forsake my aunt and sister in their need. Let me feel that I leave
one head as the motive-power of the multitudinous hands."

She agreed, in the same strain, to oblige him--a decision greeted
with satisfaction by the pair in whose behalf he besought her
friendly offices. The versatile invention and deft fingers of the
little brunette were welcome to the heavily-taxed housekeeper, as
were her gay good-humor and words of cheer and affection to the
younger of her companions. The two girls became more confidential in
six days than eighteen years of neigbborly intercourse had sufficed
to make them. Mabel's innate delicacy and excellent common sense
would, in ordinary circumstances, have barred effusiveness upon the
theme nearest her heart, but love at nineteen is rarely discreet,
even when the persuasives to communicativeness are less powerful
than were the sorcery of Rosa's sympathy and the confessions that
paved the way to answering and trustful communicativeness on her
friend's part.

They were having what she called "a good, long, comforting, as well
as comfortable chat" over their sewing in Mabel's chamber on the
afternoon of the eighth day of Winston's absence. The weather was
lovely, with the mellow brightness and balmy airs that make
Virginian autumns a joy and glory until November is half spent, and
the atmosphere held, at sunset, the warmth and much of the radiance
which had set the day--a perfect gem--in the heart of the golden
month. Into the eastern windows gazed the full moon, a crimson globe
upon the hazy horizon, while Venus lay, large and tremulous, among
the dying fires of the west.

"'Lovers love the western star,'" quoted Rosa, merrily, taking