ded in Eve--reckless, impulsive,
warm-hearted, sympathetic Eve--it might have been better for her. "No
matter what you might hear of me in the future, no matter what fate
might tempt me to do, promise me, Eve, that you, of all the world,
will believe in me, you will not lose your faith in me." The sweet
voice sounded hollow and unnatural. "There are dark, pitiful secrets
in many lives," she said, "that drive one to the very verge of madness
in their woe. If you love me, pray for me, Eve. My feet are on the
edge of a terrible precipice."

In after years Eve never forgot the haunted look of despair that
crossed the fair face of Daisy Brooks, as the words broke from her
lips in a piteous cry.

CHAPTER XXIV.

The announcement of Mrs. Lyon's sudden and unexpected death caused
great excitement and consternation the next morning at Glengrove.

"Oh, dear!" cried Gertie, "how provokingly unfortunate for her to die
just now! Why couldn't she have waited until after our birthday party?
Of course Rex wouldn't be expected to come now; and this whole matter
was arranged especially for him; and my beautiful lilac silk is all
made, and so bewitchingly lovely, too!"

"What can't be cured must be endured, you know," said Bess; "and now
the best thing to be done is to send a note of condolence to him,
extending our deepest sympathy, and offering him any assistance in our
power; and be sure to add: 'We would be very pleased to have Birdie
come over here until you can make other arrangements for her.'"

"Have Birdie here!" flashed Gertie, angrily. "I actually think you
have gone crazy!"

"Well, there is certainly a method in my madness," remarked Bess.
"Aren't you quick-witted enough to understand that would be a sure way
of bringing Rex over here every day?--he would come to see his
sister--and that is quite a point gained."

"You are rather clever, Bess; I never thought of that."

And straightway the perfumed little note was dispatched, bearing
Gertie's monogram and tender-worded sympathy to the handsome young
heir, who sat all alone in that darkened chamber, wondering why Heaven
had been so unkind to him.

An hour later Bess and Gertie were in the library arranging some new
volumes on the shelves. Mrs. Glenn sat in a large easy-chair
superintending the affair, while Daisy stood at an open window,
holding the book from which she had been reading aloud in her restless
fingers, her blue eyes gazing earnestly on the dist