rked, as he
arose to go. "However," he added, "let me know how you succeed after you
get settled, and if anything should occur to throw you out of your place,
come straight to us, and make our home headquarters while you are looking
out for another."

Mona's self-possession almost forsook her as she took leave of him. It
seemed almost like losing her only friend, to let him go; but she bade
him good-by with as brave a front as possible, though she broke down
utterly the moment the door closed after him.

The remainder of the day was spent in packing her trunk and looking her
last upon the familiar objects of the home that had always been so dear
to her.

But her severest trial came when she had to bid the housekeeper and the
servants farewell, for the loved and loving girl had been a great
favorite with them all, and their grief was as deep and sincere at
parting with her.

This over, she stepped across the threshold of Walter Dinsmore's elegant
home for the last time, and entered the carriage that was to bear her
away, her heart nearly bursting with grief, and tears streaming in
torrents over her cheeks.

CHAPTER IX.

MONA RECEIVES A SHOCK.

When Mona arrived at the office of the employment bureau, at the hour
appointed, she found awaiting her the carriage belonging to the woman who
had engaged her services.

A pretty serving girl admitted her when she arrived at the elegant brown
stone mansion, and remarked, as she showed her up to the room she was to
occupy, that "the mistress had been called out of town for the day, and
would not be at home until dinner time."

The girl seemed kindly disposed, and chatted socially about the family,
which consisted only of "the mistress and her nephew, Master Louis." The
mistress was a widow, but very gay--very much of a society lady, and
"handsome as a picture," She was upward of forty, but didn't look a day
over thirty. She was very proud and high spirited, but treated her help
kindly if they didn't cross her.

Somehow Mona did not get a very favorable impression of her employer from
this gossipy information; but her fate was fixed for the present, and she
resolved to do the best that she could, and not worry regarding the
result.

As the girl was about to leave the room to go about her duties, she
remarked that dinner would be served at six o'clock, and that Mona was to
come down to the basement to eat with the other servants.

Mona flushed hotly at this i