spected neighbor, now millionnaire. Each one for himself, or herself,
decided--some of them singly and some of them in groups--that as they
did not know what sort of a woman Mrs. Cliff had become since the change
in her circumstances, they would not place themselves in false
positions. Other people might go and meet her at the station, but they
would stay at home and see what happened. Even Mr. Perley thought it
wise, under the circumstances, to do this.

Therefore it was, that when Mrs. Cliff stepped down upon the platform,
she saw no one there but Willy Croup. If Mrs. Cliff was a little shocked
and a good deal surprised to find no one to meet her but that
simple-minded dependant and relative, her emotions were excited in a
greater degree by the manner in which she was greeted by this old friend
and companion.

Instead of rushing toward her with open arms,--for Willy was an
impulsive person and given to such emotional demonstrations,--Miss Croup
came forward, extending a loosely filled black cotton glove. Her large,
light-blue eyes showed a wondering interest, and Mrs. Cliff felt that
every portion of her visible attire was being carefully scanned.

For a moment Mrs. Cliff hesitated, and then she took the hand of Willy
Croup and shook it, but she did not speak. She had no command of words,
at least for greeting.

Willy earnestly inquired after her health, and said how glad she was to
see her, but Mrs. Cliff did not listen. She looked about her. For an
instant she thought that possibly the train had come in ahead of time,
but this, of course, was absurd--trains never did that.

"Willy," she said, her voice a little shaken, "has anything happened? Is
anybody sick?"

"Oh no!" said Willy; "everybody is well, so far as I know. I guess you
are wondering why there is nobody here to meet you, and I have been
wondering at that too. They must have thought that you did not want to
be bothered when you were attending to your baggage and things. Is
anybody with you?"

"With me!" exclaimed Mrs. Cliff; "who could be with me?"

"Oh, I didn't know," replied the other; "I thought perhaps you might
have a maidservant, or some of those black people you wrote about."

Mrs. Cliff was on the point of telling Willy she was a fool, but she
refrained.

"Here is the baggage-man," said Willy, "and he wants your checks."

As Mrs. Cliff took the little pieces of brass from her purse and handed
them to the man, Willy looked on in amazem