d the peculiar administration of the Western penal code that made
house-servants of convicts. Seeing my perturbation, Ruth evidently
intended to relieve it by the explanatory remark of "He is a 'trusty,'
Jenny dear," but really threw no light whatever on the subject.

It was a very nice dinner, served tastefully and with a home comfort
about everything connected with the table that seemed most unlike
a prison. Mr. Denham's intelligence and cheerfulness added to the
delusion that I was enjoying the hospitalities of a cultivated Eastern
home. He and his wife had kept themselves thoroughly familiar with all
topics of general interest through the medium of periodicals, and had
much to ask about the actual progress of improvements they had read of
and the changes occurring among dear and familiar Eastern scenes.

Lester came in again with the empty tray, and quietly gathered the
plates from the table preparatory to placing dessert. I wanted to look
at him--indeed, a fascination I could not resist drew my eyes to his
face like a magnet--yet, somehow, I dared not keep them there: the
consciousness of meeting his glance, and feeling that I should then be
ashamed of my curiosity, made them drop uneasily every time he turned;
and once when I found his gaze rest on me an instant, I felt myself
color violently under the quiet look of his steel-gray eyes.

One thing was very observable in the little group: the child Nellie
was intensely fond of the man, and he himself seemed to entertain and
constantly endeavor to express an exalted admiration for Mr. Denham.
While the latter was speaking Lester's animated looks followed every
word and gesture: he anticipated his unexpressed wishes, and watched
to save him the trouble of moving or asking for anything.

"No, no, Nellie, stay and finish your dinner: Lester is not quite
ready for you yet." Her mother said this in reference to the child's
eagerness to follow the trusty attendant from the room, and her
neglect of her meal in consequence. "Nellie is in the habit of
carrying up the sugar and cream for the coffee, and she thinks Lester
cannot possibly get on if she does not assist," said Ruth in smiling
explanation as Nellie hastened after him.

The next instant there was the mingled sound of a heavy fall or
succession of falls outside, and one quick, stifled scream from the
child.

"The dumb-waiter, quick! It has broken from its weights and scalded
Nell with the hot coffee," cried Ru