But the storm passed and, when once again there was peace, a great
strength had come in its place, for there was sympathy for others who
suffered, there was an appreciation of the value of friendship, and there
was a knowledge that God helps.

Little by little the road widened, though often it was lonely and hard.
There were many steep places but each added something. And then Gladys saw
the picture change.

There was Mrs. Fuller with her girls and she was leading them by the hand.
But it was by no means easy. Some held back; some chose to play by the
way; some looked longingly at the things by the wayside that would harm.
But her one hand reached up and her other hand helped them ahead as she
tried to keep them in the way.

As the picture faded, Gladys turned to the fairy. "I thought it had been
all sunshine but now I see how hard it has been to learn to understand and
to help. I love her better than I did before, now that I have seen her in
the way. Thank you, fairy."

"But wait," said the fairy. "You asked me for a gift. Do you still want
it? Do you still want to follow her?"

"To follow means study, and sacrifice, and temptations conquered, and
sympathy, and all sorts of hard things, doesn't it? I never thought about
it. But I love Mrs. Fuller and I still want to lead girls--I still want
the letters and I still want to be like her. Please, Fairy of Good Works,
put me in the way and I will go back to school and begin to get ready."

Then the little lady smiled as she waved her wand over the head of the
girl. "Your life may be much more sunny than hers, dear. Not all must have
the same things to overcome. But whatever you meet in the way, you must
struggle against it and come out stronger because you have struggled. Can
you see away off there in the distance the hands of girls--oh, so many of
them--eagerly reached out for help? They are 'your girls.' And here is the
way. Above there is one who helps and I am here though you may not see
me. Push forward or the girls will have no helper. Good-by and good luck
to you."

But as Gladys reached out to detain her, her hat fell to the ground and
she found herself sitting against the tree. In her hand was the picture of
Mrs. Fuller and her girls. Long she looked at the picture. Then she said
to herself,

"I never knew the way was so long or so hard to be like you but if just
one girl can love me some day as I love you, then I shall be glad I have
walked in the way