ions.

The more I saw and thought of Miss Jorgensen, the more she interested
and puzzled me. I should have inclined to the opinion that she was a
little disturbed at times in her intellect, had it not been that there
was apparent so much "method in her madness;" this reflection always
bringing me back at last to the conclusion that her peculiarities could
all be accounted for upon the hypothesis she herself presented; too much
work and some great anxiety. The spectacle of this human mite fighting
the battle of life, not only for herself but for the strong man who
should have been her protector, worked so upon my imagination and my
sympathy that I found it difficult to keep the little woman out of my
thoughts.

I kept my word to her, discountenancing, as far as I could, the
discussion of her affairs, and in this effort Mrs. Mason co-operated
with me; but it was practically impossible to prevent the inquiries and
remarks of those of the family who were not so well informed concerning
her as we were. The new boarder, also, with that quick apprehension he
had of every subject, had caught enough to become interested in the
patient up-stairs, and daily made some inquiries concerning her
condition, and, as it appeared to me--grown a little morbid, like Miss
Jorgensen--was peculiarly adroit in extracting information.

Three weeks slipped away, and Miss Jorgensen had passed the most painful
period of suppuration and healing in her arm, and had promised to come
down-stairs next day to dine with the family. Mrs. Mason had just
communicated the news to us in her cheeriest tones, as if each
individual was interested in it, and was proceeding to turn out our
coffee, when a servant brought in the letters for the house and laid
them beside the tray, directly under the eye of the new boarder, who sat
on the landlady's left.

"'Miss Jorgensen," said he, reading the address of the topmost one. "A
very peculiar handwriting." Then taking up the letter, as if to further
examine the writing, I observed that he was studying the postmark as
well, which, being offended at his unmannerly curiosity, I sincerely
hoped was illegible. But that it was only too fatally plain will soon
appear.

With an air of _hauteur_ I seldom assumed, I recalled the servant, and
ordered the letter to be taken at once to Miss Jorgensen. Before leaving
the house I was informed that Miss Jorgensen wished to speak to me.

"Mr. Hurst has done a most imprudent thing!