Year: 1879

CHAPTER N.


OF this family Elinor soon became q
valued member. She strove to live,
day by day, as her beloved mother
would have wished her to do and, con-
scious OF her dependent position, she
tried TO tighten the cares Of all about
her and render herself as useful as pos
sible. She soon became dear to Mr..
Stoddard, who had missed his gentle
daughter more than any one supposed
from his undemonstrative manner, and
she was not slow 10 perceive that he
liked to receive those little attentions
she had always loved to offer to her own
dear father. She lost no opportunity to
anticipate his wishes and perform any
little service that she thought would
crafty him; aud she felt richly reward
ed by his look Of approval and ocea-
sional word Of commendatiOn.


To Mrs. Stoddard she was as helpful
as possible, and amply repaid all the
care and trouble that lady had on ac-
count of her. But she felt that she was
not beloved by Mrs. 5. as she was by
the father and son, and longing, as she
did, for a mothers tenderness, the
knowledge grieved her deeply, and she
resolved to win more afIectionate re-
gard from her benefactress, if effort aud
thoughtfulness on her part could do It..
But the trouble was in Mrs. Stoddard's
cold, reserved nature. She did not iu-
tentionally repulse the young girl but
her heart did not open to receive her
spontaneously, and she thought as long
as she gave her a home and an educa-
tion she was doing everything that
could be expected of her-indeed more ;
so the poor girl strove in vain to win
real, motherly affection, which was
what she most desired, and to gain
which she would gladly have relin-
quished her luxurious home Tor a poor
one.


Bat she continued patiently and faith
fully to do all she could to make Mrs.
Stoddard's heart warm toward her, and
her tears were shed in secret, unsus-
pected by any but Frank, whose quick
sympathies made him very observant of
his friends looks and manner. He had
sufficient tact, however, never to allow
her to see that he knew when she felt
distressed; but even ne little guessed
all the feelings that filled her heart, for
he supposed that grief for the loss Of her
parents was the only thing that ever
made the brown eyes look dim and
heavy. At such times he was unusually
kind, and always tried to interest her
in something that would divert her
mind from her trouble.


As long as Frank was at home, Elinor
pursued her studies with him, as she
had been very well taught at home; and
these days passed more pleasantly than
any others. But it was not very long
before Frank had to return to school,
where he was fitting for college, which
be was ambitious TO enter as early as
possible.


How she longed to go with him for
she felt fully capable Of mastering the
same branches he was studying, and she
was already determind to fit herself to
earn her own living as soon as she
could, though in what way she had no
idea, her notions Of earning a living be-
ing about as visionary as a young girls
usually are. But she was very much in
earnest, aud that is what young girls
are not usually.


The time passed on, Sunshine and
shadow alternating in this home, as in
others, while Frank entered college and
Elinor was sent to fashionable school
for young ladies, where, after spending
the required time, each one completed
the prescribed course aud returned
home with a diploma certifying that
they had passed certain examinations
creditably ; but there was a wide differ
ence between the two, for Franks d.
plOma represented far more of real value
than hers. So far as his training went,
it had been thorough ; but Elinor's had
been mere veneering, intended only for
show, and worthless for anything else.


Frank intended to study law, and was
undecided whether to 90 at once into an
Office, after a brief pleasuring, as his
father advised, ,'or to 90 to Europe first,
as his mother wished. As usual, how
ever, her will prevailed, and, after only
a few weeks spent at home, the young
traveller set out to see for himself the
wonders and beauties Of the Old World.
OF course he no longer imagined that
his foster sister could accompany him
wherever he went, as he used to, in his
bOyish days but he still, as then,
wished that she could, for their childish
affection had never been Outgrown.
They had retained their old fondness for
each others society, their old sympathy
for each others troubles. and interest in
each others pursuits, and even Elinor
felt that it was hard to think she could
never hope to gaze upon MI. Blanc, or
walk the streets Of Rome with eager
feet, or see the glorious works OF art 10
Italy, simply because she was not really
Franks sister. To be sure, she TOOK
good care not to let him know she had
such thoughts, when he, in his biuh'
inipuIsive way, rallied at conventional
lilies that wouldn't let fellow take his
sister with him when he was going to
have a grand time, going everywhere