200 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



kept her room persistently, and refused every social invita- 

 tion. 



" Ah ! that careless, careless Johnny, to lose that 

 precious note! "was her constant burden. But what 

 mattered it? He, the absent one, wandered in unknown 

 parts, and no sign or word had she received explaining his 

 abrupt and mysterious departure, or even telling where he 

 lingered. The garden had proved efficient in assisting 

 them ta maintain their position in society ; but alas ! at 

 what a heavy cost had it been accomplished. 



The snow lay thick and cold. December days were 

 dull and dark. It was cloudy within and cloudy with- 

 out, 



