erring passage through
it? Would no instinct of natural affection prompt him to seek news of
the mother who had idolized him? After a while she must renew the
quest, but for the present, safety demanded her seclusion; and since
only Doctor Grantlin knew the place of her retreat, she felt secure
from discovery.

One Spring day, when warm South winds had kissed open the spicy lips of
lilacs, and yellowed the terrace with crocus flakes, Beryl dismissed
her class of pupils in drawing and painting, and was engaged in dusting
the plaster casts, and arranging the palettes and pencils left in
disorder. The door opened, and a pretty, young German Sister looked in.

"Sister Ruth have need of you to do some errands; and you must go on
the street; so you will get your bonnet and veil. Is it that you will
be there soon?"

"I will come at once, Sister Elsbeth."

For several days Sister Ruth had been confined to her room by
inflammatory rheumatism, and when Beryl entered, the invalid presented
the appearance of a mummy swathed in red flannel.

"I am sorry to disturb you, and equally sorry that I feel obliged to
exact a reluctant service, because I know you dislike to visit the
business part of the city, and there I must send you. This note from
Mrs. Vanderdonk will explain the nature of the business, which I can
intrust to no one except yourself; and you will see that the commission
admits of no delay. Here is your car fare. Go first to No. 100 Lucre
Avenue, talk fully with Mrs. Vanderdonk, and then ride down to Jardon &
Jackson's and get all the material you think will be required. You will
observe, she lays great stress on the superfine quality of the plush.
Order the bill delivered with the goods; and if anything be required in
your department, you had better leave the list with Kling & Turner."

Three squares south of the "Anchorage" ran a line of street cars which
carried her away to the heart of the city; and at the expiration of an
hour and a half, Beryl had executed the commission, and was walking
homeward, watching for a car which would expedite her return. Dreading
identification, she went rarely into the great thoroughfare; and now
felt doubly shielded from observation by the Quaker-shaped drab bonnet
and veil that covered her white cap. As she was passing the entrance of
a dancing academy, a throng of boys and girls poured out, filling the
sidewalk, and creating a temporary blockade, through which a gentleman
laden