a
missionary, you know," she added, thinking of Father Waite.

"A missionary! Well, are you trying to convert the society world?"

"Yes, by Christianity--not by what the missionaries are now teaching
in the name of Christianity. I'll tell you all about it some day. Now
tell me, why are you unhappy? Why is your life pitched in such a minor
key? Perhaps, together, we can change it to a major."

Miss Wall could not help joining in the merry laugh. Then her face
grew serious. "I am unhappy," she said, "because I have arrived
nowhere."

Carmen looked at her inquiringly. "Well," she said, "that shows you
are on the wrong track, doesn't it?"

"I'm tired of life--tired of everything, everybody!" Miss Wall sank
back into the cushions with her lips pursed and her brow wrinkled.

"No, you are not tired of life," said Carmen quietly; "for you do not
know what life is."

"No, I suppose not," replied the weary woman. "Do you?" she asked
abruptly.

"Yes, it is God."

"Oh, don't mention that name, nor quote Scripture to me!" cried the
woman, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "I've had that stuff
preached at me until it turned my stomach! I hope you are not an
emotional, weepy religionist. Let's not talk about that subject. I'm
heartily sick of it!"

"All right," replied Carmen cheerily. "Padre Jose used to say--"

"Who's he?" demanded Miss Wall, somewhat curtly.

"Oh, he is a priest--"

"A priest! Dear me! do you constantly associate with priests, and talk
religion?"

The young girl laughed. "Well," she responded, "I've had a good deal
to do with both."

"And are you any better for it?"

"Oh, yes--lots!" she said quickly.

The woman regarded her with curiosity. "Tell me something about your
life," she said. "They say you are a princess."

"Surely I am a princess," returned Carmen, laughing merrily. "Listen;
I will tell you about big, glorious Simiti, and the wonderful castle I
lived in there, and about my Prime Minister, Don Rosendo, and--well,
listen, and then judge for yourself if I am not of royal extraction!"

Laughing again up into the mystified face of Miss Wall, the
enthusiastic girl began to tell about her former life in far-off
Guamoco.

As she listened, the woman's eyes grew wide with interest. At times
she voiced her astonishment in sudden exclamations. And when the girl
concluded her brief recital, she bent upon the sparkling face a look
of mingled wonder and admiration. "Goodness! After goi