agant habits. There was a small amount left over
when she made the new allowance. This, I take it, belongs to Miss Helen
Grant, and I propose to pay it over to her at once. It is a private
matter."

"I agree with you perfectly," returned Mrs. Aldred, in an approving
tone; glad, indeed, that it could be so. "I wish I dared double or
quadruple it, but I have no right. This will be precious to you, Miss
Grant, as the gift of your benefactress. I know it was in her heart to
treat you as if you were a near relative, a granddaughter, as she said
in a late letter."

Helen's eyes overflowed, but she could not trust her voice.

"It is a lovely remembrance," added Mrs. Aldred with much feeling. "And
Helen is worthy of it."

The lawyer handed her the envelope, but she was too much moved to
inspect its contents.

"Now, you and Miss Gage may take the ante-room, as I am certain that
step prefigures Mr. Fenton," the lawyer announced.

Miss Gage had much to say to the young girl.

"I am so glad you wrote just that letter of gratitude," she began. "I
cannot describe Mrs. Van Dorn's delight to you. She was almost childish
over it and read it again and again, and though she was not sentimental
about keeping letters, I found this in a box of trinkets and have
brought it back to you. She was not an effusive woman, but I think she
counted a great deal on having your entire love. You see I was one of a
family who have always been very dear to each other, and who clung
together as few families do. In the autumn I was to go home, as she had
found a most excellent maid, who was also quite a practised nurse. Mrs.
Van Dorn liked society and style and had many fashionable friends who
_did_ admire her, and then she would have a few months of simplicity,
and quiet living, which she believed preserved one's health and mental
faculties. No one would have supposed she was eighty-six--I did not know
it until Mr. Castles told me. I do very much regret she could not have
lived a few years longer; you would have had a charming time, and there
would have been no relatives to interfere."

Helen winced, but said nothing.

"She has purchased various articles the last year for you, boxes of
trinkets marked with your name and put in my hands for safe keeping.
Hardly a week before that sad day she came home one morning with the
eager interest of a young person. She had bought a beautiful inlaid box
with fine brass handles, and some new things, and bade