all I cannot speak
of. Forgiveness! Yes, it is easy to forgive--if that were all."

"Well, having got thus far, be content for the present. And now,
Mistress Allison, let me take the guiding of your works and ways, for a
time. I am older than you, and in some things, wiser. You shall be
drawn into no net, and you shall make no vain sacrifice at the bidding
of any one, if I can prevent it. I believe you are striving to do
right. Now, go away to Mrs Robb's, and try to sleep well, and wait
till you hear from me. It may be in the morning, but it may not be for
several days. Have you any woman's work to keep you busy till then?"

"I can find some, I daresay. I give you many thanks for your kind
words. My heart is lighter since I have seen your face. Yes, I will be
patient and wait."

"That is the right way. Be sure and keep yourself busy about some kind
of work till you hear from me again."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

"What we win and hold, is through some strife."

Allison waited patiently through one day, and a little anxiously through
the second. On the third day there came a note from Doctor Fleming,
formal and brief, offering her the place of nurse in the infirmary,
which she had held for a short time three years before. Allison was a
little startled as she read it, but she did not hesitate a moment in
deciding to accept it, and in the evening she went to see him, as he had
requested her to do.

"Yes," said the doctor as she entered, "I was sure you would come; you
are wise to come. It will be better for you to have something to take
up your time and your thoughts for a while at least, and you will be at
hand. You must keep strong and well, and you must take up your abode
with Mistress Robb. And, my dear," added the doctor gravely, "I would
advise you when you come to wear a mutch, and if it is big and plain it
will answer the purpose none the worse for that. You'll be better
pleased with as little notice as may be for the present."

Allison smiled and assented. She came to the place the next day in her
straight black gown and holland apron, a cap of thick muslin covering
all her pretty hair.

And then a new life began for her. The former time of her stay there
came back very vividly, but the memory of it did not make her unhappy.
On the contrary, she was glad and thankful that strength and courage had
come to her since then.

"I will trust and not be afraid," she said to herself as she