All he could think of that seemed probable was that Rob had contracted a debt in the past and was working out of it himself, as a penance and a punishment. If so, it was brave and manly, and he would not interfere with the work of conscience. Yet it pained Uncle Robert to leave him toiling on alone, away from old friends, and making no new ones; it seemed unnatural for youth.

It was really delightful to get home once more and settle, Kathie thought.

66

"Now, mamma," she declared, we will not have any journeyings or wanderings about in strange places, but just a little bit of home life and home people. It will take me ever so long to get my mind untangled, and know what of the past I want to keep and what I shall throw away, dismiss and forget."

“Then you think there will be some you shall not care to retain?" And her mother smiled. "It is a good thing to have a weeding-out process now and then.”

The house was to be cleaned, the garden put in order, and taking up her old interests engrossed Mrs. Alston considerably. Kathie carolled about the place, joyous as a bird, her smile as bright as when in the midst of gayety. Clearly she had not yet been spoiled.

She stood by the open window one morning early in May. Oh, how fresh and fragrant it was with all this dewy sweetness! Birds were singing and darting hither and thither. Yonder a hen was clucking to her brood of downy chicks, and the ducks were swimming about in the lake. How wide and inspiriting after the narrow in-doors of pleasure!

Uncle Robert was sauntering slowly through the walks, surveying some improvements. The young girl tied back her beautiful flowing locks and ran down to him.

"Upon my word, Miss Kathie!" And there was a merry twinkle of affected surprise in his eye.

"You did not think I would be able to rise with the lark

after a winter of dissipation, did you?" she asked, with bewitching archness.

"Why, the lark has been up to heaven's gate and come back to her breakfast," he made answer, humorously.

"I have been almost up to heaven's gate, too"; and a sweet seriousness overspread her face. "I was glancing out over to the mountain, -hill I suppose we ought to say now, and all the glory of the scene, the peace and brooding tenderness, filled me with gratitude. I have seen so much, Uncle Robert, and yet nothing seems better to me than Cedarwood, though many things are grander."

66

'My little girl, I am glad, yes, thankful, that you can enjoy it thus heartily. It seems to me, a true appreciation of what is lofty and great ought never, would never, I should say, lead one to despise smaller phases of beauty and excellence."

66

"I should n't want to dwell among the Alps," Kathie said slowly: they chill me and leave a kind of awesome admiration. I do not think either that I would care to live at Rome, among ruins and old palaces and pictures; yet I am very glad to have seen it all, and now I am content and happy to be here and watch these lovely pictures that grow nearer perfection daily."

"So your winter's dissipation has not spoiled you?" She laughed brightly.

"I do suppose you sometimes thought I might dance away my senses. It was lovely, Uncle Robert, enchanting." And she gave a graceful pirouette on the gravel walk. "Am I queer and changeable? But it is so delightful to be alive, to enjoy everything. How would it feel, I wonder, to be languid and bored, and have no emotions!"

"O Miss Alston!" exclaimed a fresh, young voice; and Eugene Collamore reigned his horse up to the hedge. "Must I wish you joy, or shall you wish me? It's such a rare delight to see you. And I have stolen a march on the

girls. They were talking of you last night and will call to-day."

66

“I shall be glad to see them." And though the words were simply uttered, the earnest eyes she raised gave them meaning.

How beautiful she was, he thought, standing there in the sunshine, the wind blowing lightly among her curls, stirring them so softly they looked like a shower of gold.

"You have had a grand time at Washington, among the magnates and great people and everybody. I wonder if we shall not seem just a little commonplace, uninteresting?"

"Why should you not make yourself interesting?" And she glanced up archly. "You must not allow me to pine and waste away with ennui.

"O Miss Kathie, I don't believe you know what ennui is!"

She surely did not look as if it had depressed her seriously. He glanced her all over in a quick eager fashion, even to the dainty feet that still seemed to take dancing steps on the gravel walk.

"No, I do not believe I ever suffered from it. I think it

would be extremely ungrateful in me. What a pretty pony! Do you ride much?"

"Now and then of a morning. Fred and I have been taking constitutionals," with a laugh. What a queer, old-fashioned chap he is! O Miss Kathie, if you would go out some time! Wouldn't you trust her to go with me, Mr. Conover?"

“Oh, he trusts me to ride alone," cried Kathie, with innocent grace; but I like better to have company." "Will you go to-morrow, then? The girls nearly always drive in the afternoon."

"I could

And she glanced at Uncle Robert. "Of course," he said, consenting rather against his will.

"You must take good care of her."

Eugene promised in a delighted tone, and presently rode slowly away.

Was it best to utter some little word of warning? What could he say to his darling, with her fresh, pure heart, that would not somehow shadow it?

CHAPTER VIII.

KATHIE declared she meant to begin living in real earnest, and practised her music for an hour, then read with Uncle Robert.

"But it seems all for myself," she said. "Ought it not be something wider and better? Why, I used to be such a busy little girl!"

"I think you will find your hands full presently."

Indeed, just after luncheon, Mrs. Alston asked her to attend to some kindly errand for her, and when she returned Fay and Louise Collamore had come; so the girls had a chatty and delightful time, talking over all the happiness. They were very glad to get Kathie back again, and before their visit had ended, Georgie Halford came to insist that she should join the archery club.

No, the days were not likely to hang heavily on her hands. Eugene Collamore began to haunt her like a shadow. Their cousins came from the city for a fortnight, and there were teas, and discussions on needle-work and painting and music.

"If one could only tell just how much of one's life ought to be given to these pleasures," Kathie said to her mother. "It is so lovely to be flitting from one thing to another like a butterfly, enjoying all, and tiring of none. Do I waste my time, mamma?"

66

'My dear, there is a season of enjoyment as well as study and work. I think your mission just now is to make us all happy; and you do that."

"Thank you," with a fond kiss.