THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER, 339 
With strength restored and ability to assume 
the necessary charges of the family, now that 
they had a home of their own, after due counsel 
with her mother she had resolved to decline any 
further assistance from their unknown benefac¬ 
tors, feeling that they had already taxed their 
noble charities long enough. This determina¬ 
tion had been made known to Doctor Dean, 
coupled with the statement that the purpose 
was final and inflexible. In due time this in¬ 
formation had been communicated to Mr. Da¬ 
vidson, coupled with the earnest request that 
his agency in the transactions might now be 
made known to the parties who had so long 
been profited by his benefactions. 
During the intervening years Davidson had 
several times visited Willow Brook, and had 
made short calls at the brown cottage. In the 
mean time the decease of his father had placed 
him in possession of a large property, so in¬ 
vested that it was very productive. In the care 
and proper disposal of this large wealth he had 
found such constant employment that he had 
hardly thought of social wants or changes. In¬ 
deed, whatever of heart-longings he had felt in 
this direction had found gratification in his care 
