TO MY FRIEND
EDWARD FRANK ALLEN



Contents

PAGE
I The Cottage in the Pines[13]
II "Lord Chesterfield"[31]
III The Invisible Guest[49]
IV Son Robert's Letter[63]
V The Little Hermit[79]
VI From the Shadow of the Pine-boughs[91]
VII "Lady Ariel"[103]
VIII The Lady of the Fire-glow[117]

The Illustrations

The ever-busy crutch fell unheeded to the floor and Aunt Cheerful Loring fell sobbing to her knees[Frontispiece]
FACING
PAGE
The boy seated himself upon the window sill and doffed his dripping cap with the air of a gallant[34]
So by the window the Lady Ariel and Aunt Cheerful gaily made crimson chains for a Christmas tree[64]
Jean drew forth the pitiful little canvas bag and stuffed it full of greenbacks[112]