ce.

"Jones, I wish you would turn on the steam heat. The room seems chilly."

"Sorry, sir, but the steam is on full blast. Is there anything else that
you wish?"

"No; you can go."

He sat down, and for the next hour again tried to concentrate his mind
upon his work. It seemed useless. He looked at his watch; it was a
quarter to six. "I think I will have to go home," he muttered to
himself. "I don't feel very well, somehow."

John, the office-boy, here put in an appearance. "I beg pardon, Mr.
Mordaunt, if you don't want me any more to-night, may I go? All the
other clerks have gone."

"Yes." And John disappeared into the outer office.

A few minutes later he again put in his head. "Mr. Mordaunt, a lady
wishes to see you; shall I show her in?"

"Certainly."

The door was flung open, and Violet Easton entered.

So sudden and unexpected was her appearance that Jack had to grasp the
desk to steady himself. Really, he thought, my nerves must be
frightfully unstrung. I think I must take a holiday. Aloud, he said:
"Why, Miss Easton, this is a most unexpected pleasure. Won't you be
seated? Can I be of any service to you?"

He drew a chair up for her, and she took it, and he sank back into his
own.

And now for the first time he had an opportunity to look at her, for she
had pushed up the heavy veil that covered her face.

She looked ghastly white, and heavy black rings were round her eyes,
"Miss Easton, you look ill. Can I get you anything?"

"Oh no. I am not ill."

He said no more, but waited for her to speak. At last she did. "Mr.
Mordaunt, I thought a long time before troubling you, but I decided that
as it was purely a matter of business you would not object. I desire
you to draw out my will, and, as I am contemplating leaving the city
to-morrow, it would be a great convenience if you could do it now and
let me sign it. Then perhaps you would be good enough to keep it for me.
I have my reasons--"

"I can assure you that I shall be more than pleased to do anything you
request."

"Then will you kindly write as I dictate? Of course I wish you to put it
in legal form, as," and she smiled, "I prefer to avoid litigation."

He drew towards him several sheets of legal cap, and began to write as
she dictated.

He read it over to her when it was finished, and she nodded approval.

"And now, if you will execute it, I will try and get the janitor and his
wife to acknowledge the instrument. I regret to say al