y secret: she
hated secrecy, though secrecy contained a thrill. Then, one morning when
she was alone in the office with young Caldwell, who was absorbed in
some reports, Ditmar entered unexpectedly and looked her full in the
eyes, surprising her into answering his glance before she could turn
away, hating herself and hating him. Hate, she determined, was her
prevailing sentiment in regard to Mr. Ditmar.

The following Monday Miss Ottway overtook her, at noon, on the stairs.

"Janet, I wanted to speak to you, to tell you I'm leaving," she said.

"Leaving!" repeated Janet, who had regarded Miss Ottway as a fixture.

"I'm going to Boston," Miss Ottway explained, in her deep, musical
voice. "I've always wanted to go, I have an unmarried sister there of
whom I'm very fond, and Mr. Ditmar knows that. He's got me a place with
the Treasurer, Mr. Semple."

"Oh, I'm sorry you're going, though of course I'm glad for you,"
Janet said sincerely, for she liked and respected Miss Ottway, and was
conscious in the older woman of a certain kindly interest.

"Janet, I've recommended you to Mr. Ditmar for my place."

"Oh!" cried Janet, faintly.

"It was he who asked about you, he thinks you are reliable and quick and
clever, and I was very glad to say a good word for you, my dear, since
I could honestly do so." Miss Ottway drew Janet's arm through hers
and patted it affectionately. "Of course you'll have to expect some
jealousy, there are older women in the other offices who will think they
ought to have the place, but if you attend to your own affairs, as you
always have done, there won't be any trouble."

"Oh, I won't take the place, I can't!" Janet cried, so passionately that
Miss Ottway looked at her in surprise. "I'm awfully grateful to you,"
she added, flushing crimson, "I--I'm afraid I'm not equal to it."

"Nonsense," said the other with decision. "You'd be very foolish not
to try it. You won't get as much as I do, at first, at any rate, but a
little more money won't be unwelcome, I guess. Mr. Ditmar will speak to
you this afternoon. I leave on Saturday. I'm real glad to do you a good
turn, Janet, and I know you'll get along," Miss Ottway added impulsively
as they parted at the corner of Faber Street. "I've always thought a
good deal of you."

For awhile Janet stood still, staring after the sturdy figure of her
friend, heedless of the noonday crowd that bumped her. Then she went to
Grady's Quick Lunch Counter and ordered