all so sweet and kind, and so like
dear old Jack, that I cried all night. And then I resolved to come here,
where his letter was dated from. Luckily I was of age now, and could
do as I liked, and I said I wanted to travel in South America and
California; and I suppose they didn't think it very strange that
I should use my liberty in that way. Some said it was quite like a
Dornton! I knew something of Callao from your friend Miss Avondale, and
could talk about it, which impressed them. So I started off with only a
maid--my old nurse. I was a little frightened at first, when I came to
think what I was doing, but everybody was very kind, and I really feel
quite independent now. So, you see, a girl may be INDEPENDENT, after
all! Of course I shall see Mr. Dingwall in San Francisco, but he need
not know anything more than that I am traveling for pleasure. And I may
go to the Sandwich Islands or Sydney, if I think HE is there. Of course
I have had to use some money--some of HIS rents--but it shall be paid
back. I will tell you everything about my plans when I see you.

Yours faithfully,

SIBYL EVERSLEIGH.

P. S. Why did you let me cry over that man's tomb in the church?

Randolph looked again at the date, and then hurriedly consulted the
shipping list. She was due in ten days. Yet, delighted as he was with
that prospect, and touched as he had been with her courage and naive
determination, after his first joy he laid the letter down with a sigh.
For whatever was his ultimate ambition, he was still a mere salaried
clerk; whatever was her self-sacrificing purpose, she was still the rich
heiress. The seal of secrecy had been broken, yet the situation remained
unchanged; their association must still be dominated by it. And he
shrank from the thought of making her girlish appeal to him for help an
opportunity for revealing his real feelings.

This instinct was strengthened by the somewhat formal manner in which
Mr. Dingwall announced her approaching visit. "Miss Eversleigh will stay
with Mrs. Dingwall while she is here, on account of her--er--position,
and the fact that she is without a chaperon. Mrs. Dingwall will, of
course, be glad to receive any friends Miss Eversleigh would like to
see."

Randolph frankly returned that Miss Eversleigh had written to him, and
that he would be glad to present himself. Nothing more was said, but as
the days passed he could not help noticing that, in proportion as Mr.
Dingwall's manner bec