he Wares never had nothing, but I guess this here
Justin has cleaned up a lot of money. Don't follow that everybody
could do the same in his place, though. Some folks have the luck, and
some have got the pluck, and some have both." He sighed. "Of course
you understand, Persis, that Lena wants me to do exactly as I think
best. Only--only when a woman gets her heart set on a thing, a man
feels like a brute to think of having his own way."

"Yes," Persis said gently, "I understand." And then with more optimism
than she felt she added: "Maybe something will happen so she'll look at
it different."

Thomas Hardin and Joel were awaiting her in the unsocial silence
characteristic of their sex when no feminine incentive to
conversational brilliancy is at hand. Thomas' eyes kindled as he said
good evening. Joel, after two meals in which he had fended for
himself, looked more than ever like an early Christian martyr.
"There's a letter come for you," he said with marked coldness.

Persis whirled about, a wild foolish hope in her heart. "A letter?
Where?"

"On the mantel, next the clock!" Joel's eyes followed his sister as
she crossed the room with that quick light step, so reminiscent of
girlhood. She pounced upon the letter and even her brother's eyes,
dimmed by life-long self-absorption, could see that her face fell.

"I didn't know you knew anybody in Cleveland."

"Cleveland." In some mysterious manner, Persis' animation had
returned. The confirmed meddler has one thing in her favor, that
whatever the crisis of her own fortunes, there are always the affairs
of other people to distract her thoughts. She dropped into a chair by
the lamp and read the brief letter with breathless interest, too
absorbed even to apologize.

"Miss Persis Dale,

"Clematis.

"Dear Madam--Yours of the 12th inst. received. I am at a loss to
understand your very extraordinary inquiry, unless by some chance a
letter intended for me has fallen into your hands. In that case I am
enclosing stamps to have it forwarded by special delivery. I hardly
need remind you that it is a serious offence in the eyes of the law to
retain mail which is the property of another person.

"Yours truly,

"W. Thompson.

"Hollenden Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio."

Joel stared at his sister as she read down the page, her color rising,
a curious, triumphant little smile playing about her lips. Thomas
glowered at the floor. So this answer to the