“But the will states that the legacy is to be used for ’a European tour, or a wedding trousseau, or—­’”

“I know; but, mamma, I’ve had my European tour with you—­such a lovely one, too!” Katherine interposed; “while as for the trousseau”—­this with a faint smile—­“that is a possible need so far away in the dim distance as to be absolutely invisible at present.  So if you will let me use the money for Jennie I shall be happy, and I am sure it will be ‘bread’ well ’cast upon the waters.’”

“Dear heart!” replied her mother, in a voice that was not quite steady, “it is a lovely thought; but we cannot decide so important a matter without consulting your father.  If he approves you have my hearty sanction."’

John Minturn, big-hearted, whole-souled, and always ready to lend a helping hand to a needy brother or sister, was deeply touched by Katherine’s generosity.

“Well, ‘my girlie,’ I guess you can do about as you have a mind to with grandma’s legacy,” he said, when she unfolded her plan to him.  “To be sure she stated what it might be used for, but I think she meant you to get what you most wanted with it.  You’ve had the trip abroad, as you say, and”—­with a twinkle in his eyes that brought the color to her cheeks—­“when the wedding finery is needed—­which I hope won’t be for a long time yet—­I imagine it will promptly be forthcoming.”

“Thank you, papa.  I wonder if any other girl manages to get her own way as often as I do!” said the happy maiden, as she gave his ear a playful tweak and supplemented it with a kiss on his lips.

“Well, Miss Philanthropy, for once I’ll concede that it is an irresistible ‘way,’” he retorted, then added more seriously:  “And I think we will insist that Miss Wild shall return to Hilton as a regular student and have no outside duties to handicap her in the race, for the next three years.”

“That was my own thought, too, papa; but”—­with a look of perplexity—­“there are nearly three weeks before school opens, and I am wondering what she will do with herself during that time.”

“Oh, that is easily managed; tell her to board with some nice family, and be getting her finery in order.  Judging from what is going on upstairs, she’ll need a few stitches taken as well as some other people whom I know,” returned the man, with a chuckle; for, unlike the majority of his kind, he took a deep interest in the apparel of his wife and daughter, especially in the “pretty nothings” which add so much to the tout ensemble.

But upon confiding her plans to Mrs. Seabrook, that lady at once vetoed the boarding proposition.

“Tell Jennie to go directly to the seminary and remain with the matron and maids, who will be there next Monday to begin to put the house in order,” she had said.  “And—­as she knows where everything belongs—­if she will oversee our rooms put to rights I shall feel that I need not hurry back.”

So, with a happy heart, Katherine wrote immediately to her protegee a loving, tender letter, which also contained sympathetic messages from all her other friends.  Then, with great tact, she unfolded her own plans and wishes regarding her future, and in conclusion said: