whatever with persons ordering the work.'

"'And do you know of any one who would want such work done?'

"'Yes,' I said; 'I know people who would be very glad to send papers to
be copied. I could procure you some work which would be in no hurry, and
that would be an advantage to you in the beginning.'

"'Indeed it would,' she said; and then her mother joined us, and the
subject of typewriting was dropped. The only time that it was referred
to again was at the very end of my trip, when Miss Raynor came to me,
just as I was preparing to leave the yacht, and told me that she had
made up her mind to get a typewriter and to learn to use it; and she
asked me, if I were still willing to assist her in securing work, to
send my address to the Mother Superior of the House of Martha, which of
course I assured her I would do."

"Why in the name of common sense," I cried, turning suddenly around in
my chair and facing Walkirk, "did you put into Miss Raynor's head all
that stuff about typewriting? Did you do it simply because you liked to
talk to her?"

"By no means," he replied. "I did it solely on your account and for your
benefit. If she learns to copy manuscripts on the typewriter, why should
she not copy your manuscripts? Not immediately, perhaps, but in the
natural course of business. If she should make me her agent, which I
have no doubt she would be willing to do, I could easily manage all
that. In this way you could establish regular communications with her.
There would be no end to your opportunities, and I am sure you would
know how to use them with such discretion and tact that they would be
very effective."

I folded my arms, and looked at him. "Walkirk," said I, "you are
positively, completely, and hopelessly off the track. Mother Anastasia
has shown me exactly how I stand with Sylvia Raynor. She has vowed
herself to that sisterhood because she thinks it is wrong to love me.
She has made her decision, and has taken all the wretched steps which
have rendered that decision final, and now I do not intend to try to
make her do what she religiously believes is wrong."

"That is not my idea," answered Walkirk. "What I wish is that she shall
get herself into such a state of mind that she shall think the
sisterhood is wrong, and therefore leave it."

I gave a snort of despair and disgust, and began to stride up and down
the room. Presently, however, I recovered my temper. "Walkirk," said I,
"I am quite sure that you m