within
his mind, connected with that face, was now coupled with a thought of
her as an earthly being. He merely summoned up the image of a lovely
being, and felt himself refreshed, and hope returning.

A few moments later the twilight brightened and the first red border
of the sun, peeping over the tops of the trees, shed a warming ray
upon Leon, thus awakened from his dreamy night into the first day of
his manhood.

CHAPTER II.

A FRIEND IN NEED.

On a bright, warm morning, a week later, Leon had already arisen,
though it was barely past five o'clock, and having wandered off into a
secluded spot in the woods, lay on the ground, his head pillowed
against a tree trunk. Margaret Grath had been laid away beneath the
sod, and the old home was no longer homelike to him, since her two
sisters had moved in, to take possession until "the auction" which was
to occur on this day.

He had never liked these women, and they had lavished no affection
upon him. Consequently he was uneasy in their presence, and so avoided
them. They had plainly told him that he was no kith nor kin of theirs,
and that though he might abide on the farm till the auction, after
that event he would be obliged to shift for himself. They also
volunteered the advice that he should leave the town, and added that
if he did so it would be a good riddance. To all of these kind
speeches Leon had listened in silence, determined that he would earn
his living without further dependence upon this family, upon whom he
now thought that he had already intruded too long, though unknowingly.

Now, as he lay among the fresh mosses, and inhaled the sweet scents of
surrounding blossoms which lifted their drooping heads, and unfolded
their petals to the kisses of the newly risen sun, he was musing upon
the necessities of his situation, while in a measure taking a last
farewell of haunts which he had learned to love.

Presently, a sound of rustling twigs arrested his attention, and he
saw a tiny chipmunk looking at him. He smiled, and pursing up his lips
emitted a sound which was neither whistle, nor warble, but a
combination of both. The little creature flirted his head to one side,
as though listening. Leon repeated the call a little louder, and with
a sudden dash the chipmunk swiftly sped towards him, as suddenly
stopping about ten yards away. Here he sat up on his haunches, and,
with his forefeet, apparently caressed his head. Now Leon changed his
method,