n to it for a while, if possible, and I thought I could perhaps wait;
but now I want the money. It will have to go at whatever price it will
bring. It is too bad to ask you,--you are so good."

Norah assured her she would not mind in the least, and leaving the
patient in Miss Virginia's hands she walked thoughtfully toward home.
She happened to know that there was considerable interest felt at
present in the fluctuation of these bonds, for she sometimes read the
market news to Mr. Goodman, and he had a few days before spoken of
buying some. Was there any possible way by which she could sell Miss
Sarah's bond without sacrificing it?

At the corner she met Mr. Goodman, and at sight of him a sudden idea
took possession of her.

"Mr. Goodman, can you tell me how G. W. & S. bonds are selling
to-day?" she asked.

"Seventy-two they are asking to-day. A good thing if you want to buy.
They are bound to go up," was the old gentleman's reply.

"Could you come in and let me ask you a few questions?" said Norah.

Mr. Goodman never objected to talking stocks and bonds, and therefore
assented affably.

To the very evident amusement of Alex and Marion, Norah conducted her
companion through the shop into the next room, flashing a mischievous
glance over her shoulder as she pushed the door to. Giving the old man
a chair, she seated herself opposite him; and leaning forward with her
folded arms on the table, she told him of Miss Sarah's illness and her
need of money. "Now," she concluded, "she has one of those bonds, and
I want to sell it for a thousand dollars."

"My dear young lady, you can't do the impossible. Keep it six months
and it may be at par."

"But she can't wait. She must have the money,--at least she thinks so;
and she is too ill to be argued with. I want to make her mind easy.
Why couldn't--somebody--give a thousand dollars for it?" Norah's heart
beat quickly at her own daring. "What would be lost?"

"Why doesn't somebody give her three hundred dollars, you mean?"

"No, that is not at all what I mean," urged Norah. "I think you said
you were buying to sell? Now, if that bond is worth a thousand dollars
six months from now, what would--anybody lose who gave that for it
now? Only the interest on not quite three hundred dollars. That is, of
course, taking for granted he expected to sell."

"Upon my word!" exclaimed Mr. Goodman. "What is she talking about? I
didn't say they would be at par in six months."

"Well