d, his face stinging from the cut
about friendship. "I never seem to know how to tell the truth without
giving offense--but--but, Lois, you know I think you are the best woman
in the world."

"You have a pretty poor idea of women, then," she responded, a lump in
her throat making her voice unsteady, "but I'm sure I don't care what you
think. I have a right to say what I want to Helen."

She ran out of the room, for she would not let Gifford see her cry. "I
don't care what he thinks!" she said, as she fled panting into the attic,
and bolted the door as though she feared he would follow her. But then
she began to remember that he had said she was the best woman in the
world, and to her dismay she found herself smiling a little. "What a
wretch I am!" she said sternly. "Mr. Denner is dead, and Helen is in such
distress, and--and Dick Forsythe may come back! How can I be pleased at
anything?"

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Of course it was soon known that Helen Ward was at the rectory, but to
the Misses Woodhouse, at least, her presence was not of enough importance
to speculate or gossip about. Gifford had merely said Helen had changed
her mind about going, and would be in Ashurst a few days longer, and the
little ladies had such an absorbing interest of their own they did not
ask many questions. Miss Ruth only remarked that she wondered how she
could be satisfied to stay away from her husband so long, and Miss
Deborah replied that the young did not understand serious attachment.

To both sisters a vague happiness had come in these last few weeks, and a
certain sense of importance. Each felt it for herself, but was unable to
realize it for the other, yet constantly encountered it with irritated
astonishment, when the desire to confide was strong.

Once Miss Ruth, tearful with the memory of that last look from Mr.
Denner's dying eyes, tried to approach the subject delicately, but
was met with such amazing certainty on the part of Miss Deborah, and
a covert allusion to the value of the miniature, that she was silenced.
And again,--on Dr. Howe's return from Lockhaven,--Miss Deborah's
condescension in telling Miss Ruth she might accompany her to the
graveyard fell somewhat flat when she found that her sister had intended
going, and had even picked some flowers to put on Mr. Denner's grave.
However, they went together, a gentle seriousness on each face, and in
an unusual silence. Their parents were buried here, so that it was no