aw the man as he really was, weak, unstable,
self-indulgent, incapable of true manliness. Still she was patient with
him to the last; and when she was relieved by friendly death from the
charge of so wilful and ungrateful a burden--though things were easier,
because hers was the sole authority--it was a constant strain to provide
the education necessary for her boy. But that accomplished, she had a
sweet interlude with her daughter in humble peace, and while she did her
best to arm the child for the conflict of life, she avoided weakening
herself by too much thought for her future. This spell of repose was
broken by the necessity for sacrificing some of her small capital to set
her son free from his embarrassments. Then came his death and her
present experiment in house-keeping in order to give his widow and
children a refuge.

For the last four or five years she had made a welcome addition to her
small income by her pen, contributing to the smaller weekly periodicals
stories and sketches; for Mrs. Liddell had seen much with keen,
observant eyes, and had a fair share of humor. This small success had
tempted her to spend several months on a three-volume novel, thereby
depriving herself of present remuneration which shorter, lighter tales
had brought in. She sorely feared this ambitious step was a
mistake--that she had over-estimated her own powers. She feared that she
could never manage to keep up the very humble establishment she had
started. Above all, she feared that her own health and physical force
were failing. It was such an effort to do much that formerly was as
nothing. That attack of bronchitis last spring had tried her severely:
she had never felt quite the same since. And if she were called away,
what would become of Katherine? Never was there a dearer daughter than
her Katie. She knew every turn, every light and shade in her nature--her
faults, her pride and hastiness, her deep, tender heart. A sob rose in
her throat at the idea of Katherine being left alone to engage
single-handed in the struggle for existence. No! She _would_ live!--she
would battle on with poverty and difficulty till Katherine was a few
years older; till she was stronger and better able to stand alone.

"Yet she is strong and brave for nineteen," thought the mother, proudly.
"Perhaps I have kept her too much by my side. I wish I could let her pay
a visit to the Mitchells. They have asked her repeatedly; but we must
not think of it at pre