ace looked
familiar, but he could not recall where he had seen it before. He was
always meeting so many people that it was hard for him to remember them
all. Perhaps this was one of the newsboys, and that was the reason why
he recognised his face.

"What do you want, my lad?" he kindly enquired.

"We want to see Miss Royanna," was the reply.

A smile passed over the manager's face at the idea of the famous singer
entertaining such company.

"I am afraid that Miss Royanna is too tired to see you to-night," he
replied. "She gave strict instructions that no one was to be admitted."

"But we have come all the way from Hillcrest to see her," and Rod
lilted his blue eyes appealingly to the man's face. "It's very
important, sir."

"From Hillcrest, did you say," and light now began to dawn upon Mr.
Markham's mind. "And how is Miss Arabella?" he asked, while an amused
twinkle shone in his eyes.

"Oh, she's well, I guess. But may we see Miss Royanna? It's so
important, and we won't tire her very much."

John Markham remained silent for a while. He did not wish to turn
these little lads away now, but he wondered whether the singer would
mind if he should take them in. He had a great respect for Miss
Royanna, for it was seldom that he was able to obtain such a notable
person, and from the time that she had accepted his invitation to come
he had been greatly puzzled. Why should she have been so willing to
come to St. John, when cities four to five times the size were
clamouring for her? But she had written, accepting at once, and had
seemed really glad to come.

"Wait here," he at last ordered, as he turned on his heel, "and I shall
see what I can do with Miss Royanna."

CHAPTER XVIII

THE WAY OF THE HEART

Anna Royanna was very tired, and she was sitting in an old easy chair
waiting for the manager to come to take her to the hotel. She leaned
back in a listless manner, with her inclined head leaning upon her
right hand. It was a small hand, and very white. Her dark hair partly
shrouded her face of singular beauty and sweetness. But lines of care
were plainly visible, and as she waited there this night those lines
deepened. She was much depressed, notwithstanding the reception she
had received from the crowded house. She had been told that she was
expected to sing at the matinee on the morrow, and this was not at all
to her liking. She had been planning something of a far different
nature. S