CHAPTER III.
ONE STEP TOWARD THE HOMESTEAD.
Weeks passed on, and so necessary to the comfort of the invalid did the presence of Mrs.Carter become, that at last, by particular request, she took up her abode at the homestead, becoming Mrs.
Hamilton's constant nurse and attendant.

Lenora, for the time being, was sent to the house of a friend, who lived not far distant.

When Margaret Hamilton learned of the arrangement she opposed it with all her force.
"Send her away, mother," said she one evening; "please send her away, for I cannot endure her presence, with her oily words and silent footsteps.

She reminds me of the serpent, who decoyed Eve into eating that apple, and I always feel an attack of the nightmare whenever I know that her big, black eyes are fastened upon me." "How differently people see!" laughed Carrie, who was sitting by.
"Why, Mag, I always fancy _her_ to be in a nightmare when your big eyes light upon her." "It's because she knows she's guilty," answered Mag, her words and manner warming up with the subject.

"Say, mother, won't you send her off! It seems as though a dark shadow falls upon us all the moment she eaters the house." "She is too invaluable a nurse to be discharged for a slight whim," answered Mrs.Hamilton.