it?"

"Nelson Randolph of the Paper Company."

"Oh, yes!" she cried, "that's all right."

"Where will you have it? On this side?"

"I--guess so--" She looked around. "Yes, here'll be a good place."

"All right, ma'am! Another man 'll be up to do the wiring. I'm
only putt'n' on the loop. Orders were to rush it through--that's
why I'm so early." He grinned. "Hope I haven't disturbed you,
ma'am."

She assured him that she was not in the least disturbed. She drew
down the shades and turned back to the room. It was not yet six
o'clock.

A telephone of her very own! Delightful possibilities loomed
before her through all her dressing. No more dreading of stormy
days when she would be shut in the house; no more fears to torture
her in the wakeful hours of the night. Help and protection would
be hers at call!--And she could talk with Polly! She wanted to
dance for very joy. And only two days ago her heart was aching!
She felt as if it would never ache again.

At breakfast she heard many surmises regarding the strange noises
about the building, before the workmen on the L were there. She
decided to keep silent unless she were asked. It would be known
early enough.

The electrician had come and gone, leaving on a table by the window
the little instrument which seemed to its happy possessor to be
almost alive. She stood looking at it and wondering how soon it
would be in working order, when Mrs. Albright came in.

At once she saw the telephone, and stared in astonishment.

Miss Sterling laughed. "No more midnight troubles!"

"I am so surprised I don't know what to say." The visitor sat down.

"It isn't usable yet," Miss Sterling told her. "The man said he
had to do some wiring in the cellar, make connections, and so on."

"Won't it be lovely for you!" cried Mrs. Albright.

"For all of us," amended the other. "I want the ladies to feel
that it belongs to them as well as to me, and to come and use it
whenever they wish."

"That is good of you! I'm sure it is needed badly enough. Isn't it
nice that Miss Crilly is doing so well?"

"Yes, I'm glad as can be! I felt she would come out all right, but
it is better to know it."

"She owes her life to you. I never should have dared to brave Miss
Sniffen's anger, as you did."

"I guess I shouldn't have dared, if I hadn't known there was
somebody ready to stand by me in case of need."

"That must have helped. Miss Sterling, I couldn't keep fro