to advertise for them."

She carefully cut out the lines from the paper, slipped the clipping into
her pocket-book, then took up her work just as Mrs. Montague entered the
room.

She gave instructions regarding the alterations she wished made, and then
left Mona by herself again. All day long Mona's mind kept recurring to
the advertisement she had cut from the paper, while she had an
instinctive feeling that she might be in some way connected with Mona
Forester, although how she could not comprehend.

"It would be useless for me to go to Corbin & Russel to make inquiries,
for I could give them no reliable information about myself," she said,
while considering the matter. "Oh, why could not Uncle Walter have told
me more? I could not even prove that I am Mona Montague, for I have no
record of my parents' marriage or of my birth. Perhaps, if I could find
that woman--Uncle Walter's wife--she might be able to tell me something;
but I do not know where to find her. Possibly Mrs. Montague would know
whether this Mona Forester is a relative, if I dare ask her; but I
do not--I could not--without betraying myself and perhaps spoil all my
other plans. Oh, dear, it is so dreadful to be alone in the world and
not really know who you are!" she concluded, with a sigh.

About the middle of the next forenoon Mrs. Montague asked her if she
would come with her to look over a trunk of clothing preparatory to
beginning upon spring sewing.

Mona readily complied with her request, and together they went up to a
room in the third story. There were a number of trunks in the room, and
unlocking one of these, Mrs. Montague threw back the lid and began to lay
out the contents upon the floor. Mona was astonished at the number and
richness of the costumes thus displayed, and thought her income must be
almost unlimited to admit of such extravagance.

She selected what she thought might do to be remodeled, and then she
began to refold what was to be replaced in the trunk.

Among other things taken from it, there was a large, square pasteboard
box, and Mrs. Montague had just lifted it upon her lap to examine its
contents to see if there was anything in it which she would need, when
Mary appeared at the door, saying that Mr. Palmer was below and wished to
see her.

Mrs. Montague arose quickly, and in doing so, the box slipped from her
hands to the floor and its contents, composed of laces, ribbons, and
gloves, went sliding in all directions.