"Thank you, Cadman, thank you!" he exclaimed. My mind is quite relieved." "Of a burden you never carried!" thought Walter. To Edith he smiled reassuringly. "We'll get you so strong, you'll never think of loneliness," he said with great gentleness. When he was gone, Howard turned to Edith, all smiles. "You don't mind if I leave you for a few hours,--Mrs. Lambert will soon come, and I have an important date." "O, no," replied Edith, dreamily closing her eyes. "Make any arrangements you like, and don't spare money, you know." He leaned over and lightly kissed her forehead. Then quickly he left the room. Edith, alone with her thoughts, began to feel a twinge of her sensitive conscience. "Howard is generous, and I wish I could show more appreciation. But I couldn't care for money--if he would only stay with me, sometimes." Then her thoughts wandered to George. "He always knows what I need, she murmured." He always knows and always gives." CHAPTER XV. Spirit Upon Spirit. "I'm so glad that we did not choose a health resort!" exclaimed Alma standing up and feasting her eyes upon the rolling hills; green valleys, and chain of lakes. "Yes, this is far better than contemplating other sufferers. I do hope that I will soon be well," returned Edith, who sat propped by pillows in an invalid's chair. "Of course you will dear. This air would refresh anyone," Alma said, taking a deep breath with keen satisfaction. "You're not really ill now--just a poor little wilted flower that needs refreshing." Edith smiled sadly. "I hope that you are right. But somehow Alma, I feel as though everything was slipping away from me, and that my time has come to soon leave you all." "Edith dear, you must not talk so. Such thoughts keep you from getting well," her friend replied, looking lovingly at her through a mist of tears. Silently Edith gazed down the valley, and then giving a sigh as if to turn away from her own dreaming, she turned to Alma, smiling. "Alma, we've been here just two days, and you have not told me your great secret. Now is the time to confide." "That is just why I came to this place of seclusion this afternoon. I am anxious to talk it out. I am not sure whether you will be pleased with me or not. Promise me--you won't scold?" she asked playfully. "Scold you?" Edith said softly. "How could I?" "Edith, I don't know if I ever told you that Will's death left me entirely penniless." "Penniless, Alma? Why didn't you tell me long ago. You have not wanted for anything, have you?" she asked anxiously. "I have wanted for nothing, dear. I did not know, myself, what state my money affairs were in. George said, when they found dear Will's coat, that some valuable papers were in it which meant provision for me and Harold. He told me to leave all money matters to him and not to worry. I was glad to be relieved, and never found out until two weeks ago, that George has supported us all this time. Edith's eyes flashed appreciation.