HOMESTEAD ON THE HILLSIDE by MRS. MARY JANE HOLMES By the Same Author in uniform style: _Dora Deane_ _Cousin Maude_ _Lena Rivers_ _Meadow Brook_ _English Orphans_ _Maggie Miller_ _Rosamond_ _Tempest And Sunshine_ _Homestead on the Hillside_ CONTENTS The Homestead On The Hillside Chapter I. Mrs. Hamilton Chapter II. Lenora And Her Mother Chapter III. One Step Toward The Homestead Chapter IV. After The Burial Chapter V. Kate Kirby Chapter VI. Raising The Wind Chapter VII. The Stepmother Chapter VIII. Domestic Life At The Homestead Chapter IX. Lenora And Carrie Chapter X. Darkness Chapter XI. Margaret And Her Father Chapter XII. "Carrying Out Dear Mr. Hamilton's Plans" Chapter XIII. Retribution Chapter XIV. Finale Rice Corner Chapter I. Rice Corner Chapter II. The Belle Of Rice Corner Chapter III. Monsieur Penoyer Chapter IV. Cousin Emma Chapter V. Richard Evelyn And Harley Ashmore Chapter VI. Mike And Sally Chapter VII. The Bride The Gilberts; Or, Rice Corner Number Two Chapter I. The Gilberts Chapter II. Nellie Chapter III. The Haunted House Chapter IV. Jealousy Chapter V. New Relations Chapter VI. Poor, Poor Nellie The Thanksgiving Party And Its Consequences Chapter I. Night Before Thanksgiving Chapter II. Thanksgiving Day Chapter III. Ada Harcourt Chapter IV. Lucy Chapter V. Uncle Israel Chapter VI. Explanation Chapter VII. A Maneuver Chapter VIII. Cousin Berintha And Lucy's Party Chapter IX. A Wedding At St. Luke's Chapter X. A Surprise Chapter XI. Lizzie CHAPTER I. MRS. HAMILTON. For many years the broad, rich acres, and old-fashioned, massive building known as "The Homestead on the Hillside," had passed successively from father to son, until at last it belonged by right of inheritance to Ernest Hamilton. Neither time nor expense had been spared in beautifying and embellishing both house and grounds, and at the time of which we are speaking there was not for miles around so lovely a spot as was the shady old homestead. It stood at some distance from the road, and on the bright green lawn in front were many majestic forest trees, on which had fallen the lights and shadows of more than a century; and under whose widespreading branches oft, in the olden time, the Indian warrior had paused from the chase until the noonday heat was passed. Leading from the street to the house was a wide, graveled walk bordered with box, and peeping out from the wilderness of vines and climbing roses were the white walls of the huge building, which was surrounded on all sides by a double piazza.