ss, "I do not need to
tell you, I am sure, how much pleasure it would give me to meet you now
and then, but you well know that poor young men, like myself, are not
often welcome in the home of the rich; indeed, I should feel myself out
of place among the fashionable people with whom you mingle."

"You need not!" Violet exclaimed, earnestly. "I should feel proud to
introduce you to any, or all, of my friends, and I promise that you
shall receive a most cordial welcome in my home if you ever honor me by
entering it. Now, good-by, Wal--Mr. Richardson, for I must go."

She held out her hand to him, and he took it in a strong, fond
clasp--the first time he had ever held it thus, and the last, he told
himself--with almost a feeling of despair, for he believed that
henceforth they would go their separate ways and have nothing in common.

He accompanied her out and helped her into the carriage, but with a keen
pain in his heart, as he saw two diamond-like drops fall upon the velvet
cushions as she took her seat, and knew that they were tears of regret
over this parting.

The nurse followed her charge, the coachman sprang upon his box, and
with one wave of a white hand, one lingering look from a pair of azure
eyes, Violet was gone, and that humble home in Hughes street seemed, to
one person at least, like a house in which there had been a death, and
from which peace and contentment had forever flown.

There was no one but the servants to welcome Violet home, for Mrs.
Mencke had not returned, and the poor girl felt forlorn and desolate
enough.

After bidding the nurse good-by, for the woman had only been
commissioned to see her safely home, she went wearily up to her own
room, where, after removing her wraps and dismissing her maid, she threw
herself upon her bed in a passion of tears, and longing for the
caressing touch of Mrs. Richardson's tender hand and the sound of her
affectionate, motherly voice.

When Mrs. Mencke finally returned and went to her she found her
sleeping, but looking feverish, the tears still upon her cheeks, and
with a mournful droop to her sweet lips that was really pathetic.

She awoke with a start and found herself gazing up into the handsome
face of her sister.

"Well, Violet, I suppose you are glad to be at home again," Mrs. Mencke
remarked, cheerfully, but regarding her searchingly.

Violet gave utterance to a deep sigh, but hesitated before replying.

"It is very comfortable here," she a