nfusion:

"My name is Mrs.--Alexander."

Mr. Knight started slightly, and threw a searching glance at her.

"Alexander! Ah, I used to know--But, pardon me; I was about to make you an
offer, I believe."

He seemed to consider a moment, then continued:

"I will give you five hundred dollars for this little work, just as it
stands, and if it proves to be a success after it is published, I will add
ten per cent, of the sales to that amount."

Virgie could scarcely credit her hearing at this generous offer.

She had never dreamed of anything like it, and bright visions of future
prosperity for herself and her child, attained through her own efforts,
alone, flitted through her mind.

But she did not lose her self-possession or betray her excessive delight
at the unexpected proposal.

"What am I to understand by your words, 'if it proves a success?'" she
asked.

Again the publisher's eyes twinkled.

He knew that she was a novice in dealing with business men, but he saw
that she was shrewd and practical, and, finding her talent valuable, meant
to make the most of it.

He meant, however, to do so well by her that she would be satisfied to
give her services exclusively to him.

"Well," he replied, "if the sales reach a thousand copies I shall consider
the book a success."

He knew well enough, if he could get it out in season, he could easily
sell three times that number for it was a wonderfully unique and
attractive affair.

"More than that," he continued, "if you are pleased to accept my offer, I
should like to engage you to prepare two or three designs of a similar
character for the Easter trade."

Virgie was not proof against all this good fortune. Her lips trembled, and
she was very near breaking down.

It seemed almost as if heaven had suddenly opened and sent her a kind
friend in the midst of her darkness and trouble.

"You are very kind, sir; I feel that you have made me a most liberal
offer, and I accept it most gratefully," she said.

Something in her tone--a sort of hopeless cadence mingling with the
gratitude, as if with all this good fortune there were a lurking despair
in her heart--touched the gentleman deeply.

He was becoming greatly interested in this beautiful woman, who, with that
look of heart-broken sadness in her violet eyes, and that grieved droop
about her sweet mouth, he believed must have some thrilling history
connected with her young life.

"Then, Mrs. Alexander, do your be