e, but I think it was a kind of
joy throbbing. I didn't want any dinner though. I just laid here and
thought--happy thoughts."

The half-past nine bell pealed and everyone ran to her own room. Daisy
stood in the middle of the floor upbraidingly, if one's attitude can
express so much.

"I believe that girl has cast an evil eye on you," she began when Helen
kept silence, busying herself with preparations. "There are evil charms
as well as delightful ones, and spells that wile away love. And you have
promised not to love anyone but me."

"Have I?" Helen's voice was unsteady.

"Yes, you have, and you think promises ought to be kept faithfully. You
must keep yours. I said I wouldn't love any other girl, and I haven't.
I've seen her look at you with a strange light in her eyes, and they are
horrid eyes----"

"Don't let us talk about Miss Craven, but read our verses and say our
prayers," and now Helen's voice had decision enough in it.

"You are changing every day, I can see it," complained Daisy.

"Then let us pray that I may get back to the point," with grave
peremptoriness.

Daisy was a little awed at this solemn way of taking it up, and
acquiesced.

Helen lay and wondered at herself. Had she made Daisy such a sweeping
promise? And how easy it had been to say those few words to Miss Craven.
What joy it had given her. She did not love Daisy Bell any less--how
many people could you love? Must one true affection shut out the others?

She _did_ really love Daisy Bell. She had a rather petite figure and
face; the face fair and full of soft curves changing with every emotion,
and a rose tint that came and went, that seemed playing hide and seek
with two seductive dimples, one in her chin, the other in her cheek.
Her hair was a light brown that had a tint of gold, and her eyes were a
soft dark brown that could look at you with the utmost pathos or deepen
with fun and fire, and her rose-red lips had a dewy, tremulous fashion
of shaping themselves to any mood.

Another charm for Helen was her love of order and neatness, without
being at all fussy, her wonderful blending of colors, the little touches
that gave an air to the plainest surroundings. Then she was generally
helpful. Helen had been indebted to her for many small aids along the
difficult paths of learning that were quite unknown in Hope Center.

Daisy had made the first advances. She was more experienced in school
ways, older, richer, and a favorite with the