CHAPTER XVII.
A DESOLATE HOME AND A DESOLATE PEOPLE.
As Gretchen was hurrying home on the evening after these exciting scenes, she met Mrs.Woods in the trail, and she saw at a glance that her foster-mother was in great distress.
"O Gretchen," she said, "I am so glad that you have come--you are all that is left to me now! I am all alone in the world! Have you heard it, Gretchen ?" "What, mother ?" "Husband is drowned!" Mrs.Woods seized the arm of the girl, and the two helpless women hurried toward their rude home, each to relate to the other a scene of distress, and each to wonder what the wide future had in store for them.
They held each other by the hand, and talked in the open door of the cabin.

Then they went in and ate a simple meal of milk and berries, and lay down and slept the sleep of sorrow.
At the early light they awoke.

Almost the first words that Gretchen spoke were: "Let us face life and be fearless.

I have faith.

My father had faith, and my mother lived by faith.