d think," she began,
quickly, "that with wealth, and being the _fiancee_ of a noble young man
like Mr. Garner, and so soon to marry him, that I was the happiest girl
in the world."

"Yes," returned the other, choking back a sob.

"I was not always surrounded by wealth and affluence, as you see me
now," commenced Jessie Staples, burying her head in her pillow. "Only a
few short months ago I was poorer than you are now, and worked for my
daily bread. Among the companions who stood side by side with me was
one, a lovely girl whom I loved with all my heart.

"She was gay and thoughtless, the life of the work-room, with her
bright, girlish, mischievous pranks. Though they called her 'Madcap
Dorothy,' yet every one loved her for her bright, winning ways.

"There was one employed in the same place whom I had loved ever since I
could remember--loved in secret, making no sign, for it was hopeless--as
he loved pretty Madcap Dorothy, and loved her with all the strength of
his great, noble, manly heart.

"I was her best friend, even though she was in secret my rival. I did
not care for myself. I only wanted to see the two whom I loved so well
happy. One of them was Jack Garner, and the other Dorothy; and I will
tell you of her."

"She was young, and gay, and pretty, as I have said, and she knew it.
She knew that she had all of Jack's heart, but she longed for more
heroes to conquer.

"One fatal day--oh, how well I remember it!--she fell in love with a
handsome, black-eyed stranger--a car conductor on Broadway. That was the
beginning of the end for Jack, who loved her so. One fatal day she ran
away with the stranger and was never heard of again.

"Rumor has it that later on he tired of her, and was soon to lead to the
altar a proud and lovely young girl--a school-girl--who had never known
what it was to earn her bread, as did poor, pretty Madcap Dorothy.

"Dorothy's desertion nearly cost Jack Garner his life. I went and nursed
him and took care of him; and when he recovered, his mother was stricken
low, and I in turn nursed her.

"In the darkest hour of that terrible illness, when we were all gathered
about her bedside, waiting for the angel of death to stoop and bear her
away to that bright land that knows no grief nor partings, suddenly she
beckoned Jack near her.

"'Oh, mother, is there anything that you wish?' he cried. 'Anything that
I can do for you? Tell me if there is.'

"'Yes,' she whispered, 'there is one th