space of time a marvellous transformation had taken place. In a soft
white dress, open at the throat, her beauty was enhanced ten-fold. Her
luxuriant wavy hair had been hurriedly brushed back, and her cheeks
bore the deep flush of health and youth. The woman at the head of the
table looked at her with undisguised admiration as she passed her a
piece of nicely browned fried salmon which an Indian servant girl had
brought in from the kitchen.

"It is too bad that your father isn't here to see you, Glen," she
remarked. "I never saw you look prettier. If we were outside, I might
suspect that the color in your cheeks is not due to health and exercise
alone."

"I am afraid you are flattering me, Nannie," Glen laughingly replied.
"You will make me vain, if you are not careful."

"I am not in the habit of flattering without good reason, as you well
know, dear. But I have been thinking lately what a great pity it is
that you should be wasting your young life in a place like this."

"Losing my sweetness on the desert air; is that it, Nannie? But what
about you?"

"Oh, I do not signify," and again the sad expression came into the
woman's eyes. "I might as well be here as anywhere else. But with you
it is different. You need companions of your own age, and a more
agreeable life than this place can provide."

"I certainly do," was the emphatic assent. "I never realised it until
my return from the Seminary. What is the use of all my education if I