He expressed his grateful appreciation of what the Minturns, particularly Katherine, had done for his niece, but insisted upon refunding all that they had thus far expended upon her education.

“It is but just and right,” he persisted, when Katherine demurred, saying it had been “a love offering, and she did not wish it back.”  “I am abundantly able to do it and also to give her every advantage in the future.  I do feel, however, that nothing can ever repay you for the great kindness you have shown her.”

He afterwards had a private conversation with Jennie, during which he proposed to legally adopt her, if she had no objection to taking his name, and would be content to make her home with an “old gentleman” like himself.

“Content!” she exclaimed, drawing an ecstatic breath.  “Well, for a girl who has always felt that she didn’t really belong anywhere, that is a prospect that would just about turn my head if I hadn’t found a new chart and compass to steer by.  As for the ’old gentleman,’ if you don’t mind”—­with a roguish glance but flushing slightly—­“I’d—­like to tell you I think he is just dear.”

“I wonder what I’ll have to pay for that?” said Mr. Arnold, laughing, but with a suspicious moisture in his eyes.

“Well,” said Jennie, cocking her head on one side and giving him an arch look, “if you’ll try to think the same of me we’ll call it square.”

“That won’t be such a difficult task,” he replied, gently touching a curling lock on her forehead that was so like his sister’s.

“As for the name,” Jennie resumed, more seriously, “you say my middle one was given me for you; why not transpose it and call me Mildred Jennison Arnold?  Then I can keep them all, and it will not seem out of place to still address me as ‘Jennie.’”

This was regarded as a happy thought, and, as soon as the necessary papers could be made out, she became Alfred Arnold’s legally adopted daughter.

His chief thought now appeared to be to make her life as happy as possible, and, after consulting her wishes, he purchased a lovely home very near Hilton Seminary, secured a competent and motherly woman for a housekeeper, and thus the girl was enabled to continue her course at school, as a day scholar, and enjoy her delightful home at the same time.

Dr. Stanley also bought a fine residence in the same locality, and early in January Katherine was back once more to take up her life work ’mid old familiar scenes, greatly to the delight of the Seabrooks and her many other friends.

Her husband still retained his office in the city, but with a new sign now hanging in his window—­“Phillip Harris Stanley, M.D., Christian Scientist,” and already he was becoming widely known as a successful practitioner.

Soon after their return, in the fall, Prof.  Seabrook and his family identified themselves with the Scientists of the city, and also with “the Mother Church” in Boston.  Some of the pupils dropped out of Hilton, because of this step, but others came to fill their places, and a year later both wings of the building had been extended and a most flourishing condition of affairs prevailed.  Miss Reynolds had resigned her position at Hilton, at the beginning of the year, and remained at home with her mother, and where she also had taken up her work for Truth.