e present year, Louise possessed a secret which she felt
she could confide to no ear but Ludwig Nisson's. With reddening cheeks
she softly made her confession. The easiest and most economical course
under the lamentable circumstances was to offer her some advice. That is
just what Ludwig did offer--subsequently, however, backing it with a
modest fiduciary bonus. After this Mr. Ludwig Nisson sought no more to
commune with Miss Ruff. The poor, indiscreet girl was in a pitiable
dilemma. She had no mother in whose heart of hearts she could seek
forgiveness and shelter. If her family were made aware of the event
impending, she knew the explosion of indignation would be terrific. So
she professed to be tired of staying at home, and entered her name in a
registry office for servants. Fitfully occupying two or three positions,
a victim of anxiety and unrest, she finally consulted an old friend of
her family--Mr. Peter Cook, the lawyer, who wrote a letter to Mr. Nisson
for his client. In a few days a lawyer called on Mr. Cook on behalf of
the restaurateur, and stated that the case would be allowed to go for
trial, in which case, Mr. Nisson would defend it. Shortly afterward, or
to be more specific, in May last, Mr. Henry E. Von Voss, collector for a
down-town business house, called upon Miss Ruff and had a conversation
with her in regard to a possible arrangement. Mr. Von Voss was anxious
that the conversation should be private, but the lady with whom Louise
was residing counseled her to secure the presence of a witness. He
advised her to settle the matter amicably, on a pecuniary basis, and
thus avoid the scandal of publicity. This counsel was favorably
entertained, and in a few days, on the receipt of a small sum of money,
she signed what in law is known as "a general release," drawn up by a
Second Avenue lawyer, in which she exempted Mr. Nisson from all further
claims of any kind whatsoever.

Time passed on, and the money was spent. The tale of the months that
would make her a mother were being surely fulfilled. As yet her family
knew nothing of her condition. With Disgrace, his gaunt twin brother,
Starvation, threatening to assail her, what should she do? Happy
thought! There were the Commissioners of Charities and Corrections.
There was an asylum for unfortunate girls in her condition. Here would
she apply and conceal her trouble.

Before an applicant can be admitted to this humane institution certain
preliminary informati