friend! I now see how unwise
it was for me to take such a late train."

They walked to the Cortlandt Street station of the Sixth Avenue
Elevated Road, and ascended the steps. In spite of her anxieties the
young lady felt interested in the novel means of locomotion, and asked
a variety of questions of the train boy. At Thirty-Third Street they
descended, and walking a short distance up Broadway turned down a side
street, and were soon at the door of Fred's modest home.

Mrs. Fenton was sitting up, and had come to feel anxious.

"How long you have been away, Fred!" she said.

"Not quite three days, mother."

"But you were never away before. Bertie and I have missed you very
much."

"Mother," said Fred, "you don't see that I have company."

Then, for the first time, the widow observed the young lady.

"Who is it, Fred?" she asked, as a wild and improbable suspicion
entered her mind. Could it be that Fred, who was only a boy in years,
had contracted a marriage and brought his wife home?

"I shall have to ask the young lady to introduce herself," said Fred.

"My name is Ruth Patton," said the girl timidly. "I hope you will not
be angry with your son for bringing me here. I am a stranger in the
city, and indeed I did not know that the train arrived so late. Your
son told me that it would be difficult to get into any hotel or
boarding-house at this hour, and I have ventured to throw myself on
your hospitality for to-night."

"You are heartily welcome," said Mrs. Fenton, ready to smile at her
first wild suspicion. "Remove your wraps, and in ten minutes I can
offer you a cup of tea and some eggs and toast. You will sleep the
better for a little supper."

"You are a wise woman, mother," said Fred. "You have guessed what I was
longing for."

"Let me help you, Mrs. Fenton," said Ruth, already looking more
cheerful.

"Then you may toast the bread," said Mrs. Fenton. "I don't dare to
trust Fred. I did once to my sorrow, and the toast turned out to be as
black as my shoe."

"I can promise to do better than that. I have plenty of experience."

She set herself to the task, as if she felt quite at home, and soon
they were able to sit down to a plain but welcome supper.

"Do you know, mother," said Fred, between mouthfuls, "Luella Ferguson
was on the train."

"How did you recognize her? Did she speak to you?"

Fred smiled roguishly.

"She did. Shall I tell you what she said?"

"I should be glad to hear it."