Chapter I: Preface

It was love for others which made Amy Kaye make use of the first opportunity which offered, even though it was an humble one and she was handicapped by ignorance. But having once decided what course was right for her, she followed it with a singleness of purpose and a thoroughness of effort which brought a prompt success. The help she was to others was no small part of this success. For in an age of shams and low ideals the influence of even one sincere girl is far-reaching; and when to that sincerity she adds the sympathy which makes another's interests as vital to her as her own, this influence becomes incalculable for good.

It is the author's hope that the story of "Reels and Spindles" may aid some young readers to comprehend and make their own this beauty of simplicity and this charm of sympathy which are the outcome of unselfishness.

E. R.

BALTIMORE, April 3, 1900.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. A BYWAY OF THE ARDSLEY 11

II. THE MILL IN THE GLEN 23

III. FAIRACRES 33

IV. HALLAM 47

V. A KINSMAN OF THE HOUSE 60

VI. SETTLEMENTS 70

VII. THE "SPITE HOUSE" OF BAREACRE 82

VIII. NEEDS AND HELPERS 93

IX. THE WATERLOO OF BONAPARTE LAFAYETTE 105

X. HOME-MAKING 117

XI. THE YOUNG OLD MAN AND OLD YOUNG GIRL 130

XII. BAD NEWS FROM BURNSIDE 142

XIII. AMY PAYS A BUSINESS CALL 154

XIV. PEPITA FINDS A NEW HOME 167

XV. FACING HARD FACTS 181

XVI. AMY BEGINS TO SPIN 192

XVII. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BALAAM 210

XVIII. THE FASCINATION OF INDUSTRY 224

XIX. MOTIVES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS 236

XX. IN THE OLD HOME 248

XXI. A PECULIAR INVITATION 264

XXII. TWO WANDERERS RETURN 279

XXIII. FREDERIC KAYE'S WELCOME HOME 292

XXIV. FAIRACRES IS CLOSED 304

XXV. MYSTERIES AND MASTERIES 315

XXVI. A PICNIC IN THE GLEN 324

XXVII. A DOUBLE INHERITANCE IN A SINGLE DAY 333

XXVIII. ONE WONDERFUL AUTUMN DAY 345

XXIX. CONCLUSION 363

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE "She pulled a book from her pocket and began to read" _Frontispiece_ 12

"'Take care! You'll drop sperm on the rug, tipping that candlestick so!'" 68

"'Then I'm glad, glad that you are to have Pepita'" 173

"She so gently manipulated the swollen ankle and bound it with the lotions" 262

"He began to gather up the coins" 334

REELS AND SPINDLES.