This novel appeared as a serial in the "Congregationalist" of Boston, and my acknowledgments are due to the editors and publishers of this journal for their confidence in taking the story before it was written and for their uniform courtesy. I can truly say that I have bestowed more labor on this book than upon any which have preceded it; for the favor accorded me by the public imposes the strongest obligation to be conscientious in my work. CONTENTS I. ONE GIRL'S IDEAL OF LIFE II. WEAKNESS III. CONFIDENTIAL IV. "PITILESS WAVES" V. THE RUDIMENTS OF A MAN VI. ROGER DISCOVERS A NEW TYPE VII. COMPARISONS VIII. CHANGES IX. NEITHER BOY NOR MAN X. A COUNCIL XI. A SHADOW XII. VIEWLESS FETTERS XIII. A SCENE BENEATH THE HEMLOCKS XIV. THE OLD MANSION XV. "WELCOME HOME" XVI. BELLE AND MILDRED XVII. BELLE LAUNCHES HERSELF XVIII. "I BELIEVE IN YOU" XIX. BELLE JARS THE "SYSTEM" XX. SEVERAL QUIET FORCES AT WORK XXI. "HE'S A MAN" XXII. SKILLED LABOR XXIII. THE OLD ASTRONOMER XXIV. ROGER REAPPEARS XXV. THE DARK SHADOW OF COMING EVENTS XXVI. WAXING AND WANING MANHOOD XXVII. A SLAVE XXVIII. NEW YORK'S HUMANITY XXIX. THE BEATITUDES OF OPIUM XXX. THE SECRET VICE REVEALED XXXI. AN OPIUM MANIAC'S CHRISTMAS XXXII. A BLACK CONSPIRACY XXXIII. MILDRED IN A PRISON CELL XXXIV. "A WISE JUDGE" XXXV. "I AM SO PERPLEXED" XXXVI. A WOMAN'S HEART XXXVII. STRONG TEMPTATION XXXVIII. NO "DARK CORNERS" XXXIX. "HOME, SWEET HOME" XL. NEIGHBORS XLI. GLINTS OF SUNSHINE XLII. HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN XLIII. WAS BELLE MURDERED XLIV. THE FINAL CONSOLATIONS OF OPIUM XLV. MOTHER AND SON XLVI. A FATAL ERROR XLVII. LIGHT AT EVENTIDE XLVIII. "GOOD ANGEL OF GOD" XLIX. HOME APPENDIX WITHOUT A HOME CHAPTER I ONE GIRL'S IDEAL OF LIFE It was an attractive picture that Martin Jocelyn looked upon through the open doorway of his parlor. His lively daughter Belle had invited half a score of her schoolmates to spend the evening, and a few privileged brothers had been permitted to come also. The young people were naturally selecting those dances which had some of the characteristics of a romp, for they were at an age when motion means enjoyment. Miss Belle, eager and mettlesome, stood waiting for music that could scarcely be lighter or more devoid of moral quality than her own immature heart. Life, at that time, had for her but one great desideratum--fun; and with her especial favorites about her, with a careful selection of "nice brothers," canvassed with many pros and cons over neglected French exercises, she had the promise of plenty of it for a long evening, and her dark eyes glowed and cheeks flamed at the prospect. Impatiently tapping the floor with her foot, she looked toward her sister, who was seated at the piano.