er to hope for anything beyond the
education, she might grow vain and be puffed up with expectations of
great things to come. Let the great things be a surprise.

There was a little tap at the door.

"Do you want me?" inquired the cheerful voice. "It is a full half hour."

"No, yes. I'll be made ready for bed if you please, little maid," and
her tone was full of amusement. "Then I'll dismiss you and lie here by
the window a while, as I have something to think about, until I get
sleepy. Bring the jewel case."

Helen was quite fascinated with all the adornments. There were dainty
partitions, velvet rooms, Helen called them, boxes in which rings were
dropped, a mound to lay the bracelets, where a tiny ridge kept them from
slipping, a hook for the pendants, and a case for the pins. The girl
placed them in deftly, as only a person who really loved them could. To
her their sparkle seemed the flame of a spirit.

Then the laces were laid in their boxes. Helen hung up the soft silk
gown, the petticoats with their lace and ruffles, the night dress was
donned and a pretty wrapper over it, the slippers exchanged for some
soft knit ones. As for her hair--perhaps she slept in it, for that was
never taken down until after the girl went away.

"Now are you comfortable?"

"Yes. Helen, how did you come by so many pretty ways? I do not believe
they abound in your aunt's house."

"No, they do not." Helen laughed in soft apology. "I think because
everything is nice and dainty here, and everybody is----" How could she
explain it.

"No, you're not quite so much of a chameleon as that. It is something
from the inside, that was born with you. And you must have the
opportunity of developing it. There child, good-night."

Mrs. Van Dorn felt suddenly in a glow. She would do a good deed, help
this girl to her true place, cast some bread upon the waters and have it
return to her presently. Three years. She hoped Helen would grow tall
and keep slim, her eyes were beautiful, her complexion clear and fine if
a little sun-burned. She had nice hands, too, now that she was taking
care of them. She was quick to see any improvement, she had adaptiveness
and a pleasant temper. She would make an attractive young woman at
seventeen, and she would owe it all to her. She _must_ love her
benefactress. Why, this was something to live for!

Helen sat on the far end of the stoop step. There were two rows of
steps. This commanded the kitchen porch, as we