in, straw-colored hair was done up in
curl-papers. She was vinegary of feature, her light blue eyes were as
sharp as gimlets, and her lips were continually screwed up into the
expression of one determined to say "prunes."

She sat in a straight-backed chair in the sitting-room, in a flowered silk
bed-wrapper, and she looked just as glad to see Helen as though the girl
were her deadliest enemy.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"I am Helen Morrell," said the girl.

"What do you want of Mr. Starkweather at this hour?"

"Just what I would want of him at any hour," returned the Western girl,
who was beginning to become heartily exasperated.

"What's that, Miss?" snapped the housekeeper.

"I have come to him for hospitality. I am his relative--rather, I am Aunt
Eunice's relative----"

"What do you mean, child?" exclaimed the lady, with sudden emotion. "Who
is your Aunt Eunice?"

"Mrs. Starkweather. He married my mother's sister--my Aunt Eunice."

"Mrs. Starkweather!" gasped Mrs. Olstrom.

"Of course."

"Then, where have _you_ been these past three years?" demanded the
housekeeper in wonder. "Mrs. Starkweather has been dead all of that time.
Mr. Willets Starkweather is a widower."

"Aunt Eunice dead?" cried Helen.

The news was a distinct shock to the girl. She forgot everything else for
the moment. Her face told her story all too well, and the housekeeper
could not doubt her longer.

"You're a relative, then?"

"Her--her niece, Helen Morrell," sobbed Helen. "Oh! I did not know--I did
not know----"

"Never mind. You are entitled to hospitality and protection. Did you just
arrive?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Your home is not near?"

"In Montana."

"My goodness! You cannot go back to-night, that is sure. But why did you
not write?"

"I telegraphed I was coming."

"I never heard of it. Perhaps the message was not received. Gregson!"

"Yes, ma'am," replied the footman.

"You said something about a taxicab waiting outside with this young lady's
luggage?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Go and pay the man and have the baggage brought in----"

"I'll pay for it, ma'am," said Helen, hastily, trying to unlock her bag.

"That will be all right. I will settle it with Mr. Starkweather. Here is
money, Gregson. Pay the fare and give the man a quarter for himself. Have
the trunk brought into the basement. I will attend to Miss--er----?"

"Morrell."

"Miss Morrell, myself," finished the housekeeper.

The footman withdrew. The