re of her balance. As she sat in her seat she thought nobody could
observe her.

Then she withdrew what she thought she might need, and put the remainder
of the money back into the old wallet, snapped the strong elastic about
it, and slid it down to the bottom of the bag again.

The key of the bag she carried on the chain with her locket, which locket
contained the miniatures of her mother and father. Key and locket she hid
in the bosom of her dress.

She looked up suddenly. There was the fatherly-looking old person almost
bending over her chair back. For an instant the girl was very much
startled. The old man's eyes were wonderfully keen and twinkling, and
there was an expression in them which Helen at first did not understand.

"If you have finished with that magazine, my dear, I'll exchange it for
one of mine," said the old gentleman coolly. "What! did I frighten you?"

"Not exactly, sir," returned Helen, watching him curiously. "But I _was_
startled."

"Beg pardon. You do not look like a young person who would be easily
frightened," he said, laughing. "You are traveling alone?"

"Yes, sir."

"Far?"

"To New York, sir," said Helen.

"Ah! a long way for a girl to go by herself--even a self-possessed one
like you," said the fatherly old fellow. "I hope you have friends to meet
you there?"

"Relatives."

"You have never been there, I take it?"

"I have never been farther east than Denver before," she replied.

"Indeed! And so you have not met the relatives you are going to?" he
suggested, shrewdly.

"You are right, sir."

"But, of course, they will not fail to meet you?"

"I telegraphed to them. I expect to get a reply somewhere on the way."

"Then you are well provided for," said the old gentleman, kindly. "Yet, if
you should need any assistance--of any kind--do not fail to call upon me.
I am going through to New York, too."

He went back to his seat after making the exchange of magazines, and did
not force his attentions upon her further. He was, however, almost the
only person who spoke to her all the way across the continent.

Frequently they ate together at the same table, both being alone. He
bought newspapers and magazines and exchanged with her. He never became
personal and asked her questions again, nor did Helen learn his name; but
in little ways which were not really objectionable, he showed that he took
an interest in her. There remained, however, the belief in Helen's mind
that he