itatingly, although evidently delighted with the
idea, "Miss Kling' will never--"

"Hang Miss Kling!" interrupted Clem, emphatically; "excuse the
expression, but she deserves it; she never need know. I will undertake
to arrange everything, and keep the secret from her. To account for the
instruments in your room, tell her you are going to practice at home,
and have a pupil. Cyn, I know, will be delighted to amuse herself by
learning."

"I should like it very much," acknowledged Nattie, "but--"

"I allow no buts," Clem interrupted with gay decision; "you get the
instruments, tell me the first time Miss Kling goes out to spend the
day, and leave the rest to me."

Nattie needed little urging, being only too billing to have some more of
those old confidential chats with "C,"--which _nobody_ could share--and
the required promise was given.

Strange it is, how circumstances alter cases. Coming to the office that
morning, Nattie had found it disagreeable and hard enough to buffet the
storm, and had growled at herself all the way, because she was not smart
enough to get on in the world, even so far as to be able to stay at home
in such weather For storms of nature, like storms of life, are hardest
to a woman, trammeled as she is in the one by long skirts, that will
drag in the mud, and clothes that every gust of wind catches, and in the
other by prejudices and impediments of every kind, that the world, in
consideration, doubtless, for her so-called "weakness," throws in her
way. But now, on her way home, Nattie minded not the wind, and rather
enjoyed the rain; it may be that this total change in her sentiments was
due to the fact that Clem held the umbrella.

Miss Kling saw them come into the hotel together, wet and merry, and
scowled. Perhaps in former days she had gone home under an umbrella with
somebody--a possible other self--and so knew all about the enjoyability
of the experience. But Nattie did not even notice her landlady's
acrimonious glance, and sang a gay song as she changed her bedrabbled
dress.

Cyn, who was of course immediately informed about the projected private
wire, was delighted with the idea, and began studying the Morse alphabet
at once.

"And the best of all is that we are going to get the better of that
argus-eyed Dragon!" said Cyn.

"_If_ we can!" Nattie replied with emphasis.

"Oh! but Clem is sure of that part!" Cyn said with great confidence.

But Nattie shook her head dubiously.

"S