Within, like a tangible Presence, an atmosphere of loved labour; good
will and high hopes greet the coming guests and speed the parting.

Little Studio in the pine woods, my appreciation and affection are
yours!

HARRIET T. COMSTOCK




THE MAN THOU GAVEST




CHAPTER I


The passengers, one by one, left the train but Truedale took no heed. He
was the only one left at last, but he was not aware of it, and then,
just as the darkness outside caught his attention, the train stopped so
suddenly that it nearly threw him from his seat.

"Accident?" he asked the conductor. "No, sah! Pine Cone station. I
reckon the engineer come mighty nigh forgetting--he generally does at
the end. The tracks stop here. You look mighty peaked; some one
expecting yo'?"

"I've been ill. My doctor ordered me to the hills. Yes: some one will