om him for eleven years--she's tied to that imbecile for
life. And after all the dreams and hopes she once had! You can
imagine what it has been like for her, Anne, dearie--with her beauty
and spirit and pride and cleverness. It's just been a living death."

"Poor, poor girl!" said Anne again. Her own happiness seemed to
reproach her. What right had she to be so happy when another human
soul must be so miserable?

"Will you tell me just what Leslie said and how she acted the night you
met her on the shore?" asked Miss Cornelia.

She listened intently and nodded her satisfaction.

"YOU thought she was stiff and cold, Anne, dearie, but I can tell you
she thawed out wonderful for her. She must have taken to you real
strong. I'm so glad. You may be able to help her a good deal. I was
thankful when I heard that a young couple was coming to this house, for
I hoped it would mean some friends for Leslie; especially if you
belonged to the race that knows Joseph. You WILL be her friend, won't
you, Anne, dearie?"

"Indeed I will, if she'll let me," said Anne, with all her own sweet,
impulsive earnestness.

"No, you must be her friend, whether she'll let you or not," said Miss
Cornelia resolutely. "Don't you mind if she's stiff by times--don't
notice it. Remember what her life has been--and is--and must always
be, I suppose, for creatures like Dick Moore live forever, I
understand. You should see how fat he's got since he came home. He
used to be lean enough. Just MAKE her be friends--you can do
it--you're one of those who have the knack. Only you mustn't be
sensitive. And don't mind if she doesn't seem to want you to go over
there much. She knows that some women don't like to be where Dick
is--they complain he gives them the creeps. Just get her to come over
here as often as she can. She can't get away so very much--she can't
leave Dick long, for the Lord knows what he'd do--burn the house down
most likely. At nights, after he's in bed and asleep, is about the
only time she's free. He always goes to bed early and sleeps like the
dead till next morning. That is how you came to meet her at the shore
likely. She wanders there considerable."

"I will do everything I can for her," said Anne. Her interest in
Leslie Moore, which had been vivid ever since she had seen her driving
her geese down the hill, was intensified a thousand fold by Miss
Cornelia's narration. The girl's beauty and sorrow and lonelin