took the back seat of the double seated buggy, a young Negro
man clambered upon the front seat by the side of the driver whom Tiara
had accosted. He had a somewhat intelligent looking face and was
evidently accustomed to good society, although his clothes on this
occasion were ragged and dirty. This Negro had been on the train with
Tiara since leaving Almaville, but she had been so absorbed in the
object of her mission that she was oblivious to all that was passing
around her.

"Whar you gwine?" asked the driver of his Negro companion.

"Scuse me, but beins you don't seem to be over prosp'rous, I specks you
had kinder bettah pay in advance," said the driver, with a diplomatic
smile that said, "Now, don't get mad. This is a business matter."

Without a word the stranger pulled out a bill and handed it to the
driver, who took out his fare.

Tiara reached the Johnson residence, which was a large building, built
on the colonial style and surrounded by as fine a set of trees as one
could wish to see. Tiara went around to the kitchen and was taken into
the dining room by the Negro woman cook.

"You will please withdraw as I desire to be alone when I meet Mrs.
Johnson," said Tiara to the cook, with a pleasant smile.

Mrs. Johnson pulled aside the sliding door leading into the dining room
and, catching sight of Tiara, uttered a scream of joyous surprise and
rushed into her arms. Tiara gently disentangled herself in order to
close the door which Mrs. Johnson had left open. Sitting down by Mrs.
Johnson's side, Tiara took hold of her hand and talked in low, earnest
tones for a few moments, watching her countenance the while.

"No, no, no, I could not think of that for a moment. No, no, no," said
Mrs. Johnson, and in her heart there grew a great coldness toward Tiara
for even suggesting such a thing.

As for Tiara her hopes fell to the ground, and with despair written upon
every feature she arose to go. The two went to the back door through
which Tiara had entered, Mrs. Johnson in an excited manner saying over
and over again: "O no, no! Such a thing is not to be thought of for a
moment!" words that pierced Tiara like a dagger each time they were
uttered.

Sitting on a bench in the back yard waiting, as he said, for an
opportunity to ask Mrs. Johnson for a job, sat the Negro who had ridden
on the train with Tiara and had come to the Johnson residence as she
came. Mrs. Johnson looked at him, felt herself grow weak, and swo