nd hurried with them to the outer door
of the suite.

"Now, Helen, don't stay," called her mother. "You know how much I'm
alone, and I just simply can't go to bed yet. I'm not one bit sleepy."

"No, mother." The voice was calm, and the door shut quietly; but in the
hall Helen paused at the head of the stairs, flushed and palpitating.

"I wonder--if it would do any good--if I should--throw them!" she choked
hysterically, the tray raised high in her hands. Then with a little
shamed sob she lowered the tray and hurried downstairs to the apartment
below.

"It's only me, Mrs. Mason, with the dishes," she said a moment later, as
her neighbor peered out into the hall in answer to the knock at the door.
"I'm a little late to-night."

"Oh, to be sure, Miss Raymond; come in--come in. Why, child, what ails
you?" cried the woman, as Helen stepped into the light.

"Ails me? Why, nothing," laughed the girl evasively. "Shall I put the
things here?"

As she set the tray down and turned to go, the elder woman, by a sudden
movement, confronted her.

"See here, Miss Helen, it ain't none o' my business, I know, but I've
just got to speak. Your eyes are all teary, and your cheeks have got two
red spots in 'em. You've been cryin'. I know you have. You're so thin
I could just blow you over with a good big breath. And I know what's the
matter. You're all wore out. You 're doin' too much. No mortal woman
can work both day and night!"

"But I don't--quite," stammered the girl "Besides, there is so much to be
done. You know, mother--though she isn't very sick--can do but little
for herself."

"Yes, I know she don't--seem to. But is n't there some one else that
could help?"

The girl stirred restlessly. Her eyes sought for a means of escape.

"Why, no, of course not. There is n't any one," she murmured. "You are
very kind, really, Mrs. Mason, but I must go--now."

The other did not move. She was standing directly before the hall door.

"There 's--your brother."

The girl lifted her head quickly. A look that was almost fear came into
her eyes.

"Why, how did you know that I had--a brother?"

"Know it!" scoffed Mrs. Mason. "I have known your mother for a
year--ever since she moved here; and as if a body could know _her_ and
not hear of _him_! He's the very apple of her eye. Why can't he--help?
Would n't he, if he knew?"

"Why, Mrs. Mason, of course! He has--he does," declared the girl
quickly, the re