re Zeke was sitting.

Altogether she was happy over the meeting, and her grandfather's
attitude was as kindly as could have been expected.

Eloise came into her mother's room that night, beaming.

"I wish you had come with us," she said. "It was wonderful."

Mrs. Evringham turned to her with a lofty air. "I have too much loyalty
to friendship to be seen in such a place," she returned.

"Nat said he wouldn't ask you to come down to bid him good-by, because
he expects to come out to spend Sundays for a while."

Mrs. Evringham looked at her daughter. All the girl's face had lacked of
vivacity and happy expression it wore now, making her radiant.

"You could never guess the news I have for you, mother."

Mrs. Evringham's lips tightened. "Eloise, if you will not marry the fine
man who had my entire approval, it will be outrageous for you to marry
an ineligible, a young fellow whose goods are all in the show window,
who has not proved himself in any way. I refuse to hear your news," she
returned impetuously.

The girl laughed. "Do you mean Nat, dear?" she asked, her rosy face
coming close. "I'm afraid he's going to spoil himself by becoming
eligible. He has been telling me a lot about the business to-night."

"Ho! Nat Bonnell could always talk."

Eloise's arms closed around her. "There's only one source of supply,
mother. Nat has found Him. I am finding Him. We shall not want. What do
you think I have here for you? Grandfather gave it to me." Eloise put
into her mother's hands a draft for a thousand dollars.

Mr. Evringham appeared to lose sight of the dagger she had been seeing
before her for days. "What is this?" she ejaculated. "A present from
father?"

"Not at all. Some unknown man owed it to papa, and his conscience made
him pay the debt. It came in grandfather's evening mail, and he has only
just opened it."

Mrs. Evringham examined the paper eagerly.

"How wonderful!" she exclaimed.

"How natural," returned Eloise. "That is the wonderful part of it."

CHAPTER XXVII

A REALIZED HOPE

One afternoon Mr. Evringham did not return from the city at the usual
time. Jewel, watching for him, was surprised after a while to see him
walking up from the gate.

"Why, what's happened?" she asked. "Zeke went for you."

"Yes; but he found he had to leave Dick to be shod."

"Then are you going to saddle Essex Maid yourself? Oh, can I see you do
it, grandpa?" She hopped with anticipation.

"I don't know th