e was nettled, angry.

She did not at all relish having this child turn the tables on her charity
and make of it a favor. As for the girl's sentimental nonsense about its
not being satisfactory to live alone, what was she talking about? Living
alone was the most satisfactory thing in the world. Did it not banish all
the friction of opposing wills and make of one a monarch? No, she did not
like the letter, did not like it.

If this Lucy were sincere, she showed herself to be of that affectionate,
conscientious, emotional type Ellen so cordially detested; besides, she
held her head too high. If on the other hand, she were shamming, and were
in reality endowed with a measure of the Howe shrewdness, that was
another matter.

Her aunt laughed indulgently at the girl's youthful attempt at subterfuge.
She hoped she was humbugging. Worldly wisdom was an admirable trait. Had
not the Websters always been famed for their business sagacity? She would
far rather find Thomas's daughter blessed with a head than with a heart.

But the letter proved that the child was still a novice at the wiles of
the world, dissemble as she would.

Had she been older and more discerning, she would have realized she had
not actually been promised anything, and she would not have been decoyed
into journeying hundreds of miles from home to pursue the wraith of an
ephemeral fortune.

CHAPTER II

THE HOWES

Within the confines of his own home Martin Howe, as Ellen Webster
asserted, was a czar. Born with the genius to rule, he would probably have
fought his way to supremacy had struggle been necessary. As it was,
however, no effort was demanded of him, for by the common consent of an
adoring family, he had been voluntarily elevated to throne and scepter. He
was the only boy, the coveted gift long denied parents blessed with three
daughters and in despair of ever possessing a son.

What rejoicings heralded his advent! Had half the treasures an eager
father and mother prayed Heaven to grant been bestowed upon the child, he
would unquestionably have become an abnormality of health, wealth, and
wisdom. But Destiny was too farseeing a goddess to allow her neophyte to
be spoiled by prosperity. Both his parents died while Martin was still a
pupil at the district school, and the lad, instead of going to the city
and pursuing a profession, as had been his ambition, found himself
hurried, all unequipped, uneducated and unprepared, into the
responsi