Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. AN INTERRUPTED NIGHT (from inside flap of dust jacket) By ISABELLA M. ALDEN (PANSY) Author of "Ester Ried," "Wise and Otherwise," etc. In her preface Grace Livingston Hill, a niece of Pansy's, explains that this tale is based on actual facts told by the woman impersonated in the story by Mrs. Dunlap. Pansy, now eighty-seven years old and bed-ridden, found herself unable to complete the preparation of her story and entrusted the task of putting it into shape to Mrs. Hill, herself an author of great prominence. In spite of Pansy's advanced years she still shows the same sparkle and sincerity and understanding of youth that gave such interest and charm to "Ester Ried" and "Four Girls at Chautauqua." This story tells of how a young girl comes up against one of life's most terrible experiences and with the help of her new-found friend, Mrs. Dunlap, fights her way through a maze of trickery and deceit to a fuller understanding of life—and romance in all its beauty. AN INTERRUPTED NIGHT By ISABELLA M. ALDEN ("Pansy") _Author of_ _"The Fortunate Calamity,"_ _"Esther Reid," "Wise and Otherwise,"_ _"Three People," "Four Girls at Chautauqua," etc._ _With a Foreword by_ GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL [Illustration] J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY PHILADELPHIA & LONDON 1 9 2 9 [Illustration] Copyright, 1929, by J. B. Lippincott Company Printed in the United States of America FOREWORD AS LONG ago as I can remember there was always a radiant being who was next to my mother and father in my heart, and who seemed to me to be a sort of a combination of fairy godmother, heroine, and saint. I thought her the most beautiful, wise, and wonderful person in my world, outside of my home. I treasured her smiles, copied her ways, and listened breathlessly to all she had to say, sitting at her feet worshipfully whenever she was near; ready to run any errand for her, no matter how far. I measured other people by her principles and opinions, and always felt that her word was final. I am afraid I even corrected my beloved parents sometimes when they failed to state some principle or opinion as she had done. When she came on a visit the house seemed glorified because of her presence; while she remained, life was one long holiday; when she went away it seemed as if a blight had fallen.