ol, no graduation, no college, and she _did_ love study
so.

Mrs. Van Dorn had given her these two splendid years, but if she asked
back ten, and she was so confident of living to ninety--oh, could she
grant it cheerfully? There would have to be some greater grace than her
own. And if God gave her this to do--if the friends of girlhood were
denied her, if Mrs. Van Dorn claimed _all_, would she have to submit?

It was a hard question for sixteen who had only enjoyed two years of
freedom about the things she loved best, the thing she wanted most,
education.

She told Daisy Bell, who didn't know whether to rejoice or not. It was
splendid, of course, but if she should be away for years and all their
lovely friendship come to an end!

"For I am sure I shall never find a girl I love so thoroughly, that I
depend on, that is a strong tower to me. Mamma said my letters had been
her treasures this year, I was taking so much more serious and sacred
views of life. And they will be dismal enough next winter."

"Then I am afraid I haven't done you much good," Helen smiled through
tears.

"Yes, you have. And I will try to remember all the nice talks we have
had and keep strong on them. We will appoint one hour in the day when we
shall always think of each other."

"And pray that God may give us grace to remember for years if there is
need," Helen returned solemnly.

Miss Craven was glad for her. "It must be wonderful to have a person
care that much for you," she said, "to want to keep you near her. Why,
it is almost as mothers feel, I suppose. I couldn't bear the thought of
you being away alone--if you _were_ alone I should ask you to come and
be a sister to me. I don't know how I can get along without you, but I
must try and comfort myself with the thought of what you have been to
me. And, oh, if you should be absent years, I will come over. Why, I
should like to see the dear old lady who loves you so."

Helen felt almost convicted of ingratitude.

CHAPTER XVIII

WRIT IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE

There were girls who envied Helen Grant, who thought they would change
places with her in a minute if they could. She wrote to Uncle Jason and
explained that it would not be possible to come home. School closed on
the 28th of June, on the 3d of July they would leave on the steamer at
New York. She sent the same message to Mrs. Dayton, with the wish that
she might be able to come and see her off, but she didn't suppose it
wou