ears had told upon
Gertrude; and although industrious as ever, she could not work as easily
as she once did.

"Oh mother, I cannot let you do that heavy piece of work," said Veronica,
as soon as she saw what her mother was about. "Didn't I tell you that I
would come home in time to dress the house for Christmas, and now you have
not only done all that, but you are at work on that old mail-bag. I can't
bear to have you do so. Why won't you let me do something for you, and
take a little rest yourself. You look so tired."

"You need the evening to rest in too, dear child, after working steadily
all day," said Gertrude affectionately. "And I am very glad when there is
a piece of work like this that I can do. I want him to find everything as
it used to be, when he comes home. I think that with care and industry I
can manage so that I shall not be obliged to give up this house while he
is away. I am sure it will be a great comfort to him to find that he still
has his home. And besides I feel that it will help him to begin life anew,
and bring him back to his old right-minded way of thinking. Oh, if he
would only come home!"

"Mother, mother, that is no reason why you should work beyond your
strength. You have taken care of me all these long years, and now it is
fairly my turn to take care of you. Do not worry about the house, dear; I
have made an arrangement with the cattle-dealer. When you told me that he
threatened to take it, I went to him and got him to let me settle with him
instead. He was very glad that I wanted it, for he said that he didn't
see what good it would be to him, and he gave me my time about paying for
it."

"Is that true, Veronica?" said Gertrude, and a happy smile stole over her
face. "You do not know what a load you have taken from my heart! Oh, you
are good and brave! If I could only see you look happy, how glad I should
be! If I could find out how to make you happy! I would do anything in the
world for you, if I only knew how!"

"There is no use in thinking about it, mother dear. Happiness is not for
me. It may be for others, but not for me." Veronica spoke with strong
emotion. "I have worked and struggled for it ever since I can remember
anything, but all in vain. Cousin Judith told me that work was the way to
fortune, and that 'fortune' meant whatever one wanted most; and so I
worked, always, even when I did not know what it was that I wanted most.
Afterwards when I learned that for me happines