rners of her mouth, the whole air of a mysterious something,
baffled and bewildered her.

Upon Ruth's writing-table rested a basket of delicate Marechal Niel
buds, almost veiled in tender maiden-hair; the anonymous sender was not
unknown.

"It has agreed well with you, Miss Levice," said Rose, in her gentle,
patient voice, that seemed so out of keeping with her young face. "You
look as if you had been dipped in a love-elixir."

"So I have," laughed Ruth, her hand straying to the velvety buds; "it
has made a 'nut-brown mayde' of me, I think, Rosebud. But tell me the
city news. Everything in running order? Tell me."

"Everything is as your kind help has willed it. I have a pleasant little
room with a middle-aged couple on Post Street. Altogether I earn ten
dollars over my actual monthly expenses. Oh, Miss Levice, when shall I
be able to make you understand how deeply grateful I am?"

"Never, Rose; believe me, I never could understand deep things; that is
why I am so happy."

"You are teasing now, with that mischievous light in your eyes. Yet the
first time I saw your face I thought that either you had or would have a
history."

"Sad?" The sudden poignancy of the question startled Rose.

She looked quickly at her to note if she were as earnest as her voice
sounded. The dark eyes smiled daringly, defiantly at her.

"I am no sorceress," she answered evasively but lightly; "look in the
glass and see."

"You remind me of Floy Tyrrell. Pooh! Let us talk of something else.
Then it can't be Wednesdays?"

"It can be any day. The Page children can have Friday."

"Do you know how Mr. Page is?"

"Did you not hear of the great operations he--Dr. Kemp--performed
Friday?"

"No." She could have shaken herself for the telltale, inevitable rush of
blood that overspread her face. If Rose saw, she made no sign; she had
had one lesson.

"I did not know such a thing was in his line. I had been giving Miss
Dora a lesson in the nursery. The old nurse had brought the two little
ones in there, and kept us all on tenter-hooks running in and out. One
of the doctors, Wells, I think she said, had fainted; it was a very
delicate and dangerous operation. When my lesson was over, I slipped
quietly out; I was passing through the corridor when Dr. Kemp came out
of one of the rooms. He was quite pale. He recognized me immediately;
and though I wished to pass straight on, he stopped me and shook my
hand so very friendly. And now I hear it