very carefully, reflected Bertha.
Grace must never suspect that I did it on purpose. I will tell her
that circumstances have prevented me from accepting Aunt Meg's
invitation. That is true enough--no need to say that the circumstances
are hers, not mine. And I'll say I just asked Aunt Meg to invite her
in my place and that she has done so.

When Grace came home from her history examination that day, Bertha
told her story and gave her Aunt Meg's cordial note.

"You must come to me in Bertha's place," wrote the latter. "I feel as
if I knew you from her letters, and I will consider you as a sort of
honorary niece, and I'll treat you as if you were Bertha herself."

"Isn't it splendid of Aunt Meg?" said Bertha diplomatically. "Of
course you'll go, Gracie."

"Oh, I don't know," said Grace in bewilderment. "Are you sure you
don't want to go, Bertha?"

"Indeed, I do want to go, dreadfully," said Bertha frankly. "But as
I've told you, it is impossible. But if I am disappointed, Aunt Meg
musn't be. You must go, Grace, and that is all there is about it."

In the end, Grace did go, a little puzzled and doubtful still, but
thankful beyond words to escape the drudgery of the counter and the
noise and heat of the city. Bertha went home, feeling a little bit
blue in secret, it cannot be denied, but also feeling quite sure that
if she had to do it all over again, she would do just the same.

The summer slipped quickly by, and finally two letters came to Bertha,
one from Aunt Meg and one from Grace.

"I've had a lovely time," wrote the latter, "and, oh, Bertie, what do
you think? I am to stay here always. Oh, of course I am going back to
school next month, but this is to be my home after this. Aunt Meg--she
makes me call her that--says I must stay with her for good."

In Aunt Meg's letter was this paragraph:

_Grace is writing to you, and will have told you that I intend
to keep her here. You know I have always wanted a daughter of my
own, but my greedy brothers and sisters would never give me one
of theirs. So I intend to adopt Grace. She is the sweetest girl
in the world, and I am very grateful to you for sending her
here. You will not know her when you see her. She has grown
plump and rosy._

Bertha folded her letters up with a smile. "I have a vague, delightful
feeling that I am the good angel in a storybook," she said.

The Touch of Fate

Mrs. Major Hill was in her element. This