TO THE FRAGRANT MEMORY
OF A SWEET YOUNG MOTHER WHO FACED DEATH
IN THE BATTLE OF MATERNITY—
AND LOST
Contents
| I. The Woman | [3] |
| II. The Elder Brother | [8] |
| III. Mrs. Pennybacker of Missouri | [15] |
| IV. The Thorn Road | [27] |
| V. "A White Life for Two" | [36] |
| VI. A Friend in Need | [42] |
| VII. Tried as by Fire | [51] |
| VIII. A New Rôle for Richard | [57] |
| IX. The Reaping of the Crop | [64] |
| X. "Dust to Dust" | [70] |
| XI. The Will | [75] |
| XII. A Losing Fight | [88] |
| XIII. The Wolf Blood | [95] |
| XIV. Mammy Cely's Story | [105] |
| XV. Instinct Triumphs | [114] |
| XVI. In the "North Countree" | [122] |
| XVII. We-que-ton-sing | [135] |
| XVIII. The Trail of the Serpent | [143] |
| XIX. The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea | [152] |
| XX. Self-chaperoned | [162] |
| XXI. In the Toils | [173] |
| XXII. At Bay | [187] |
| XXIII. Mothers and Foster-mothers | [195] |
| XXIV. The Man Who Won | [202] |
| XXV. The Madonna Picture | [212] |
| XXVI. Face to Face | [229] |
| XXVII. At Elmhurst | [237] |
| XXVIII. Hearts and Skins | [248] |
| XXIX. "Inasmuch—" | [259] |
| XXX. "Not Wisely but Too Well" | [267] |
| XXXI. A Woman's Crusade | [278] |
| XXXII. Margaret Enlists | [291] |
| XXXIII. A Long Pull and a Strong Pull | [300] |
| XXXIV. Rescue Work | [308] |
| XXXV. Mrs. Pennybacker Talks | [316] |
| XXXVI. Margaret's Resolve | [328] |
| XXXVII. The Red Paper | [335] |
| XXXVIII. The Mother Comes to Her Own | [342] |
| XXXIX. Shoulder to Shoulder | [351] |
| XL. The Unexpected Happens | [357] |
| XLI. Under the Wistaria | [369] |
| XLII. The Confessional | [381] |
| XLIII. In the Library Once More | [390] |
| XLIV. As Aforetime | [400] |
CHAPTER I
THE WOMAN
A hush fell on the waiting throng at old St. John's. The soft babble of modulated voices died suddenly away as from the greenery and the daisies of the chancel a singer's voice rose sweet and clear. The white-ribboned, white-canvased aisles were ready for the coming of a bride's feet, and the wedding guests imprisoned behind the silken bands bent forward expectantly to hear her nuptial song.
That song, as was most meet, breathed love and perfect trust; when it was finished there were tears in many eyes. Women's hearts are very tender at weddings, and the song was in the universal key.