.

SHADOWS ON THE SAGE-SLOPE.
In the cloudy, threatening, waning summer days shadows lengthened down the sage-slope, and Jane Withersteen likened them to the shadows gathering and closing in around her life.
Mrs.Larkin died, and little Fay was left an orphan with no known relative.

Jane's love redoubled.

It was the saving brightness of a darkening hour.

Fay turned now to Jane in childish worship.