could wait. But there was an icy haughtiness in the
girl's demeanor that discouraged any further attempt at getting
acquainted. Proceeding therefore to business, he picked up a paper
from the desk and commenced to dictate a letter.

CHAPTER V

The loss of her mother, following so soon after the death of her
father, had come as a terrible shock to Virginia. She felt it more
keenly even than Fanny, not only because her nature was more sensitive
and impressionable, but also because she realized that she had been
suddenly robbed of a constant and devoted companion. Fanny, who was
now officially engaged to Mr. Gillie, was nearly always in his
company, with the result that Virginia, more particular and more
exacting in the choice of acquaintances than her sister, found the
world emptier and more lonely than ever.

Graduation day had come and gone and the dress which her poor mother
had not lived to finish, had to be completed by other hands. At the
end of her school days and now practically alone, with no one to look
to for support, Virginia began to think seriously of the future. She
must get something to do, that was very certain. Fanny would soon have
Jimmie to look after her, but she herself must depend on her own
exertion. She was a long time making up her mind what she would do.
Her education fitted her for a teacher, but she shrank from the idea.
Never would she have the patience. Then she thought of trying to write
for the papers or magazines. That, also, was rejected. It was too
precarious; she had had no experience. There was the stage. No--that
would not do. She did not like the environments. There remained only
the alternative of being a saleswoman in a department store or a
stenographer. Having taken a course in shorthand, and being fairly
proficient, she chose the latter, and, thanks to the influence and
good offices of Dr. Everett, at last succeeded in securing a fairly
remunerative position.

The first few days of business employment proved a novel and trying
experience. To a young girl accustomed to the quiet and exclusiveness
of private life, the noise and promiscuousness of a public hotel
corridor were singularly distasteful. The men ogled her; the women
guests tried her patience. A pretty girl, it was only natural that she
should attract attention from the men, but the persistent manner in
which they stared, and tried to make acquaintance, annoyed her beyond
measure. When they spoke to her in