t track of folks as one may say. Grandfather didn't believe in
church-going, and I seldom had anything nice to wear. We were real
hermits. You see I _was_ kept pretty busy. But I used to study the old
books over. There were two or three music books, and I learned to read
music just for a pastime. Then I made a sort of keyboard and used to
practise. I meant to have a piano if I was fifty years old.

"A year ago in August, a man who had a new way of separating iron ore,
and was concerned with a railroad surveying a new route, struck Oxford,
and was surprised that it had lain unimproved so long. A company was
formed that pushed things, and they wanted to buy out grandfather. There
was a great deal of wrangling and they were at the house nearly every
day. The rails were laid and a big smelting furnace begun. In six months
no one would have known the place. One stretch of land they were quite
in doubt about buying when it was discovered to have a vein of very
valuable iron in it, hematite, and then he would not sell it, but leased
it to the company for five years and he was to have a percentage on
every ton of iron taken out of it. He still had the farm and we went on
as usual, but it seemed as if he was more and more difficult to get
along with and grew more sordid in his views. Of course there was always
plenty to eat, but I did long for some of the other enjoyments. To spend
half of my life in that wild spot seemed unendurable.

"One blustering March day he had been out on the ridge all the
afternoon, but though he ate a hearty supper he complained of feeling
cold. I made him a hot drink and put a brick steaming with herbs to his
feet. The next morning he had fever and was flighty, but he wouldn't
consent to have a doctor. And when he was wild with delirium and I sent,
it was too late. In five days he was dead with pneumonia. It seemed
dreadful that he should die on the eve of prosperity, but I wonder if he
would have done anything worth while with his wealth.

"There was no will. I was the only heir, though a cousin did come from
parts unknown and was easily bought off as he had no real claim. This
Mr. Davis had been doing some of the business for grandfather, and was a
director I believe. There had to be an administrator and a guardian
appointed for me, and then I found I was a rich young woman, with a
prospect of being richer still. Mrs. Davis took me in her house and was
very kind to me. But I had a feeling that I wa