ying that jewel-case
out in plain sight. How dare you do such a thing? I really wonder you
have not been held up a dozen times."

Miss Carew smiled her gentle but almost stern smile--the Carew smile,
which consisted in a widening and slightly upward curving of tightly
closed lips.

"I do not think," said she, "that anybody would be apt to interfere with
Margaret."

Viola Longstreet laughed, the ringing peal of a child, although she was
as old as Miss Carew. "I think you are right, Jane," said she. "I don't
believe a crook in New York would dare face that maid of yours. He
would as soon encounter Plymouth Rock. I am glad you have brought your
delightful old jewels, although you never wear anything except those
lovely old pearl sprays and dull diamonds."

"Now," stated Jane, with a little toss of pride, "I have Aunt Felicia's
amethysts."

"Oh, sure enough! I remember you did write me last summer that she had
died and you had the amethysts at last. She must have been very old."

"Ninety-one."

"She might have given you the amethysts before. You, of course, will
wear them; and I--am going to borrow the corals!"

Jane Carew gasped.

"You do not object, do you, dear? I have a new dinner-gown which clamors
for corals, and my bank-account is strained, and I could buy none equal
to those of yours, anyway."

"Oh, I do not object," said Jane Carew; still she looked aghast.

Viola Longstreet shrieked with laughter. "Oh, I know. You think the
corals too young for me. You have not worn them since you left off
dotted muslin. My dear, you insisted upon growing old--I insisted
upon remaining young. I had two new dotted muslins last summer. As for
corals, I would wear them in the face of an opposing army! Do not judge
me by yourself, dear. You laid hold of Age and held him, although
you had your complexion and your shape and hair. As for me, I had my
complexion and kept it. I also had my hair and kept it. My shape has
been a struggle, but it was worth while. I, my dear, have held Youth
so tight that he has almost choked to death, but held him I have. You
cannot deny it. Look at me, Jane Carew, and tell me if, judging by my
looks, you can reasonably state that I have no longer the right to wear
corals."

Jane Carew looked. She smiled the Carew smile. "You DO look very young,
Viola," said Jane, "but you are not."

"Jane Carew," said Viola, "I am young. May I wear your corals at my
dinner to-morrow night?"

"Why, of cour