by my aunt's severity, and greeted Miss Kingsley
with more effusion than it was my wont to display toward strangers.

"I have heard that Miss Virginia Harlan is very clever," she said,
opening and shutting her eyes in rapid succession, which I soon found
was usual with her when she wished to be gracious, and which had much
the effect of heat lightning on the beholder. "Weren't you at Tinker's
Reach last summer?" she continued.

"She was," answered Aunt Agnes in a stern tone.

"Then you will be able to tell me if it is Mr. Dobbs or Dobson of
Philadelphia, who is engaged to our Miss Bentley. I wrote it Dobbs, as
seeming rather more distinguished. I agree with Mr. Spence that
monosyllables are the most sympathetic."

"I am very sorry to say his name is Dobson," I answered.

Miss Kingsley sighed. "What a pity! Mere accuracy and art come so often
into collision that it is difficult at times for us artists to do
justice to both. I expended much thought on that item."

I felt greatly puzzled. It was evident she took it for granted that I
knew who she was. But Aunt Agnes in attempting to enlighten me made my
confusion all the greater.

"I presume, Virginia, that you are aware that Miss Kingsley is 'Alpha'?"

"'Alpha'?" I faltered.

"You must certainly have often read her column in the 'Sunday
Mercury'?"

I looked embarrassed, for I never had. But the source of the item which
had appeared about me in that newspaper was now apparent.

Miss Kingsley blushed, and giggled convulsively. "No offence. Quite
natural, I'm sure. You have much better things to do than to read my
articles, Miss Virginia. I only thought you might have happened to read
Mr. Spence's 'Sonnet to Alpha' in our last issue."

I was obliged to admit that I had not; and feeling that it was as well
to make a clean breast of my ignorance, I acknowledged that I had never
heard of Mr. Spence.

Miss Kingsley gave a little gasp, and looked amused.

"Virginia! I am astonished," exclaimed Aunt Agnes. "Your father gave me
to understand that you had been spending a portion of the summer in
self-improvement. Mr. Spence is one of the most original thinkers in the
community. I cannot believe it possible that you have never heard of
him."

"Perhaps Miss Virginia may have read some of his poems or philosophy
without knowing the author," suggested Miss Kingsley. "You must surely
have heard of his 'Essay on the Economy of Speech,' which in my opinion
is the most s