atty wanted.

She woke next morning with a pang of homesickness. It was a bit forlorn,
to wake up as a hired companion, instead of as a beloved daughter in her
own father's house.

But resolutely putting aside such thoughts, she forced herself to think
of her good fortune in securing her present position.

"I'm glad I'm here!" she assured herself, as she dashed cold water into
her suspiciously reddened eyes. "I know I shall have all sorts of odd and
interesting adventures here; and I'm determined to be happy whatever
happens. And, anyway, it will be over soon. A week isn't long."

Putting on a trim morning dress, of soft old rose cashmere, with a fine
embroidered white yoke, she went sedately down to the breakfast room. She
had been told to come to breakfast at nine o'clock, and the clock struck
the hour just as she crossed the threshold.

Instead of her employer, she was astounded to see Philip Van Reypen
calmly seated at the table.

"Jolly to see you again!" he cried, as he jumped up to greet her. "Just
thought I'd run in for a bite of breakfast, and to inquire how Aunty
Van's cold is."

"I didn't know she had a cold," said Patty, primly, trying to act as she
thought a companion ought to act.

"Neither did I," said the irrepressible Philip. "But I didn't know but
she might have caught one in the night. A germ flying in at the window,
or something."

Mindful of Mrs. Van Reypen's admonitions, Patty tried not to appear
interested in the young man's remarks, but it was impossible to ignore
the fact that he was interested in her.

She responded to his gay banter in monosyllables, and kept her dancing
eyes veiled by their own long-fringed lids, but this only served to pique
Philip's curiosity.

"I've a notion to spend the day here, with Aunty Van," he said, and then
Patty glanced up at him in positive alarm.

"Don't!" she cried, and her face betokened a genuine distress.

"Why not?" said the surprised young man; "have you learned to dislike me
so cordially already?"

Amiable Patty couldn't stand for this misinterpretation of her attitude,
and her involuntary, smiling glance was a sufficient disclaimer.

But she was saved the necessity of a verbal reply, for just at that
moment Mrs. Van Reypen came into the room.

CHAPTER XV

PERSISTENT PHILIP

"Why, Philip!" Mrs. Van Reypen exclaimed; "you are indeed growing
attentive to your aged aunt!"

"Middle-aged aunt!" he returned, gallantly; "and belo