Chapter 4

“I heard but one and do not wish to hear more. My soul sought food and was given a lecture.” “Oh, well, Mary, you know other people don’t think and feel as you do. Mr. Paxton is a fine young man. He has quite a notion of my niece Stella Chase, too. I’m hoping it will be a match.” “Do you mean a marriage?” asked Mary. Ellen shrugged her plump shoulders. “Now, Mary, you understand what I mean well enough. And it would be just the thing. Stella is especially fitted to be a minister’s wife. By the way, I hear that Alde…