ish I had a better one. Well, I did have good advantages up to the
time I was seventeen. After I was old enough I went to school quite
steadily, but it seems to me that I learned a little of everything and
not much of anything. When father died and we lost our property, we had
to take to our needles. I suppose I might have obtained work in a
store, or some such place, but I couldn't bear to leave mother alone
and I disliked being in public. I certainly didn't know enough to
teach, and besides, I was afraid to try."

"Well, well! You've stumbled into a quiet enough place at last."

"That's what I like most about it, but I don't think I stumbled into
it. I think I've been led and helped. That's what I meant when I said
you didn't understand me," she added hesitatingly. "It doesn't take
courage for me to go to God. I get courage by believing that he cares
for me like a father, as the bible says. How could I ever have found
so kind a friend and good a home myself?"

"I've been half inclined to believe there's a Providence in it
myself--more and more so as I get acquainted with you. Your troubles
have made you better, Alida; mine made me worse. I used to be a
Christian; I aint any more."

She looked at him smilingly as she asked, "How do you know?"

"Oh! I know well enough," he replied gloomily. "Don't let's talk about
it any more," and then he led her on to speak simply and naturally
about her childhood home and her father and mother.

"Well," he said heartily, "I wish your mother was living for nothing
would please me better than to have such a good old lady in the house."

She averted her face as she said huskily, "I think it was better she
died before--" But she did not finish the sentence.

By the time dinner was over the sun was shining brightly, and he asked
her if she would not like to go up the lane to his woodland to see the
view. Her pleased look was sufficient answer. "But are you sure you
are strong enough?" he persisted.

"Yes, it will do me good to go out, and I may find some wild flowers."

"I guess you can, a million or two."

By the time he was through at the barn she was ready and they started
up the lane, now green with late April grass and enlivened with
dandelions in which bumblebees were wallowing. The sun had dried the
moisture sufficiently for them to pass on dry-shod, but everything had
the fresh, vernal aspect that follows a warm rain. Spring had advanced
with a great bou