large building whom forbidding
exterior proclaimed that it was an institution of formal charity. It
was, in fact, a refuge for the various waifs and strays of ill-advised
or hopeless immigration. As Prosper paused before the door, certain told
recollections of a similar refuge were creeping over him, and, oddly
enough, he felt as embarrassed as if he had been seeking relief for
himself. The perspiration stood out on his forehead as he entered the
room of the manager.

It chanced, however, that this official, besides being a man of shrewd
experience of human weakness, was also kindly hearted, and having, after
his first official scrutiny of his visitor and his resplendent watch
chain, assured himself that he was not seeking personal relief,
courteously assisted him in his stammering request.

"If I understand you, you want some one to act as your housekeeper?"

"That's it! Somebody to kinder look arter things--and me--ginrally,"
returned Prosper, greatly relieved.

"Of what age?" continued the manager, with a cautious glance at the
robust youth and good-looking, simple face of Prosper.

"I ain't nowise partickler--ez long ez she's old--ye know. Ye follow me?
Old--ez of--betwixt you an' me, she might be my own mother."

The manager smiled inwardly. A certain degree of discretion was
noticeable in this rustic youth! "You are quite right," he answered
gravely, "as yours is a mining camp where there are no other women,
Still, you don't want any one TOO old or decrepit. There is an elderly
maiden lady"--But a change was transparently visible on Prosper's simple
face, and the manager paused.

"She oughter be kinder married, you know--ter be like a mother,"
stammered Prosper.

"Oh, ay. I see," returned the manager, again illuminated by Prosper's
unexpected wisdom.

He mused for a moment. "There is," he began tentatively, "a lady in
reduced circumstances--not an inmate of this house, but who has received
some relief from us. She was the wife of a whaling captain who died some
years ago, and broke up her home. She was not brought up to work, and
this, with her delicate health, has prevented her from seeking active
employment. As you don't seem to require that of her, but rather want
an overseer, and as your purpose, I gather, is somewhat philanthropical,
you might induce her to accept a 'home' with you. Having seen better
days, she is rather particular," he added, with a shrewd smile.

Simple Prosper's face was radia