“And I hope all her summers, yours, too, and mine, can be spent up here. You will come next year, won’t you, Miss Rindy? Don’t you like it, and haven’t we had a happy, free time?” Miss Rindy gave her attention to counting stitches on the knitting she had in hand, then she answered: “You have given us a wonderful time, my dear, but in my experience it isn’t best to expect to repeat one’s good times. Things are seldom twice the same. Something is sure to happen that will alter conditions. In this world the only thing you can count on is change.” “Well, one thing can be counted upon, and that is my desire to repeat this summer’s experiences.” “That may be your desire at this moment, but it may not be six months hence. We all may be a thousand miles apart by next year; one can never tell. That vocation you are so fond of talking about may take you to China or—somewhere else,” she added with a chuckle. Before Mabel could expostulate Ellen came in. She went directly to her cousin, and, opening her letter, laid it before her. “Read that,” she said. Miss Rindy hastily glanced over it “Why, Ellen! Why, Ellen!” she exclaimed. “What a surprise! I am sorry that dear good man is gone, but I can’t help being glad for you.” “Mayn’t I come in on the surprise?” asked Mabel eagerly. “What did I say about changes?” Miss Rindy returned, as she handed over the letter which Mabel read immediately. “Of course it isn’t a fortune,” she commented, “but if those pictures sell well, it will swell the sum. I must spread the news abroad and get all my friends interested. I’ll buy one myself, and make Gran do the same, so you can count on two purchasers, at least.” “Where is Reed?” asked Miss Rindy. “Does he know about this?” “He does indeed, for he is mentioned in the will, too.” Then she told of what had been left to Reed. “He has gone to hunt up Tom,” she informed them. “So probably we have seen the last of them this day,” remarked Miss Rindy with one of her twisted smiles. “I declare when I think of that boy rowing nearly all night out in that fog, I don’t know what to say.” “I say he is a he-man,” responded Mabel. “I thought Tom was about the nicest ever, but now I may change my mind.” “Take care,” Miss Rindy spoke warningly. “Of what or whom?” inquired Mabel. “You should know without me saying,” replied Miss Rindy. “Well,” both girls flushed up, “I want to see him to congratulate him,” said Mabel. “Isn’t he coming back, Ellen?” “This afternoon, but please don’t congratulate him. We have both lost a dear friend, and just now we can think only of that.” “Of course, dear, I should have remembered.” Mabel spoke regretfully, and went over to put her arm around Ellen. Both girls had gained in weight and color. A row of tiny freckles had appeared on the bridge of Ellen’s nose, but her cheeks were rosy and her eyes bright, while Mabel was tanned and had lost a listless air which had been hers on her arrival.