reamy eyes into the pictures her imagination drew there
for her. She saw herself the bride of Courtland after he had succeeded
in the big business enterprise to which Uncle Ramsey had opened the
door; she saw Washington with its domes and Capitol looming ahead of her
ambition; Senators and great men bowing before her; even the White House
came like a fantasy of possibility. All this and more were hers if she
played her cards aright. Never fear! She would play them! Courtland
_must_ be made to accept Uncle Ramsey's proposition!

CHAPTER XXIII

Bonnie's letter reached Mother Marshall Wednesday afternoon while Father
was off in the machine arranging for a man to do the spring plowing. She
knew it by heart before he got back, and stood at her trysting window
with her cheek against the old hat, watching the sunset and thinking it
over when the car came chugging contentedly down the road.

Father waved his hand boyishly as he turned in at the big gate, and
Mother was out on the side door-step waiting as he came to a halt.

"Heard anything yet?" he asked, eagerly.

"Yes. A nice, dear letter!" Mother held it up, "Hurry up and come in and
I'll read it to you."

But Father couldn't wait to put away the machine. He bounded out like a
four-year-old and came right in then, regardless of the fact that it was
getting dark and he might run into the door-jamb putting away the
machine later.

He settled down, overcoat and all, into the big chair in the kitchen to
listen; and Mother put on her spectacles in such a hurry that she got
them upside down and had to begin over again.

YOU DEAR MOTHER MARSHALL! [the letter began.]
AND DEAR FATHER MARSHALL, TOO!

I think it is just the most wonderful thing that I ever
heard of that you are willing to invite a stranger like me
to visit you! At first I thought it wasn't right to accept
such great kindness from people I never saw, and who didn't
know whether they could even like me or not. But afterward
Mr. Courtland told me about your Stephen and that you had
suffered, too! And then I knew that I might take you at your
word and come for a little while to get the comfort I need
so much! Even then I couldn't have done it if Mr. Courtland
and my nurse hadn't told me they were sure I could get
something to do and so be able to repay you for all this
kindness. If I can really be of any comfort to you in your
l