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 this juncture entered the room, leaning on Eletheer. Mills sprang to offer her a chair, and as soon as she was seated Eletheer left the room.

"A charming family, De Vere," said Mills.

"A God-fearing one," returned Granny, "all except Eletheer have accepted the Word of God, which is cause for great thankfulness."

"God is good. His ways are inscrutable. Let us trust that the remaining lamb may be received into the fold," said Mills reverently.

"She is a good child, but wilfully in error, I fear," replied the old lady wiping her glasses. "Cornelia is a true De Vere and even at her age the family traits are pronounced in her." Mills moved uneasily.

"We were discussing Mr. De Vere's preserve on the mountain back of this house," he remarked. "I should like to erect a sanitarium on it."

"Eletheer has set her heart on that mining claim, and I think she ought to have it," said her grandmother.