a resounding kiss. "I shall thank
you all my life for those few words."

"Mrs. Calvert, you have made a very sensible decision," Herr
Deichenberg remarked with no little degree of satisfaction. "Believe
me, I know vhat I say iss true. Und now, if you vill please allow Mr.
Ludlow to make some necessary arrangements before he takes his leave,
it vill greatly facilitate matters."

Aunt Betty quickly assented, and turning to Dorothy, Mr. Ludlow said:

"What I wish is for you to appear at a preliminary concert in New
York City, at a date yet to be decided upon. You will be under the
watchful eye of your music master, and the affair will be given under
his auspices. You will, perhaps, have some prominent vocalist to help
you fill in the evening's entertainment. I wish to know if this will
be agreeable?"

"Yes, if the date is not too soon," the girl replied.

"As to that, we shall suit your pleasure, so it occurs before warm
weather sets in."

"It need not be later than the first of May."

"Then please sign this contract. I have drawn it up with the approval
of Herr Deichenberg, but before attaching your name, I will ask you
to read it and be sure you thoroughly understand it."

"Perhaps my lawyers might--" Aunt Betty began.

Herr Deichenberg raised his hand in dissent.

"Madame, it iss unnecessary. I am familiar with every form of
contract und I say to you dat de one offered your niece by Mr. Ludlow
is equitable and just, and can only be to her advantage."

"We will take your word, of course," replied Aunt Betty. "The only
reason I spoke is that neither Dorothy or myself is well versed in
contracts of any sort."

"The very reason why I prepared the contract after suggestions
offered by Herr Deichenberg," said Mr. Ludlow with a good-natured
smile.

"Oh, Aunt Betty!" cried Dorothy, as she read the document, "for one
appearance in New York, I am to receive one hundred dollars and my
expenses both ways. I think that is a very liberal offer."

"Merely a pittance, Miss Calvert, beside what you will get if your
concert pleases the music lovers of the metropolis, who, as you are
no doubt aware, are the most discriminating in the country."

"Oh, I hope I shall please them. I shall try so hard."

"You just leave dat to me," said Herr Deichenberg. "Any young lady
who played as you did at my concert, need have no fear of facing a
metropolitan audience."

"The plan is, Miss Calvert," Mr. Ludlow went on, in a thoroug