y at her visitor. Honesty was written all over her
countenance--wide-open grey eyes, delicately tip-tilted nose and large,
frank mouth that laughed easily, and at the end of a laugh shut
decisively.

"I liked the way you spoke out concerning Chester Hunt and stood up for
the poor kiddies, too," said Josie earnestly.

"It got me in bad with old Lady Claiborne, but I am dead tired of these
people here blindly accepting that man just because he is so all-fired
handsome. I believe he is crooked, but he is mighty popular with the
general run of people. The stenographers all hate him and there are a
few business men who don't trust him but he seems to be able to
hoodwink the society set. He has beautiful manners and is gentle and
graceful until he forgets himself and then look out! I feel in my bones
he is double dealing and I can't think what the Wallers' friends are
thinking of to let him take their affairs in hand as he does without
ever investigating a thing."

"But he is executor of Mr. Waller's estate, is he not?"

"Oh, yes, he is all that and I reckon nobody has a right to say a word.
Now, he is guardian of the children. The idea of that old hag's saying
those children are so naughty they ran their mother crazy! It makes me
sick. They are precious kids."

"They certainly are," agreed Josie. Miss Chisholm looked at her in
astonishment.

"Do you know them?"

"Yes," said Josie, "I know them very well. Miss Chisholm, I'm going to
do a rather cheeky thing. I'm going to force my confidence on you and
make you party to a secret--that is, I am going to do it if you have no
objection. It won't implicate you in any way and won't involve any work
unless you choose to let it. I want your advice and I want your
outlook. I need hardly say that this is of a most confidential nature.
May I impose on you?"

"Yes, you may, but before you do, please tell me why you think I am
worthy," asked Miss Chisholm, her eyes shining with excitement.

"The way you shut your mouth and open your eyes," laughed Josie. "The
way you stood up for the kids and were not afraid to speak your mind
concerning a man who has in some way got the majority for him. Of
course I can't say I am never mistaken about people but I am pretty
safe to hit it right once in a while and I have a hunch I have hit it
right with you. I am rather meek just now concerning my powers of
reading character by countenance, because I am sure if I had not had a
preconceived id