e paid generously for her _protege_,
six months in advance. She sent for her and I was to take her over with
me; calling on you in all business matters."

"Yes, she notified me. It was Mrs. Van Dorn's intention to keep
this young girl with her the rest of her life. Her last letter to
me was as buoyant as that of any young person. She was certainly
wonderful--eighty-six in March. It seemed to me as if she might have
lived to be a hundred. I am afraid the talk of that man Fenton did not
do her any good."

"It is a great shock. I can hardly believe it."

"What friends has this girl, if any?"

"Oh, some relatives at a small town in a neighboring State, an uncle who
has cared for her. She is a bright, ambitious girl, and I _do_ regret
the death for her sake. I am glad there is someone she can turn to, but
I think she has the courage to work her way up, with a helping hand now
and then."

"And you do not know about this Mr. Fenton?"

"Nothing much. I once heard her say that after Mr. Van Dorn's death he
applied to her for some money for business purposes and she refused. I
think she was not favorably impressed with him."

"Well, there will not be much for anyone to have. I think this annuity
was by her husband's advice, and it has saved her a good deal of care. I
thought it best for you to know at once and I did want to learn how the
girl was situated. Do you suppose she will be bitterly disappointed?"

"She will be very much shocked and grieved."

"It would have been the same if she had adopted her. She could have made
no provision for her future."

"No," thoughtfully.

"And now I must take a night train back, as I am very busy. I will keep
you informed as to matters."

"We sail on the 3d of July."

"The body will be here before that."

She walked down to the street with him; then took a rustic seat and
considered Helen Grant's future in so far as she could, but every moment
she felt more regret that her bright hopes should be so suddenly
quenched. She resolved to say nothing at present until she had evolved a
plan floating through her mind.

It was true Mrs. Van Dorn had not reached the period appointed by
herself. She had felt sure of ninety years. There were times when she
feared that nature was on the wane, but she still took excellent care of
herself.

This Mr. Fenton had besieged her for some money in the spring and a
liberal allowance in her will. As far as she could trace the
relationship there