ws:

"DEAR KARL:--I have only a moment in which to reply to your letter
of the 3d, but will write you more at length at some further date.
I am teaching in the family of a wealthy lady, until fate throws
something more agreeable in my way. This is all that keeps me from
despair.

"My _own_! what would I not give to see you? Oh, this fearful curse
of poverty! I must find some means of escape from my difficulties,
or go _mad_. I cannot live without you. I have planned a thousand
impossible schemes, which I have been obliged to abandon as
unavailing.

"Meanwhile, I am not idle. There is a rich bachelor, who resides in
the house where I am employed. I have made some progress towards an
acquaintance, and am beginning to entertain the hope that I have
made an impression. Money is all that stands in the way of our
happiness. I would dare anything to possess it. If I could once
establish a claim to a portion of his vast wealth, do you not see
that there are other lands where we might enjoy it together, and
our life be one long dream of happiness?

"Write to me, for I am unhappy.

"Your loving CLEMENCE."

"Where did you get this?" he asked, briefly, after having completed its
perusal.

"I found it where it had been carelessly dropped on the floor of the
school-room," was the response.

"Was she aware of the occasion of her abrupt dismissal?" was the next
question.

"No," sighed the lady. "I could not bring myself to hurt her feelings,
deeply as I felt I had been wronged, so I left word for her that I
intended to make some change in the girls' studies, and thought of
placing them under the care of masters. It is extremely fortunate that I
discovered her real character in time, is it not, Will?"

"Yes, extremely fortunate," he echoed absently, with a look of pain in
his face that did not escape the eager eyes that scanned it searchingly.

"That was a clever little plot of mine," she soliloquized, an hour
later. "I did not dream the foolish fellow was so interested. How came I
to be so careless? That is the last governess who will ever enter these
doors. I will send the children away, for I hate to be bothered with
them, and it would be a great relief to have them out of my sight. I
will make speedy arrangements to that effect. Of course nothing further
will be heard of this gi