why he should have to leave the vicinity of
Lakeside where she had lived so many years--at least during the summer
months. All her friends and acquaintances were there.

"I wonder if Viola has given him notice to leave since she came into her
father's property," mused Minnie. "I'm going to ask her. He may never
get such a good place in Boston as he has here. I'll see if I can't find
out why he wants to leave. It can't be just because father does not care
much for him."

So she called on Viola, as she had done often of late, and found her
friend sitting silent, and with unseeing eyes staring at the rows of
books in the library.

"Oh, Minnie, it was so good of you to come! I'm very glad to see you.
Since father went it has been very lonely. You look extremely well."

"I am well--and--happy. Oh, Viola, you're the first I have told,
but--but Mr. Blossom has--asked me to marry him, and--"

"Oh, how lovely! And you've said 'yes!' I can tell that!" and Viola
smiled and kissed her friend impulsively. "Tell me all about it!"

"And so it's all settled," went on Minnie, after much talk and many
questions and answers. "Only I'm sorry he's going to leave you."

"Going to leave me!" exclaimed Viola. Her voice was incredulous.

"Well, I mean going to give up the management of your business. I'm sure
you'll miss him."

"I shall indeed! But I did not know Mr. Blossom was going to leave. He
has said nothing to me or Aunt Mary about it. In fact, I--"

"Oh, is there something wrong?" asked Minnie quickly, struck by
something in Viola's voice.

"Well, nothing wrong, as far as we know. But--"

"Oh, please tell me!" begged Minnie. "I am sure you are concealing
something."

"Well, I will tell you!" said Viola at last. "I feel that I ought to, as
you may hear of it publicly. It concerns fifteen thousand dollars,"
and she went into details about the loan, which one party said had been
paid, and of which Blossom said there was no record.

"Oh!" gasped Minnie Webb. "Oh, what does it mean?" and, worried and
heartsick, lest she should have made a mistake, she sat looking dumbly
at Viola...

CHAPTER XXI. THE LIBRARY POSTAL

"My dear, I am sorry if I have told you anything that distresses you,"
said Viola gently. "But I thought--"

"Oh, yes, it is best to know," was the low response. "Only--only I was
so happy a little while ago, and now--"

"But perhaps it may all be explained!" interrupted Viola. "It is only
some tire