[**extra space]

Possessed of the true magic, "money," obstacles faded away. The
expedition to Sandbourne was most successful. Katherine was brighter
than Miss Payne had ever seen her before. The day was sunny, the place
looked cheerful and picturesque. It lay under a wooded hill, ending in a
bold rocky point, which sheltered it and a wide bay from the easterly
winds. A splendid stretch of golden sands offered a playground for the
racing waves, and an old tower crowned an islet near the opposite point
of the land, which there lay low, and was covered with gorse and
heather.

There was an objectionable row of lodging-houses, against which must be
entered a low, red-brick, ivy-grown inn, old-fashioned, picturesque, and
comfortable. One or two villas stood in their own grounds but were
occupied, and one, evidently older was shut up.

Perhaps because it was inaccessible, perhaps because it had a pleasant
outlook across the bay to the island and tower at its western extremity,
Katherine at once determined it was the very place to suit them, and
made her way to the local house agent to see what could be done toward
securing it. Cliff Cottage was not on his books, said the agent; but if
the lady wished "he would apply to the owner, who had gone with his wife
in search of health to the Riviera. In the meantime there is Amanda
Villa, at the other end of Beach Terrace, very comfortable and elegantly
furnished"--pointing to a glaring white edifice with a Belvedere tower
in would-be Italian style. "I don't think you could find anything
better." But the aspect of Amanda Villa did not please either lady, so
they returned to Cliff Cottage: and remarking a thin curl of blue smoke
from one of the chimneys, they ventured to make their way to a side
entrance, where their knocking was answered by an old deaf caretaker,
who, for a consideration, permitted them to inspect the house. It proved
to be all Katherine wished. Though the furniture was scanty and worn, it
was clean and well kept, and "We can easily get what is necessary," she
concluded, with the sense of power which always goes with a full purse.

"Let us go back to the agent and get the address of the owner."

"Better make your offer through him," returned Miss Payne, and Katherine
complied.

The days which succeeded seemed very long. Katherine had taken a fancy
to the quaint pretty abode, and was impatient to be settled there with
her boys. There was a "preparatory schoo