XV. BETWIXT TWO, 306 XVI. HOPE THROUGH A WIDER OUTLOOK, 328 XVII. IN THE DELIGHTFUL CURRENT, 348 XVIII. WRIT IN AN UNKNOWN TONGUE, 371 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE Helen tells her dreams to the old apple-tree. (_Frontispiece_) 6 Helen put her head down suddenly, and pressed her lips on the jewelled hand 55 Helen's first day at Aldred House 192 They were winding round into Elm Avenue, with great bunches of wild flowers and bright leaves 235 When Helen returned there was a box that had been sent across the water, with some pretty laces and a fine neck-chain and charm 272 He looked like an old picture, but he was a gentleman, every inch of him 390 Transcriber's note: In the List of Illustrations there is reference to an ilustration on page 235. It could not be found. HELEN GRANT'S SCHOOLDAYS CHAPTER I HELEN It had been a great day for the children at Hope Center the closing day of school, the last of the term, the last of the week. The larger boys and girls had spent the morning decorating the "big" room, which was to be the assembly-room. At the Center they were still quite primitive. There were many old or rather elderly people very much opposed to "putting on airs." Boys and girls went to school together, but they wouldn't have called it co-education. So the main room where various meetings and occasional entertainments were held, was always known by the appellation "big." It was very prettily trimmed with the shining sprays of "bread and butter," and wild clematis, and the platform was gay with flowers. Seats were arranged on either hand for the graduating class, and the best singers in school. There was a very good attendance. Closing day was held in as high esteem as Washington's Birthday, or Decoration Day. Christmas was only partly kept, the old Hope settlers being an offshoot of the Puritans, and the one little Episcopalian chapel had almost to fight for its Holy days.