or declining, and, though it would be to sacrifice an evening, he
would go armed against Luella's fascinations by the knowledge he had
acquired. He drew out a sheet of paper from a drawer in his desk, and
wrote as follows:

MY DEAR MISS FERGUSON: As I am writing in my office, you will
understand and excuse the unfashionable business paper which I am
using. I am flattered to find that you miss me, and still more at the
reason you assign for preferring my company to that of the gilded young
men who worship at your shrine. I am but "a plain, blunt man," as
Shakspeare has it, and cannot vie with them in compliment. I shall no
doubt find pleasure in examining the etchings which you hold out as an
inducement to call. I will name Thursday evening, but should you have a
previous engagement, don't scruple to notify me, as I can easily
postpone my visit to another date.

Yours sincerely,

ALFRED LINDSAY.

Luella Ferguson read this note with mingled pleasure and
disappointment.

"It is very cold," she murmured, "almost as if I were an ordinary
acquaintance. I suppose men feel hampered when they try to express
themselves upon paper. I will not believe that he is less friendly, or
admires me less than he used to do. At any rate he is coming, and I
must make myself as fascinating as possible. I have a chance to win
him, and I mean to do it."

"Papa," said Luella on Thursday morning, "Mr. Lindsay will call here
this evening."

"I am glad to hear it, Luella. I hope he is coming--on business."

"I don't know," she answered demurely.

"You know my wishes on the subject?"

"They accord with mine, papa."

When Alfred Lindsay was announced, he found Luella resplendent in a new
dress, and bedecked with jewels. She intentionally made herself as
attractive as possible.

"Really. Miss Ferguson, you are radiant tonight," he said.

"Do you think so?" she asked.

"There is no doubt of it. Are you expecting other company?"

"Only yourself."

"Then I am to consider it a special compliment to me."

"If you like."

"Then I must express my acknowledgments."

Yet as he spoke, his thoughts reverted to Ruth Patton, with her lack of
ornament and severe simplicity, and he felt that her image was to him
the more attractive of the two. It was fortunate for Miss Ferguson's
peace of mind that she could not read his thoughts.

"Now, you bad boy," she said playf