tted
incessantly.

"This is where we skate in the winter," she told him, pointing to the
river. "Oh, it is such fun when the ice is good. The boys come at
night and build great fires and we skate around them."

"Do you go to school?" Douglas asked when the girl paused an instant.

"Not now. You see, I have to help Nell, and that takes much of my
time. But daddy teaches me. He is a great scholar, and knows most
everything. He was a college professor before he became blind."

"Was he?" Douglas asked in surprise. "At what college?"

"Passdale; and it was such a lovely place. My dear mother died when we
were there. I was only a little girl when we left, but I remember it
well. Nell was at college when father became blind, and she felt so
badly about coming away before she could graduate."

"And have you lived here ever since?"

"Oh, yes. There is no other place for us to go."

"Do you like it?"

"Sure. I am happy wherever daddy and Nell are. We have such great
times together. But here we are right at the house. It wasn't far,
was it?"

Douglas did not reply for he was held spell-bound by the beautiful and
interesting scene before him. In a comfortable arm-chair sat the blind
musician listening intently to what his daughter was reading. She was
seated upon the ground by his side, with a book lying in her lap. It
was only for an instant, however, that Douglas was privileged to watch
her unobserved, but it was sufficient for him to note the rare charm of
her face and form.

"Oh, daddy! Nell!" the girl cried as she rushed forward. "You can't
guess who is here?"

At these words the fair reader lifted her head and her eyes rested upon
the stranger.

"It's the man who played for us in the city," the girl explained.
"Isn't it wonderful that I have found him!"

An expression of pleasure swept over the young woman's face, as she at
once rose to her feet and held out her hand.

"Any one who has befriended my father and sister is welcome here," she
quietly remarked. "Father," and she turned partly around, "this is the
man you have told us so much about. Nan has brought him to see you."

"I am delighted to meet you, sir," the old man replied, as he took
Douglas' hand. "I have wanted to thank you ever since that night you
helped us in the city. Get Mr.----"

"Handyman," Douglas assisted.

"Handyman, that's a good name. Nan, get him a chair and make him
comfortable."

"I am sorry that I h