d to look down the
street and saw Minnie Webb approaching. She looked so thoroughly
downcast that Viola was surprised.

"Hello, Minnie!" she exclaimed pleasantly. "Anything new or startling?"

"Nothing," was the somewhat listless reply. "Is there anything new
here?" and Minnie Webb's face showed a momentary interest.

"I can't say that there is," returned Viola. She paused for a moment.
"Won't you come in?"

"I don't think so-not to-day," stammered the other girl. And then as she
looked at Viola her face began to flush. "I--I don't feel very well. I
have a terrible headache. I think I'll go home and lie down," and she
hurried on without another word.

"There is certainly something wrong with Minnie," speculated Viola, as
she looked after her friend. "I wonder if it is on account of LeGrand
Blossom."

She did not know how much Minnie Webb was in love with the man who had
been her father's confidential clerk and who was now in charge of Mr.
Carwell's business affairs, and, not knowing this, she could, of course,
not realize under what a strain Minnie was now living with so many
suspicions against Blossom.

Divesting herself of her street dress for a more simple gown, Viola
inquired of the maid whether Colonel Ashley was in the house. When
informed that he had gone fishing with Shag, the girl, with a little
gesture of impatience, took her seat near a window to look over some
mail that had come during her absence.

As she glanced up after reading a belated letter of sympathy she saw,
alighting from his car which had stopped in front of The Haven, Captain
Gerry Poland. He caught sight of her, and waved his hand.

"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Viola. "If he hadn't seen me I could have said I
was not at home, but now--"

She heard his ring at the door and resigned herself to meeting him, but
if the captain had not been so much in love with Viola Carwell he could
not have helped noticing her rather cold greeting.

"I called," he said, "to see if there was anything more I could do for
you or for your aunt. I saw Blossom, and he says he is working over the
books. I've had a good deal of experience in helping settle up estates
that were involved. I mean--" he added hastily--"where no will was left,
and, my dear Viola, if I could be of any assistance--"

"Thank you," broke in Viola rather coldly, "I don't know that there is
anything you can do. It is very kind of you, but Mr. Blossom has charge
and--"

"Oh, of course I rea