Left alone, just when the boy's nature was deepening into the man's, he turned to this ideal kingdom for all he believed the real world could never give him.

Love--a strange, almost mystical love--played its part here for him.

He shadowed forth to himself the vision of a woman, loving and beloved; he cherished it until it became almost as real to him as his own personality and he gave this dream woman the name he liked best--Alice.

In fancy he walked and talked with her, spoke words of love to her, and heard words of love in return.

When he came from work at the close of day she met him at his threshold in the twilight--a strange, fair, starry shape, as elusive and spiritual as a blossom reflected in a pool by moonlight--with welcome on her lips and in her eyes.
One day, when he was in Charlottetown on business, he had been struck by a picture in the window of a store.