
+Conover who struck a fallen foe."
+
+"Yes," she answered, wondering if it would be foolish to tell him about
+the flowers; but just then Freddy ran in, full of tribulation as usual.
+
+Mr. Meredith improved rapidly. Kathie had to take him in her way some
+time during the day, or there was a most heart-rending complaint.
+
+"It is so delightful to have them all love him so well!" she said to
+Aunt Ruth. "Charlie has a hero of his own now."
+
+They received a long and characteristic letter from Rob, who wished he
+was a bombshell and could be dropped down into Brookside. The war was
+actually ended, and "Johnny was marching home," and everything had
+happened about right. "Only I am awful sorry about Mr. Morrison. I can't
+seem to believe but that he will come to light somewhere yet. It gave me
+such a strange feeling,--thinking, for a moment, if it _had_ been Uncle
+Robert. We will try all our lives to make it up to Ethel. I will never
+tease her again, at any rate." Which was all the resolve in Rob's power
+at present.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+GOOD NEWS.
+
+
+IT seemed to Kathie in these days as if she had her hands very full. The
+weeks were hardly long enough. Yet what could be left out? The daily
+call at the Darrells', or the Morrisons', for now Ethel looked to see
+her every day, and used to confide to her the sums that bothered, the
+thoughts that puzzled, and the many things which come to trouble little
+girls; and if sometimes Kathie considered them tiresome or foolish, she
+remembered how patient dear Aunt Ruth used to be with her in the old
+times,--and now she had Uncle Robert saved to her by Ethel's loss.
+
+No, neither of those could be given up, nor the school-lessons, nor the
+music, nor even Sarah, who _was_ improving.
+
+The blue ribbon had delighted her exceedingly. Kathie said, very gently
+indeed,--that is, prefacing and ending it with something pleasant,--"I
+think it will be much prettier for your hair than any other color." That
+started Sarah upon a new tack.
+
+"I wish you would tell me something about colors," she begged in her
+next letter. "I always remember how lovely you looked that night at the
+Fair, and some of the ladies too. I can't be pretty, I know, but I'd
+like to look nice, so that people wouldn't laugh at me. Now that I have
+begun, there are so many things that I want to know. Cousin Ellen helps
+me a good deal, and she is such a rest to mother. She has the
+pleasantest way of managing the children, and does such a deal of
+sewing. Father said I might raise all the chickens I wanted to this
+summer, and I think I'll buy a nice rocking-chair for the parlor. O, I
+have crocheted two beautiful tidies, and one of them is about as good as
+sold for two dollars and a half. If it isn't too much trouble, I would
+like to send the money to you, and let you buy me some books. You know
+what is pretty and interesting. And if you would only tell me what would
+be nice for summer dresses and a hat."
+
+The ice being once broken, discussions upon dress followed quite
+frequently. When Kathie was in any doubt she referred the subject to
+Aunt Ruth. It was plain that Sarah was emerging from her crude and
+barbaric state, yet she showed no disposition thus far to drift over
+into the frothy waves of vanity. With her other knowledge seemed to come
+shrewd, practical self-knowledge.
+
+Jim too had been made the happy recipient of some useful books. He
+seemed to have a great taste for wood-working,--"conjuring," his father
+said,--and talked a little of going to the city to learn a trade, but
+Mr. Strong had no fancy for giving him up now, when he was such a help.
+
+"The farm is plenty large enough for two," Mr. Strong said, "and there's
+no life so independent."
+
+But Mr. Conover felt that it ought to be rendered interesting as well.
+So he asked Jim to come down to Cedarwood and take a look around, which
+delighted the youth greatly, and gave him some new ideas.
+
+The rumors concerning Belle Hadden's father proved too true. It was an
+aggravated case, and each day brought new circumstances to light. It was
+useless to think of holding their position in Brookside. Acquaintances
+began to make ceremonious calls, or bow coldly. A few of the girls in
+school openly rejoiced.
+
+"Thank the Lord my father never stole nor cheated," said Mary Carson.
+"I'd rather be a plebeian than a thief."
+
+The mortification was too much. Belle begged and prayed that she might
+be allowed to leave Brookside, and finally a visit to an aunt was
+determined upon. She was a queen to the last moment, though, and said
+her good-bys to the few with a haughty grace.
+
+"Thus endeth the reign of the patricians," commented Emma Lauriston.
+
+There was a grave, perplexed light in Sue Coleman's eyes.
+
+"Belle was real fascinating," she said; "but I wonder that we--that some
+of us hadn't more sense last winter. We all went to persecuting and
+ruling out Kathie Alston, who bore it all like a saint. Belle had
+courage and pride, but there was something nobler in Kathie." Yet Sue
+knit her brows in silent perplexity.
+
+"But there is another view of it that puzzles me, after all," she said,
+breaking her long silence. "Where _do_ people make a distinction? Now
+suppose Kathie Alston invited this _protégée_ of hers to her house, and
+you or I should drop in--it would look ill-bred to take Kathie away from
+her guest, and yet it is not likely her talk would interest us much.
+Then as Kathie grows larger--well, it is all of a muddle in my brain. I
+dare say these Strongs are good, honest, respectable people, and--there
+is no use in smoothing it over--Mr. Hadden was dreadfully dishonest. All
+their grandeur and fine clothes belong by right to some one else. And
+yet they are allowed to go into the best society. Is it _quite_ right?"
+
+"Not the _very_ best, perhaps," returned Emma, slowly. "A good many
+people do insist upon worth, virtue, honesty, and all that."
+
+"And then, as Kathie said, Belle was not to blame for her father's
+sins."
+
+"It seems to me now that Belle's mistake was in trying to decide who
+should be greatest, and pushing down all who did not exactly suit her.
+She had no right to be the judge."
+
+"Who of us has? And here is another question. You remember Mrs. Duncan?
+She went to the city about a fortnight ago, and had a business offer.
+First, I must tell you that she was very elegantly brought up, but her
+father died, and somehow the fortune melted into thin air. She went to
+visit an aunt, and met Mr. Duncan, who was cashier in a bank. They have
+always lived very nicely,--stylishly, Belle would say,--but now they
+have nothing, and Mrs. Duncan has no friends who can take care of
+her. She has forgotten a good deal of her French and her other
+accomplishments, and teachers' situations are hard to get. Well, a Mrs.
+Marsh in the city has offered Mrs. Duncan eight hundred dollars a year
+to take a position in her millinery establishment. She has a marvellous
+faculty for trimming,--equal to any French woman. And why wouldn't she
+be just as good and just as much of a lady if she did take it? Will it
+make her coarse and vulgar?"
+
+"No," answered Emma, decisively.
+
+"Yet I dare say the Hadden children would not be allowed to associate
+with the Duncan girls. I cannot seem to get at the wrong, nor where it
+comes in."
+
+"I believe, after all, Kathie Alston has the secret,--the little leaven
+which leavens the whole lump."
+
+"Only some of us object to being leavened"; and Sue finished with a
+laugh.
+
+But though Kathie had not heard the talk, there was a secret uneasiness
+in her soul as well. Sarah Strong was begging her to come up to
+Middleville again, and Uncle Robert believed the relaxation would do her
+good.
+
+"Mamma," she said, thoughtfully, "there are one or two puzzles that I
+cannot make quite clear to my own mind."
+
+"What is the matter now? Any new gift for Sarah?"
+
+"Not a gift exactly, but--a great pleasure. When I was with them in the
+wagon that day, and they were both so cordial and warm-hearted, it
+appeared rude, or at least impolite, not to ask them to call here. Mrs.
+Strong said, 'Sarah wouldn't look well among your grand people'; but
+there was such a sad, wistful look in Sarah's eyes, as if somehow she
+felt that she was shut out."
+
+"And you would like to have her come?" returned Mrs. Alston, with a
+smile.
+
+"I was thinking how happy it would make her, mamma. I don't believe she
+ever saw so many pretty things together in her life,--and she is so fond
+of them."
+
+"And what puzzles you?"
+
+"Whether it would be quite--I don't mean that I am too proud," catching
+herself with a quick breath, while a scarlet flush quivered from brow to
+chin.
+
+"Whether it would be proper,--is that what you mean?" asked her mother.
+
+"Yes"; and Kathie began to twist the fringe of the nearest tidy.
+
+"Miss Jessie asked you to her house, you know. We lived very plainly
+then, and you had to wear a cheap delaine for best dress all winter."
+
+"Then you think I may?" she exclaimed, joyously, while her soft eyes
+brightened.
+
+"It all depends upon the manner of the asking. I think she might come
+some Saturday when you were alone and have a very pleasant visit. It is
+not likely she would enjoy meeting several of the girls here."
+
+"O mamma, I should ask no one!"
+
+"Not because we should be so ashamed of Sarah, but on account of her
+feelings. It is best for little girls to exercise tact, as well as
+grown-up people; and sometimes it proves awkward work trying to make
+different kinds or sets harmonize. By observing a few simple rules, and
+studying the comfort of both parties, you may be able to give all
+greater happiness."
+
+"Then, when I go up, I shall invite Sarah in so cordial a manner that
+her mother will see that I mean every word."
+
+"Yes; for the unkindest invitation of all is to ask people purely out of
+compliment."
+
+The smooth brow was slightly shadowed again. "Mamma," she said, in a low
+tone, "can people--grown-up ladies, I mean--get along without saying or
+doing things that they really do not mean to have taken in earnest?"
+
+"They had better not say them. A Christian woman will be truthful first
+of all; but it is not necessary to make candor a cloak for the
+indulgence of unkind or heartless remarks. Religion, it seems to me,
+holds the essence of true politeness,--to do unto others as you would
+have them do unto you."
+
+The next day Kathie was quite late in getting home, having stopped at
+the Darrells'. Uncle Robert and mamma were up in Aunt Ruth's room.
+
+"What will you give me for a letter with a grand seal as if it came from
+the very Commander-in-Chief or the President? Look! To 'Miss Kathie
+Alston.' What correspondent have you in Washington, we would all like to
+know?"
+
+Uncle Robert held the letter above her head. A bold, peculiar
+handwriting that she had never seen before. Whose could it be?
+
+"I am sure I don't know," coloring with interest and excitement. "I have
+a gold piece in my purse."
+
+"I will not be quite so mercenary as that. You shall tell us whom it is
+from."
+
+Kathie took the letter and broke it open so as not to destroy the seal,
+saw the beginning,--"My dear little friend,"--ran her eye over the two
+pages without taking in anything, and looked at the signature.
+
+"O," with a cry of surprise, "it is from General Mackenzie! Why,"--and
+then she began to read in good earnest,--"Mr. Morrison is alive, safe!
+General Mackenzie found him. O Uncle Robert!"
+
+She could not finish the rest, but buried her head on Uncle Robert's
+shoulder to have a good little cry out of pure joy and thankfulness.
+
+"Shall I read it aloud?"
+
+She placed the letter in his hand.
+
+      "MY DEAR LITTLE FRIEND,--I dare say you will be
+      surprised at receiving a letter from a busy old
+      soldier like me, but I met with an incident a few days
+      ago with which you are so intimately connected that I
+      cannot resist the good excuse. Of course all the
+      glorious news and rejoicing has reached you, but we
+      here on the spot are hearing new things daily, some
+      joyful, but many sad. We went up the James River one
+      morning to a small settlement originally negro
+      quarters, where we heard a number of wounded prisoners
+      had been taken. We found thirty poor fellows in all,
+      who had suffered terribly from neglect, for though the
+      negroes were well-meaning and very warm-hearted, they
+      were miserably poor and ignorant. Half a dozen of the
+      soldiers had been very ill from fevers, and upon
+      questioning them I found one was--whom do you
+      think?--your uncle's substitute, a William Morrison.
+      That took me back to last winter at once, and to my
+      little friend, so do not wonder if we had a good long
+      talk about you and the beautiful Cedarwood of which I
+      have heard so much. I believe it did the poor fellow a
+      world of good. He was wounded and taken prisoner, and
+      brought up here by the negroes, as far as I can learn.
+      In those few days of our final successes the small
+      events were overlooked in the glory of the grander
+      ones. His wound was not very severe, but fever set in,
+      and for three weeks he was delirious. About ten days
+      ago he wrote home, but he was not sure that his
+      messenger was reliable. He was much better, and we
+      despatched those who could travel to head-quarters at
+      once. I fancy that he will be mustered out as soon as
+      possible. If his friends should not have heard, will
+      you please inform them? He holds you all in such warm
+      and grateful remembrance that it was delightful to
+      talk to him. I rejoice with you that he is safe, and I
+      do not question but that he has done a soldier's whole
+      duty, I thought I discerned in him the spirit of
+      another little soldier, who I dare say finds some
+      battles to fight. Give my regards to your family, and
+      do not feel surprised when I tell you that you may
+      expect me at Cedarwood some day before long.
+
+                         "Truly yours,
+                              "W. MACKENZIE, U. S. A."
+
+"It hardly seems possible!" Kathie said, with a sob. "But they have not
+heard, and they will be so glad!"
+
+Uncle Robert began to pace the room, much moved. Of late death had
+appeared such a certainty, and though he knew the life had been freely
+given for his, his first emotions were those of devout gratitude to God
+that this sacrifice had not been required. Then he paused before
+Kathie. "My little darling," he said, "it is _your_ good news. And
+though the Morrisons may hear it in a day or two from other sources, we
+owe it to them immediately. Will you go?"
+
+Kathie wanted to very much, but O, how was she ever to get through with
+it! Her voice seemed to be all a quiver of tears.
+
+"Would you like me to accompany you?
+
+"If you will."
+
+So Kathie bathed her face and tried to rub the little throbs out of her
+temples. In a few moments she was ready, and the two walked down the
+avenue.
+
+"There _cannot_ be any mistake?" she exclaimed, pausing at the door.
+
+"O no."
+
+Grandmother was holding the baby, who had a slight cold and fever. Ethel
+sat at the window, hemming some breadths of ruffling. She sprang up and
+brought out chairs for them, and after one or two little inquiries went
+back to her work. Oddly enough the conversation ceased for a few
+moments, and in the silence Kathie fancied that she heard her heart
+beat, it was in such a tumult.
+
+"I believe Kathie has some news for you," announced Mr. Conover,
+gravely.
+
+Kathie rose and twined her arms around Ethel's neck.
+
+"It is this," she said, all in a tremble,--"I cannot tell it as I ought,
+but your dear father is alive, Ethel, and is coming home soon."
+
+"Not William! Miss Kathie!" and grandmother almost let the baby fall.
+
+"Yes," replied Mr. Conover; "we heard to-day. I have brought the
+letter."
+
+"The Lord be praised!" Then grandmother came over to Kathie, but she and
+Ethel were crying softly in each other's arms.
+
+"Child, are you one of God's own--Heaven-sent? for you bring us joy
+continually."
+
+"But it was sent to me," Kathie said, over a great break and falter. "If
+I could have made it so in the beginning,--but I couldn't, and God kept
+him safely. We all waited and prayed."
+
+"And I despaired! I am worse than doubting Thomas! Ah, how good God is
+to us all!"
+
+Mrs. Morrison entered with a pail of milk "O," she exclaimed, "you have
+had news! Have they found his body?"
+
+"His body and soul. He will be back shortly. The tidings came through a
+friend of Kathie."
+
+"Dear Ethel, little one, it is blessed news! You would never have wanted
+for love and kindness while Hugh and I were alive; but there's no love
+quite like a parent's. How Hugh will rejoice! He never could give him up
+altogether."
+
+"Mr. Conover has a letter to read," said grandmother.
+
+Little did General Mackenzie imagine that his words would bring so great
+a joy. They all listened breathlessly, and then wanted it read over
+again to lengthen out the good news. And when at dusk Uncle Robert
+declared they must go, they all begged for Kathie to stay and drink tea,
+and would take no refusal.
+
+"But I must return," said Uncle Robert, "or the table will be kept for
+us both."
+
+Mrs. Morrison made some biscuits, and brought out her china, as well as
+a damask table-cloth. Hugh, coming in, wondered at the feast; but
+Ethel's first word told him all. She, poor child, was brimful of joy. It
+did one good to look at the roses on her cheeks, and hear the little
+laughs that came for joy, and yet were so near to tears.
+
+When Kathie reached home she was absolutely tired with all the
+excitement, and mamma said there must be no lessons that night; so they
+took the lounge in the shaded half-light of the library, and Kathie laid
+her head in Uncle Robert's lap, for it almost ached. And there they had
+a tender talk.
+
+"But we shall never forget it," she said. "It seems as if it would help
+me to remember all the pains and sorrows and burdens that we can try to
+bear for one another."
+
+"It is what God means us to learn and to do. 'For no man liveth unto
+himself, and no man dieth unto himself.'"
+
+"And we are all so oddly linked in with one another,--such a little
+thing brought the Morrisons here, and then my meeting General Mackenzie
+gave him an interest. The news would have come in a day or two, I
+suppose; but, Uncle Robert, it seemed so good, since he risked his life
+in your place, that we should be the first to take the joyful tidings to
+them. I haven't anything in the world to ask."
+
+"Yes, my darling, I am so glad that General Mackenzie did find him; and
+more than glad that our brave soldiers can return to their own pleasant
+firesides."
+
+"Neither of _our_ soldiers was very grand in the world's estimation,
+that is, as to position, but they have both suffered a good deal for the
+cause. It is so sweet to think that, though the world knows nothing
+about it, God remembers."
+
+"And that no act of self-denial or heroism goes without its reward
+there. It is hard sometimes to see it passed so unnoticed in this world,
+but I suppose that is where patience needs to have her perfect work."
+
+Kathie wrote a little note to Rob the next morning, beside getting her
+lessons; and before the day ended they had a letter from Mr. Morrison
+himself, announcing that he was to be sent home on a furlough.
+
+"I shall have a dangerous rival," exclaimed Mr. Meredith, in his teasing
+tone, "and when General Mackenzie comes I expect to be quite
+overshadowed. No stars nor bars nor shoulder-straps,--nothing but a poor
+unknown private! What good could he do?"
+
+"He followed his captain and did his duty."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Charlie, who was standing beside his brother-in-law.
+"You will never find Kathie being caught by the glitter and show."
+
+The old smile twinkled in Mr. Meredith's eyes.
+
+"Well, I will promise not to be _very_ jealous. Only you know you sent
+me off to war, so you ought to allow me some special indulgence."
+
+"I!" exclaimed Kathie, coloring violently.
+
+"Yes, you cannot disown me; I am one of your soldiers. Dear little
+Kathie, I hope always to be true to my colors."
+
+The last was uttered in a low tone, but it brought a more vivid flush
+than the preceding sentence. Though now her eyes were downcast, yet in
+her heart of hearts she understood.
+
+"It seems as if Rob ought to come home in the general returning. How
+glad I shall be to see the dear old fellow!"
+
+Was Rob fighting the good fight?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+PUT TO THE TEST.
+
+
+THE days were so long and pleasant now that Uncle Robert thought they
+would not start for Middleville until after dinner, especially as there
+would be a bright moon in the evening. Kathie had written a little note
+to Sarah, and now the two started in high satisfaction. For since the
+good news about Mr. Morrison Kathie seemed full of happiness and
+content.
+
+The place looked less dreary than in winter, though the houses appeared
+rather more shabby by contrast. One or two were being painted, which
+would shame the rest sadly. But the hillsides were taking on an emerald
+tint, and groups of cows were wandering about as if patiently waiting
+for the grass to grow into nibbling length.
+
+Sarah was standing by the gate, watching for them. A very decided change
+_had_ come over her. She was taller and looked less stout, her
+complexion was not so rough and red, her dress, a striped green and
+white gingham, fitted nicely, and was finished at the throat by a linen
+collar. She had eschewed waterfalls and rolls, though she laughingly
+admitted to Kathie afterwards that it was because she couldn't get her
+hair up to look like anything. But the great thick coil was really
+beautiful, and the green ribbon very becoming.
+
+She had changed somewhat in manners as well, being less boisterous and
+effusive. Indeed, Kathie thought her very lady-like as she ushered them
+into the house.
+
+"Is your brother anywhere about?" asked Uncle Robert. "If so, I will go
+and find him while you girls have a talk."
+
+"He is up in the lot. Steve will show you, or, better yet, call him."
+
+Then she led Kathie into the parlor. There were green paper shades at
+the windows, which softened the light in the room, and Kathie's first
+glance took in a world of improvements.
+
+Sarah colored with a little conscious pride as she led her to a
+veritable modern sofa, instead of the old stiff one, worn at the edges.
+
+"Take off your hat and sack," she said, with a touch of bashfulness.
+
+Kathie complied.
+
+"I am so glad to see you. I have such a host of things to tell you."
+
+"And you have been out gathering violets. How pretty and spring-like
+they are!"
+
+"Yes, Jim helped me. We thought you would like them so much. And I have
+been trying to--to get fixed up a little. It cannot be anything like
+your house, but somehow I want it as nice as I can make it. Jim is so
+good too, and Cousin Nelly; and I am so happy sometimes that I really
+wonder if I be I, like the old woman."
+
+"I am very glad"; and Kathie gave the hand a squeeze in her own tender
+little fashion.
+
+"I want to tell you all before any one comes in. Isn't it delightful to
+have this sofa? I made father half a dozen shirts all by myself, and he
+was so pleased,--you can hardly think! He gave me twelve dollars to
+spend just as I pleased; but I told mother I would rather let it go
+towards a new sofa than to buy the finest dress. Nelly said it would be
+so much more comfortable than that hard, shabby thing, that looked as
+if it might have come out of Noah's Ark. So mother gave me fifteen,--she
+has all the money for the milk and butter and eggs,--and when father
+heard of it he added three more. I was afraid he would think I wanted to
+be too fine, but he only laughed a little. Mother and Nelly went to the
+city and bought it. I was so glad that I could have cried for joy, and I
+know father is very proud of it, though he does not say it in so many
+words."
+
+"It is a very nice one, and furnishes the room quite prettily, beside
+the comfort of it."
+
+"Jim made me this table, and Cousin Nelly and I covered it with paper
+and then varnished it over, and we have a pretty chintz one up stairs.
+Nelly and I have a room together now. I can keep everything so much more
+tidy than when the children pulled all the rubbish about. And look at my
+two new pictures!"
+
+They were large colored engravings,--one, "The Wood-Gatherers," and the
+other the interior of a German peasant's cottage, where the mother was
+putting a babe to sleep in its odd wicker cradle.
+
+"Jim bought them at a newspaper-stand one day, and only paid twelve
+cents apiece for them. He's powerful--no, I mean very fond of them. I am
+trying to leave off all those old-fashioned words and expressions. Then
+he made the frames, and Nelly and I covered them with pine-cones."
+
+They certainly were very creditable.
+
+"But how industrious you must be!" exclaimed Kathie. "You still go to
+school?"
+
+"Yes. I wouldn't give that up for half the world. You see Cousin Nelly
+helps mother a good deal, and she helps me too. I have been telling her
+ever so much about you, how good and lovely you were. But O, wasn't I a
+clown and an ignoramus when you first saw me! I don't wonder that girl
+laughed, though it was hateful in her; but I shall never, never forget
+how kind you were. O Miss Kathie, it seems to me if the real nice people
+in the world _would_ only help the others a bit, we should get along so
+much faster. I feel as if I'd had it in me all the time,--a great hungry
+longing for something,--and I find now that it is beauty and order and
+knowledge."
+
+Sarah's face was in a glow, and her steady, ardent eyes held in them a
+soft and tender light. It seemed to Kathie that she was really pretty,
+or something more than that,--electrified with soul beauty.
+
+"Father pretends that he is afraid I shall get too proud and not be good
+for anything, though he was ever so much pleased when he saw the parlor
+in such nice order. And he thought the shirts a wonder. I shall not be
+sixteen until November, and there are girls older than I who could not
+do it. In vacation I am going to make Jim a whole new set of nice ones
+with linen bosoms."
+
+It seemed to Kathie that there was very little danger of Sarah's being
+spoiled by acquiring knowledge.
+
+"You deserve the utmost credit," she returned, in her simple manner,
+that had in it no shade of patronage or condescension.
+
+"I ought to do something for the pains and trouble you have taken."
+
+"It is a pleasure too."
+
+"Miss Kathie, you are so different from some rich people. I wonder what
+makes it?"
+
+A soft color stole up into her face. She would fain have kept silence,
+but she saw that Sarah was waiting for an answer. "I think it is because
+mamma and Uncle Robert believe that wealth was not given for purely
+personal or selfish purposes. It is God's treasure, and we are to put it
+out at usury, like the parable of the talents, and the usury means
+making other people happy if we can."
+
+"Then I suppose I ought to try and make some one happy?"
+
+"Do you not?" asked Kathie, simply.
+
+"Yes, I do occasionally when it is quite a trouble. The children beg me
+to read to them,--they are so fond of stories; and now father always
+wants me to read our paper to him. It comes on Saturday and he is always
+so tired that night. Still, that isn't--" and Sarah paused as if she
+despaired of rendering her meaning clear to her young listener.
+
+"I think Uncle Robert would say that _is_ it surely. Once in a while we
+can do larger things; but isn't it the little deeds that require the
+most patience? It is the steps that make up the whole path."
+
+"So it is. I never thought of it before"; and she smiled, relieved. "You
+believe, Miss Kathie, that what we do at home is just as good in God's
+eyes as if we did it for a stranger? It almost seemed to me as if I
+ought to go out and look for some poor ignorant person instead."
+
+"Both are doing good in different ways. Maybe it is best to learn to do
+the good at home first"; and Kathie remembered her early efforts in
+assisting her mother.
+
+"I want father to see that all my knowledge and my queer likes, as he
+calls them, will not really spoil me. Grandmother Strong has just such
+old-fashioned notions. She thinks my going to school perfectly absurd.
+But Cousin Ellen says the world has changed a good deal since
+grandmother was young."
+
+"And I have brought your books," said Kathie, when there was a pause of
+sufficient length. "The three are half of a pretty set; some time you
+may like to get the others."
+
+"You are so kind. I hated to bother you, but I knew you could make the
+best choice."
+
+"It was no trouble at all,--Uncle Robert did it, and he bought them for
+half a dollar less than their usual price."
+
+"I am so much obliged!" and Sarah's face was in a grateful glow.
+
+Kathie had wanted very much to supply the other three.
+
+"If Sarah were poor," replied Uncle Robert, "I should not object; but
+when such a person asks you to do a favor, it is best to keep simply to
+the letter of the request. If you gave her so much more, she would
+hesitate about asking you to do such a thing a second time, that is, if
+she possessed any real delicacy."
+
+Kathie saw the force of the reasoning.
+
+Presently Cousin Ellen came down. She was a neat, commonplace-looking
+woman of about thirty, but with a good deal of shrewd sense in her dark
+gray eyes. Her black calico dress was the perfection of tidiness, and
+the merest little ruff of book-muslin edged it round the neck.
+
+Kathie liked her very much. She had been in the midst of the war
+operations for the last three years, and to please Sarah she related
+numberless incidents that interested Kathie exceedingly. Then she had to
+go up stairs and see their room, take a tour around, and have all the
+flower-beds explained to her, to go to the barn and inspect several new
+articles Jim was making. Uncle Robert and the boys joined them here, and
+Kathie was introduced to Mr. Strong.
+
+"Don't you have a little too much in-doors and study?" he asked,
+pleasantly. "I shouldn't like to see one of my gals look as white as you
+do."
+
+"O, she is always white, father," said Sarah, admiringly.
+
+"And she has plenty of roses too, for the most part," explained Uncle
+Robert, "only for the last few weeks she has been rather overtaxed, I
+think. We have had a returned soldier, a very dear friend, ill, and been
+in great anxiety about another."
+
+"Thank the Lord for all who've come home safe," said Mr. Strong, in his
+clear, forcible tone, and every one of them felt like adding an "Amen"
+to it.
+
+Martha ran out to call them to tea.
+
+There was the great table spread, and all the children around it, even
+to fatherless Willie, who would never need a friend while Jotham Strong
+lived.
+
+It was a very enjoyable supper. The new influence was perceptible even
+in sturdy Mrs. Strong, who took a little pains that she might not shame
+Sarah before her company.
+
+Kathie asked Mrs. Strong to let Sarah come down some Saturday and make
+her a visit.
+
+"I can't exactly explain, Miss Kathie, and I hate to be ungrateful for
+your kindness, but I feel as if you and your friends were above Sarah.
+Folks ain't all alike, and I s'pose the Lord didn't mean 'em to be, but
+I don't want Sarah laughed at, and I don't want any one to think she's
+trying to crowd in We're plain, old-fashioned people"--
+
+Mrs. Strong paused, very red in the face.
+
+"No one will think that at Cedarwood," answered Kathie, softly.
+
+So presently the promise was given. In a fortnight Cousin Ellen and
+Sarah were to go down to Brookside to do some shopping. Ellen wanted to
+call on several of the relatives, but Sarah might go at once to
+Cedarwood.
+
+"I expect it will be like a little bit of heaven," the girl whispered.
+"I never was in a real elegant house in all my life."
+
+Kathie described her visit to Aunt Ruth in glowing terms. "I think it
+_is_ delightful to be rich, after all," she said, contentedly. "You can
+make so many people happy."
+
+"And while you study the happiness of others and your duty towards them
+the riches will hardly prove a snare," returned Aunt Ruth.
+
+Before another week had ended they had a new joy for which to be very
+thankful,--the return of Mr. Morrison. He still looked a little pale and
+thin, but had improved wonderfully since the day when General Mackenzie
+found him in the forlorn negro quarters. Glad enough he was to get home
+to his little Ethel, who hardly let him go out of her sight. Nothing
+would do but that the whole family must come down to the cottage and
+drink tea.
+
+"I must express my obligations once more to you," said Uncle Robert, in
+the evening; "and I am most grateful to God for your return, and that he
+did not require so costly a sacrifice at my hands."
+
+"He knows that I am glad enough to come back; but if you'll believe me,
+sir, it was a great comfort, when I thought myself dying, that it was in
+your stead, and that your life, so much more valuable than mine, had
+been spared. I believe you would have sorrowed for me truly,--and Miss
+Kathie here,--as well as my own."
+
+Kathie took his hand. "I've been thinking of this ever since the night
+you offered to go: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay
+down his life for his friends.'"
+
+The sweet voice trembled a little. It would always have a tender strand
+in it when it came to that verse.
+
+"Ah, Miss Kathie, those precious words were for the Saviour of us all.
+What can we ever do to merit them?" and the soldier drew the back of his
+hand across his eyes.
+
+"God gives the grace to weak human nature," Uncle Robert said, with
+solemn sweetness.
+
+Walking home, Kathie started from her revery. "Now if Rob could only
+come back," she exclaimed, "our soldiers would all be together. You
+remember the day he was so elated about the draft?"
+
+"Yes. Dear Rob! I hope he has done good service. I am very anxious to
+see him again."
+
+Then Kathie began to count on the promised visit. "It is not because I
+am so proud of Cedarwood, or the handsome things in it," she explained
+to Uncle Robert, "though I do think them all very lovely; but it will be
+such a pleasure to her,--just as my going to Miss Jessie's when we were
+so poor."
+
+"I understand"; and he smiled.
+
+There had been quite a discussion about having a second girl. Uncle
+Robert fancied that Kathie's further knowledge of household details had
+better be postponed until she had less upon her hands. Jane Maybin, who
+had been a good deal out of health lately, and unable to work in the
+factory, as the dust irritated her lungs and made her cough, was quite
+anxious to take the situation. What with company and increasing social
+duties, Mrs. Alston found her time much interrupted.
+
+Hannah did all the sweeping on Friday, but it was a heavy tax; so Kathie
+only dusted awhile on Saturday morning, cut fresh flowers and arranged
+them, and busied herself about little odds and ends. Mrs. Alston decided
+to have Jane, and Aunt Ruth took a walk over to the cottage.
+
+Kathie waited in a peculiar state of anxiety, Lucy and Annie Gardiner
+had proposed to come over that very afternoon, but she preferred to have
+Sarah quite alone, that she might feel free to enjoy everything.
+
+It was almost twelve when she reached Cedarwood. Kathie was haunting the
+cottage, where she could have a good look down the street, but she
+hardly recognized the figure at first. It seemed as if Sarah grew every
+week. She looked quite like a young lady, Kathie thought. Her light gray
+dress was trimmed with several rows of blue ribbon, and the sack,
+matching it, made a very neat suit. Her white straw hat was trimmed with
+blue, and a cluster of crisp, fresh flowers, that looked almost good
+enough to be natural. There was nothing in that outfit to be ashamed of.
+
+"O," she exclaimed, with a long breath, "it's like going into the Garden
+of Eden! The house and the trees, and that lovely lake! I should want to
+be out of doors forever."
+
+"Uncle Robert has promised to row us around the lake this afternoon. A
+month later it will be much more beautiful. Did you finish your
+shopping?"
+
+"O yes, though we were bothered a good deal, and that made me later.
+Nelly wanted me to go to dinner at Cousin Rachel's."
+
+"I am glad that you did not."
+
+Sarah could not be hurried into the house. She wanted to view the
+fountain, the groups of evergreens, the broad porch, and fancy just how
+the roses and honeysuckle would look. But presently they entered. Kathie
+led her up stairs to her room, to lay aside her hat.
+
+"O, I don't wonder Jim said it was a palace!" she exclaimed, with
+breathless delight. "What a lovely room! Why, it's pretty enough for any
+one's parlor!"
+
+Kathie smiled a little, remembering the day on which she had thought it
+wonderful as well.
+
+Sarah was hardly satisfied with her inspection when the bell rang for
+dinner. In the hall they met Aunt Ruth, and in the dining-room Kathie
+introduced Sarah to her mother.
+
+A girl with less natural adaptation or ambition might have been very
+awkward. But Sarah had watched Kathie to some purpose, and now gave
+herself courage with the thought that she could not go far astray if she
+copied Kathie. To be sure she blushed and hesitated a little, and, as
+she afterward confessed at home, "trembled all over"; but she did acquit
+herself very creditably.
+
+"I can scarcely realize that it is the same girl who wrote you the
+Christmas letter," whispered Mrs. Alston in a soft aside, and Kathie
+smiled gratefully at her mother's commendation.
+
+Then the two girls began a regular tour about the house. The pictures,
+the statues, the furniture, Aunt Ruth's beautiful bay-window still full
+of vines and flowers, and the abundance of books, were so many marvels
+to Sarah. And here, in the midst of all this beauty, hung her lichen.
+The tears of delight came to her eyes, in spite of her strong effort at
+repression.
+
+"Now if you would only play and sing for me," she pleaded, bashfully.
+"You're so good that I hate to ask anything."
+
+"With pleasure."
+
+It seemed as if Sarah could never get enough music. She listened as if
+she was entranced, the new spiritual light coming into her eyes, showing
+the strong and earnest capabilities of her soul.
+
+Uncle Robert looked in upon them.
+
+"I think you had better go out on the lake now," he said. "The air is so
+delightfully soft."
+
+Sarah sighed. "I cannot imagine which is the best, everything is such a
+pleasure."
+
+"We will have some music when we return. You will like the sail, I
+know."
+
+They found their hats and ran down the broad steps. Quite a party were
+coming up the drive. Charlie and Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith, and O,
+joy! this tall, soldierly man could be no other than General Mackenzie!
+
+"My dear, dear young friend"; and, stooping, he kissed the forehead in
+his grave, tender fashion.
+
+"So you see I have surprised you this time," laughed Mr. Meredith.
+"Where were you going gypsy fashion?"
+
+"To the lake, but it doesn't matter." There was no Uncle Robert to help
+her, so she turned to where Sarah stood blushing and abashed, drew her
+kindly forward, and gave her an introduction to each one. Dick connected
+her with the party and Belle Hadden at once.
+
+"Kathie was right to stand up for her," was his mental verdict. "There
+are plenty of worse-looking and worse-behaved girls in the world."
+
+At this junction Uncle Robert joined them. The whole party entered the
+parlor. Kathie seated Sarah by herself, and General Mackenzie joined
+them. Mrs. Alston and Aunt Ruth were summoned, and the conversation
+became most genial. And when Sarah ventured a remark, frightened half to
+death the moment afterward, General Mackenzie smiled and answered her.
+Dick Grayson, anxious to see "what kind of stuff she was made of," came
+round to the back of the _tête-à-tête_, and joined the talk.
+
+But the wonders had not all come to an end. The door-bell sounded again,
+and Hannah ushered two young ladies into the hall. Kathie caught a
+glimpse of the faces,--Sue Coleman and Emma Lauriston.
+
+They saw Dick and Charlie and the grand soldier beside this
+plain-looking girl,--some of the Darrells, maybe,--and, accepting
+Kathie's cordial invitation, joined the group.
+
+"Miss Strong," Kathie said, with sweet, gracious simplicity; and Sue for
+a moment was abashed. Something in Dick's face announced the truth.
+
+General Mackenzie did not seem to think her beneath him. Just now she
+was speaking of her cousin's husband and their having Mrs. Gilbert and
+Willie at home.
+
+"Miss Strong," he said, gravely, "I honor your parents for the act.
+There will be so many widows and orphans for whom the scanty pension
+will be as nothing. But the generous-hearted men and women who open
+their houses to these poor unfortunates pay our dead soldiers a higher
+compliment, and evince a truer appreciation of their gallant heroism,
+than if they made grand processions and built marble monuments."
+
+Sarah blushed with embarrassment, and some deep, delicate feeling that
+she could not have expressed. She had not done it boastingly; indeed,
+until this moment, she had hardly thought of any special kindliness in
+the deed.
+
+Actually complimented by General Mackenzie! Lottie Thorne would have
+died of envy.
+
+Somehow the time ran away very fast. They went out on the lawn in the
+sunshine, when Sue and Emma discovered that they must go, and the two
+boys walked with them. Then it came Sarah's turn, as she had promised to
+be at Cousin Rachel's by five.
+
+"I've had such a lovely, lovely time, Miss Kathie, though I felt
+dreadfully frightened when your grand company came; but they were all
+so--so nice that I quite forgot about being an awkward country girl. And
+isn't General Mackenzie plain and charming?--yes, that is the very word.
+I don't believe General Grant is a bit nicer. I shall tell mother just
+what he said. It will help to make up for the girls laughing about her
+bonnet."
+
+Kathie had a simple gift to send to Baby Lily. Then the girls said a
+lingering good-by to each other, and Kathie went back to her hero.
+
+"I must take the night return train," he declared, "on account of
+important business in Washington; but if you will allow me to visit you
+in the summer, and bring my son, I will accept it as a great favor."
+
+Uncle Robert gave him a most cordial invitation.
+
+"And, my little friend, I must congratulate you that your soldiers did
+their duty without flinching, even in the most trying moments. It is not
+our lives only, but our wills, our comforts and pleasures, that we are
+required to give up. And I am thankful that God watched over them every
+hour, and sent them back safely at last."
+
+"I think they were braver than I, sometimes," Kathie answered, in a low
+tone. "After all, I have done so little; I do not deserve the praise."
+Her voice seemed to lose itself in a tender humility.
+
+"My dear child, I know what you thought of the other warfare. It is a
+soldier's duty to bring in all the recruits that he can. God will clothe
+them in his righteousness, and make the path plain before them as they
+go to do battle with the arch-enemy. He only asks us to lead them to
+him. You are doing this in a brave, steady manner."
+
+There were tears in Kathie's downcast eyes; but Mr. Meredith's hand
+stole over her shoulder, and their fingers met with a clasp that was
+more expressive than words.
+
+"People often look too far off for duties," continued the old soldier.
+"We are to take up the task that lies before us, even if it does not
+seem to wear the grace of the heroic. God knows when and where to add
+the golden fruit. Some day, my little girl, we will have a long talk
+about these matters."
+
+The soft spring-twilight was falling as they said good-by to General
+Mackenzie. The grave, kindly eyes rested last of all on the child's
+simple, earnest face.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Meredith went also when Uncle Robert drove the General to
+the station. Kathie sat by the window, peering out into the darkness,
+long after the sound of the wheels had ceased. One star came out
+presently.
+
+Shining on and on. The old, old lesson, the child's purpose growing
+stronger with the passing years, and Kathie prayed that as her soldiers
+had been faithful, she also might be faithful unto the end.
+
+
+
+
+LITTLE RED HOUSE SERIES
+
+By AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
+
+
+    Illustrated by Louise Wyman 12mo Cloth
+    Price, Net, $1.00 each Postpaid, $1.10
+
+
+THE CHILDREN IN THE LITTLE OLD RED HOUSE
+
+THE very title of this book gives promise of a good story, and when we
+know that there are _eight_ of these children, as loving as they are
+lively, there can be no doubt of the good things in store for the
+reader. Their efforts to help the dearest of mothers, their merriment,
+which no poverty can subdue, and the great and well-deserved good
+fortune which comes to them, move us in rapid succession to sympathy,
+amusement, and delight.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is a sunshiny story of the best things in life. Men and women today
+need such stories quite as much as the children. It is as quaint as the
+"Pepper Books" for little folks, but carries a deeper treasure for older
+people."--_Universalist Leader._
+
+
+THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN AT GRAFTON
+
+EIGHT bright children, with a kind and loving mother, make up the Red
+House family, and the change to better circumstances through a new
+father, and a good one, does not in the least "spoil" them. There is
+some doubt on the part of a few of their new neighbors as to whether
+these numerous brothers and sisters will be good to know, but all who
+meet them are speedily won to friendship. Fun and frolic in plenty are a
+part of their wholesome development, and the story does not drag for a
+moment.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"It is filled with fun and frolic, and yet has a tendency to carry the
+children's minds to higher and better things."--_Buffalo Commercial._
+
+
+    _For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of
+    price by the publishers_
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+HELEN GRANT SERIES
+
+By AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
+
+    Illustrated by AMY BROOKS. Cloth. Price per volume $.60
+
+
+    Helen Grant's Schooldays
+    Helen Grant's Friends
+    Helen Grant at Aldred House
+    Helen Grant in College
+    Helen Grant, Senior
+    Helen Grant, Graduate
+    Helen Grant, Teacher
+    Helen Grant's Decision
+    Helen Grant's Harvest Year
+
+[Illustration]
+
+      HELEN GRANT and her friends represent the best type of
+      college girls, those of the highest aims and ideals,
+      and she herself develops to admiration in each
+      successive phase of her career.--_Milwaukee Free
+      Press._
+
+      Helen Grant is a lovable and capable American girl,
+      and the young people who follow her experiences as
+      depicted by Miss Douglas are sure to be the better for
+      it.--_Herald and Presbyter._
+
+      Miss Douglas has had long experience in writing books
+      for girls. Into her stories she puts the influence of
+      high ideals, remembering all the time that girls are
+      not to be deprived of their good times, but that play
+      and earnest endeavor contribute each a share to the
+      making of womanly character.--_Christian Register._
+
+      In "Helen Grant," Miss Douglas has created a splendid
+      type of American girlhood, strong, energetic,
+      intelligent, and winsome. Her progress under
+      difficulties, and her unusual power to win and keep
+      friends, have delighted her readers.--_Chicago
+      Advance._
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on
+    receipt of price by the publishers
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.,
+    BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+Fifty Flower Friends
+
+    With Familiar Faces
+
+    By EDITH DUNHAM
+
+    A FIELD BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
+
+    With twelve full-page colored plates, decorations and fifty text
+    illustrations from nature by W. I. BEECROFT $1.35 _net_
+
+
+CHILDREN cannot too soon begin to know the wild flowers, and here they
+are told in a charming way where and when to look for each of fifty
+widely distributed common flowering plants; also how they get their
+names, and how to know them from the remarkably accurate drawings of Mr.
+Beecroft, a skilled botanist and superior artist. Each of the fifty
+flowers has a page of accurate botanical description in addition to its
+story. Thus the book is suited for varying ages.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+      "The greatest praise can be bestowed upon and every
+      mother and father should have one and by it better
+      educate their children in nature, which will prove not
+      only an enjoyable study, but an instructive
+      one."--_Providence News._
+
+      "Good brief descriptions, good clear pictures,
+      portraits almost, of each flower friend, a beautiful
+      cover, convenient arrangement, and fine large print,
+      make a perfect book to own, or to give to any one,
+      especially a child."--_Universalist Leader._
+
+      "If the children do not learn something new about
+      flowers this summer it may be because their unkind
+      parents have not bought them Miss Edith Dunham's Fifty
+      Flower Friends."--_New York Times._
+
+      "The boy or girl into whose hands this book is placed
+      can hardly fail to acquire a real and lasting interest
+      in our every-day wild flowers."--_The Dial._
+
+      "It has no rival in books of its kind, either in text
+      or illustration."--_Boston Budget._
+
+    _For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of
+    price by the publishers_
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+DOROTHY BROWN
+
+By NINA RHOADES
+
+    Illustrated by Elizabeth Withington Large 12mo
+    Cloth $1.35 _net_
+
+THIS is considerably longer than the other books by this favorite
+writer, and with a more elaborate plot, but it has the same winsome
+quality throughout. It introduces the heroine in New York as a little
+girl of eight, but soon passes over six years and finds her at a select
+family boarding school in Connecticut. An important part of the story
+also takes place at the Profile House in the White Mountains. The charm
+of school-girl friendship is finely brought out, and the kindness of
+heart, good sense and good taste which find constant expression in the
+books by Miss Rhoades do not lack for characters to show these best of
+qualities by their lives. Other less admirable persons of course appear
+to furnish the alluring mystery, which is not all cleared up until the
+very last.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+      "There will be no better book than this to put into
+      the hands of a girl in her teens and none that will be
+      better appreciated by her."--_Kennebec Journal._
+
+
+MARION'S VACATION
+
+By NINA RHOADES
+
+    Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson 12mo $1.25 _net_
+
+THIS book is for the older girls, Marion being thirteen. She has for ten
+years enjoyed a luxurious home in New York with the kind lady who feels
+that the time has now come for this aristocratic though lovable little
+miss to know her own nearest kindred, who are humble but most excellent
+farming people in a pretty Vermont village. Thither Marion is sent for a
+summer, which proves to be a most important one to her in all its
+lessons.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+      "More wholesome reading for half grown girls it would
+      be hard to find; some of the same lessons that proved
+      so helpful in that classic of the last generation 'An
+      Old Fashioned Girl' are brought home to the youthful
+      readers of this sweet and sensible story."--_Milwaukee
+      Free Press._
+
+    _For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of
+    price by the publishers_
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston
+
+
+
+
+BRAVE HEART SERIES
+
+By Adele E. Thompson
+
+    Illustrated 12mo Cloth _Net_ $1.25 each
+
+
+Betty Seldon, Patriot
+
+A BOOK that is at the same time fascinating and noble. Historical events
+are accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Cornwallis at
+Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it.
+
+
+Brave Heart Elizabeth
+
+IT is a story of the making of the Ohio frontier, much of it taken from
+life, and the heroine one of the famous Zane family after which
+Zanesville, O., takes its name. An accurate, pleasing, and yet at times
+intensely thrilling picture of the stirring period of border settlement.
+
+
+A Lassie of the Isles
+
+THIS is the romantic story of Flora Macdonald, the lassie of Skye, who
+aided in the escape of Charles Stuart, otherwise known as the "Young
+Pretender."
+
+
+Polly of the Pines
+
+THE events of the story occur in the years 1775-82. Polly was an orphan
+living with her mother's family, who were Scotch Highlanders, and for
+the most part intensely loyal to the Crown. Polly finds the glamor of
+royal adherence hard to resist, but her heart turns towards the patriots
+and she does much to aid and encourage them.
+
+American Patty A Story of 1812
+
+Patty is a brave, winsome girl of sixteen whose family have settled
+across the Canadian border and are living in peace and prosperity, and
+on the best of terms with the neighbors and friendly Indians. All this
+is suddenly and entirely changed by the breaking out of war, and
+unwillingness on the part of her father and brother to serve against
+their native land brings distress and deadly peril.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
+the publishers_
+
+LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+HOME ENTERTAINING
+
+What to Do, and How to Do It
+
+Edited by WILLIAM E. CHENERY
+
+    12mo Cloth Price, Net, $.75 Postpaid, $.85
+
+THIS book is the product of years of study and the practical trying-out
+of every conceivable form of indoor entertainment. All the games,
+tricks, puzzles, and rainy-day and social-evening diversions have been
+practised by the editor; many are original with him, and many that are
+of course not original have been greatly improved by his intelligence.
+All are told in the plainest possible way, and with excellent taste. The
+book is well arranged and finely printed. At a low price it places
+within the reach of all the very best of bright and jolly means of
+making home what it ought to be--the best place for a good time by those
+of all ages.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+      "The book is bright and up to date, full of cheer and
+      sunshine. A good holiday book." _Religious Telescope,
+      Dayton, Ohio._
+
+      "For those who want new games for the home this book
+      supplies the very best--good, clean, hearty games,
+      full of fun and the spirit of laughter."--_N. Y.
+      Times._
+
+      "Altogether the book is a perfect treasure-house for
+      the young people's rainy day or social evening."--_New
+      Bedford Standard._
+
+      "The arrangement is excellent and the instructions so
+      simple that a child may follow them. A book like this
+      is just the thing for social evenings."--_Christian
+      Endeavor World._
+
+      "A book giving the best, cleanest and brightest games
+      and tricks for home entertaining."--_Syracuse Herald._
+
+      "The book is clearly written and should prove of value
+      to every young man who aspires to be the life of the
+      party."--_Baltimore Sun._
+
+      "Only good, bright, clean games and tricks appeal to
+      Mr. Chenery, and he has told in the simplest and most
+      comprehensive manner how to get up 'amusements for
+      every one.'"--_Hartford Courant._
+
+
+    _For sale by all booksellers or sent on receipt of postpaid
+    price by the publishers_
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+FOUR GORDONS
+
+By EDNA A. BROWN
+
+    Illustrated Large 12mo Decorated Cover $1.35 _net_
+
+LOUISE and her three brothers are the "Four Gordons," and the story
+relates their experiences at home and school during the absence of their
+parents for a winter in Italy. There is plenty of fun and frolic, with
+skating, coasting, dancing, and a jolly Christmas visit. The
+conversation is bright and natural, the book presents no improbable
+situations, its atmosphere is one of refinement, and it has the merit of
+depicting simple and wholesome comradeship between boys and girls.
+
+      "The story and its telling are worthy of Miss Alcott.
+      Young folks of both sexes will enjoy it."--_N. Y.
+      Sun._
+
+      "It is a hearty, wholesome story of youthful life in
+      which the morals are never explained but simply
+      illustrated by logical results."--_Christian
+      Register._
+
+
+UNCLE DAVID'S BOYS
+
+By EDNA A. BROWN
+
+    Illustrated by John Goss 12mo Cloth
+    Price $1.35 _net_
+
+THIS tells how some young people whom circumstances brought together in
+a little mountain village spent a summer vacation, full of good times,
+but with some unexpected and rather mysterious occurrences. In the end,
+more than one head was required to find out exactly what was going on.
+The story is a wholesome one with a pleasant, well-bred atmosphere, and
+though it holds the interest, it never approaches the sensational nor
+passes the bounds of the probable.
+
+      "A story which will hold the attention of youthful
+      readers from cover to cover and prove not without its
+      interest for older readers."--_Evening Wisconsin._
+
+      "For those young people who like a lively story with
+      some unmistakably old fashioned characteristics,
+      'Uncle David's Boys,' will have a strong
+      appeal."--_Churchman._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    _For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of
+    price by the publishers_
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON.
+
+
+
+
+JEAN CABOT SERIES
+
+By GERTRUDE FISHER SCOTT
+
+    Illustrated by Arthur O. Scott 12mo Cloth
+    Price, Net, $1.25 each
+
+
+JEAN CABOT AT ASHTON
+
+HERE is the "real thing" in a girl's college story. Older authors can
+invent situations and supply excellently written general delineations of
+character, but all lack the vital touch of this work of a bright young
+recent graduate of a well-known college for women, who has lost none of
+the enthusiasm felt as a student. Every activity of a popular girl's
+first year is woven into a narrative, photographic in its description of
+a life that calls into play most attractive qualities, while at the same
+time severely testing both character and ability.
+
+
+JEAN CABOT IN THE BRITISH ISLES
+
+THIS is a college story, although dealing with a summer vacation, and
+full of college spirit. It begins with a Yale-Harvard boat race at New
+London, but soon Jean and her room-mate sail for Great Britain under the
+chaperonage of Miss Hooper, a favorite member of the faculty at Ashton
+College. Their trip is full of the delight that comes to the traveler
+first seeing the countries forming "our old home."
+
+
+JEAN CABOT IN CAP AND GOWN
+
+JEAN CABOT is a superb young woman, physically and mentally, but
+thoroughly human and thus favored with many warm friendships. Her final
+year at Ashton College is the culmination of a course in which study,
+sport and exercise, and social matters have been well balanced.
+
+
+JEAN CABOT AT THE HOUSE WITH THE BLUE SHUTTERS
+
+SUCH a group as Jean and her most intimate friends could not scatter at
+once, as do most college companions after graduation, and six of them
+under the chaperonage of a married older graduate and member of the same
+sorority spend a most eventful summer in a historic farm-house in Maine.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt
+    of price by the publishers
+
+    Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co.  Boston
+
+
+
+
+American Heroes and Heroines
+
+By PAULINE CARRINGTON BOUVÉ Illustrated
+
+    12mo Cloth $1.25 _net_
+
+THIS book, which will tend directly toward the making of patriotism in
+young Americans, contains some twenty brief, clever and attractive
+sketches of famous men and women in American history, among them Father
+Marquette, Anne Hutchinson, Israel Putnam, Molly Pitcher, Paul Jones,
+Dolly Madison, Daniel Boone, etc. Mrs. Bouvé is well known as a writer
+both of fiction and history, and her work in this case is admirable.
+
+      "The style of the book for simplicity and clearness of
+      expression could hardly be excelled."--_Boston
+      Budget._
+
+
+The Scarlet Patch
+
+The Story of a Patriot Boy in the Mohawk Valley
+
+    By MARY E. Q. BRUSH Illustrated $1.25 _net_
+
+"THE Scarlet Patch" was the badge of a Tory organization, and a loyal
+patriot boy, Donald Bastien, is dismayed at learning that his uncle,
+with whom he is a "bound boy," is secretly connected with this
+treacherous band. Thrilling scenes follow in which a faithful Indian
+figures prominently, and there is a vivid presentation of the school and
+home life as well as the public affairs of those times.
+
+      "A book that will be most valuable to the library of
+      the young boy."--_Providence News._
+
+
+Stories of Brave Old Times
+
+Some Pen Pictures of Scenes Which Took Place Previous to, or Connected
+With, the American Revolution
+
+    By HELEN M. CLEVELAND Profusely illustrated
+    Large 12mo Cloth $1.25 _net_
+
+IT is a book for every library, a book for adults, and a book for the
+young. Perhaps no other book yet written sets the great cost of freedom
+so clearly before the young, consequently is such a spur to patriotism.
+
+      "It can unqualifiedly be commended as a book for
+      youthful readers; its great wealth of illustrations
+      adding to its value."--_Chicago News._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price
+    by the publishers,
+
+    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+_THE RANDY BOOKS_
+
+_By AMY BROOKS_
+
+    12mo CLOTH ARTISTIC COVER DESIGN IN GOLD AND COLORS
+    ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR PRICE, _Net_, $1.00 EACH
+
+The progress of the "Randy Books" has been one continual triumph over
+the hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little fun-loving sister Prue
+is almost as much a central figure as Randy, growing toward womanhood
+with each book. The sterling good sense and simple naturalness of Randy,
+and the total absence of slang and viciousness, make these books in the
+highest degree commendable, while abundant life is supplied by the
+doings of merry friends, and there is rich humor in the droll rural
+characters.
+
+  Randy's Summer          Randy's Good Times
+      Randy's Winter            Randy's Luck
+          Randy and Her Friends    Randy's Loyalty
+              Randy and Prue            Randy's Prince
+
+      "The Randy Books are among the very choicest books for
+      young people to make a beginning with."--_Boston
+      Courier._
+
+      "The Randy Books of Amy Brooks have had a deserved
+      popularity among young girls. They are wholesome and
+      moral without being goody-goody."--_Chicago Post._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.
+
+Page 41, "commom" changed to "common" (a common soldier)
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40525 ***