unted at leaving it,--this was her ambition.

The note she had mailed to her niece was the first advance she had made
toward any human being within her memory; and this was not the cry of a
dependent but rather the first link in a plot to outgeneral circumstances
and place the future within her own control. She prided herself that for
half a century she had invariably got the better of whosoever and
whatsoever she had come in contact with. What was death, then, but an
incident, if after it she might still reign and project her will into the
universe even from the estranging fastnesses of the grave?

Therefore the answer from Lucy was of greater import than was any ordinary
letter. It would tell her whether the initial step in her conspiracy to
triumph over Destiny was successful. What wonder that her aged fingers
trembled as she tore open the envelope of the message and spread the snowy
paper feverishly on the table?

Summit, Arizona,
May 5, 1917.
Dear Aunt Ellen:

I can't tell you what a surprise it was to hear from you, and how
much greater a surprise it was to have you ask me to come and live
with you.

I had decided to go abroad and do Red Cross work, and was about to
accept a position that had been offered me when your letter arrived.
("Humph!" murmured Ellen.)

But you write that you are alone in the world and not very well, and
this being the case, I feel my place is with you.

You are my only relative, and I should be a very poor-spirited
Webster indeed did I not acknowledge that your claim comes before any
other. Therefore I shall be glad to come to New Hampshire and avail
myself of your hospitality. I presume you have found, as I have, that
living entirely for one's self is not very satisfactory after all.
Since my father's death I have had no one to look after and have
felt lonely, useless, and selfish in consequence.

I am certain that in attempting to make you happy, I shall find
happiness myself, and I assure you that I will do all I can to be
helpful.

If all goes well I should arrive at Sefton Falls in about ten days.
In the meantime, I send my warmest thanks for your kindness and the
affectionate greetings of

Your niece,
Lucy Harmon Webster.
After she had finished reading the letter, Ellen sat tapping her foot
impatiently upon the floor. Sh