ome?" she asked of the servant.

"I believe so, madam," answered a dignified man-servant.

"Take this card to her."

Mrs. Pitkin and Alonzo were ushered into a drawing-room more elegant
than their own. She sat on a sofa with Alonzo.

"Who would think that Rebecca Forbush would come to live like this?" she
said, half to herself.

"And that boy," supplemented Alonzo.

"To be sure! Your uncle is fairly infatuated."

Just then Mrs. Forbush entered, followed by her daughter. She was no
longer clad in a shabby dress, but wore an elegant toilet, handsome
beyond her own wishes, but insisted upon by Uncle Oliver.

"I am glad to see you, Lavinia," she said simply. "This is my daughter."

Julia, too, was stylishly dressed, and Alonzo, in spite of his
prejudices, could not help regarding this handsome cousin with favor.

I do not propose to detail the interview. Mrs. Pitkin was on her good
behavior, and appeared very gracious.

Mrs. Forbush could not help recalling the difference between her
demeanor now and on the recent occasion, when in her shabby dress she
called at the house in Twelfth Street, but she was too generous to
recall it.

As they were about to leave, Mr. Carter and Philip entered the room,
sent for by Mrs. Forbush.

"How do you do, Philip?" said Mrs. Pitkin, graciously. "Alonzo, this is
Philip."

"How do?" growled Alonzo, staring enviously at Phil's handsome new suit,
which was considerably handsomer than his own.

"Very well, Alonzo."

"You must come and see Lonny," said Mrs. Pitkin pleasantly.

"Thank you!" answered Phil politely.

He did not say it was a pleasure, for he was a boy of truth, and he did
not feel that it would be.

Uncle Oliver was partially deceived by his niece's new manner. He was
glad that there seemed to be a reconciliation, and he grew more cordial
than he had been since his return.

After awhile Mrs. Pitkin rose to go.

When she was fairly in the carriage once more, she said passionately:

"How I hate them!"

"You were awful sweet on them, ma!" said Alonzo, opening his eyes.

"I had to be. But the time will come when I will open the eyes of Uncle
Oliver to the designs of that scheming woman and that artful errand
boy."

It was Mrs. Pitkin's true self that spoke.

CHAPTER XXX.

PHIL'S TRUST.

Among the duties which devolved upon Phil was Mr. Carter's bank
business. He generally made deposits for Uncle Oliver, and drew money on
his personal checks whene