All winter long Star pursued this busy life, improving every moment to the best advantage, making every hour count; and one morning, getting through her work earlier than usual, she might have been seen stealing forth from that elegant mansion a half hour before the regular time, her cheeks flushed with some inward excitement, her eyes gleaming, yet somewhat anxious, and carrying in her hands a goodly sized package neatly wrapped in brown paper. She took an opposite direction from the usual route to school, and walked hurriedly toward the business portion of the city. At the end of twenty minutes she stopped before the door of a large and handsome store, where for a moment she seemed to hesitate as if uncertain what to do next. At last, with fluctuating color and trembling hand, she turned the handle and entered. A little while passed, and then she came forth again, while now she appeared pale and agitated. As the door closed after her, she stood still for a moment upon the sidewalk, seeming lost in troubled thought; then a tremulous sigh, which was almost a sob, broke from her lips, and she turned and walked toward her school. CHAPTER VIII. RETRENCHMENT. Winter passed, spring came and went, and the commencement exercises of the seminary where Star was attending drew nigh. The faculty, as was their custom, sent forth cards of invitation to its patrons, requesting them to be present and see for themselves what their children had accomplished during the year. It chanced this time to fall upon Star’s birthday, although no one was aware of that fact save herself; but to her it was destined to prove an eventful occasion, and one long to be remembered. Mr. Richards received and opened his invitation with his other letters on that very morning, and after glancing over it, passed it to his wife. She merely looked at it, yawned, and then laid it indifferently one side. Mr. Richards compressed his lips at this. It did not please him that all the young girl’s interests should be thus slightingly ignored; but he said nothing, although his thoughts were busy during the remainder of the meal, and as soon as it was completed he repaired to his library and rang his bell. “Send Miss Gladstone to me,” he said to the servant who answered his summons. Star received the command, wondering what it meant, and went down, with some trepidation, to obey it. She was almost like an alien in that house, living so apart from the family, and so rarely encountering any of them; but she possessed a sunny, even disposition, and although she often grieved over the neglect she experienced, and yearned for love and sympathy, yet she would not allow herself to brood over it; thus she was always sweet and genial in her temperament. As she entered the library this morning, Mr. Richards looked up and smiled with pleasure. She was so fresh, and bright, and lovely that it was a delight to look upon her.