ly by an effort of will could the tears be kept
from falling. Did any one of her friends consider her so
poverty-stricken that it was necessary to send her money in this
anonymous fashion?

Scarcely waiting to think, Betty rushed out of the house and down the
old paved brick walk out into the street. For there might be a bare
chance that the messenger was not yet out of sight. Sure enough, there
he was still loitering on the corner about half a block away.
Bareheaded, and in her thin dress, with the money in her hand, the girl
ran forward. And actually as she reached the young man, she caught him
fast by the sleeve.

"Please, you must tell me who sent me this money or else take it back
at once and say that though I am very much obliged I cannot receive a
gift delivered in this secret fashion."

The two young people were standing near an electric light so that they
could now see each other plainly. Betty observed a tall, overgrown boy
with thin, straight features and clear hazel eyes, and now that his hat
was removed, a mass of curly dark hair, which had been vainly smoothed
down.

"I can't take the money back, since it belongs to you," the young man
answered awkwardly.

Inside her Betty heard a small voice whispering: "If it only really
did!" For the ten dollars would buy Christmas presents for her mother,
for Polly and Esther and others of her friends. Nevertheless she shook
her head.

"The money cannot be mine and so you must return it." Then finding
that her insistence was failing to have any effect, she dropped the
money on the ground at the young fellow's feet and walked away.

"But, Miss Ashton," the stranger's voice argued, "please believe me
when I say that this money is yours. Oh, of course I don't mean this
special ten dollar bill; for yours was spent nearly a year ago. But at
least the money represents the same amount."

Betty paused and again faced the speaker. There was sincerity in his
tone--a determined appeal. But what on earth could he be talking
about? He looked perfectly rational, although his statement was so
extraordinary.

"You don't recognize me and I am truly glad," the young man went on.
"But can't you recall once having befriended a fellow when instead you
ought to have sent him to jail? He did not deserve your kindness then.
He was actually trying to steal from you the money which you afterwards
gave him of your own free will. But he has tried since to be honest."