she lived was soon traversed, and she about
turning into Main Street, when rapid footsteps approached her, and St.
Leon appeared at her side, saying, "Good evening, Miss Harcourt; allow
me to relieve you of that bundle."

And before she could prevent it he took from her hands the package,
while he continued, "May I ask how far you are walking to-night?"

Ada hesitated a moment, but quickly forcing down her pride, she
answered, "Only as far as Mr. Dayton's. I am carrying home some work."

"Indeed!" said he, "then I can have your company all the way, for I am
going to inquire after Lizzie."

They soon reached their destination, and their ring at the door was
not, as usual, answered by Bridget but by Lucy herself, whose sweet
smile, as she greeted St. Leon, changed into an angry scowl when she
recognized his companion.

"Ada Harcourt!" said she, and Ada, blushing scarlet, began: "I have
brought--" but she was interrupted by St. Leon, who handed Lucy the
bundle, saying:

"Here is your work, Miss Dayton, and I hope it will suit you, for we
took a great deal of pains with it."

Lucy tried to smile as she took the work, and then opening the parlor
door she with one hand motioned St. Leon to enter, while with the
other she held the hall door ajar, as if for Ada to depart. A tear
trembled on Ada's long eyelashes, as she timidly asked;

"Can I see your grandmother?"

"Mrs. Dayton, I presume you mean," said Lucy haughtily.

Ada bowed and Lucy continued: "She is not at home just at present."

"Perhaps, then, you can pay me for the work," said Ada.

The scowl on Lucy's face grew darker as she replied, "I have nothing
to do with grandma's hired help. Come to-morrow and she will be here.
How horridly cold this open door makes the hall!"

Ada thought of the empty cupboard at home, and of her pale, sick
mother. Love for her conquered all other feeling, and in a choking
voice she said, "Oh, Miss Dayton, if you will pay it you will confer a
great favor on me, for mother is sick, and we need it so much!"

There was a movement in the parlor. St. Leon was approaching, and with
an impatient gesture Lucy opened the opposite door, saying to Ada,
"Come in here."

The tone was so angry that, under any other circumstances, Ada would
have gone away. Now, however, she entered, and Lucy, taking out her
purse, said, "How much is the sum about which you make so much fuss?"

"Two dollars and a half," answered Ada.

"Two dollars and